PCO USEC. CASTRO: Magandang hapon, Malacañang Press Corps.

Ang laban kontra droga ay laban nating lahat. Iyan ang mensahe ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sa pagbisita niya sa PDEA laboratory ngayong araw. Bilang patunay sa dedikasyon ng pamahalaan na masawata ang iligal na droga, tinatayang nasa 62 billion pesos na ang kabuuang halaga ng illegal drugs na nakumpiska sa tatlong taon ng administrasyon. Dagdag ng Pangulo, maraming Pilipino na ang nailigtas mula sa bigkis ng illegal drugs pero malayo pa ang tatahakin upang tuluyang mapuksa ito.

Binigyang-diin ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. na hindi lamang small-time drug offenders ang target ng kampanya kontra droga. Pupuntiryahin ng pamahalaan ang mga tunay na kalaban nito, ang mga malalaking sindikato na sumisira sa kinabukasan ng kabataang Pilipino. Kabilang sa whole-of-government approach ng administrasyon, palalawakin pa ng pamahalaan ang hakbang kontra droga kasama dito ang pagpapabuti ng sektor sa edukasyon, pagpapakalat ng tamang impormasyon at pagtutok sa mental health.

Inutusan naman ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. ang PDEA na pagbutihin pa ang kampanya kontra droga. Bukod sa pagpapaigting ng mga operasyon upang puksain ang illegal drugs sa bansa, magsasagawa rin ng pagbabalanse ng rehabilitation and reintegration efforts para sa drug offenders. Pinaalalahanan din ng Pangulo ang mga operatiba ng PDEA na iwasan ang karahasan sa pagsugpo sa illegal drugs, hangga’t kaya ay panatilihing makatao ang pinaigting na kampanya kontra droga.

Nais din ng Pangulo na lalo pang tutukan ang pagbuwag sa malalaking sindikato at tiyakin ang tamang pag-iimbak at pag-dispose sa mga kontrabando nang naaayon sa batas. Kaya kaninang umaga lang ay ipinag-utos ng Pangulo na ang pagsunog ng 1,304 kilos ng shabu packs na na-recover na palutang-lutang sa karagatan ng Zambales, Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur at Cagayan. Tinatayang nasa higit 8.8 billion pesos ang street value ng na-recover na mga kontrabando. Nakasalang din na sunugin ang 226 kilos na assorted drugs na may halagang 609 million pesos mula sa iba’t ibang operasyon.

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Layon po nating ilahad sa publiko ang direktiba ng Pangulo at ang mga agarang hakbang ng gobyerno para protektahan ang ating mga kababayan mula sa epekto ng tensiyon sa Middle East partikular sa Iran at Israel. Pinatawag po ng Pangulo ang buong economic team at ang Department of Energy upang maglatag ng isang malinaw at mabilis na plano ng aksiyon para tiyaking ligtas ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino sa banta ng pagtaas ng presyo ng langis at pangunahing bilihin.

Narito po ngayon si Department of Energy OIC Sharon Garin upang ipaliwanag ang mga hakbang at direktiba ng Pangulo. Good afternoon, ma’am.

DOE OIC GARIN: Good afternoon, ma’am. Thank you.

Today po, ang recent report po sa presyo ng langis ay bumaba siya bigla. As of yesterday, it was on the high 70s, ngayon po ay nasa 69. Bumalik siya siguro dahil sa mga proclamations ni [US] President Trump and all the ongoings in the conflict of Iran and Israel. Ang epekto niyan, kumalma na iyong industriya, there’s less speculation so it went down to 69 as of this morning.

So, that’s good news for everyone and pero kahit may good news tayo ngayong umaga, ang utos pa rin ng Presidente is we make sure that we protect the Filipino people from the impact of the oil price hike. Meaning po, most especially those na gumagamit ng public utility vehicles, our farmers and our fisherfolks. As we are gathered here today, we also have an ongoing meeting with DOTr and DA and LTFRB to make sure that whatever happens, whether it happens, if it happens, we are ready to distribute the subsidies to our PUV drivers, operators, our farmers and fisherfolks po.

TUESDAY NIU/DZBB: Good afternoon, ma’am. Sa ngayon po ba, ma’am, mayroon na po ba kayong natukoy kung magkano ang halaga noong ibibigay na fuel subsidy sa bawat transport sectors like AUV, PUV or TNVS?

