Malacañang said President Marcos is carefully balancing the rollout of government assistance, transport fare policies, and inflation concerns as the country grapples with rising fuel prices.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said the President is weighing the impact of each intervention to ensure that no sector is disproportionately burdened.

“Inaral po ng Pangulo at binalanse mabuti… ang maaring maging epekto nito (The President studied and carefully balanced the possible effects),” she said in a press briefing on Monday, March 23.

She noted that the government is addressing both the needs of transport workers and commuters affected by the crisis.

Castro said the government is preparing additional cash assistance for affected sectors, particularly public utility drivers.

“Opo… magkakaroon pa po ng karagdagang ayuda… ‘Uunahin lang po, we have to time it’ (Yes… there will be additional assistance… it will just be timed properly),” she said, citing Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian.

She added that the DSWD will continue releasing aid in tranches in the coming days.

The Palace said the President ordered the suspension of a previously announced fare hike to protect commuters from additional financial strain.

Castro said the decision came after weighing the fact that transport workers had already received fuel subsidies and financial assistance.

“So ngayon po, ang mga mananakay natin, wala naman po silang natatanggap na anumang fuel subsidy (Our commuters do not receive any fuel subsidy),” she explained.

She added that the suspension remains in effect while the situation is being reassessed.

Castro said the government is also mindful of the middle class, including those who use private vehicles.

She cited measures such as the 50-percent fare discount in MRT-3 and LRT-2, as well as the planned reduction or suspension of excise taxes on fuel.

“Kapag… na andiyan na po ang gagawing pag-reduce or pag-suspend ng excise tax mararamdaman din po natin ito (When the reduction or suspension of excise tax is implemented, people will feel its effects),” she said.

The Palace Press Officer said proposals such as a temporary freeze on rents and loan payments are not yet under review by the President.

“Hindi pa po nababasa… kung magkakaroon po sila ng bersiyon at ibibigay sa Pangulo, pag-aaralan po ito (It has not yet been read… once submitted to the President, it will be studied),” Castro said.

She likewise said that the suspension of fare hikes and the rollout of assistance remain subject to ongoing evaluation.

Castro emphasized that decisions will continue to be guided by the need to ease the burden on Filipinos while maintaining economic stability.

“Kailangan lamang po talagang balansehin ang pagtulong sa bawat Pilipino (We really need to balance helping every Filipino),” she said.