Manila, March 24 -- The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) on Tuesday proposed a package of short- and long-term measures to cushion the impact of rising fuel prices and inflation amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan presented to Senate the mitigation plan as the agency warned that inflation could breach the government's target range, with estimates reaching as high as 7.3 percent to 8.6 percent in 2026 under a worst-case scenario.

Balisacan said immediate interventions include sustaining and expanding targeted fuel subsidies for vulnerable sectors such as transport and logistics, farmers and fisherfolk, and low-income households.

He also recommended buffering sharp ...