The Marcos administration is studying possible public transport fare adjustments and additional assistance for affected sectors amid rising fuel prices amid renewed tensions in the Middle East, Malacañang said Wednesday, July 15.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said President Marcos has directed Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Giovanni Lopez to assess the situation and recommend measures that would cushion the impact of rising oil prices while protecting consumers from higher transport and commodity costs.

"Ang nais ng Pangulo ay walang maiwan; kailangan matulungan ang lahat sa tamang pamamaraan at sa balanseng pamamaraan (The President wants no one to be left behind. Everyone must be helped in the proper and balanced manner),” she said.

She said the government recognizes that higher fuel prices could trigger increases not only in transport fares but also in the prices of basic commodities.

"Kapag tumaas ang presyo ng pamasahe, definitely ay tataas din ang mga presyo ng ibang mga produkto (When transport fares increase, the prices of other products will definitely also rise),” Castro added.

The Palace Press Officer said the government's study also covers the appeal of transport group Pasang Masda to fully implement the P1 provisional fare increase that was suspended earlier this year.

The group renewed its appeal after diesel prices rose by more than P4 per liter this week, citing the growing financial burden on public utility vehicle operators.

According to Castro, the administration is looking at the transport sector's concerns alongside possible government assistance.

"Kasabay po ito sa pag-aaralan sa ngayon para po tama ang ating pagbibigay ng ayuda sa ating mga kababayan sa transport sector para hindi sila maiwan (This is also part of the ongoing study so that we can properly provide assistance to our countrymen in the transport sector and ensure they are not left behind),” she said.

She added that the government would continue extending assistance to consumers even as it considers measures to help transport operators.

The latest round of fuel price increases followed renewed volatility in global oil markets fueled by escalating tensions involving the United States and Iran, raising concerns over possible disruptions in oil supply and shipping routes in the Middle East.

The fresh increases came after several weeks of relatively stable pump prices and renewed fears of inflationary pressures from higher transport and logistics costs.

Meanwhile, Castro also said Malacañang has yet to receive an update from the government's UPLIFT Committee regarding the proposed suspension or reduction of fuel excise taxes.

Earlier, President Marcos directed economic managers to study possible tax relief measures after the government suspended excise taxes on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and kerosene to help cushion the impact of rising global oil prices.

The administration has also been studying whether similar relief could be extended to gasoline and diesel should international oil prices continue to rise.

The administration has repeatedly said it is prepared to roll out targeted interventions should the conflict in the Middle East continue to drive up fuel prices.

Previous assistance has included fuel subsidies for public utility vehicle drivers, farmers and fisherfolk, as well as cash assistance under the government's UPLIFT program to help vulnerable sectors cope with higher transportation and food costs.