SONA 2026: Marcos says government 'did everything' to cushion oil crisis impact

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday highlighted his administration’s interventions for transportation amid record-high fuel prices driven by tensions in the Middle East.

During his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Batasan Hills in Quezon City, Marcos said that the transportation sector was the hardest hit by the crisis. Despite this, the president believed that his government was able to adequately provide aid and intervention to public utility vehicle drivers and commuters.

“Mga kababayan, sa ating pagbalik-tanaw, kaya ko kayong harapin, at sabihin na ginawa natin ang lahat ng nararapat upang malunasan ang mga epekto ng krisis. Agarang kumilos ang buong pamahalaan upang tumulong sa mamamayan. Sa katunayan, tayo pa ay hinangaan dahil sa bilis, liksi, at pagiging aktibo ng ating pagtugon,” Marcos said.

(My countrymen, when we look back, I can face you while saying that we did everything that we should have to address the effects of the crisis. The entire government moved immediately to help the citizens. In truth, we were admired for the speed, agility, and activeness in response.)

Some of the interventions that Marcos mentioned include the cash relief assistance to drivers from the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations program, which benefited more than 1.8 million drivers and operators. Drivers and operators also benefited from the TUPAD Tuloy-Pasada program.

Marcos also touted the piso-per-liter diesel subsidy for jeepneys and UV-Express, as well as the service contracting program.

Passengers were also able to benefit from free rides, Marcos said. If they were not able to utilize these free rides, passengers were given discounted fare rates in different public transportation modes.

For the LRT2 and MRT3, Marcos said that the government has implemented a 50% discount for all passengers. This is on top of the government-mandated discounts for students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities.

Marcos said that his administration was also able to lower fees in different ports to address the oil crisis, including terminal fees, landing and take-off fees, harbor fees, anchorage and berthing fees, as well as storage fees. He cited reduced or removed fees in the Cebu Port and the PITX.

The president also said that trucks accredited by the Department of Agriculture were given special discount rates amid the fuel crisis.

“Dahil sa lahat ng mga pinatupad na ito, milyong-milyong Pilipino ang kahit paano ay direktang nakaramdam ng tulong sa panahon ng mataas na presyo ng petrolyo. Sila ang ating mga tsuper ng pampublikong sasakyan; mga estudyante; manggagawa, pati na rin mga magsasaka, at marami pang pasahero sa buong Pilipinas,” Marcos said.

(Because of everything we implemented, millions of Filipinos were somewhat directly affected by our aid amid a time when petrol prices were high. These are our drivers of public vehicles; our students; workers; our farmers and many commuters in the entire Philippines.)—LDF, GMA News