Abbey M.

Mobile wallet and finance app GCash has extended its zero transfer fee promo for Filipinos sending money to the Middle East until April 30 of this year.

Under the extended offer, no transaction fees will be charged and there is no minimum transfer amount required for remittances to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman.

The move was made as a form of relief for Filipinos amid the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has no official activities lined up this week, opting instead to spend the long holiday in his home province.

The President said he will be staying in Ilocos Norte for a few days before returning to Manila by the weekend.

"Holy week, I will spend a few days in Ilocos Norte and I will be back in Manila by the weekend. Alright," Marcos said.

The Department of Energy (DOE) has assured the public that the country's petroleum reserves have not only replaced last week's consumed supply but have also increased, bringing the nation's total oil supply to 50 days as of March 27.

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin made the announcement following the arrival of 142,000 barrels of petroleum products from Japan on March 26. She also confirmed that additional crude oil orders have been secured, including 300,000 barrels from Malaysia and Singapore at the start of April, another 300,000 barrels from India in mid-May, and a further 300,000 barrels from Oman expected by the end of April.

Under normal circumstances, the DOE requires oil companies to maintain a minimum reserve of 15 days' worth of supply, while refiners are required to hold at least 30 days. This buffer is designed to give companies enough time to repurchase oil from the global market. Secretary Garin noted, however, that the country currently has nearly two months of lead time for replenishment.

"The country's total expected available days supply across all types increased from 45 days to 50.94 days. So, ito ang average natin. We added 6 more days despite the fact that we still consume. So, we consume and then we add. What this tells us is clear, that we have supply," Garin said.

["The country's total expected available days supply across all types increased from 45 days to 50.94 days. So, that is our average. We added 6 more days despite the fact that we still consume. So, we consume and then we add. What this tells us is clear, that we have supply."]

Despite the encouraging figures, the DOE continues to urge the public to practice fuel conservation to prevent the country's supply from depleting quickly, particularly amid the ongoing oil supply crisis caused by tensions in the Middle East.

"It is more for para extra careful tayo because we don't know what the war would, where it is going, kung matatapos ba 'yan, or kung tatagal ba siya, or kakalma na 'yong gyera or mag-e-escalate pa. So, as a country, this is our major appeal to our fellow Filipinos that we support each other. Sama-sama tayo and let's try to be as — magtipid tayo sa electricity at fuel para hindi po affected po ang ekonomiya natin," Garin added.

["It is more for us to be extra careful because we don't know where the war is going — whether it will end, whether it will drag on, whether things will calm down or escalate further. So, as a country, this is our major appeal to our fellow Filipinos: that we support each other. Let us stand together and try to conserve electricity and fuel so that our economy will not be affected."]

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has warned public utility vehicle (PUV) operators against implementing fare increases without prior approval from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said his office has received complaints from commuters reporting that some PUV operators have already raised their fares amid the continuing rise in petroleum prices.

Lopez warned that operators caught implementing unauthorized fare hikes will be issued a show cause order, and that their franchises could be placed at risk of suspension or revocation.

"Please inform us at the DOTr and LTFRB, and you can be assured that we will issue show cause orders against bus operators and public vehicles that have raised fares without permission," Lopez said.

He also appealed directly to transport operators to refrain from implementing fare increases without LTFRB approval, noting that as regulated entities, any unauthorized hike is grounds for franchise revocation or suspension.

The DOTr has already deployed LTFRB personnel to verify reported instances of unauthorized fare increases.

Holiday exodus preparations underway

Ahead of the long holiday, the DOTr has directed the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to reinforce support at ports expected to see a surge in passengers. Lopez anticipated a reduction in available vessels due to the oil crisis and said the government has pre-positioned PCG ships at strategic locations including Marinduque, Batangas, and Calapan to assist stranded passengers.

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), meanwhile, has launched pilot testing of an online reservation system that will allow passengers to check available vessels to their home provinces. The PPA has also been placed on full holiday preparedness.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will coordinate with the DOTr, Land Transportation Office (LTO), Philippine National Police (PNP), and local government units to clear obstructions along McArthur Highway and Maharlika Highway.

"We will work with the DOTr, LTO, PNP, and DILG to ensure that especially during Holy Week, the McArthur and Maharlika highway systems are free from obstruction — because it greatly helps not just in travel speed, but in fuel savings as well," DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the acceleration of travel and clearing of all road passages is part of the government's UPLIFT measures to help the public save on fuel consumption amid rising oil prices caused by conflict in the Middle East.

"This is included in our directive under UPLIFT — to open all roads so that travel becomes more convenient for the traveling public," Marcos said.

Manila, Philippines – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has directed port officials nationwide to prioritize the entry and release of petroleum imports.

In a memorandum, the BOC ordered all customs officials at ports across the country to expedite the clearance of imported oil and to avoid unnecessary delays in issuing customs clearances. The bureau emphasized a zero-tolerance policy on delays to ensure a continuous supply of petroleum products in the market, alongside strict monitoring of the clearance process.

BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno assured the public that all incoming oil shipments will be subject to proper taxation and authentication to guarantee product quality.