Over 396,000 low-income households may fall into poverty due to rising food and transport costs driven by global oil price shocks, according to the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department.
The CPBRD urged the government to expand cash aid coverage to include vulnerable low-income families, saying it is more effective and cost-efficient than targeting only the officially poor.
The think tank also reported that up to 396,067 households could be pushed into poverty under a worst-case scenario, while milder shocks could still affect hundreds of thousands more.
Meanwhile, the Department of Energy said fuel supply remains stable within a 50-day buffer, even as diesel prices are set to drop while gasoline prices slightly increase.
Energy officials urged continued conservation despite the current supply stability.
Source: PhilNews24 | May 12, 2026
