Manila, March 16 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday called on local government units (LGUs) to stop imposing "pass-through fees" on vehicles transporting agricultural products and essential goods, warning that such charges drive up food prices amid global economic pressures.

In a video message outlining the government's measures to cushion the impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Marcos said some localities continue to collect fees from trucks carrying rice and other commodities.

"Nananawagan ako sa ating mga local government units na siguruhin na wala nang pass-through fees na sisingilin. Nakarating sa akin na may ilan pang barangay na naniningil nito sa bawat sako ng palay at sasakyan (I call on our local gov...