DOE OIC GARIN: Wala pang definite na amount, ang definite lang doon is we have 2.5 billion pesos for subsidy for PUVs but the individual distribution, kung magkano tatanggapin ng kada recipient, it depends siguro kung sino ang makakatanggap at ilan ang makakatanggap. Currently, DOE, DA and DOTr are meeting and DOTr is also hard-at-work determining the number of recipients, kung sino ba talaga iyong makakatanggap but I think DOTr already identified and now they’re just finishing up the listing yata. But as pronounced by DOTr, they are ready to disburse anytime that the signal is given to them.

TUESDAY NIU/DZBB: Iyan po ba, ma’am, ay puwede nang asahan noong ating mga transport operators and drivers within the week na mairi-release?

DOE OIC GARIN: We have to ask DOTr on that when it will be ready. Pero dalawang agencies iyan ano, may Department of Agriculture din for farmers and fisherfolks which [inaudible] 600 million pesos under the General Appropriations Act and then there’s 2.5 billion for DOTr for the PUV.

When and how much will be distributed, I would leave it to DOTr to announce that kasi kailangan pa nilang ayusin pa iyong ga records nila at iyong logistics. We have to work with the banks also, so kailangan siguro patapusin muna natin as I’m not sure if they can update us today but they’ve been working the whole week already, even before pa na tumaas pa ‘to. Thank you.

ALEXIS ROMERO/PHILIPPINE STAR: Good afternoon po. What scenarios were discussed during the meeting with economic managers and what measures are being planned for each scenario?

DOE OIC GARIN: There are several scenarios, oh and the most positive is that it will not escalate anymore and the prices will continue to go down. Today is a good day with the 69 dollars per barrel. It can escalate, the worst scenario is they close the Strait of Hormuz, meaning niyan many of our supply kasi dumadaan diyan eh, diyan dumadaan siya so if it gets cut off, then that’s not only for the Philippines, bad news for the Philippines but the whole world actually.

So, we’ve been discussing different scenarios from worst to best pero I think ang gustong makita ng Presidente this morning, what is the effect on the Filipino people. For example, those that are living—our OFWs that are in the Middle East, what is the effect on the growth ‘no kasi malaking tulong po ang mga OFW in the Middle East as far as our economy is concerned kasi malaki din iyong pinapadala nilang mga remittances. And then also, what is the effect on the daily life of the Filipino people kasi po ang oil po will affect the presyo ng pamasahe natin and if the price increases, it will also cause increases in our basic goods or necessities po.

So, it was a very broad discussion pero focused on making sure that there is less impact on the daily lives of each Filipino family.

ALEXIS ROMERO/PHILSTAR: Okay, salamat po. So, what are the contingency measures in place in the event that the worst-case scenario materializes?

DOE OIC GARIN: I can only talk about Department of Energy because there are other agencies also concerned. Iba-iba rin iyong mga scenarios na ginagamit nila at possibilities of options ‘no. But for DOE, if we start, we have the ayuda system which is to—ang importance of the ayuda for the drivers is that—so that they won’t increase their fares ‘no. And if we don’t allow increase of fares, we have to give them something, otherwise sila iyong magsyo-shoulder. So, iyon din ang ayaw ng Presidente.

So, we need to make sure that everybody is protected and the government is willing to subsidize part of their costs of delivering our people from work to home and home to work, ito po iyong subsidy na ibinibigay which is at 2.5 billion.

And two days ago or three days ago, the President called for oil companies to stagger, staggering ng increase kasi dapat kasi five pesos or more. So, miniting [meeting] namin kahapon ang mga oil companies at ten in the morning; and before 6 P.M., they already announced their plan to stagger two days, June 24 and June 26 – 2.60, 2.60.

So, the impact overall, impact the same, the increase will be two times 2.60. Pero na-stagger siya so ngayon po, kung titingnan ninyo po iyong mga gas stations natin, ina-anticipate na nila iyong increase bukas so maraming nagpapa-gas na ngayon. So, mapaplano ng mga pamilya kung kailan sila bibili. So, kung isahan lang kasi, one-time lang iyong planning mo. Pero, at least, kung ma-stagger mo siya, you have the whole week to plan out your expenses on fuel. So, I think that’s a good call on the part of the President.

And other than the ayuda, we are also asking for oil companies to expand or to increase their discounts or promos for public utility vehicles. As of today, we have received confirmation that one company is willing to give one peso discount for our PUV drivers for every liter, so maganda po iyan, less one peso po iyan; malaking savings iyan. We have calculated, if they run at 10 hours a day, they will save about 18,000 pesos a year kung ganoon ang mangyayari po, so malaking tulong po iyan. And that is not from government; that’s the willingness of the oil company to help ‘no. Bayanihan po kasi ang epekto niyan since the President called for them to stagger parang naganahan na rin ang mga oil companies tumulong.

