Vice President Leni Robredo on Thursday, March 10, called on the government to immediately provide relief to all sectors affected by the recent oil price hikes by releasing financial assistance to affected individuals.
The government is currently reviewing measures to aid the transportation sector, which was hit hard by successive increases in the price of oil stemming from the ongoing war in the Ukraine, measures that include fare hikes, subsidies for public transport drivers, and raising the minimum wage.
“’[Y]ung ayuda puwede na ‘yung gawing agad kasi executive action naman ‘yun. Puwede nang bigyan ng ayuda ‘yung pinakaapektado ng pagtaas ng bilihin, lalo na ‘yung gasolina, ‘yung kerosene, ‘yung diesel,” said Robredo.
In addition, the presidential aspirant said that the solutions should be mindful of economic realities and ensure maximum benefit to the public.
Robredo said: “Ano bang klaseng subsidy ‘yung ibibigay ng pamahalaan maliban sa ayuda? Kung isu-suspend ba ‘yung excise tax o meron pa bang ibang paraan para hindi ganoon maramdaman ‘yung palo ng pagtaas ng presyo. Halimbawa, ‘yung pag-asses kung ‘yung minimum wage ba natin ngayon enough siya para ma-cushion ‘yung blow ng inflation?”
Robredo was in Romblon on Wednesday and met with teachers and schoolchildren at the
Community Learning Hub in Barangay Tugdan in Alcantara. The Office of the Vice President (OVP) established Community Learning Hubs in different parts of the country during the pandemic so that students can have access to gadgets and wi-fi connections, as well as have tutors, after schools shifted to distance learning.
She also met with the Romblon Fisherfolks Association of Looc (ROMFALO) with whom she shared her platform on agriculture and fisheries.
Robredo said that farmers and fisherfolk have long been burdened by high costs of inputs for the past years.
“'[Y]ung mga farmers natin ano ba ‘yung reklamo nila? ‘Yung reklamo ng farmers natin ang pagtaas ng presyo ng inputs lalo ‘yung fertilizers, grabe na halos ano na pasalamat na nga sila pag nag-breakeven pa sila. Matagal na itong reklamo halos dalawang taon na na hindi naaaksyonan ‘yung pagtaas ng presyo ng fertilizer,” said Robredo.
Robredo also expressed her approval of current initiatives to review the minimum wage, but said that the side of employers must also be heard as they would also be affected by the measure.
“[I]to kasi mahabang proseso ito kasi kailangan pakinggan hindi lang ‘yung saloobin ng mga sumasahod pero ‘yung saloobin din ng mga employers. Kailangan isaalang-alang ‘yung lahat kasi balancing act naman ito. Pero ‘yung sinasabi lang natin, pumalo na ‘yung pagtaas ng presyo huwag na tayong maghintay na grumabe pa ‘yung sitwasyon bago tayo umaksyon,” said Robredo. (VP Leni Media Bureau)
