MALACANANG on Friday welcomed suggestions from business groups to adopt a work-from-home setup to reduce fuel consumption and ease the impact of rising oil prices.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Palace views the proposal as “helpful” but will leave the decision to private companies.
“Kung iyan ang magiging panukala ng mga private business companies, makakatulong na malaki ‘yan. Pero siyempre hindi naman didiktahan ng Pangulo ang mga pribadong kumpanya,” Castro said.
Castro stressed that private firms are free to decide what arrangements best suit their operations and workers.
“Kung nakikita ng mga pribadong kumpanya na makakabuti ito sa ating bayan at sa interes ng ating mga kababayan, lalo na para makatipid sa fuel o sa produktong petrolyo, maganda ‘yang suggestion,” she added.
Castro also responded to calls from the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) for a PhP5,000 monthly subsidy for minimum wage workers facing rising fuel prices.
The Palace official said no option is “off the table,” but noted the need to balance priorities and start with sectors most affected by increasing fuel costs.
She, meanwhile, assured that the government is prepared to assist all sectors as long as the measures fall within the limits of the national budget.
Castro cited ongoing government initiatives for transportation relief, including a 50 percent discount on train fares, free bus rides, and subsidies for public utility vehicles.
President Marcos declared a state of national energy emergency earlier this week to safeguard fuel supply and economic stability.
As part of energy-saving measures, the President has instructed government agencies to adopt a four-day workweek and set air-conditioner thermostats no lower than 24 °C to conserve electricity and fuel.
President Marcos also signed into law Republic Act No. 12316, granting him the power to temporarily suspend or reduce excise taxes on petroleum products to manage oil price spikes. |
