Vice President Sara Duterte on Saturday, March 7, suggested that Filipinos use bicycles or practice carpooling as one of the measures to adapt to the impact of the significant oil price hike brought about by the conflict in the Middle East.

Duterte said many people are now worried about the continuous increase in the price of basic commodities amid global developments. She reminded Filipinos that they "are not alone."

"Tayong lahat ay dadaan sa paghihirap na ito. Mararamdaman natin lahat ang bigat ng pagtaas ng presyo, lalo na ng pagkain (We will all go through this hardship. We will all feel the weight of rising prices, especially when it comes to food)," she said in a video message posted on her Facebook page.

"Ngunit meron pa tayong magagawa bilang mamamayan at isang komunidad. At lalong meron kailangan gawin ang pamahalaan (But there is still something we can do as people and as a community. Even more so, there is something the government needs to do)," she added.

That's why the Vice President proposed measures to manage the impact of the crisis by lessening energy consumption and implementing related policies.

"Bawasan ang hindi kailangang paggamit ng enerhiya—tulad ng pag-carpooling, bisikleta, at pwedeng ayusin ang schedule ng lakad upang mabawasan ang madalas na pagbiyahe (Reduce unnecessary energy consumption—such as through carpooling, using bicycles, and perhaps adjusting travel schedules to reduce the frequency of trips)," she said.

Duterte also suggested that local governments must refrain from doing non-essential activities that depend on oil, such as conducting festival parades.

They must also form a committee that will monitor the prices of basic needs, such as rice, oil, and fare, in their communities.

"Magbahagi ng impormasyon sa pagbabago ng presyo at turuan ang pamilya ng praktikal na hakbang sa pagtitipid (Share information regarding price changes and teach families practical steps for saving)," she said.

"Palakasin ang suporta sa lokal na magsasaka at maliliit na supplier upang mabawasan ang umasa sa imported na produkto para makapagbigay ito ng buffer sa biglaang pagtaas ng presyo (Strengthen support for local farmers and small suppliers to reduce reliance on imported products, so that this can provide a buffer against sudden price increases)," she added.

More than the people and the community, the Vice President said it is the responsibility of the government to protect its consumers from the impact.

"Sa mga ahensya ng gobyerno na may tungkuling dito, kumilos na kayo (To the government agencies tasked with this, act now)," she said.

She said monitoring the prices of oil and its effect on basic needs is necessary.

A strict policy on hoarding and excessive price increases must also be imposed, she said.

"Gawing regular ang inspeksyon at isarado ang mga lalabag na negosyante. Magbigay ng pansamantalang subsidiyo o price caps sa produktong pagkain at isaalang-alang ang targeted cash transfers sa low-income na pamilya (Make inspections regular and shut down businesses that violate [the law]. Provide temporary subsidies or price caps on food products and consider targeted cash transfers for low-income families)," she said.

"Magbigay ng advisory sa 'fuel-efficient' na distribution ng pagkain at insentibo sa pampublikong transportasyon (Provide advisories on 'fuel-efficient' food distribution and incentives for public transportation)," she added.

The Vice President believed "we can find ways to lessen our burden, through helping each other in the community, supporting local products, and observing wise spending and energy consumption."

"Kasabay nito, asahan natin ang aksyon ng gobyerno na protektahan ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino at tiyakin ang patas at matatag na pamilihan (Along with this, let us expect government action to protect every Filipino family and ensure a fair and stable market)," she said.

"Malalagpasan natin ang pagsubok na ito tulad ng nalagpasan natin ang pandemya (We will overcome this challenge like how we overcame the pandemic)," she added.