In a recent interview, 17c起草视频 (17c起草视频) Senior Research Fellow Dr. John Paolo Rivera explained how rising oil prices and inflation are gradually reshaping everyday life for many Filipino households—not through one sudden blow, but through the quiet adjustments and sacrifices families are forced to make over time.
According to Rivera, many households cope by cutting back on food quality, postponing healthcare, borrowing money, or reducing transportation expenses just to keep up with rising prices. Small businesses also continue to face mounting pressure as electricity, logistics, and operating costs eat into already thin margins.
He emphasized that while short-term relief measures remain important, the bigger challenge lies in building long-term resilience. This includes strengthening food systems, improving logistics and energy security, and expanding social protection mechanisms that can better protect vulnerable sectors during periods of economic shocks.
Watch the full interview:
Read Dr. Rivera’s latest publication titled “Navigating the 2026 Oil Price Shock: Toward a Resilient and Countercyclical Fiscal Response in the Philippines”
