Fuel subsidy rollout for other transport sectors set April 6 — Marcos

The nationwide rollout of fuel subsidies for other members of the transportation sector will begin on April 6, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said in his latest vlog on Sunday.

Marcos said fuel subsidies from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) have already been released to help ease the burden on transport workers amid rising fuel prices.

“Halos 100,000 na tricycle driver ang nabigyan noong Marso 20, pati na rin ang nationwide rollout para sa ibang transportation sector workers na magsisimula sa April 6,” the Chief Executive said in his March 22 vlog.

(Almost 100,000 tricycle drivers received subsidies on March 20, and the nationwide rollout for other transportation sector workers will begin on April 6.)

“Naiintindihan natin ang sigaw ng mga nagpoprotesta na kababayan natin… pero gusto kong ulitin sa inyo, hindi kayo maiiwanan; hindi kayo pababayaan ng pamahalaan,” he added.

(We understand the cries of our protesting countrymen… but I want to repeat: you will not be left behind; the government will not neglect you.)

Marcos also said the release of funds for cash assistance and subsidies is ongoing across other government agencies, adding that fuel subsidies are also being prepared for farmers and fisherfolk.

“Ongoing na talaga ang mga programang ‘yan. Pero nagdagdag pa tayo ng ₱50 million para sa mga regional field offices,” he said.

(Those programs are already ongoing. We have also added ₱50 million for regional field offices.)

Meanwhile, Marcos said the government is coordinating with fertilizer-producing countries to address rising fertilizer prices.

“Ang presyo ng fertilizer ay ibang usapan dahil petroleum product ‘yan. Nakikipag-usap na tayo sa iba’t ibang fertilizer-producing countries. Okay pa tayo sa Abril, pero pinaghahandaan na natin ang May hanggang June,” he said.

(As for fertilizer prices, that is a different matter because they are petroleum-based. We are already in talks with various fertilizer-producing countries. We are still okay for April, but we are preparing for May to June.)

On basic goods, Marcos said the government is closely monitoring prices, noting that the ₱20-per-kilo rice program is now being implemented in 177 local government units.

“Sa bigas, wala tayong problema. Sapat ang supply at nakokontrol pa natin ang presyo,” he said.

(We have no problem with rice. Supply is sufficient and prices remain under control.)

Power and oil supply

Marcos also said the government is working closely with power generation firms to boost electricity supply, with 23 new projects expected to add around 900 megawatts to the national grid.

“Sa supply ng kuryente, kinakausap ang mga power generation companies upang madagdagan ang kapasidad ng ating grid sa susunod na 60 days,” he said.

(We are coordinating with power generation companies to increase grid capacity over the next 60 days.)

He added that coordination is ongoing to maximize the use of the Malampaya natural gas facility to further boost power supply.

Marcos also said the government is in talks with trade partners, including India, as well as China, Japan, Thailand, Brunei, and South Korea, to secure additional oil supply amid global tightening.

“Maganda naman ang naging usapan natin,” he said, noting that these countries have expressed willingness to extend assistance.

Meanwhile, more than 1,400 overseas Filipino workers and over 300 dependents in the Middle East have returned to the country since early March, with additional repatriation flights expected in the coming days.—MCG, GMA Integrated News