The Philippine government announced the rollout of a comprehensive, coordinated response to address rising inflation and shield the economy from the volatility caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Following a report from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) that headline inflation quickened to 4.1% in March 2026 (up from 2.4% in February), the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) has mobilized strategic interventions through the newly operationalized Executive Order No. 110, also known as the UPLIFT (Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport) Committee.
The uptick in inflation was driven by significant shifts in both non-food and food sectors:
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Non-Food (4.9%): Primarily fueled by a surge in global oil prices. Private transport inflation skyrocketed to 31.3% from a previous contraction of -3.1%.
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Food (2.8%): Rice inflation returned to the positive territory at 3.6% after 14 months of deflation. Increases were also noted in vegetables (6.9%) and fruits (5.1%).
DEPDev Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan emphasized that the government is utilizing well-targeted and time-bound measures to stabilize the prices of essential goods and services.
1. Energy and Transport Stability To combat the fuel crisis, the government has activated an emergency fuel procurement program, securing 165.6 million liters of diesel for delivery throughout April. Additionally:
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Toll Rebates: Implemented for public utility vehicles (PUVs) and cargo trucks on major expressways.
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Anti-Hoarding: Strict guidelines have been issued to prevent artificial fuel shortages.
2. Food Security and Logistics To ensure the availability of affordable food, the administration is focusing on supply chain efficiency:
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PHP20 Rice Program: Expanded nationwide to provide low-cost staples.
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Logistics Support: Direct transport of vegetables from Benguet to Metro Manila is underway.
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Terminal Fee Reductions: Reduced Ro-Ro terminal fees for vehicles carrying raw agricultural products to lower transport overheads.
3. Targeted Social Protection Financial cushions are being provided to the most affected sectors through:
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Fuel Subsidies and Cash Assistance: Directly benefiting PUV drivers, farmers, and fisherfolk.
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Service Contracting: Ensuring the continuity of public transport despite rising costs. “Our immediate priority is to deploy timely and tangible solutions for our commuters and industries while simultaneously diversifying our energy mix,” said Secretary Balisacan. “We are balancing short-term relief with long-term resilience to ensure our economy recovers high growth quickly.”
The government continues to monitor global developments closely and stands ready to adjust its strategies to protect the purchasing power of Filipino households.
