Palace denies downplaying impact of Middle East tensions on PH

Malacañang on Monday denied that the government is downplaying the impact of the Middle East tensions on the Philippines, particularly the recent oil price shocks. 

At a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said the government is exhausting all measures to ease the burden of Filipinos affected by the conflict in the Middle East

“Wala naman tayong dina-downplay. Ito po kasi iyong totoong sitwasyon. Nagsusumikap po ang pamahalaan sa utos ng Pangulo na dapat hindi magkulang ang suplay ng produktong petrolyo,” Castro said. 

(We are not downplaying anything. This is the real situation. The government wants to ensure that the supply of petroleum products is enough.) 

''Lahat ay ginagawa: nandidiyan na rin po ang pagbibigay ng tulong ng DSWD, nandidiyan po ang pagtatrabaho ng DOE pati po ng DA at iba pong ahensiya. Isama na po natin ang DSWD. So, in other words, ayaw po na maramdaman ng mga kababayan natin na may kulang tayo sa suplay. Kumpleto po ang supplies natin sa krudo, sa oil, sa fuel, pati po sa pagkain,'' she added.

(We are doing everything. The DSWD continues to provide assistance. The DOE, DA, and the DSWD continue to do their work. So, in other words, the government does not want the public to feel that the supply is not enough. Our supplies of fuel and food are enough.)

Last week, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. gave the assurance that the supply of basic goods and commodities are sufficient despite the current situation. 

He also said the government is looking for alternative sources of petroleum products amid increases in its prices. 

Malacañang had called on the public transport sector, particularly drivers, to trust the government’s measures amid their continued demand for Marcos to address rising petroleum prices. —KG, GMA Integrated News