Marcos prioritizes food supply; P4-billion in MSME loans set

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visits market vendors at the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post in Benguet with Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on April 17, 2026. (Courtesy: Presidential Communications Office)

The Marcos administration has rolled out a multibillion-peso package of loans, subsidies, and regulatory relief measures to cushion businesses, transport workers, and consumers from the impact of rising global oil prices driven by tensions in the Middle East.

At the center of the response, unveiled Friday, is a P4-billion emergency loan program for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), aimed at helping firms cope with higher logistics and supply chain costs.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also said the government has moved to stabilize food supply chains, particularly for vegetables affected by rising fuel costs.

During a visit to the Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center, Mr. Marcos said the government intervened after reports that higher diesel prices had disrupted deliveries from upland farms.

“That’s why we looked for, we tried to find solutions. We brought down the price of diesel by P10. Then the (toll) charges of the local governments, we waived. Then we removed toll fees for trucks going down (to the markets),” the President said in Filipino.

In parallel, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said manufacturers and retailers have committed to holding off price increases on basic necessities and prime commodities, providing temporary relief to consumers.

Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque said the commitment was confirmed during a market monitoring exercise, with companies agreeing to maintain stable prices at least until May 10 despite rising input costs.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has complemented these efforts with direct cash assistance to transport workers affected by declining incomes, while clarifying that their aid handout was not a fuel subsidy.

DSWD Crisis Intervention Program Director Edwin Morata said the agency has disbursed P3.2 billion in cash relief assistance under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.

Morata also clarified that beneficiary lists are sourced from transport groups, local government units, and relevant agencies, not from the DSWD itself, amid complaints some beneficiaries felt left out.

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said the MSME loan program, approved by the President, is designed to provide immediate liquidity support to small businesses struggling with the economic fallout of the global oil shock.

“President Marcos has cleared a program for MSMEs in distress as a result of the global oil shock to avail of easy loans… to manage rising logistics costs, cash flow constraints and supply chain disruptions,” Recto said.

The financing facility, to be implemented through the Department of Trade and Industry’s Small Business Corp. (SB Corp.), offers loans ranging from P30,000 to P20 million, with low interest rates and repayment terms of up to five years.

Borrowers will also be granted a one-year grace period on both principal and interest.

Recto described the program as a “lifeline” for MSMEs, which typically face limited access to formal credit during periods of economic stress.

He added that the initiative would feature faster processing, with online applications and approval times of about seven to 10 days for complete submissions.

Workers unload fresh cabbage from trucks at the Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center in La Trinidad, Benguet on April 17, 2026. (Courtesy: Presidential Communications Office) 

The move forms part of the government’s broader economic stabilization efforts under the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food and Transport (UPLIFT) Committee, which has been coordinating interventions to mitigate the effects of rising fuel costs.

Meanwhile, fuel subsidies have been rolled out for public utility vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers under a service contracting scheme, while commuters are benefiting from a mandated 20 percent fare discount.

Transport operators are also receiving subsidies of P40 to P100 per kilometer to offset higher fuel costs, on the condition that savings are passed on to passengers through lower fares.

Recto earlier directed transport agencies and local government units to coordinate closely with the Department of Transportation, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and the Department of Energy to ensure smooth implementation.

As of April 15, the DSWD had distributed P1.598 billion to 319,678 beneficiaries in the National Capital Region, including transport network vehicle service drivers, jeepney drivers, tricycle drivers, motorcycle taxi riders, and delivery workers.

Outside Metro Manila, another P1.612 billion has been disbursed to 322,577 tricycle drivers in major cities. Each beneficiary received P5,000, which Morata said is the standard amount provided in large-scale emergency assistance.

The agency aims to complete nationwide distribution of the cash assistance by April 30 and has begun payouts for drivers in municipalities across regions.

Morata acknowledged reports of errors in some beneficiary lists, attributing these to encoding issues at the level of transport groups or local agencies.

He emphasized that the DSWD does not have the authority to edit submitted lists and instead conducts cross-matching to avoid duplication and ensure proper disbursement.

“Naiintindihan po natin ang simpatiya ng madlang publiko… but we have to understand again, number one, this is government funds, and we need to ensure that the right person is the right one who claims the right assistance,” Morata said.

In Benguet, Mr. Marcos noted that large trucks delivering vegetables from the Mountain Province had been paying about P3,000 in tolls per trip, while smaller vehicles paid around P1,000.

He said the waiving of fees, combined with lower diesel prices, was aimed at restoring the flow of goods and preventing price spikes in markets.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. talks to local agriculture officials during his visit to the Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC) with Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on April 17, 2026. (Courtesy: Presidential Communications Office) 

Short-term income support was also extended to affected drivers through the Department of Labor and Employment’s TUPAD program.

Mr. Marcos said initial feedback from traders and vendors indicated that distribution is beginning to normalize, although authorities continue to monitor the situation and consider additional measures if needed.

“Kaya patuloy ang aming pag-aaral at patuloy ang aming pag-monitor para tiyakin na lahat ay makakaramdam ng tulong ng pamahalaan ngayon sa dinadaan natin na problema at sa krisis na naging bunga ng giyera sa Middle East,” he said.

(That is why our studies and monitoring continue, to ensure that everyone feels the government’s help during the problems we are facing and the crisis resulting from the war in the Middle East.)

DTI’s Roque emphasized that private sector cooperation has been critical in mitigating the impact of higher fuel and logistics expenses.

Among the companies that pledged to hold prices is Nestlé Philippines. Its vice president and corporate affairs head Jose Uy III said the firm is prioritizing consumer welfare and has sufficient supply to sustain operations in the near term.

“As of today, we’re not raising prices yet,” Uy said, noting that while fuel costs have increased trucking expenses, large firms are still able to absorb the additional burden.

Uy added that consultations with the Department of Energy and the DTI indicate that fuel supply remains adequate until mid-May, allowing manufacturers to continue production and distribution without immediate price adjustments.

“That allows the industry to continue operating and producing. Fuel updates say we can still hold prices at bay,” he said.

However, he declined to provide projections beyond May, citing uncertainty linked to global developments, particularly tensions in the Middle East.

He said Nestlé is prepared to prioritize essential goods such as coffee and dairy products should supply constraints worsen. — Charles Dantes