Marcos to agencies: Prioritize food, fuel, electricity

SINGAPORE – President Marcos is zeroing in on efforts to ensure enough food, fuel and electricity supply after inflation soared to 7.2 percent last month due to the Middle East conflict and recent disasters, Malacañang said.

Palace press officer Claire Castro said Marcos met with Executive Secretary Ralph Recto yesterday to discuss ways to ease the impact of rising prices.

“We are preparing for this. We cannot deny the effect of the ongoing crisis in the Middle East and the calamities that entered the Philippines. Even the political noise is affecting our economy,” Castro said.

“The President is now focusing on food, fuel and electricity. The directive of the President is to ensure that the Philippines will not run out of fuel supply. If the supply of fuel is disrupted, businesses would be disrupted and it would have a bigger effect on our economy,” she added.

Inflation quickened to 7.2 percent in September from 6.1 percent in August and 1.7 in the same month last year mainly due to higher food and energy prices.

Rice inflation accelerated due to tighter domestic supply and higher transportation costs.

Fish and vegetable inflation quickened due to weather disturbances that affected supply.

Castro gave assurance that the government will sustain policies and programs designed to assist vulnerable sectors.

She cited the removal of the 12-percent value added tax in the allowable system loss charge in electricity bills; the management of pork supply during the holiday season; the UPLIFT program, which involves interventions that aid sectors hit by the impact of the Middle East war; the TUPAD emergency employment program and free rice program.
“The fuel subsidy for PUV (public utility vehicle) drivers will continue as well as the expansion of Kadiwa,” Castro said, referring to the program for accessible and affordable goods.

Castro said the government is also bracing for the effects of El Niño, which started this month and may last until March next year.

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III and Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida will serve as caretakers while Marcos is out of the country.