So, the first company to confirm their discounted rates is ang Clean Fuel. I think they’re based more on Metro Manila. But hopefully, the other companies kung ano – itsi-check namin, magmi-meeting kami from tomorrow up to Friday – what can we do to help the PUV drivers and operators.

Mind you, because of the lowering of the prices internationally, it might go lower also ‘no, iyong presyo, baka hindi na kailangan ng ayuda. But we will still continue. We want to be prepared. We want the oil companies to be prepared also, make sure they have enough stock. DOTr is ready to distribute anytime na mag-escalate pa. So, that’s good. And what’s happened now, all agencies are bracing for impact, even parang wala namang impact pero we’re still preparing for it.

MARICEL HALILI/TV5: Magandang hapon po. Ma’am, although sinabi nga po ninyo na bumaba na iyong presyo kanina, mayroon po kasi pa ring panawagan from some transport groups na baka better kung i-suspend na lang iyong VAT and excise tax on petroleum products. Napag-usapan ninyo po ba ito? Anong tingin po ng economic team dito?

DOE OIC GARIN: Yes, ma’am. That was discussed also earlier. If you lower the … I think, ten pesos yata iyong excise ‘no, that would have a big impact. But the excise tax and the value-added tax which is 12% are imposed because of a law ‘no. Legislation iyan eh, so hindi puwede na iyong DOE can go against what is mandated by law, nor DoF, nor even the President. So, kailangan talagang sundin kung ano iyong nasa batas.

Suspension, we have been researching, wala kasi sa batas iyan eh. Ang ina-allow lang is to suspend the increase, eh wala naman tayong ini-increase eh. But although, however willing it is the Cabinet would be, pero hindi po kasi allowed by law ‘no. So, it will have to be an act of Congress. An amendment to the current law ang kailangan diyan para either to suspend to lower, or even to abolish taxes on fuel.

Pero ang collections—I’m sorry. Ang collections kasi diyan, it will run around on the excise tax and VAT, mga 300 billion. But what I always say is, yes, we can … that’s 300 billion also and that’s also … if we do away with the 300 billion, that’s also how many kilometers of roads, how many school buildings ‘no, health services natin, mababawasan kasi bawas din iyan sa budget ng gobyerno. So, it’s a balance that’s the administration is trying to find na protected ang sumasakay sa public transport pero the basic service should also go on. So, that’s why ayuda might a good start for now.

MARICEL HALILI/TV5: And, ma’am, iyong sinasabi ninyo po kanina na pagbaba ng presyo ng petrolyo, do we see this na magtutuluy-tuloy, magiging trend na po ba ito? And at what point natin masasabi na there’s a need for a state of emergency or DOE needs an emergency power through the President?

DOE OIC GARIN: Actually, $80 dollars per barrel is the trigger for the ayuda; and also, under NIRC, the tax code ‘no; and then, under the GAA also, it’s $80. Now, if you ask me when will it trigger na may national emergency, I think we have to go back with the economic managers there, if we’re able to handle the $80, past the $80 kasi.

Right now, we’re just anticipating para lang prepared tayo. But once you declare a national emergency, then that will … ibang courses na iyan na puwedeng i-take. Kasi there are different—I just want to explain, worst-case scenario kasi, mauubusan tayo ng supply; tataas talaga iyong presyo ‘no. There are options to do that. Right now, we have long-term options, but there are options also in finding other suppliers, finding other routes for our supply. Pero those things siguro kanina, kumalma na rin iyong economic team because they’ve seen that there’s a lowering of the prices. So, we’ve been instructed to just prepare as usual, like as if we’re going to break the $80 limit.

IVAN MAYRINA/GMA7: Ma’am, klaruhin ko lang po: So, hangga’t hindi umaabot ng $80, iyong pinag-uusapan nating 2.5 billion na ayuda, hindi po siya mati-trigger, not yet?

DOE OIC GARIN: I want to explain. The $80, nag-break na tayo diyan noong January or February, if you remember. It increased eh ‘no. So, under GAA, DOE notified na all the agencies. We’re past the $80 mark. So, anytime … one time lang naman iyong notification eh, they can use up the funds anytime naman. That’s why I don’t want to say when and how much because it is for DOTr, sila iyong may mandate to distribute.

IVAN MAYRINA/GMA7: Balikan ko iyong sa worst-case scenario, iyong isara iyong Strait of Hormuz na maiipit iyong supply—

DOE OIC GARIN: Ipagdasal mo lang na hindi.

IVAN MAYRINA/GMA7: Sana nga.

DOE OIC GARIN: It’s never happened in history.

