The community pantries of the Philippines were a ray of light in the dark times of the pandemic. They are doing it again.

The absolutely amazing Maginhawa Community Pantry has launched operations aimed at helping crisis-struck jeepney drivers. They can drop by to get some food stuff like rice, vegetables and canned goods for free. No ID’s required, no lines expected.

Organizers of the pantry have made it clear that they don’t want cash donations. They only accept donations in-kind, specifically food for the jeepney drivers and their families. The more donations we give and the pantry gets, the more jeepney drivers who could be helped at this time. Riders are also welcome to get some aid from the pantry.

* * *

There’s one way the Department of Social Welfare and Development to quicken its aid distribution these days.

In the case of riders and drivers, perhaps the DSWD should sit down with the officials of Angkas, MoveIt, JoyRide, Grab, inDrive, and LalaMove to authorize them to remit the ₱5,000 aid directly to the intended recipients. I believe this could be arranged with them, as it is not impossible and in fact easy to do. They should just provide the DSWD the electronic transaction records as receipts.

This way, there will be no long lines for TNVS and delivery riders who would not have to waste half-a-day or a day’s work just to receive the ayuda.

As for the jeepney drivers, there should be more aid distribution centers to reduce lines. The government can also cooperate with PISTON, MANIBELA and other jeepney drivers’ organizations, as well as transport cooperatives.

Same thing for the ayuda for seniors and PWDs. Hopefully, the DSWD would make it painless for them. Definitely not dehumanizing and not lethal please, as we have sadly seen in incidents where intended beneficiaries suffering or even dying for aid that less than $100.

* * *

With Congress having already handed the president the power to suspend or reduce fuel excise taxes, all eyes are on Mr. Marcos on when he will use such power.

The president should use the powers sooner than later. The public, especially transport workers, deserve a reprieve from the oil price shock. The suspension of excise taxes is by far the only thing that could lower oil prices now.

The law is supposed to cushion the impact when Dubai crude prices breach the $80 mark.

According to a market report, “as of late March 2026, Dubai crude oil (Platts) futures are trading high, with recent reports indicating prices around $130.93 to $133.60 per barrel. Some reports suggest potential for extreme volatility, with prices recently cited as high as $169.75 per barrel amidst crisis concerns.”

Mr. President, suspend the excise taxes as soon as possible.

* * *

The Downstream Oil Deregulation Act became law in 1998 with promises of “fair prices,” with the government and business agreeing and telling the public that “market forces” and so-called competition are better-suited in managing the oil industry.

Twenty-eight years later, we are caught in oil price shocks that place the Philippines with the worst prices and highest price hikes in the world. An Agence France Presse infographic drew attention to it this week, showing the Philippines alone as the country with the worst fuel prices today.

Sure, we cannot control the world’s powers in their wars that have caused prices to spike up. But the 1998 law completely removed any and all protections for consumers. Petron was also privatized, by the way. Thus, our tragic situation today.

How the biggest oil companies operating in the Philippines have determined their prices to the highest in the world should compel Congress to review and repeal the law.

Giving the president the power to suspend excise taxes is not enough. Congress should look at oil prices, starting with unbundle price components. It is not as if the oil companies are bleeding or dying.

One company reported net income of ₱2.11 billion in 2025, up 69 percent from ₱1.25 billion in 2024. The biggest company’s net income was ₱15.6 billion in 2025, up 84 percent from ₱8.5 billion in 2024.

Congress deregulated this industry. Congress can regulate it again.

* * *

As we go into Holy Week, wishing everyone meaningful holidays amid trying times. May God bless the jeepney drivers, riders, minimum-wage workers, the contractuals, farmers, and their families. May Easter give us hope for a new, better economy that works for us.