Marilyn Cahatol

Mayor Francis Zamora, together with representatives from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), led the distribution of ₱5,000 in immediate financial assistance to drivers at the Makabagong San Juan Theater in San Juan City on March 17, 2026. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has instructed the DSWD and local government units to distribute cash aid to transport workers affected by soaring fuel prices triggered by the US-Israel-Iran conflict.  Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

OIL PRICE HIKE - CAH AID

Harlene Delgado

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177415943971420260317-oil-price-hike-cash0-aid-san-juan-MT5.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Mayor Francis Zamora, together with representatives from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), led the distribution of ₱5,000 in immediate financial assistance to drivers at the Makabagong San Juan Theater in San Juan City on March 17, 2026. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has instructed the DSWD and local government units to distribute cash aid to transport workers affected by soaring fuel prices triggered by the US-Israel-Iran conflict. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Mayor Francis Zamora, together with representatives from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), led the distribution of ₱5,000 in immediate financial assistance to drivers at the Makabagong San Juan Theater in San Juan City on March 17, 2026. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has instructed the DSWD and local government units to distribute cash aid to transport workers affected by soaring fuel prices triggered by the US-Israel-Iran conflict. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced Sunday that the nationwide fuel subsidy rollout to other transport sectors will begin on April 6.</p><p>In a vlog released Sunday, March 22, the president said the transportation department’s fuel subsidy has been released, assuring support to the transport sector amid the surging prices of petroleum products brought about by the raging war in the Middle East triggered by the US-Israel strikes on Iran.</p><p>“Naiintindihan natin ang sigaw ng mga nagpoprotesta na kababayan nating nasa sektor na ito. Pero gusto kong ulitin sa inyo — hindi kayo maiiwanan. Hindi kayo pababayaan ng pamahalaan,” he said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/20/double-digit-price-hikes-for-diesel-gasoline-loom-again-next-week-1354">Double digit price hikes for diesel, gasoline loom again next week</a></div><p>As of March 20, the president said almost 100,000 tricycle drivers have received fuel subsidy from the transportation department.</p><p>He also reiterated the government’s ongoing measures to cushion the impact to commuters such as free rides and fare discounts on MRT-3 and LRT-2.</p><p>“Ang pag-release naman ng mga iba pang pondo para sa mga cash relief at subsidies ay patuloy sa iba’t ibang mga ahensya,” Marcos Jr. said. </p><p>Farmers and fisherfolk will also receive fuel subsidies, according to the president.</p><p>“Ongoing na talaga yung mga programang ‘yan. Pero nagpatagdag pa tayo ng 50 million sa mga regional field officers,” he said.</p><p>Marcos Jr. added that the government is in talks with various fertilizer-producing countries as he assured enough supply next month and ongoing preparations for May to June.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>POSSIBLE OIL SOURCES</strong></div><p>Meanwhile, the chief executive said the government continues to look for other potential sources of oil.</p><p>He said talks are underway with trade partners such as India as well as China, Japan, Thailand, Brunei and South Korea for possible supply agreements.</p><p>“Maganda naman ang nagiging usapan natin. Buti na lang at talagang kinakaibigan natin sila at sila’y handang tumulong sa atin,” Marcos Jr. stated.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/17/-walang-krisis-sa-supply-garin-defends-statement-on-no-oil-crisis-0952">&#x27;Walang krisis sa supply&#x27;: Garin defends statement on &#x27;no oil crisis&#x27;</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>PRICES</strong></div><p>Marcos Jr. also assured that prices and supply of basic goods and prime commodities remain stable, noting that the government will continue to work with manufacturers in this critical time.</p><p>“Sa awa naman ng Diyos, stable pa at wala namang masyadong pag abuso. Walang nagbebenta ng higit sa suggested retail price,” he said.</p><p>“Napapag-usapan din ang paglalagay ng price cap muna sa bigas. Abangan po natin ito,” the president added.</p><div> </div><div><strong>POWER SUPPLY</strong></div><p>The government is also coordinating with power generation companies to augment the country’s grid capacity for the next 60 days, according to Marcos Jr.</p><p>He noted that 23 power projects with 900 megawatts capacity are expected to go online to help with the supply.</p><p>“Ongoing din ang koordinasyon sa paggamit ng Malampaya Natural Gas na full capacity para madagdagan naman ang supply natin sa kuryente,” he said. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/20/electricity-prices-to-go-up-higher-than-usual-due-to-oil-price-spike-0745">Electricity prices to go up higher than usual due to oil price spike</a></div><div> </div><div><strong>REPATRIATION</strong></div><p>The president also assured repatriation efforts are underway for overseas Filipinos affected by the conflict.</p><p>From March 5 to 17, Marcos Jr. noted that 1,418 overseas Filipino workers and 334 dependents have returned home.</p><p>In addition, the third government-chartered flight arrived on March 18 carrying 153 OFWs, 114 dependents and 50 stranded Filipinos.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2026/3/20/800-filipinos-still-seeking-repatriation-4th-ph-chartered-flight-to-leave-sunday-1245">800 Filipinos still seeking repatriation; 4th PH chartered flight to leave Sunday</a></div><p>“Sa mga susunod na araw ay mas marami pa ang pararatingin natin,” he said, assuring hotel and air travel accommodations to repatriated Filipinos returning to mostly Visayas and Mindanao.</p><p>Marcos Jr. is set to welcome a new batch of repatriates on Monday, March 23 at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. He missed the welcoming rites on Thursday, March 19 due to scheduled meetings, according to Malacañang.</p><div> </div><div><strong>APPEAL FOR BAYANIHAN</strong></div><p>Marcos Jr. ended his vlog with an appeal to the public to keep the spirit of bayanihan alive as he vowed that Filipinos can lean on the government. “Bawat isa sa atin ay may magagawa namang paraan para makatulong. Pagtitipid man, pagtulong sa kapwa o kahit sa pamamahagi ng tamang impormasyon at hindi pagkakalat ng fake news, huwag naman sana tayo magdagdag pa sa problema,” he said.</p><p>“Huwag natin kakalimutan na kapag pinabayaan natin ang isa sa atin, napabayaan na natin ang buong bansa,” he added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/22/fuel-hikes-force-some-filipinos-to-put-holy-week-plans-on-hold-0935">Fuel hikes force some Filipinos to put Holy Week plans on hold</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LJ8JN3t874g?si=582jnSALgrF4acU8" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced Sunday that the nationwide fuel subsidy rollout to other transport sectors will begin on April 6.</p>

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced Sunday that the nationwide fuel subsidy rollout to other transport sectors will begin on April 6.

‘Hindi kayo maiiwanan’: Marcos Jr. says nationwide fuel subsidy rollout to other transport sectors to begin on April 6

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‘Hindi kayo maiiwanan’: Marcos Jr. says nationwide fuel subsidy rollout to other transport sectors to begin on April 6

Harlene Delgado,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 22, 2026 02:44 PM PHT

Read More:

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

fuel subsidy

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