IVAN MAYRINA/GMA7: Yes. Pero as we speak, nasa anong level po ang inventory ng oil companies natin? And how long will it last, for how many days? At kung mangyari nga po ang worst-case scenario, anu-ano ho iyong mga options natin, alternatives na pagkukunan?

DOE OIC GARIN: Yes, sir. By regulation, all oil companies are required to have 15 days of buffer stock, ang reserba nila. We check it every day. They report every day kung ano iyong level nila. And as of today, the average is around 28 days eh. So, halos isang buwan naman iyong stock nila. Some are more than compliant, more than 28 days; some medyo may problema pa. It’s good that we’ve been visiting the oil companies because now, some are … we are helping with their permitting process para siguraduhin na sila ay compliant.

So, mayroon tayong 30 days. The whole country is in aggregate, all oil companies combined, we have 30 days of buffer stock. I think that’s a good number because that’s also cash for our oil companies eh. They spent for that so it’s heavy for them also to extend that to two months. One month is a good number.

Now, if you have…kung may closure which I really doubt and because that’s against the interest of everyone in the Middle East and the whole world, even the big countries I don’t think parang they would allow that. Pero there are also alternative routes for shipping, also alternative sources – we are talking about Middle East here. Actually, Iran is only 1.5 percent of the whole OPEC countries’ export kasi nag-oil embargo na iyan dati eh, most of their exports are sent to China, so ang nakaano lang sa international is about 1.5 million ang naka-allot lang diyan.

There are other OPEC countries that are in total have 5.5 million na reserves – so puwede nilang i-cover and if that is not possible, we also have other countries like US, Canada, Brazil and other countries that can be sources also. So, we have alternatives. It might not be as efficient pero the country has an option to find the alternatives.

JOB MANAHAN/ABS-CBN: Hello, ma’am. Good afternoon po. Ma’am, groups are questioning bakit kailangan automatic na nagtataas iyong oil reserve kahit na matagal pa iyong reserve nila? So, parang ano ang logic kaya ganiyan?

DOE OIC GARIN: Na bakit they bought it before already and why is the increase nag-a-apply ngayon ‘no? I will try to explain as simple as I could ‘no. Iyong oil kasi, basically the delivery does not mean that you have a price already. Ibig sabihin, iyong goods na natatanggap mo hindi ibig sabihin nag-agree na kayo sa price, okay. So, they agree on the price depending on the iyong tinatawag nila na MOPS (Mean of Platts Singapore) sa Singapore – iyong parang average in the international market let’s say ‘no.

So, what you consume today mag-a-agree kayo niyan kung anong MOPS ang gagamitin ninyo and then that is what you pay. If you have 100 liters for example and you only sell 10 – you pay the 10 as a grade. Hindi dahil nakuha mo na siya two weeks ago nagbayad ka na – no. The price is determined as you go.

So, my simple explanation would be, it’s like you pay for the replacement of the fuel that you sold – parang ganoon na lang – as simple as that na kung ano iyong cost ng fuel na binenta mo to replace that, that’s what you pay for it. Kasi medyo hindi sila nagdi-define ng presyo kaagad ng delivery, they determine that upon when the time that you sell it. Medyo iba iyong practice ng industry. So, that is also a question of many and it’s hard to understand if you’re not from the industry. But yes, that’s how they do it in the oil companies – lahat-lahat sila actually.

JOB MANAHAN/ABS-CBN: Ma’am, na-mention ninyo kanina na bumaba na iyong presyo ng crude oil. Magtutuluy-tuloy kaya or sa tingin ninyo puwedeng hindi na ituloy iyong second installment ng oil price hike sa Thursday?

DOE OIC GARIN: Well, we have to talk to the companies. Hopefully, kung bumaba naman we have meetings again tomorrow with them until Friday. So, we’ll check with them if they can hold muna iyong pag-increase kasi bababa naman – we have to check on that. Kasi actually we’re willing na to sacrifice the 2.60 on their part for tomorrow.

Ang problema kasi ang oil companies are not regulated; the prices are not regulated. This was because of the Oil Deregulation Law so hindi natin nako-control. What the government can do is just ask the companies. We regulate the registration and all that pero iyong presyo hindi po. Kaya nga it is quite heartwarming din when the President called for their participation in staggering the price hike, they responded positively. So, that was on their willingness naman. Hindi naman violation iyan kasi kung hindi ka sumunod eh pero they were willing to help the President to soften the blow of the oil price hike. So, hopefully we can talk to them again.

Can I just revert back to the question mo kanina? Ngayon kapag nag-increase parang dehado iyong consumer ‘di ba – they are paying for a higher price na hindi pa naman nag-a-apply. Pero on the other hand, kapag ang expectation mo it goes lower in the next week, dehado rin iyong oil company ‘no kasi bababaan din nila, they will mark it down also. So, give and take na rin iyon. So there are times that the consumers suffer, but there are times also that the oil companies are the one taking the brunt of the lowering of the price. So, bawi-bawi rin siya. Thank you.

