Vice President Sara Duterte cautioned Filipino families to prepare for more difficult economic conditions in the coming months, citing rising fuel costs and increasing prices of basic goods, while urging households not to compromise on education spending.

In her speech at the Rambakan Festival in Lamut, Ifugao, on April 6, Duterte acknowledged that many families are already grappling with limited budgets and may face even greater financial strain as inflationary pressures persist.

“Tayo ay dumadaan din sa krisis na bigla sobrang pataas ng presyo ng mga produkto kasama na ng krudo… isa itong dagok sa ating pagbangon bilang isang komunidad, isang pamilya at isang bayan (We are also going through a crisis brought about by the sudden and steep rise in the prices of goods, including fuel… this is a heavy blow to our recovery—as a community, as a family, and as a nation),” she said.

Despite these challenges, Duterte made a direct appeal to parents: do not cut back on education.

“Magiging mas mahirap ang mga susunod na linggo at mga buwan kaya’t kinakailangang pag-usapan ng pamilya kung paano makatipid ng pera (The coming weeks and months will be more difficult, so families must discuss how to save money),” Duterte said, noting that there is now a greater need for a bigger budget.

“Kulang na nga ang budget noon. Sigurado, mas lalaki ang kakulangan (The budget was already insufficient before, and now the shortfall will surely grow),” she added.

Duterte’s message positions education as a non-negotiable priority despite these constraints, emphasizing that investing in children’s schooling remains one of the most effective ways to break cycles of poverty and secure long-term stability for families.

“Puno na nga tayo sa utang noon; ngayon mas lalo pang lalaki ang pangangailangan natin na pondo. Pero nakikiusap ako: huwag nating tipirin ang edukasyon ng ating mga anak (We were already burdened with debt, and now our need for funds will only increase. But I appeal to everyone: let us not cut back on the education of our children),” she added.

Duterte’s remarks come at a time when Filipino households are increasingly forced to make spending trade-offs, with education often at risk during periods of economic stress.

“Araw-araw, huwag nating kalimutan na ipangaral sa kanila ang kontribusyon ng kanilang edukasyon sa pag-ahon nila sa kahirapan (Every day, let us not forget to teach our children that their education is their greatest contribution to overcoming poverty),” Duterte said.

She framed education not only as a personal benefit but as a societal imperative, linking it to community development and national progress, and stressing that an educated population is essential to sustaining both cultural identity and economic growth.

“The preservation of our culture and the pursuit of sustainable development rest on an educated society, and your investment in the education of your children not only lifts families out of poverty but also ensures that Lamut will continue to be uniquely Ifugao—yet world-class and future-ready,” she added.