By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
The disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continue to put a strain on the wallets of Filipinos, as rising fuel prices compounded by a weaker currency prompted an earlier declaration of a state of national energy emergency.
Such was reflected in the recent figures released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Tuesday, which showcase the massive spike in the country’s headline inflation pegged at 4.1% from March, up from 2.4% in February 2026 and 1.8% in March 2025.
This is particularly attributed to the uptick in the indices of commodities like alcoholic beverages and tobacco, as well as that of housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels—which saw increases of 3.7% (up from 3.1%) and 4.5% (up from 3.5%), respectively.
On the other hand, food inflation picked up (2.8% from 1.6%) as rice inflation rose to 3.6 percent after 14 months of deflation, alongside higher inflation in vegetables (6.9% from 6.1%) and fruits (5.1% from 3.8%).
Meanwhile, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) said that it is closely working with other agencies to strategically address the various challenges brought about by oil price shocks on the citizenry’s wallets and welfare.
DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said in a statement, “The government stands ready to address emerging inflation pressures through strategic, well-targeted, and time-bound interventions, particularly in fuel, transport, and food.”
Earlier, the Department of Energy (DOE) had secured 900,000 barrels of diesel that will arrive in 3 batches throughout April to augment the country’s fuel supply and keep the wheels of commerce and economy turning.
To protect consumers and ensure an adequate food supply, anti-hoarding guidelines have been issued to prevent artificial fuel shortages and maintain orderly distribution. Reduced Ro-Ro terminal fees for vehicles carrying raw agricultural products will also help keep the movement of food items efficient and affordable.
These are just some of the several measures that the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) Committee has put in place to help the nation navigate these difficult times.
jpv
