MANILA – Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson called on the government to move beyond traditional “ayuda” programs and develop more targeted interventions for Filipinos affected by rising fuel prices driven by tensions in the Middle East.

Lacson said authorities should study more focused support mechanisms, including possible fuel subsidies, similar to approaches used in other countries such as Taiwan.

“Hindi ako nagmamarunong. Ang suggestion ko lang, pag-aralang mabuti kung anong mas nakakabuti sa sektor na talagang apektado,” he said in an interview over DZBB radio.

He also suggested that if government revenues are sufficient, funds that would have been lost from the suspension of fuel excise taxes could instead be redirected to direct subsidies for affected sectors.

Based on Department of Finance data he cited, Lacson said projected revenue losses from suspending excise taxes on fuel could reach PHP200.899 billion in 2027, while additional losses from suspending value-added tax (VAT) could reach PHP119.326 billion, or a total of about PHP320 billion if both taxes are suspended.

Lacson said government should also consider assistance mechanisms even if global oil prices do not trigger automatic suspension of fuel excise taxes.

“Pag-aralan lang, isama sa consideration sa halip mag-suspend kasi di naman ito maski pumalo ng $100 per barrel sa world price pwedeng di ma-suspend pero ang revenue na di mawala, baka pwedeng pagaralan para ilagak kung saan ang direktamenteng apektado ng presyo yan ang makikinabang. At di lang may kotse ang makikinabang,” he said.

He also renewed his call for a shorter monitoring period as a basis for suspending fuel excise taxes, citing the “extraordinary situation” caused by the Middle East conflict.

Lacson further said the government must rethink reliance on “ayuda” programs, arguing that implementation issues may prevent aid from reaching those most affected.

“Parang nahirati tayo sa ayuda. Kung ia-analyze natin context muna, ang nabigyan ng ayuda, hindi naman ito ang apektado ng gasolina. Ito ang matagal nang nakalista. Ang masama nito, implementation – minsan mga leaders ng local government officials ang nakatala nakalista kasi nanggagaling sa barangay ang listahan,” he said.

“So totoo bang naibsan ang kahirapan sanhi ng pagtaas ng oil, presyo ng langis, ang ating kababayan na talagang apektado? Transport sector, ordinary commuters, tataas,” he added.

“The government must explore measures to help those directly affected by rising oil prices,” he said.