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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Bam Aquino: Gov't should ensure PH's food security amid soaring fuel costs, rising inflation

Bam Aquino: Gov't should ensure PH's food security amid soaring fuel costs, rising inflation

Published Apr 8, 2026 02:06 pm

At A Glance

  • Senator Paolo "Bam" Aquino IV on Wednesday, April 8 called on the government to ensure that the country's food security won't be at risk amid soaring fuel costs and rising inflation.

Senator Paolo “Bam” Aquino IV on Wednesday, April 8 called on the government to ensure that the country’s food security won’t be at risk amid soaring fuel costs and rising inflation. 

Aquino emphasized the need for immediate government action on food security during the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform hearing on Wednesday, April 8, saying that the surging fuel prices are not only a transport issue but a serious and direct threat to food security.

“We need to act for our farmers, fisherfolk, small traders. They are the reason and the source of the food we bring home to our families,” Aquino said. 

“Let us show that we can unite for the people. Let us work to ensure that in the midst of the crisis, there is food to be served to every parent,” he added.

Protecting farmers, fisherfolk and small vendors is crucial to ensuring stable and affordable food supply and prices, the senator stressed.

“Let's not wait for the point where people have to choose who will feed their families. We need to act immediately so that we can stop the continuous increase in food prices in our society,” he said.

Also, Aquino criticized the government’s delayed implementation of Republic Act No. 12316, which grants the President emergency powers to suspend or reduce excise taxes on petroleum products.

“We know that the process is underway and the people are waiting for it. We also know that for many of our countrymen, I hope it has been lifted for two weeks,” he pointed out.

The lawmaker also renewed his call for the government to suspend the value-added tax (VAT) on fuel, which he believes would offer immediate and significant relief to Filipinos struggling with the oil price hike.

Related Tags

Bam Aquino FARMERS GROUP food security energy crisis OIL CRISIS
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