𝐆𝐎𝐕. 𝐏𝐀𝐌 𝐓𝐎 𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐄𝐒: 𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐍 𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐎 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍
𝑼𝑷𝑳𝑰𝑭𝑻 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒆 𝒆𝒚𝒆𝒔 𝒎𝒆𝒈𝒂 𝒇𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒉𝒖𝒃 𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒅 𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝒇𝒖𝒆𝒍 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝒕𝒔
Gov. Pamela Baricuatro on Monday called for sustained and coordinated action to cushion the impact of the Middle East conflict on Central Visayas during the first meeting of the Regional Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) Committee.
“Our responsibility does not end with immediate response. Today, I ask this body to intensify monitoring of affected families so that no one falls through the cracks. We must also accelerate reintegration support for workers displaced or uprooted from employment—here and abroad—so we can bridge immediate gaps while preparing for the long haul,” said Baricuatro, chair of the Region 7 UPLIFT Committee.
The committee, composed of government agencies, local government units, and private sector stakeholders, coordinates interventions to mitigate the effects of the ongoing US-Iran-Israel conflict on food security, transportation, livelihoods, and inflation in the region.
“Above all, we must treat this as a call to build a more resilient, agile, and competitive regional and local economy—one that can withstand shocks and protect livelihoods. Central Visayas has consistently responded with urgency, compassion, and unity. Now, we must translate that unity into sustained, measurable action,” she added.
During the meeting, agencies presented updates on ongoing interventions and discussed medium- and long-term response strategies under the Central Visayas Regional Response Framework.
The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that Central Visayas posted a 10.8-percent inflation rate in April 2026, up from 7.4 percent in March.
The Department of Agriculture flagged food security concerns, citing the region’s lack of post-harvest facilities and storage systems amid rising prices.
Proposed measures include establishing a mega food hub and fish port, implementing a food mapping system, and strengthening water security initiatives for agriculture.
Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board presented updates on its Fuel Subsidy Program and Service Contracting Program for transport operators and drivers affected by rising fuel prices.
The meeting underscored the need for stronger inter-agency coordination and proactive planning to cushion the effects of global geopolitical tensions on Central Visayas communities and industries. | 𝑪𝑨𝑷𝑰𝑻𝑶𝑳 𝑷𝑰𝑶, Photos by YJB and ARJ
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