Vice President Sara Duterte Pushes for Committee to Monitor Prices as Fuel and Basic Goods Surge

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte has called on the Philippine government to take decisive action amid mounting concerns over rising fuel costs and the resulting impact on basic goods prices nationwide. In a public statement on Saturday, March 07, 2026, Duterte urged authorities to establish a dedicated committee to closely monitor price movements of essential commodities and protect consumers from potential price manipulation.

Her appeal comes as global tensions continue to influence oil markets, threatening further increases in pump prices that could exacerbate inflation pressures across the economy. Duterte stressed that rising fuel costs not only hurt motorists but can quickly ripple through the supply chain — pushing up transportation fares and the cost of food and other essentials.

“Government agencies tasked with consumer protection must act now,” Duterte said in her video message. “We need regular price monitoring of rice, cooking oil, transport fares and other basic commodities affected by fuel price movements, with timely warnings for consumers and traders.”

To this end, she proposed forming one or more monitoring committees that would conduct regular inspections of markets, enforce pricing regulations, and clamp down on hoarding and excessive mark ups. Duterte also recommended temporary subsidies or price caps on key items, particularly for vulnerable sectors such as low income households.

Duterte’s message also included practical advice for Filipinos on coping with the economic squeeze. She encouraged support for local products, energy saving habits such as carpooling or biking, and community cooperation to cushion the impact of higher costs on households.

Her call for heightened vigilance echoes recent government efforts to contain inflation, including tightened food price monitoring by the Department of Agriculture in response to indications of rising prices among low income families.

As fuel prices remain volatile due to geopolitical developments abroad, Duterte’s proposals underscore growing public concern over household budgets and the urgency for coordinated government action to ensure market stability and protect consumers.