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Price freeze not off the table, Palace says

Philippines | National

Price freeze not off the table, Palace says

By Betheena Unite

Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro (Betheena Unite)

Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro (Betheena Unite)

Malacañang said it is not closing its doors to recommendations to implement a price freeze on oil as the country reels from the impact of the ongoing Middle East conflict.

Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said on Friday, March 27, that a price freeze is under study.

"Hindi po natin sinabing hindi magpa-price freeze. Ang sabi po natin, aaralin po ito (We are not saying that a price freeze will not be implemented. What we are saying is that it will be studied)," Castro said in a Palace briefing.

"At ito po ay babalansehin at kung ano ang nararapat para po hindi lang isang sektor ang maaapektuhan – balanse para sa oil industries, balanse para sa taumbayan. So, hindi po natin sinasabing hindi magpa-price freeze pero ito po ay inaaral (And this will be carefully balanced to determine what is appropriate so that not only one sector will be affected—a balance for the oil industry and a balance for the public. So, we are not saying that a price freeze will not be imposed, but it is currently under study)," Castro added.

She also reiterated that the government will take actions within the bounds of the law.

"[M]aaari pong magsagawa ang ating pamahalaan ng kanilang katungkulan nang hindi lalabag sa batas. Maa-unlock natin ang mga funds na dapat nating magamit nang naaayon din sa batas (Our government can carry out its duties without violating the law. We can unlock the funds that should be used, in accordance with the law)," Castro said.

Related Tags

Price freeze Malacañang Middle East conflict Claire Castro Oil crisis

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