EDEN SANTOS/NET25: Sec., good afternoon po. Sabi ninyo DOTr, DA and LTFRB are ready to distribute the subsidy – 80 dollars per barrel ang triggering ano po ‘no para tayo ay magbigay ng ayuda. Since, bumaba na po siya sa 69 and we’re expecting sabi ninyo po na magtuluy-tuloy iyong trend na pababa. Iyon po bang ayuda na naka-ready, 2.5 daw iyon, for operators and drivers and 600 million pesos para sa farmers and fisherfolks ay tuluy-tuloy pa rin po iyong pagbibigay nito?

DOE OIC GARIN: Well, kung tuloy siya pero iyong premise mo kasi kanina tutal bumababa na pero posible rin na tumaas siya ulit ‘no. So, I would just want to say na ready iyong DOTr and DA. Now, when will that be distributed if it goes down or goes up? I would rather have DOTr announced that kasi nagmi-meeting pa ngayon, hindi ko alam kung ano pa ang nangyayari sa meeting. Pero, I think, nalilinis pa nila lahat ng logistics, kung paano babayaran, paano idi-distribute, sinong tatanggap – those are things that are still being discussed with DOTr.

So, kung tuloy siya or hindi? I think, they will decide on that sometime soon.

EDEN SANTOS/NET25: Paano po natin masu-sure, maga-guarantee na hindi po mahuhulog sa corruption itong budget, itong pondo na ito para sa ayuda sa ating mga affected sectors po?

DOE OIC GARIN: I guess, you mean iba iyong nakakatanggap parang ganoon?

EDEN SANTOS/NET25: Yes, hindi lahat ay talagang nakakatanggap.

DOE OIC GARIN: Kaya nga hindi immediate na nag-distribute ang DOTr ‘no. They trying to make sure that the list is correct, that the recipients ano ba, included ba iyong operators, kasama ba iyong drivers kung sinong mga drivers at what kind of PUVs are included. I think DOTr is studying that and they are really ano…kasi ang utos yata ni Secretary Vince, we should do this ASAP but make sure that it is the correct way of doing it. In fact, they are trying to talk also to the banks like Landbank para ma-streamline iyong pag-distribute. So, all the safeguards, they are trying to do all the safeguards din. As long as the list is correct, I think, that’s half the battle already. Ginagawa naman nila lahat.

EDEN SANTOS/NET25: Last question na lang po. Since ito pong nangyari sa Iran at Israel hindi naman po kahapon lang nangyari o last week. Secretary, wala po ba tayong naka-ready or naka-in place na sistema or mekanismo para po sa pagbibigay ng ayuda sa mga ganitong sitwasyon kasi kung ngayon ninyo pa lang pinag-aaralan, pinag-uusapan tapos biglang bumaba, puwede pala na hindi naman na ibigay iyong ayuda samantalang sabi ninyo kanina noong January pa noong nagkaroon ng mataas na presyo eh dapat pala noon pa lang February, March, April nabigay ninyo na iyong ayuda sa mga nangangailangang sektor ‘di po ba? Wala po ba tayong naka-ready na mekanismo o sistema kung kailan dapat ibigay iyong ayuda, kailan dapat umaksiyon iyong gobyerno po?

DOE OIC GARIN: Technically kasi hindi kailangan ngayon kasi hindi pa umaabot ng otsenta ‘no, pero na-trigger na siya before. Hindi po iyong DOE ang nagdi-distribute, it’s DOTr that’s why we are having a meeting today para ma-check kung anong na-disburse noong January if ever there was a disbursement para ma-check naming iyong balance.

I think, ang DOTr is just responding to calls of many of the sectors kung sino ang gustong ma-include, sino ang exclude, kung magkano ang gusto nila, how many days ba; dati kasi nag-6,000 pesos yata dati iyan ‘no, how many days ba iyong 6,000 pesos – is it good enough for one day, two days. So, I think DOTr is just trying to make that sure everything is correct kasi nga as you mentioned earlier it could be prone to corruption or abuse. So, DOTr has to make sure also na iyong tamang tao iyong ang makakatanggap ng tamang amount ‘no. I think, that’s a prudent way for DOTr to do.

