Parañaque rolls out rice aid, steps up price watch amid fuel crisis; eyes EV shift
Mayor Edwin Olivarez (Photo from Paranaque PIO)
The city government of Parañaque is implementing a series of measures to cushion the impact of the ongoing fuel crisis on residents, including a rice subsidy program, tighter price monitoring, and a planned shift to energy-efficient transport.
Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez said around 25,000 vulnerable households will benefit from a rice subsidy of 10 kilos that will be distributed for more than six months, aimed at easing the burden of rising food and fuel costs.
Olivarez said that a price monitoring task force will be activated to keep track of basic commodities and prevent hoarding and unwarranted price increases that could further strain consumers.
The city’s technical working group (TWG) has also recommended the gradual transition of the local government fleet to hybrid or electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce long-term dependence on fossil fuels.
The mayor said that to ensure food security amid possible supply disruptions, contingency plans include deploying city vehicles to nearby provinces to secure essential supplies if fuel shortages worsen.
Olivarez said that the initiatives are part of a coordinated, citywide response that integrates transportation, energy conservation, and social support programs to mitigate the effects of the fuel crisis.