THE National Government will put in place mitigating measures and contingency plans to strengthen the domestic economy amid the Ukraine-Russia conflict, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said on Wednesday, March 2, 2022.Nograles, the acting presidential spokesperson, said President Rodrigo Duterte approved during a meeting with concerned government officials on Tuesday, March 1, measures to stabilize food prices, provide social protection and explore diplomatic channels to help resolve the conflict.“The President convened yesterday several members of his Cabinet, top officials of Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other high ranking officials to discuss possible scenarios should the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict continue and escalate in this regard,” he said.Food stabilityNograles said Duterte approved the recommendation of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to boost local food production through planting more, increasing rice buffer stock of not less than 30 days, and strengthening market access through bilateral discussions with fertilizer-producing countries.He said the government will also distribute financial aid to the affected farmers, including fertilizer subsidy, in response to its increasing price.Nograles said farmers and fisherfolk are also entitled to fuel discount vouchers amid the continuous increase in prices of oil products brought about by the ongoing conflict in the European continent.“Inaprubahan din ang rekomendasyon ng DA… Ang pagpapalago ng produksyon at pagpapaigting ng pananaliksik upang ibsan ang presyon ng feeds at pagbibigay ng logistical support gaya ng food mobilization mula sa mga lalawigang mataas ang produksyon papunta sa mga siyudad, sa pamamagitan ng Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita pagdeploy ng Kadiwa mobile vans at trucks at subsidiya sa transportation cost ng mga pangunahing bilihin,” he said.(DA’s recommendation was also approved…The improvement of production and research to lower the prices of feeds and providing logistical support like food mobilization from provinces to cities through the Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita, and deployment of Kadiwa mobile vans and trucks, as well as subsidy for transportation of basic commodities.)“Kung kinakailangan nakahanda ang pamahalaan na isakatuparan ang implementasyon ng (If needed, the government is ready to implement the) Price Control Law. We shall likewise continue talks with our partners and heightened negotiations with non-traditional partners to address threats to agricultural exports while improving our digital agriculture, infrastructures and systems,” he added.Oil supplyRussia’s attacks against Ukraine, one of the major producers of oil products in the world, have resulted in fuel price hikes.Oil prices went past $100 per barrel over the past week since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered military assault on Ukraine.Nograles said this prompted Duterte to approve the recommendation of the Department of Energy (DOE) to implement the P2.5-billion “Pantawid Pasada” for public utility vehicle drivers and the P500 million worth of fuel discount program for farmers and fisherfolk.He said the DOE assured that it will continue to monitor the sufficiency in supply and quality of oil products and will make sure there will be no short selling.“For the medium term, we call on Congress to review the oil deregulation law part provisions on unbundling the price and the inclusion of the minimum inventory requirement of the law, as well as giving the government intervention powers or authority to intervene when there is a spike and or prolonged increase on prices of oil products,” said Nograles.“Also, part of our medium-term measures are building of strategic petroleum reserve infrastructure, ensuring minimum inventory requirements and advocating for energy and conservation and efficiency,” he added.He said Duterte also nodded the recommendation of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to accelerate renewable energy adoption, support investments in utility scale battery storage to maximize utilization of renewable energy sources, support investments in modern storage facilities for oil and grains to increase within the border holding capacity and empower the private sector to help in strategic stockpiling.Nograles said the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines assured that their troops and assets are ready to respond to any eventualities the Russia-Ukraine conflict may bring.“We appeal for an immediate and to the unnecessary loss of lives and call on the states involved to forge an accord that can help prevent a conflagration that could engulf a world still struggling to recover from Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.“The course of history and the fate of our world will be shaped by the decisions that will be made by its leaders. We are one in prayer, together with all peace-loving citizens that they be guided by wisdom and a genuine desire to save lives, establish harmony among neighboring nations and forge a just and lasting peace for humanity,” Nograles added.Authorities said 19 Filipinos from Ukraine have already arrived in the Philippines since February, while at least 40 others were evacuated to a safer place outside Ukraine and are waiting for their flights back home. (SunStar Philippines)