By Brian Campued
The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is pushing for the passage of the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) bill aimed at fast-tracking funding mechanisms for priority programs amid the energy situation in the country.
According to Palace Press Officer Claire Casto, the proposed measure was discussed during the UPLIFT Committee meeting on Tuesday.
“Layunin nito, una, alisin ang dalawang taong pagbabawal sa pagsasama sa panukalang budget ng mga item na idineklarang ipon o savings,” Castro said during a press briefing in Malacañang.
“Pangalawa, magbibigay ito ng listahan ng mga programs, activities, and projects na maaaring pondohan. At pangatlo, bibigyan ng kakayahan ang pamahalaan na magamit ang unreleased appropriations at unobligated allotment mula sa FY 2025 at FY 2026 GAA,” she added.
Castro said the measure must be prioritized for immediate passage, citing its alignment with current economic and geopolitical conditions.
Meanwhile, the Palace official reported an increase in the buffer stock of fuel in the country as well as a sufficient supply of basic food products.
“Good news, dahil sa ngayon ang buffer stock ng supply ng langis ay tumaas mula 52 hanggang 54 days. At napag-usapan din ang malawakang rollback sa presyo ng diesel,” she said.
“At ayon din kay Secretary [Francisco] Tiu Laurel Jr., may sapat na supply ng bigas, chicken, at pork sa Pilipinas na aabot sa katapusan ng taon,” she added.
Information on government programs amid the current energy emergency are available via the UPLIFT website. The portal highlights UPLIFT’s five pillars: Saving lives; Ensuring a sufficient supply of fuel; Assisting sectors in need; Keeping food prices within reach; and Ensuring supply of electricity.
The UPLIFT was adopted as the government’s coordinated, whole-of-government response framework through Executive Order 110 issued by the President on March 24.
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