MANILA – Senator Imee Marcos called on government agencies to temporarily halt the collection of mandatory monthly contributions as fuel and basic commodity prices surge due to the Middle East crisis.

The agencies she mentioned include the Social Security System (SSS), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Pag-IBIG Fund, and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

“Ang krisis sa gasolina at krudo ay pabigat lalo sa pang-araw-araw na buhay ng bawat Pilipino, lalo na sa ating mga manggagawa. Kaya’t marapat lamang na bigyan natin sila ng kahit isang buwan o higit pang palugit sa pagbabayad ng kanilang mga obligasyon,” Marcos said.
(The crisis in gasoline and crude oil adds to the daily burden of every Filipino, especially our workers. It is only right that we give them at least a month or more of relief in paying their obligations.)

“‘Wag muna nating kaltasan ang kanilang sahod. Ibigay muna ito nang buo upang kahit paano ay makasabay sila sa walang tigil na pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin,” she added.
(Let us suspend salary deductions for now and release their wages in full, so they may somehow keep pace with the galloping rise in the cost of living.)

Imee Marcos, sister of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., said such measures have proven effective during the COVID-19 pandemic and after previous calamities.

On Tuesday, President Marcos declared a state of national energy emergency and ordered the adoption of the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) for affected sectors. A whole-of-government response was also activated to stabilize energy supply, support key sectors such as transport, agriculture, and MSMEs, and protect Filipinos amid global oil supply disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict.

“Patuloy ang krisis na ito na wala pang kalinawan kung hanggang kailan matatapos. Nararapat lang na gawin natin ang lahat ng makakaya para matulungan ang taumbayan,” Imee Marcos said.
(This is an evolving crisis, which appears to be dragging on longer than anticipated. Let us do everything we can to lighten the burden on our people.)

Meanwhile, Senator Bam Aquino renewed his call for a government-imposed price freeze on basic commodities and essential goods.

“Mag-price freeze na sila. Mula noong nagsimula ‘yung hearing, tumaas na ng P20 [per liter] ‘yung diesel, ‘yung gasolina P10 [per liter]. Sinabi ng Department of Agriculture tataas ang presyo ng pagkain kung wala silang gagawin. So mahalagang gumalaw na iyong gobyerno,” Aquino said.
(They should implement a price freeze. Since the hearing began, the price of diesel has increased by P20 per liter, while that of gasoline increased by P10 per liter. The Department of Agriculture also said food prices will increase if nothing happens. So it’s important for the government to act now.)

“Kailangan natin ng agarang aksyon at ang mungkahi ko, gawin na iyong price freeze para sa napakaraming Pilipino na hirap na hirap na ngayon. Gawin na nila yan at tulungan nila yung napakarami nating mga kababayan,” he added.
(We need immediate action and my suggestion is to implement a price freeze for the many Filipinos who are struggling right now. Do this and help our countrymen.)

Malacañang earlier said the government is studying the proposal to implement a price freeze on basic commodities to cushion the impacts of the Middle East crisis on the country.