Middle class gets some breathing room

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Malacañang said the government has not neglected middle-income earners despite economic strain caused by global tensions, stressing that assistance extends beyond direct cash aid to include discounts and relief measures.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said middle-income workers are among the main beneficiaries of the recently announced 50% fare discount on rail transit systems.

“We cannot say that middle-income earners are receiving only cash assistance. What the President and the Department of Transportation provided through the 50-percent discount on the LRT and MRT is a big help because those who usually use this kind of transportation are middle-income earners,” Castro said.

She added that the government has suspended excise taxes on liquefied petroleum gas and kerosene as part of emergency relief measures amid rising fuel prices linked to tensions in the Middle East.

Before the suspension, excise tax was PHP 3 per kilogram for LPG and PHP 5 per liter for kerosene.

With the waiver effective April 17, consumers are expected to save about PHP 3.36 per kilogram on LPG, or around PHP 37 per 11-kg household cylinder, and PHP 5.56–PHP 5.65 per liter on kerosene.

“We know that most Filipinos use this, and this is a big help in easing, even slightly, the burden of rising prices caused by the crisis in the Middle East,” she said.

Castro, however, said there is still no recommendation to suspend excise taxes on other fuels such as gasoline and diesel.

She explained that officials are studying whether any reduction in excise tax may be offset by added premiums or insurance charges that oil companies could pass on to consumers.

“What they are seeing is that the reduction may not be fully felt, let us say 50%, and that will only be consumed for premium or insurance that will be charged by oil companies and will further burden the public,” she said.

Castro also cited financial relief programs rolled out by government agencies such as the Social Security System (SSS), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), and Pag-IBIG Fund.

The SSS is providing up to PHP 60 billion in financial assistance and benefits to members, pensioners, and employers through expanded loan programs.

This includes condonation of loan penalties and support for employer delinquencies to avoid penalties and enable relief.

Meanwhile, the GSIS has implemented the Balik Ginhawa program, featuring a three-month loan moratorium and refunds of payments made from December 2025 to February 2026.

This program provides immediate cash relief to government employees without compromising system stability.

The Pag-IBIG Fund offers a special benefits package for repatriated overseas Filipino workers, allowing withdrawal of up to 100 percent of Regular Savings and MP2 savings before maturity.

It also includes a three-month moratorium on housing loan payments, free of interest and penalties, with an extended loan term.

During a visit to the Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center on April 17, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the waiver of toll fees for trucks transporting vegetables from Mountain Province.

The toll fees previously cost about PHP 3,000 for 10-wheel trucks and PHP 1,000 for smaller vehicles.

The Land Transportation Office also announced a three-month extension for licenses, permits, and vehicle registrations expiring in April 2026, granting a grace period without penalties.

In Western Visayas, Castro said more than 3,000 fisherfolk are expected to receive fuel subsidies as part of the government’s targeted assistance.

She added that 34,454 registered municipal motorized fishing boats in the region are set to receive 132 liters of fuel monthly, equivalent to PHP 13,200 in assistance.