The Marcos administration is pushing for the urgent passage of the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) bill aimed at enhancing the utilization of public funds and supporting key sectors amid rising global oil prices and geopolitical tensions.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the proposed measure was discussed when President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. convened the UPLIFT Committee on Tuesday to assess ongoing government interventions to address global oil volatility amid tensions in the Middle East.

At a Palace press briefing, Castro said the UPLIFT bill seeks to lift restrictions and optimize government resources for priority programs.

“Napag-usapan po ang balak na gawing batas, ipapasa po ang proposal na magkaroon ng UPLIFT bill (The plan to make it a bill was discussed. The proposal for an UPLIFT bill will be submitted),” she said.

Castro noted that the proposed measures would remove the two-year restriction on the inclusion of certain government savings in the national budget.

She said the proposal would also identify programs and projects that may be funded.

She added that the UPLIFT bill would allow the use of unreleased appropriations and unobligated allotments from the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), as well as unreleased funds from the 2026 GAA.

Castro said the measure would be prioritized for immediate passage.

“Yes, dahil napapanahon. Dapat lamang po (Yes, because it is timely. It is only appropriate),” she said, when asked if the UPLIFT bill would be passed immediately.

“Walang nabigay sa ating timeline sa ngayon… pero definitely, ito ay pamamadaliin (No timeline has been given so far, but this will definitely be expedited),” Castro added.

Castro also reported positive developments in the country’s fuel and food supply.

She said the country’s oil buffer stock has increased to 54 days, while a rollback in diesel prices is expected.

She added that there is a sufficient supply of rice, chicken, and pork until yearend.

The UPLIFT Committee, established under Executive Order 110, coordinates government efforts to ensure the uninterrupted flow of fuel and other essential goods, as well as to protect vulnerable sectors from rising costs amid the Middle East crisis. (PNA)