Kailan siya idi-distribute? I cannot say now, kasi that is up to the DOTr to determine. Bakit ka kasi nag-aayuda? Kasi mahihirapan iyong driver mo eh na ikarga iyong fare na hindi naman nag-i-increase. So, I think that’s an expertise of DOTr to determine kung para ma-avoid ang pag-suffer or iyong impact sa driver ng pag-increase ng presyo ng langis. I think, Secretary Vince will be in a better position in a few days siguro, baka masagot niya na iyan.

SAM MEDENILLA/BUSINESS MIRROR: Good afternoon, ma’am. Na-mention po nila, ma’am, na pina-check po kanina kung magkano pa iyong balance doon sa budget for the fuel subsidies, nabawasan po kaya iyon noong January, February after checking po kanina?

DOE OIC GARIN: Hindi ko pa natsi-check kasi ngayon iyong meeting, napalipat ako dito sa—pero, I had to go check, that’s the purpose actually ng meeting namin. Pero I believe marami pang—minimal lang yata ang nabawas dati kung if ever there was fund ‘no. I think intact pa iyong amount diyan eh, enough pa siya to subsidies the intended recipients natin.

SAM MEDENILLA/BUSINESS MIRROR: Tapos nabanggit po kanina nila na wala sa batas iyong power na mag-suspend ng VAT or excise tax. May recommendation po ba iyong Executive Department or DOE with regards to that? Should Congress pass a legislation to allow that?

DOE OIC GARIN: I think that for Congress to determine because of the separation of powers of the Legislative and Executive. Executive will follow whatever is the wisdom of Congress. Pero I do believe on the part of Congress, in the past, marami ng mga nag-file ng bill about that, about suspension or even emergency action as far oil taxes are concerned. So, tingnan natin iyong Kongreso kasi sila talaga dapat nagdi-decide on what laws we want to be imposed in the country, particularly the taxes on oil. So, it’s in their discretion kung ano iyong amendment na gusto nila sa batas.

SAM MEDENILLA/BUSINESS MIRROR: Tapos, ma’am, na-mention ninyo kanina na na-discuss ng economic managers iyong projection kung ano iyong possible impact ng worst-case scenario or iyong medyo good scenario pagdating dito. May na-discuss po ba kung nag-i-expect iyong economic managers na mari-reach pa rin iyong target when it comes to economic growth and employment this year dahil nga sabi ninyo, medyo naging … bumaba na iyong presyo ng oil or ano po ba, mayroon po bang changes doon sa magiging targets?

DOE OIC GARIN: So far, based on what is happening today, so far as the conflict has subsided and the prices have gone down, parang minimal ang impact sa economy natin. I cannot give you the exact numbers, pero maliit lang talaga iyong impact that I don’t think its alarming for our economic managers.

SAM MEDENILLA/BUSINESS MIRROR: Thank you very much.

DOE OIC GARIN: Thank you.

CLAY PARDILLA/PTV4: Magandang hapon po, ma’am. Ma’am, you’ve mentioned about meeting with all companies, are we going to negotiate or ask them to consider on not to implement another price hike dahil nga po nag-ease na iyong tension, ilalatag po ba iyon ng DOE sa mga oil companies?

DOE OIC GARIN: Kung iyong MOPS kasi bumaba, eh dapat talagang bumaba na siya ‘no, without even asking them to lower it. I think the questioned earlier was like iyong other half na stagger, can it be negotiable pa, and that’s for them to decide and we will try our best to talk to the oil companies, we have a serious meeting with them. It’s another act of kindness on their part, if they do so. But rest assured that DOE will attempt ‘no, we’ll try to talk to the oil companies, thank you.

CHRISTIAN YOSORES/ RADYO 630: Hi, ma’am. You mentioned po that you are encouraging the oil companies to offer discount and promos to PUVs. Pero, what in for them po if they provide such discounts and promos, may incentives din po ba in return for them?

DOE OIC GARIN: They’re giving discounts, I think, for one company actually they are giving discount for every liter. There’s no incentive on their part, fiscal or any other incentive, it’s a pure recognition of their altruism that they will get. So, bayanihan effect lang talaga iyon, so for that we are very thankful to the oil companies, because they’re helping the President help our people. So, wala po iyan na may additional incentives sila, it’s just really an appeal to their kindness. For that we are very thankful to all the oil companies.

CHLOE HUFANA/ BUSINESS WORLD: Good afternoon po, ma’am.

DOE OIC GARIN: Parang ano ito ‘no, parang defense sa plenary no.

CHLOE HUFANA/ BUSINESS WORLD: Ma’am, the DOE and oil companies agreed to stagger the implementation of the supposed big time hike this week. Will this scheme be implemented next week as well?

