Aspiring vice president Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has urged the government anew to immediately put in place mechanisms to ease off the surge in oil prices amid the war between Ukraine and Russia.

Pangilinan pointed out that the farmers and fisherfolks are bearing the brunt of the surging prices of oil, stressing the need to promptly release the P500-million fuel subsidy for farmers and fisherfolk and P2.5 billion for public transport workers.

“Galaw-galaw dahil patuloy ang paghihirap ng ating mga kababayan gawa ng nangyayaring giyera sa pagitan ng Ukraine at Russia. Muling nagtaas ang presyo ng gasolina at bunga nito ang tuluy-tuloy na pagtaas din ng presyo ng mga bilihin (The government must act now because our fellowmen are suffering due to the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia. Prices of oil rise anew resulting to higher prices of goods),” he said.

“Napapabalita na muling tataas ang gasolina sa susunod na linggo. Ano na lang ang matitira sa ating mga kababayan? Bigyan naman natin sila ng dignidad (There are reports of higher gasoline prices next week. What will be left to them? Let's give them dignity),” he added.

The senator also reiterated his call for the suspension of the excise tax on fuel products to curb the potential effect of the oil price increase to food prices and transportation costs.

“Kaya naman talagang malagpasan ang krisis na ito at maibsan ang paghihirap ng mga Pilipino (We can actually overcome this crisis and ease the burden of Filipinos) The only question is: is the government willing to take action or will it keep a blind eye to the suffering of the ordinary Filipinos?” Pangilinan said.

Pangilinan also pushed for the immediate implementation of Sagip Saka Act, especially by national and local governments which are now mandated to buy food for their various programs directly from farmers and fisherfolk organizations.

This way, he said, local food producers would have a steady market, ensuring income for them and would be encouraged to produce more, resulting in higher supply, lower prices, and the easing of hunger.