Target aid for middle class

Amid the ripple effects of rising global oil prices, Bam Aquino on Friday called for targeted government assistance to help middle-income Filipinos who are often left out of traditional aid programs.

Aquino warned that those above the poverty line—such as minimum wage earners and small business owners—remain highly vulnerable to price shocks despite not qualifying for government support.

“Iyong mga middle class na sabihin na nating minimum wage earners or may small businesses. They’re above the poverty line and therefore hindi nila nakukuha iyong mga ayuda pero nasa delikadong sitwasyon sila (Those in the middle class, such as minimum wage earners or those with small businesses, are above the poverty line and therefore do not receive aid, but they are in a vulnerable situation),” Aquino said in a television interview.

He stressed the urgency for swift and more precise interventions as rising costs begin to hit everyday essentials.

“We will see the shocks eventually sa palengke, sa grocery, sa gasoline station, sa sari-sari store. Ito yung masakit talaga. Kailangan iyong gobyerno, mabilis gumalaw. Kung may mga ayuda na pwedeng targeted, mabigay kaagad. Kung may support for industries, mabigay kaagad. Huwag general, dapat specific (in markets, groceries, gasoline stations, and sari-sari stores. This is what really hurts. The government needs to act fast. If there is targeted aid that can be given, it should be provided immediately. If there is support for industries, it should be delivered right away. It should not be general, it must be specific),” he added.

Aquino emphasized that government must leverage data and information systems to ensure aid reaches sectors that are typically excluded from social protection programs.

“We need to be very targeted sa tulong na ito (in this assistance). And we need to act fast,” he said.

He also highlighted the importance of supporting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and transport workers to keep economic activity moving.

“We need to support our MSMEs. We need to support our transport workers. Napakalaking pondo ang nakalaan sa ayuda. Maybe this is the time na gamitin natin siya. Targeted na paggamit ng ayuda para masigurado natin, yung ekonomiya natin hindi magre-recession (A large amount of funds has been allocated for aid. Maybe this is the time to use it. Targeted use of aid will ensure that our economy does not fall into recession),” Aquino said.

“We have to keep our businesses open. We have to support our transport driver kasi kung masyado nang mahal para lumabas, ba’t ako lalabas (because if it becomes too expensive to go out, why would I go out),” he added.

Aquino said possible interventions include fuel subsidies, direct cash aid, and stronger supply chain support—such as increased government procurement from MSMEs—to cushion both households and businesses from rising costs.