By Brian Campued
The Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) is set to convene this week to discuss its assessment on the possible implementation of a suspension or slashing of oil excise taxes, according to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
In a video message posted on his official Facebook page Tuesday, Marcos outlined various government measures to address the challenges brought by the Middle East tensions, including the increase in the prices of petroleum products and the current supply of fuel in the country.
The President cited Republic Act (RA) 12316, signed on March 25, which gives him emergency powers to suspend or cut excise taxes on oil if necessary.
“Magtatagpo ang DBCC ngayong linggo para ibigay ang kanilang pag-aaral dito sa bagay na ito sa excise tax,” he said.
This as the government, through the Department of Energy (DOE), continues to secure additional supply of fuel to bolster domestic reserves.
Through Executive Order (EO) 110 issued on March 24, the DOE, Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC), and the PNOC Exploration Corporation (EC) were authorized to quickly procure required fuel and petroleum products via advance payment mechanisms.
“Nag-order na ang PNOC-EC ng 1.04 milyong bariles ng diesel. Mayroon ding 142,000 na bariles na [na-deliver] ngayong linggo. Ang natitira ay darating sa buwan ng Abril,” the President said, adding that P20 billion had been released by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for the procurement of up to 2 million barrels of fuel.
The country’s current fuel inventory is estimated to last for about 51 days.
“Ibig sabihin, ipatutupad na ang optimal dispatch ng mas murang energy source tulad ng renewable. Magkakaroon din ng kontrol ang gobyerno sa presyuhan sa WESM. Kasalukuyan itong inaayos na ng ERC,” Marcos said.
The President also highlighted the successful drilling of Camago-3 well in the Malampaya gas field, which will help extend the country’s indigenous energy supply and reduce reliance on imported fuel.
“At para sa pangmatagalang solusyon: matagumpay na na-drill ang Camago-3 well. Nagpo-produce ito ng hanggang 60 million cubic feet ng gas bawat araw. Ang Malampaya gas ay nagkakahalaga ng P4.80 kada kilowatt-hour. Ang imported na LNG (liquefied natural gas) naman ay P10.30. Malaki po ang pagkakaiba. At ito ay sarili nating yaman,” he said.
Other measures to ‘uplift’ Filipinos amid challenges
The Chief Executive likewise shared key updates from the UPLIFT Committee, which is tasked to coordinate a whole-of-government approach to swiftly address the challenges and cushion the impact of the global oil crisis on Filipinos.
He assured that while the prices of basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs) remain at suggested retail price (SRP) levels, the government is in talks with manufacturers and retailers to maintain the prices of BNPCs until April.
Meanwhile, Marcos said he will issue an EO regarding the implementation of a P50-per-kilo price cap on imported well-milled rice, as recommended by the National Price Coordinating Council.
This is complemented by the expansion of the P20 Rice Program with 627 centers established nationwide to sell P20-per-kilo rice.
On fuel subsidies for affected sectors, the President said over 4 million beneficiaries are set to receive aid through the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Families (PAFFFs) in April.
“Mayroon ding fuel subsidy para sa mahigit na 40,000 na magsasaka. Ang atin namang mga mangingisda, makakatanggap na ng halos 100,000 na fuel card at fuel voucher,” he continued.
After the rollout of the P5,000 cash relief assistance to public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers in Metro Manila in late March, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is set to expand the program nationwide by April 6 or after the Holy Week.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr), for its part, has begun distributing fuel subsidies to drivers and operators, with a total budget allocation of P2.5 billion.
“Mahigit 256,000 na na transport workers sa Metro Manila ang nakatanggap na ng P5,000 na cash assistance. May P1.28 bilyon pa na ibibigay. Magsisimula na ang nationwide na pagbigay sa April 6,” Marcos said.
In addition to cash assistance, other government-led interventions include the Love Bus “Libreng Sakay” Program, 50% fare discounts in MRT-3 and LRT-2, as well as two-month toll discounts for PUVs and cargo trucks from major expressways.
A P1 roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) terminal fee for Class 3 and 4 vehicles transporting raw and unprocessed agricultural products will also be implemented by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) starting April 15.
Lastly, about 2,551 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and 835 dependents have been repatriated as of March 29, while some 18,934 OFWs in the Middle East were given various forms of assistance, such as food, shelter, medical aid, transportation, and financial support as of March 27.
“Habang may Pilipinong nangangailangan ng tulong, patuloy kaming magsusumikap na ipaabot ito. Hindi kami titigil sa pagkilos hanggang maramdaman ito sa bawat tahanan,” Marcos assured.
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