Marcos vows to maintain normalcy amid rising oil prices, Middle East conflict

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Thursday ensured that there's still normalcy in the country despite the skyrocketing fuel price hikes in recent weeks brought by the prevailing tension in the Middle East.

''Sana matapos na ang giyera, at habang may giyera pa rin, eh normal pa rin ang buhay ng ating... lalo na 'yung mga manggagawa,'' Marcos said in an interview in Mariveles, Bataan. 

(I hope the war ends, and even if there is a war, the lives, particularly of our workers, are still normal.) 

Marcos further said the government is looking for other measures to provide subsidies for the sectors affected by the crisis, noting that he doesn't want the public to worry. 

''So, we are trying to find different methods para makapagbigay ng subsidy, para makapagbigay ng tulong. The problem is masyadong malikot ang presyo ng langis. Hindi natin ma-anticipate. So we are still adjusting right now,'' Marcos said. 

(So, we are trying to find different methods to provide subsidy, to provide assistance. The problem is the price of oil products is too unpredictable. We can't anticipate so we are still adjusting right now.)

''But I think so far kahit papaano, we will be able to soften the blow ika nga. Basta’t we want to keep –as much as possible huwag pong mag-alala ang tao (We don't want the people to worry.),'' he added.
 
Transport groups have kicked off a nationwide transport strike amid the surge in pump prices due to the Middle East conflict. 

Members of PISTON gathered early in the morning at Welcome Rotonda in Manila to urge the government to take action as fuel prices are expected to continue to rise in the coming weeks. Transport strikes were also held in other areas such as Pasig, Bulacan, and Iloilo.

The transport strike comes a day after Marcos ordered the suspension of the implementation of a fare hike despite increases in the prices of petroleum products. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News