00:00The president proposes the temporary suspension of the excise tax on fuel products
00:05and assures that the country's supply is adequate for now.
00:08However, he urges government agencies and the public to conserve energy use as much as possible.
00:14Claes El Pardiglia has more.
00:18Those who want to be repatriated, we will find ways to get you out safely.
00:23President Ferdinand R. Marcus Jr. assured Filipinos who wish to return home
00:28that government will find ways to bring them back safely amid the escalating war in the Middle East.
00:35More than 1,400 Filipinos in Israel, Abu Dhabi, Jordan, Bahrain, Dubai and Iran have requested repatriation.
00:45The government has sufficient resources and capability to deploy aircraft and vehicles to evacuate Filipinos.
00:52But president said that travel by land and air remains dangerous.
00:57Due to continuous exchanges of fire involving Iran, the joint forces of Israel and the United States
01:05and other countries that have joined the attacks.
01:08Kahit na kaya natin magpumuha ng aeroplano at ipasok, wala tayong magagawa.
01:13Dahil, number one, the airports are closed.
01:16There are all no-fly zones.
01:18This is a combat area.
01:19The president appeals to stay in a safe place and stay indoors and stay away from areas of danger.
01:28The Philippines has also coordinated with hotels near bomb shelters so Filipinos can stay there for their safety.
01:36Earlier, the Department of Market Workers or DMW assured the provision of food, water, shelter and other assistance to Filipinos
01:45caught in the conflict.
01:46The administration is also preparing for the possible economic impact of the rising tensions.
01:53Of course, there will be a great effect on the oil prices that we are facing here.
02:02We have already seen the reaction on oil products, on sa crudo, sa gasolina, sa LPG, at naramdaman na kagad.
02:16And that's, again, expected.
02:19President Marcos is set to meet with the leadership of the House and the Senate
02:23to study and discuss the possibility of granting emergency powers to the president,
02:29which would authorize the temporary suspension of excise taxes on petroleum products.
02:35This is not yet a sure thing, but this is something that we are discussing,
02:39and it could be helpful, is to give me, the president, the authority
02:44to reduce excise tax on petroleum products should Dubai crude exceed $80 per barrel.
02:53So I will discuss it with the leadership of Congress
02:56and to see it is going to be an emergency measure.
03:00It is not going to be a permanent measure.
03:02It will be something that we will dispose of as soon as the crisis is over.
03:07For now, the country has sufficient oil supply that could last up to two months.
03:13We have sufficient supply of oil.
03:17Meron tayong stockpile that are approximately 50 to 60 days
03:22in terms of gasoline, in terms of fuel oil, and in terms of kerosene.
03:28Yung ating mga kinapinagkukuhanan ng ating mga iba't ibang oil products
03:35ay meron din silang stockpile.
03:37So that is another potential supply for us.
03:40The government is also coordinating with oil companies
03:44to stagger fuel price increases.
03:47Financial assistance or subsidies will be provided to farmers, fisher folk, and chivers
03:52if petroleum prices reach $80 per barrel.
03:56Free rides will also be deployed along major roads,
03:59welfare hikes, and public transportation will be prevented.
04:02So that hindi naman masyadong maramdaman ng working public ang pangyayaring ito.
04:11There is also a proposal that we will examine further.
04:16The government is also monitoring the impact of the conflict on remittances
04:21sent by OFWs to the Philippines.
04:23But according to the President,
04:2585% of Filipinos remain at their jobs or under work-from-home arrangement.
04:31Kaleizal Bardilia from the National TV Network for a New and Better Philippines.
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