By Lane Afable, News Editor
Malacañang on Tuesday reported an increase in the buffer stock of fuel as well as a sufficient supply of basic food products.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the country’s fuel and food situation was discussed and assessed following the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) committee meeting at the Palace presided over by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
“Good news, dahil sa ngayon ang buffer stock ng supply ng langis ay tumaas mula 52 hanggang 54 days. At napag-usapan din ang malawakang rollback sa presyo ng diesel,” said Castro during a Palace press briefing.
“At ayon din kay Secretary Kiko (Francisco) Tiu Laurel Jr., may sapat na supply bigas, chicken, at pork sa Pilipinas na aabot sa katapusan ng taon,” she added
On March 24, President Marcos signed Executive Order No. 110 declaring a state of national energy emergency in light of the conflict in the Middle East.
The order authorizes the Chief Executive to declare a critically low energy supply or imminent danger, and to implement the fuel and energy allocation plan and other energy conservation measures.
The EO also adopts UPLIFT as the government’s coordinated, whole-of-government response framework.
Meanwhile, Castro said the public may visit the UPLIFT website at www.uplift.dbm.gov.ph, which enumerates government programs amid the current energy emergency.
The website highlights UPLIFT’s five pillars: Saving lives, Ensuring a sufficient supply of fuel, Assisting sectors in need, Keeping food prices within reach, and Ensuring a supply of electricity.
