By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
In support of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s whole-of-government approach towards cushioning the citizenry from the impact of rising fuel prices on their wallets, Malacañang advised Filipinos against believing in false information amid the energy emergency.
In a briefing on Monday, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro reiterated the various initiatives that form part of the government’s response to the pressing national concern.
Such includes the distribution of cash relief assistance (CRA) to public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers, procuring oil from other countries to augment national fuel supply, and taking action against those involved in illegal fuel trade.
Castro cited such in response to the sentiments aired by transport group MANIBELA, which is set to conduct a transport strike between April 15-17 to vent their frustrations on the “slow action” of the government on addressing the plight of PUV drivers, reinforcing earlier calls to remove VAT from petroleum products.
She said, noting that a law needs to be passed to grant the President the authority to abolish tax from fuel products, “Baka nagkakaroon po ng misconception, at ngayon nakakarating sa transport sector, sa mga driver, sa operators na sa isang click ay masususpend ng Pangulo ang VAT.”
She added further, “Ang pagho-hold ng transport strike ay hindi napapanahon sa ngayon. Hindi po ito makakatulong sa dinaranas po natin dulot ng krisis sa Middle East. Ang kinakailangan po talaga dito ay negosasyon, pag-uusap, pagtutulungan.”
Malacañang’s mouthpiece meanwhile fired back at criticisms raised by a political coalition, claiming that the administration is not doing anything to help Filipinos navigate these challenging circumstances.
Castro went on to question the credibility of these statements that question the government’s response to the current situation, stressing that such pronouncements have no place in the political landscape and in society.
She concluded, “Ang mahirap po kasi sa atin, puro tayo pintas. Puro tayo puna. Para sabihin na walang ginagawa para maibsan ang nararamdaman natin dito sa krisis sa Middle East, ito po ay napakalaking kasinungalingan.”
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