President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reaffirmed the government’s commitment to shielding Filipinos from global economic volatility during the 4th Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) Committee meeting held Tuesday at Malacañang Palace.
While expressing confidence that current interventions remain “active and responsive,” the President underscored the need to broaden existing programs to further alleviate the daily financial challenges faced by Filipino households.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro reported that the administration’s targeted assistance programs have already reached millions of beneficiaries across critical sectors:
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Vulnerable Workers: Over 977,000 PUV drivers have received aid through the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program, while 373,000 have benefited from fuel subsidies.
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Labor Support: The “TUPAD Tuloy Pasada” pilot program has successfully integrated 425 NCR drivers, providing income augmentation to offset rising fuel costs.
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OFW Welfare: More than 24,000 Overseas Filipino Workers have received government assistance, with over 4,000 workers and 1,300 dependents successfully repatriated.
Amidst ongoing tensions in the Middle East, the government is aggressively managing the nation’s fuel and power reserves:
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Fuel Reserves: The Philippines currently maintains an average 52-day oil supply. To date, 471,000 barrels have been delivered, with an additional 1 million barrels of a 2-million-barrel order already confirmed.
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Renewable Energy: The administration is fast-tracking 22 renewable energy projects expected to contribute 1,471 megawatts to the national grid.
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Conservation: Energy-saving measures are being strictly implemented, with 86.89% of government agencies in compliance. Furthermore, nearly 3,000 agencies have adopted flexible work arrangements to reduce electricity and fuel consumption.
To combat inflation, the President has extended the price hold on basic necessities and prime commodities until May 10, 2026.
The “Bente Bigas” initiative continues to scale, with 661 sites established nationwide. The program has already distributed 14.9 million kilograms of affordable rice, benefiting over 402,000 individuals in the most vulnerable sectors.
“Beyond the existing programs and the distribution of aid, the President’s goal is to identify other possible steps to lighten the daily lives of Filipinos despite the challenges we face together,” said Undersecretary Castro.
The UPLIFT Committee remains the primary body tasked with harmonizing government efforts to mitigate the impact of rising global oil prices and international conflicts on the domestic economy.
