Lawmakers are pushing for the temporary suspension of bank and digital transaction fees to help ease the financial burden on Filipinos amid the ongoing oil price crisis.

House Majority Leader and Ilocos Rep. Sandro Marcos has called on the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to immediately waive or suspend charges on ATM withdrawals, online fund transfers, and other digital financial services.

The recommendation follows the approval of a related proposal in the House plenary prior to the recent session break, seeking to eliminate transaction fees imposed by banks, remittance centers, and digital platforms.

Marcos emphasized that even small fees accumulate into significant expenses for regular users who frequently rely on digital banking services. Currently, interbank ATM withdrawal fees average around ₱18, while online transfer charges can reach up to ₱25 per transaction.

He also stressed the importance of ensuring that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are not burdened by remittance deductions, so that the full amount of their hard-earned money reaches their families in the Philippines.

Lawmakers said the proposed suspension is intended to provide immediate financial relief to consumers, especially as rising fuel prices continue to drive up the cost of basic goods and transportation.