Malacañang says private motorists are still out of the picture when it comes to fuel subsidies, as the government rolls out measures to cushion Filipinos from rising pump prices.

Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro, said the government is prioritizing assistance programs already announced by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., including fuel assistance for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators, transport fare relief, and financial assistance for low-income families.

The clarification comes as fuel prices remain under pressure from the continuing crisis in the Middle East. The Philippines is particularly vulnerable to movements in global oil prices because it relies heavily on imported crude oil and petroleum products.

When asked if the government was considering extending fuel assistance to private vehicle owners, Castro said the proposal has not yet been discussed.

“At sa ngayon po ay hindi pa napag-uusapan iyong sinasabi ninyong fuel subsidy para sa mga pribado na motorista. Hindi po pa siya napag-uusapan sa ngayon,” Castro said during a Palace press briefing.

(For now, the fuel subsidy you are referring to for private motorists has not yet been discussed. It has not been discussed at this time.)

Castro also said the government would first implement the programs already announced by Marcos before considering additional measures.

“Sa ngayon po nakita po natin at nadinig natin kung ano ang mga programa na nais na ipatupad ng Pangulo. So, isa-isahin muna po ito,” she said.

The Palace is also studying legislation intended to ease the tax burden on Filipinos, including a proposed expansion of the income tax exemption.

Unlike private motorists, PUV drivers and operators are already covered by the government's fuel subsidy program. The Palace previously confirmed that the program would continue, with a fresh PHP 2.5 billion in funding coming from the 2025 General Appropriations Act. The assistance is part of the Pantawid Pasada Fuel Subsidy Program.

Private motorists, meanwhile, currently have no equivalent fuel subsidy program. This could be significant for workers who rely on their own cars or motorcycles for their daily commute, particularly as the country’s mass transport system remains plagued by long queues, overcrowding, limited routes, multiple transfers, and unpredictable travel times.

For a lot of workers, using a private vehicle is less about convenience and more about having a dependable way to get to and from work. Higher fuel prices therefore add another expense for motorists who may have limited alternatives for their daily transportation needs.

The impact of higher fuel costs could also extend beyond motorists, as increases in fuel prices can affect logistics and the cost of goods and services. For now, private motorists will have to wait a bit longer for any possible expansion of the government’s fuel assistance programs.