DOE OIC GARIN: Well, I’m hoping. You know, I’m one week only on this job, but I’m hoping by next week it will go lower and lower and there’s no need to stagger, unless we want to stagger the lowering, but I don’t the people would want that. But if it does increase, if it does increase next week, then that we will ask na i-continue lang iyong stagger every week on increases. So ngayon, we’re staggering, next week if it goes lower, I don’t think it’s a problem anymore. But if it increases, which I hope it won’t happen, then we’ll still ask for the staggering of the successive increases.

PCO USEC. ATTY. CASTRO: Thank you very much, Ma’am Sharon Garin, OIC of Department of Energy.

Now, maaari na po tayong tumanggap ng mga katanungan mula sa kapita-pitagang MPC.

CHLOE HUFANA/ BUSINESS WORLD: Good afternoon, Usec. Ano po iyong napag-usapan kanina sa economic managers meeting?

PCO USEC. ATTY. CASTRO: Nandito na po kanina si—hindi ko po muna. Ma’am, pababalikin ko po kayo.

DOE OIC GARIN: Well, this was the briefing of Secretary Arsi (Arsenio M. Balisacan) of DEPDev ‘no, formally NEDA. He was explaining the trend which was bumababa na nga, pero anyhow I think na-categorize niya on different aspects, like what is the impact of the oil, price hike or the volatility of the prices of oil. What’s the impact on our OFWs, what’s the impact on the remittances, kasi malaki din iyong contribution ng Middle East sa remittances natin. And then, combining all that with our exports and imports and our trade with Israel for example, iyon ang inases (asses) ni Secretary Arsi. And with the current situation na mukhang hindi na mag-i-escalate or its slowing down or there’s ceasefire, hopefully it last longer ‘no, there’s ceasefire among all the countries involved and I think in-add iyon ni Secretary Arsi, na of course the Iran and Israel will always have conflict. Pero iyong ibang countries baka hindi na ma-involve.

So, combining all those, his team, I think his department made an assessment on the impact on inflation as well as on the growth or under GDP of the Philippines, the growth. So, with all those considerations, I don’t have the numbers here kasi na-present na iyon kanina, but the impact is so minimal to our economy that it doesn’t seem alarming as of now basta hindi lang siya aakyat ulit or the conflict worsens.

So, iyon ang na-present ng ano and along with Secretary Arsi of DEPDev, all the agencies were there including Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Finance, Secretary Recto was there, Secretary Go… all those involved, pati Labor was also there, Energy was also there so lahat po na concerned agencies nandoon. And I think that was the feeling eventually na the impact won’t be as alarming for today ‘no. We’ll see tomorrow kung may changes pa sa situation sa Middle East. But everybody is closely monitoring what’s happening there.

RICHBON QUEVEDO/DAILY TRIBUNE: Good afternoon po, Usec. Tawid po tayo sa technology. On the topic of AI, ma’am, last week a local official went viral over her alleged use of artificial intelligence for a prayer which garnered negative reactions online. Now po, the government is counting on AI to boost digitalization and modernization of technology. While AI can be used for a lot of ways and even bad ones, is the President looking to have regulations for AI or at least a creation of framework to promote responsible AI use?

PCO USEC. CASTRO: Nagkaroon po ng sectoral meeting noong May 20, 2025 ang Pangulo kasama po ang DOST at pinag-usapan po nila iyong national artificial intelligence strategy for the Philippines. At ngayon po ay naggagawa na po sila ng framework at pati po iyong pag-develop po ng hubs na ang focus po ay on understanding artificial intelligence. Ang inuutos po ng Pangulo ay magkaroon po ng tuluy-tuloy na pag-aaral patungkol po sa AI advantages at disadvantages po nito, ang application po nito sa bansa at iyong mga best practices nito sa ibang mga bansa at magkaroon po ng regular na policy recommendations and research findings. So, nandoon naman po.

RICHBON QUEVEDO/DAILY TRIBUNE: Follow up lang po. Papalapit na po ang SONA and there may be an effort to spread misinformation targeting not just the President but other public officials as well, ano po ang mensahe ng Palasyo patungkol po dito?

PCO USEC. CASTRO: Unang-una po, pagbubutihan po ng gobyerno ang trabaho para po ito ay ma-reduce o masawata ang fake news at hihingin din po namin ang inyong tulong patungkol po dito dahil sa media po, social media, sa mainstream media malaking tulong po kapag po kayo’y may nakikita na po na fake news, ito po ay maialarma agad sa taumbayan, so we need your help.

CLEIZL PARDILLA/PTV4: Magandang tanghali po, Usec. Usec., VP criticized the country’s foreign policy and the administration’s decision to allow foreign missiles in the Philippines. Ang sabi niya po, “Papapasukin mo ang missile ng foreign power sa bansa mo na alam mong kinaiinisan ng kalaban niya.” Any comment po, Usec.? Salamat.

