Manila: Malaca±ang on Tuesday assured the public that government efforts to address the impact of the Middle East crisis would continue despite fewer meetings of the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) Committee.
According to Philippines News Agency, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro announced that UPLIFT meetings would now occur every two weeks, with the next meeting scheduled for May 19. Castro explained that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. observed that Cabinet secretaries and relevant agencies continue their work effectively even without the necessity of weekly meetings.
Castro highlighted the President's confidence in the ongoing efforts of government bodies to mitigate the effects of the Middle East crisis. She emphasized that the work persists uninterrupted, with or without the weekly meetings.
The proposed UPLIFT bill, aimed at enhancing the utilization of public funds and supporting vulnerable sectors amid global volatility and geopolitical tensions, may also be included in the agenda of the next Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting on May 19.
The UPLIFT Committee, chaired by the President, is tasked with stabilizing food prices, supporting key sectors like farmers and transport workers, and protecting consumers through targeted subsidies and interventions. The government's response to the ongoing energy emergency triggered by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East remains a priority.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES) stated that the government is further strengthening the implementation of the UPLIFT Program to support the transportation sector and ensure food security during the ongoing energy emergency. Executive Secretary Ralph Recto met with select Cabinet members to coordinate efforts aimed at accelerating and streamlining government response efforts.
Key measures discussed include expanding the Fuel Subsidy Program to sustain public transportation operations nationwide. Under this program, jeepneys and UV Express units are entitled to a PHP10 per liter fuel discount, with participation from more than 2,000 gas stations nationwide.
Additionally, the government is broadening fuel assistance coverage to buses and delivery trucks, especially those transporting agricultural products and essential goods, to stabilize supply chains and mitigate rising transport costs. The OES underscored that government agencies are intensifying efforts to ensure that assistance reaches intended beneficiaries, with strengthened support interventions for farmers and fisherfolk to maintain adequate supply levels for Filipino families.
