President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is seeking a “balanced” approach in addressing the impact of rising oil prices, Malacañang said Wednesday, as the government studies possible assistance for affected sectors.

Speaking to reporters, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President has directed concerned government officials to assess the situation amid the continuing increase in fuel prices that could trigger higher transport fares and prices of basic commodities.

“Ang nais ng Pangulo ay walang maiwan, kailangan matulungan ang lahat sa tamang pamamaraan at sa balanseng pamamaraan (What the President wants is for no one to be left behind. Everyone must be helped in the proper and balanced way),” Castro said.

She said the Department of Transportation is currently studying possible measures to address the effects of the oil price increases, adding that possible assistance for the transport sector and consumers remains under evaluation.

“Kailangan na balansehin ang mga pangyayari dahil kapag tumaas ang presyo ng pamasahe, definitely ay tataas din ang mga presyo ng ibang mga produkto (There should be a balance, as any increase in transport fares could also lead to higher prices of goods and other commodities),” Castro said.

The government, she said, is also reviewing requests from transport groups, including a proposal to fully implement the previously suspended PHP1 provisional fare increase for public utility vehicles.

She said the matter is being studied together with possible assistance for the transport sector to cushion the impact of fuel price hikes while protecting consumers.

“Kasabay po ito sa pag-aaralan sa ngayon para po tama ang ating pagbibigay ng ayuda sa ating mga kababayan sa transport sector para hindi sila maiwan. Pero tuloy pa rin ang pagtulong din natin sa mga kababayan natin na mga consumers (This is also being studied so we can provide the right assistance to our fellow Filipinos in the transport sector so they will not be left behind. But we will continue helping consumers as well),” she said.

Asked about the status of proposals to suspend or remove the excise tax on fuel products, Castro said there is no update yet from the UPLIFT Committee.

Established under Executive Order 110 issued in March, the UPLIFT – or the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food and Transport – Committee is an inter-agency body tasked with reviewing measures to mitigate the impact of rising fuel prices, including possible adjustments to fuel taxes and other interventions to ease the burden on consumers and affected sectors. (PNA)