Lawmakers are urging the government and private sector to prepare contingency measures such as temporary work-from-home arrangements and online classes to help cushion the public from the impact of a possible spike in fuel prices, as reported by RH Milky Rigonan.

Parañaque 2nd District Rep. Brian Yamsuan said authorities should begin planning these temporary transitions, especially if the ongoing conflict in the Middle East drags on and drives global oil prices higher.

According to Yamsuan, shifting some sectors to remote work and online learning could help reduce fuel consumption while also easing traffic congestion.

He said such measures could provide relief to Filipinos who would be among the first to feel the effects of rising oil prices.

Yamsuan further noted that the transportation sector would likely bear the initial impact of higher fuel costs, which could eventually affect commuters and consumers already struggling with the rising prices of goods and services.

Earlier, Miro Quimbo, the Marikina representative and chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, appealed to the government to speed up efforts to suspend the fuel tax to mitigate the effects of higher oil prices.

Quimbo emphasized that suspending the fuel tax cannot be done through an executive order alone, saying Congress must pass a law granting the president the authority to implement such a measure.