Malacañang on Thursday acknowledged concerns over rising jet fuel costs and their possible impact on air travel, as airlines implement higher fuel surcharges for the second half of April.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro said during a press briefing that the government is in coordination with energy officials as global oil market pressures continue to affect aviation operations.

According to reports, the fuel surcharge for flights from April 16 to 30 has reached Level 19, which is expected to increase airfares. The question raised was what additional measures the government is considering aside from reductions in passenger service and airport navigation charges.

Castro said the Department of Energy (DOE) has clarified that there is no existing government subsidy for aviation fuel and that fuel surcharges are determined by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), not by airlines.

“I quote, ‘No existing government subsidy on aviation fuel and the allowable aviation fuel surcharge is set by the Civil Aeronautics Board, not by airlines themselves.’ So, yun lang po muna ang kanilang mensahe,” Castro said.

She added that the Palace continues to receive updates on the issue and assured that efforts are ongoing to maintain adequate fuel supply in the country.

The briefing also addressed earlier remarks from the President about the “distinct possibility” of flight groundings, as well as a warning from the International Air Transport Association that a jet fuel shortage could affect the aviation industry by June.

Castro said the government is taking the developments seriously but stressed that contingency measures are in place.

“Lagi naman po na inuulat sa Pangulo ito at lahat po ng paraan ay ginagawa po para po hindi magkulang ang supply ng produktong petrolyo sa atin,” she said, noting that global tensions, particularly in the Middle East, continue to influence fuel supply conditions.