PCO USEC. CASTRO: Yes. The President said we expect that from the Dutertes because they are pro-China at ang Pangulo po ay pro-Philippines.

EDEN SANTOS/NET25: Usec., good afternoon po. Bagaman mayroong mga pagbaba sa presyo ng langis ngayon na nabanggit ng DOE, mataas man o mababa po iyong langis ay mataas pa rin ang presyo ng mga bilihin. Ano po iyong mga specific na hakbang o direktiba ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. para po mapigilan iyong patuloy na mataas na presyo ng bilihin? Hindi na lamang po iyong pork ngayon, maging iyong manok ay tumataas din po ang presyo.

PCO USEC. CASTRO: Noong nakaraang buwan po ay nagkaroon po ng report ang PSA na may mga goods na bumababa po ang presyo. Hindi naman po lahat ng mabibili sa merkado ay mahal. At tandaan po natin, pati po ang presyo ng bigas ay bumababa na rin. At may ginagawa po, ayon na rin po sa direktiba ng Pangulo, ang isa po na mababanggit ko po na ginawa po at naging successful po, si DTI Secretary Cristina Roque ay nagkaroon po sila ng kasunduan ng Canned Sardines Association of the Philippines kahapon po, June 23, 2025, at napagkasunduan na hindi po itataas ang presyo ng delatang sardinas. So, sa ngayon po… at ang sabi nga po mananatili na 21 pesos ang suggested retail price ng bawat 155 grams na lata ng sardinas. So, iyan lang po muna ang maiuulat ko at hihingi po tayo ng karagdagang ulat sa DTI kung ano pa po ang maaari nating maibahagi sa inyo.

EDEN SANTOS/NET25: Iyong pong pork and chicken price po iyong mataas, ano po iyong ginagawa ng DA dito?

PCO USEC. CASTRO: Napag-usapan na rin po natin dati iyan at nasagot na po natin na medyo may tumataas nga po na presyo dahil sa kailangan po na magkaroon ng bakuna iyong ibang mga baboy at hihingin po ulit natin ang ibang detalye kung ano pa po ngayon ang prevailing price sa market po ng baboy at ng manok.

EDEN SANTOS/NET25: Pero wala pong ASF ngayon. I think, hindi po iyon ang main reason bakit tumataas po iyong presyo ng baboy. Ang sinasabi po ng mga biyahero ay parang hindi po kontrolado ng DA ang farmgate price.

PCO USEC. CASTRO: Okay po. Tatanungin po natin si DA Secretary patungkol po diyan kung may katotohanan po ang report na iyan.

At bago po tayo magtapos, DBM inaprubahan na ang additional 4,000 teaching jobs para sa taong 2025. Alinsunod sa direktiba ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. na palakasin pa ang suporta sa sektor ng edukasyon, inaprubahan na ng Department of Budget and Management sa pangunguna ni Secretary Mina Pangandaman ang isa pang batch ng teaching positions para sa 2025. Aprubado na ang 4,000 new Teacher I positions na may Salary Grade 11. Ito ang second batch na kukumpleto sa 20,000 teaching jobs na hiniling ng DepEd sa administrasyon. Bukod pa ito sa naunang inaprubahan ng DBM na 10,000 non-teaching positions para sa DepEd nitong April 2025 lamang.

Patunay ito sa pagtutok ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. sa pagsasaayos ng education sector sa bansa. Dahil sa Bagong Pilipinas, ang gusto ng Presidente ay de-kalidad na edukasyon para sa bawat estudyante.

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Aksyon, aksyon, hindi bakasyon. Mabilis ang naging aksyon ng MMDA sa City Government of Manila na maghakot ng basurang nagkalat sa major roads ng lungsod. Dahil po sa malakas na pag-ulan nitong mga nakaraang araw, nagkaroon ng pagtambak ng basura sa maraming kalsada. Sa direktiba ng Pangulong Marcos Jr., agad na ipinag-utos ni MMDA Chairman Don Artes ang pagpapadala ng mga dump trucks upang makatulong sa paglilinis.

Ayon sa datos ng MMDA, umabot na sa 49 tons ng basura ang nahakot at dinala sa Navotas Sanitary Landfill nitong umaga. Patuloy po ang panawagan ng MMDA sa publiko na maging responsable sa pagtatapon ng basura upang maiwasan ang pagbabara ng mga drainage at kalsada lalo na sa panahon ng tag-ulan.

At dito na po nagtatapos ang ating press briefing, maraming salamat. Magandang hapon para sa Bagong Pilipinas.

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