Senator Christopher “Bong” Go warned that delays in government aid distribution could render assistance ineffective, pressing agencies to accelerate the release of support as fuel prices continue to surge amid the uncertain duration of the crisis linked to tensions in the Middle East.
During the public hearing of the Senate committee on Proactive Response and Oversight for Timely and Effective Crisis Strategy (PROTECT) on April 13, Go directly flagged the growing gap between the speed of fuel price increases and the pace of government response.
“Baka kasi mas mabilis pa yung pagtaas ng presyo ng gasolina o ng krudo kesa dun sa pag-release n’yo ng mga tulong sa kanila, yung mga AICS, baka wala ng value yung amount na-release n’yo kung ganun kabilis naman yung pagtaas ng presyo ng krudo,” Go said.
He stressed that assistance delayed is assistance diminished, especially for sectors already operating on extremely thin margins, such as transport workers and daily wage earners.
Go underscored that the unpredictability of the crisis requires urgency, noting that there is still no clear timeline as to when global oil pressures will ease.
“Mas mabuti nang nakahanda po tayo kesa naman dun pa tayo magmamadali,” he said, emphasizing the need for both speed and foresight in government action.
At the same time, the senator cautioned against a Metro Manila-centric response, pointing out that the impact of rising fuel prices is even more severe in the provinces.
“Totoo po yung sinabi ni Senator Erwin Tulfo. Sa Palawan, apektado rin po sila doon. Nakatutok tayo masyado sa NCR pero papaano yung mga kababayan natin sa malalayong lugar, sa mga islands? Remember, more than 7,000 islands tayo. Makikita mo na ang tataas ng presyo doon dahil sa cost ng pagpapadala ng langis doon,” Go said.
He emphasized that Filipinos in island provinces bear higher fuel costs due to logistics, making them more vulnerable to prolonged price shocks.
“Talagang apektado ang buong Pilipinas,” he added.
Go’s remarks framed the urgency of assistance not just in terms of availability, but in timing, warning that without faster delivery, government support risks losing its intended impact as prices continue to climb.
