More expressways will offer toll discounts to public utility vehicles (PUVs) starting March 23, as part of efforts to cushion the impact of rising fuel costs on commuters and transport operators.
The Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) will continue providing fuel subsidies to fisherfolk nationwide to help cushion the impact of surging fuel prices, the agency said Saturday.
In a statement, DA-BFAR said it would keep distributing assistance using its remaining funds while finalizing a supplemental agreement with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).
The agreement is expected to provide an additional P50 million in subsidies, benefiting around 15,000 more fisherfolk across the country.
At least 179 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Bahrain and Kuwait who availed of the government's repatriation program are currently in Riyadh ahead of their flight bound for the Philippines on Monday, March 23.
The group composed of 80 OFWs from Bahrain and 99 OFWs from Kuwait will join other repatriates from Qatar and Saudi Arabia, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said on Saturday.
They will form the fourth batch of repatriates amid the Middle East conflict.
WASHINGTON, United States - President Donald Trump said Friday that he was considering "winding down" military operations against Iran, as the United States temporarily eased sanctions on Iranian oil shipments to stem a global supply crisis.
Iran launched a new wave of drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia and Israel meanwhile after supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei claimed to have dealt a "dizzying blow" to his country's enemies.
Trump, in a post on Truth Social, said the United States was "getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East."
His post was the strongest indication yet that he may be prepared to soon end hostilities that began on February 28.
Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua called on oil companies to provide rebates for fuel stocks purchased before the Middle East conflict.
Chua said consumers are "questioning" why pump prices have "already reached what appears to be 'war-time levels'" despite those being sold at gas stations may have been purchased before the conflict.
“Kung ang stock ng langis ay nabili noong mura pa, bakit ang presyo sa gasolinahan ay parang may giyera na agad? Ang tanong ng taumbayan ay simple: bakit war-time ang presyo kung pre-war ang biniling langis? ”Chua asked.
Pump prices are expected to spike further next week, amid the ongoing crisis brought by Middle East tensions.
According to an industry source, the estimated adjustments in fuel prices per liter for next week are the following:
Diesel - P16.50 to P17.50 per liter
Gasoline - P7.50 to P8.50 per liter
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Saturday assured the public that the country’s food supply remains stable, amid the oil price hikes following continued tensions in the Middle East.
“Definitely, there is no issue on supply. I can safely say that through June, even July, there is no issue on supply of almost everything,” Laurel said, adding that inventories and ongoing harvests remain adequate.
The DA said rice, the country’s staple, shows supply stability, as it reported that the National Food Authority currently holds about 400,000 metric tons of buffer stock, enough to feed all Filipinos for 10 days.
Iran is ready to let Japanese-related vessels pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil supplies, Kyodo news reported, citing Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.
Tehran has started talks with Tokyo about possibly opening the strait, Araqchi told the Japanese news agency in a phone interview on Friday.
Tricycle drivers in the National Capital Region who were not able to receive cash assistance this week amid rising fuel prices will be accommodated in a special payout next week, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Saturday.
"Walang naka-schedule ngayon, pero kahapon mayroon kaming payout. Next week, mag-uumpisa naman na tayo sa iba pang drivers... Puwede tayong mag-schedule ng special payout next week, para ma-accommodate ang mga tricycle driver na hindi na-serve nitong mga nakaraang araw," DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said in an interview on Dobol B TV.
(There is no scheduled payout today [for tricycle drivers] but we had one yesterday. Next week, we will start the payout for other drivers... We can schedule a special payout next week to accommodate tricycle drivers who were not served in the past few days.)
The United States military is deploying thousands of additional Marines and sailors to the Middle East, three US officials told Reuters on Friday, as the US-Israeli war on Iran reached the three-week mark.
No decision had been made to send troops into Iran itself, two of the officials told Reuters, but they will build up the capacity for potential future operations in the region.
The deployments of the USS Boxer, an amphibious assault ship, along with its Marine Expeditionary Unit and accompanying warships, come after Reuters reported that President Donald Trump's administration was considering deploying thousands of US troops to reinforce its operation in the Middle East.
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