President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed government agencies to focus on stabilizing the supply and prices of food, fuel, and electricity in the midst of the current economic challenges, a Palace official said on Wednesday.

“Kabilinbilinan ng Pangulo na hindi dapat mawalan ng supply ang Pilipinas ng fuel,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing at the Philippine Embassy in Singapore on Wednesday when asked about the latest inflation report.

“Kapag nahinto ang supply ng fuel, sobra ang magiging epekto nito sa bansa natin at baka talaga magkaroon ng paghinto, ang mga businesses at mas lalong malaki ang epekto sa ating ekonomiya.”

Castro enumerated government programs that are currently being implemented, such as the removal of the 12 percent VAT on the allowable system loss charge in electricity bills and pork supply management.

Also part of the initiative are the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) programs, Walang Gutom Program, TUPAD, and Free Rice programs.

“Patuloy pa rin ang pag-rollout at babanggitin ko, lalong-lalo na sa mga apektadong mga tsuper, operator, dahil sa Middle East crisis na hanggang ngayon ay patuloy pa rin,” said Castro, adding that the government did not want the Middle East developments.

“So patuloy pa rin ang fuel subsidy para sa mga PUV drivers, katulad ng sinabi natin, pati iyong expansion ng Kadiwa outlets ay patuloy pa rin.”

The Palace official also mentioned government efforts to ensure food supply.

She said that to boost food security, the palay storage facilities in Tarlac are being expanded, and the country’s first commercially approved African swine fever vaccine is being utilized to help stabilize the pork supply, especially with the upcoming holiday season.

“Pinalalakas din ang koordinasyon ng DA (Department of Agriculture), sa pangunguna ni Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. – at Pagasa para mas maging handa ang sektor agrikultura sa epekto ng pababago-bagong panahon.”

Castro added that the President met Wednesday with Acting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto to discuss possible government programs to cushion the impact of rising commodity prices, especially amid the El Niño phenomenon being experienced by the country. Presidential News Desk