Dev Flores

The government could lose up to ₱200 billion in revenue once President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. uses his emergency powers to suspend the oil excise tax, according to Atty. Dondanon Galera, BIR Head Revenue Executive Assistant of Excise Large Taxpayer Service

The revenue loss could potentially leave several government projects unfunded.

“So dahil mawawalan tayo ng ganong kalaking halaga, hindi rin mapopondohan yung ibang proyekto ng gobyerno,” Atty. Galera said

[“Because we could lose that large amount, other government projects would also go unfunded.”]

The possible revenue loss is based on the previous collection of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) because this agency is responsible for the collection of the oil excise tax, since a large portion of the oil stock in the Philippines is imported.

The suspension of the oil excise tax is effective for six months, but it could be extended through a joint resolution issued by Congress.

According to Atty. Galera, once the suspension takes effect, it would only apply to the upcoming oil imports.

Products that are currently available in the market are not applicable under the effect of suspension.

The BIR assures to issue clear regulations on timing and inventory, particularly for oil stocks that have already been imported and paid to ensure organized records and avoid confusion.

With reports from Evan Alvarez

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The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has announced that it will conduct random drug testing at various bus terminals nationwide. This measure aims to ensure the safety and security of passengers travelling to their respective destinations amid the long holiday.

According to the Traffic & Safety Management Department, Mr. Jerome Rodriguez encourages passengers to report drivers who fail to focus on the road.

“If nakita nila si driver, ito di masyadong nagpe-pay attention sa kalsada, they are using their cellphones,  we encourage them [passengers] to capture these moments and report it to the LTO,” he said

[“If they observe a driver who is not paying attention to the road, they are using their cellphones, we encourage them [passengers] to capture these moments and report it to the LTO.”]

The LTO will also deploy personnel to monitor various thoroughfares to intercept “colorum” vehicles. Rodriguez believes that the presence of LTO at checkpoint areas may help to prevent those vehicles from proceeding with their trips.

“As a preventive measure, yun lang pong makita ang mga checkpoints namin, definitely will prevent them to travel with a violation, na parang chismis lang yan, kakalat yan sigurado, and then yung iba, hindi na babiyahe pa,” he said

[“As a preventive measure, once they see our checkpoints, definitely will prevent them to travel with a violation, it’s like a gossip, it will spread for sure, and then the others will not proceed anymore.”]

Rodriguez also noted to stop trying to use their colorum vehicles on their trips if they don’t want to face such consequences.

“Para po sa mga babiyahe na nagtatangkang magbiyahe as a colorum, please don’t kasi nga po you’ll face a criminal offense at the same time, a fine and an impounding,”

[“To those attempting to proceed using their colorum vehicles, please don’t because you’ll face a criminal offense, at the same time, a fine and an impounding.”]

With reports from Lea Ylagan

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The Philippine National Police (PNP) has intensified police visibility by planning to deploy 59, 416 security personnel during the long holiday.

Over 50,000 personnel will be stationed to monitor 3,277 tourist destinations nationwide. According to the Directorate for Operation Tourist and Safety Protection Section Chief PCPT. Amie Tiu, this measure aims to ensure a peaceful vacation.

“The PNP has intensified or maximized the police visibility through full patrol and establishment of assistance desk and coordination with our local government agency and tourism stakeholders,” she said

The monitoring duty of PNP will also be present in churches and transport hubs, including terminals, seaports, and airports.

The PNP Highway Patrol Group (PNP HPG) will also conduct an inspection in buses to check its readiness for long-distance travel. The HPG also reminds motorists to exercise caution when driving to prevent road accidents. According to PNP HPG, there are 35,900 reported accidents recorded from March 30 to May 1, 2025; many of these involved motorcycle riders due to overspeeding and human error.

With reports from Lea Ylagan

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The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has issued a warning that the agency does not offer fuel assistance via text message.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian previously clarified that claimants should appear physically to get their financial assistance to ensure that no ghost beneficiaries will take over the aid.

“Now, yung sinasabi niyong patay na, made-detect natin yon kasi nga, kaya nga physical yung payout, hindi yung ide-deposit nalang namin sa account,” he said

[“Now, regarding your concern about the deceased [driver/s], we will be able to detect that, that’s why the payout is physical rather than a direct deposit into an account.”]

The agency emphasized that financial assistance is distributed personally to claimants based on the lists issued by LGU, LTFRB, and TNC. They also noted that they do not use online applications and links to release the financial aid.

The DSWD cautioned the public against clicking any links from the text message and advised them to avoid giving personal information as a safety measure against scams.

The Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a department circular that may temporarily authorize the use of Euro 2 fuels for selected vehicles and industrial applications.

Under Department Circular No. DC2026-03-0010, the use of Euro 2 fuels is limited to the following:

• Transportation models from 2015 and earlier
• Traditional jeepneys
• Industrial applications, including power plants and generators/marine and shipping industry

This decision is linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which affects the oil supply and market price. This measure aims to ensure a sufficient fuel supply in the country, according to DOE Secretary Sharon Garin.

“We are adopting a prudent and temporary measure to help ensure an adequate and accessible fuel supply for sectors that may require limited flexibility during this period,” she said

The Euro 2 fuel is more affordable, yet it has higher emission levels that may trigger pollution. Hence, the DOE clarified that it doesn’t replace the Euro 4 fuel, which remains a standard product and is ten times cleaner than Euro 2.

“It does not replace the country’s Euro IV fuel standards, which remain in force under existing laws and regulations,” according to the agency

To ensure compliance and order, the DOE directs oil industry participants to segregate Euro 2 and Euro 4.

“Oil industry participants are required to maintain full segregation of Euro II/2 and Euro IV/4 fuels across storage, transport, and retail systems,” based on the issued statement of DOE

Companies that are interested in selling Euro 2 must inform the agency through the Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB) and provide the list of retail outlets where those fuels may be available for consumption.

With reports from Asher Cadapan Jr.

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