00:00The president has instructed executives of oil companies, the Department of Energy and hand-picked surrogates in his cabinet
00:06to keep the prices of gas at the pump stable and fuel supply accessible to the public.
00:12Likewise, he urged the public to do its part in conserving energy
00:15and called for their greater protection against price gouging and hoarding in an all-hands-on-deck approach
00:22to meeting the oil supply crisis head-on, as our Floyd Brantz reports.
00:29Ensuring a continuous supply of petroleum products while protecting consumers from excessive price increases by some retailers.
00:36This is what President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed the concerned government agencies to ensure.
00:42This was the focus of the meeting between the executive, the Department of Energy and oil executives in Malacanang.
00:49According to Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, the supply and prices were discussed,
00:53as well as how this can be kept stable amid the situation in the Middle East.
00:58This is also in line with the President's directive to protect the public from the effects of rising fuel prices.
01:04He also emphasized that the challenges are being addressed in various ways,
01:07from the government's energy conservation campaign to the provision of lifeline subsidies for transport groups.
01:13He said, one of the main concerns being monitored are possibly supply disruptions.
01:18The companies, however, assured that the operational challenges in bringing the products into the country are at ease.
01:25Alternative measures are now being studied should the war in the Middle East drag on and continue to affect oil
01:31supply.
01:31Meanwhile, Sharon Garin, Secretary of the Department of Energy, or DOE,
01:36directed oil companies to ensure that gas stations are properly adjusting their prices
01:41and that these are aligned with the actual market conditions.
01:44She clarified that any premature, excessive, or unreasonable increase in oil prices will not be tolerated and will be dealt
01:52with strictly.
01:53The government also assured a whole-of-government approach in supporting the affected sectors.
01:58This includes the distribution of a 5,000 peso fuel subsidy starting next week,
02:03which will benefit more than 300,000 transport workers.
02:07The government will also distribute rice priced at 20 pesos per kilo to families affected by the rise in fuel
02:13prices.
02:14The funding for this will come from the Local Government Support Fund and will be distributed starting April for a
02:20period of six months.
02:21A toll fee discount will also be implemented for Class 3 buses and trucks carrying essential products.
02:27The possible increase in public transport fares is also being studied,
02:31as well as the reduction of landing and take-off fees at airports.
02:34Assistance for the repatriation of affected OFWs also continues.
02:39With more than 400 already repatriated and provided with reintegration and livelihood support,
02:44the EGOV and eReport apps also remain open for OFWs to raise their concerns.
02:50The DOE and DTI are also closely monitoring oil prices and basic commodities in the market.
02:57The Department of Social Welfare and Development will also coordinate with the Department of Agriculture
03:01for the Augmentation of the Presidential Assistance for Farmers, Fisherfolks and Families.
03:06Other measures are also being implemented to support the middle class and other sectors.
03:11Floyd Brents from the National TV Network for a new and better Philippines.
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