Manila, March 20 -- The middle class, including minimum wage earners and small business owners who fall outside traditional government aid programs, needs targeted assistance as rising global oil prices begin to impact the domestic economy, a senator said Friday.

Senator Bam Aquino said many Filipinos who are above the poverty threshold remain vulnerable to price shocks but are often excluded from government support.

"Iyong mga middle class na sabihin na nating minimum wage earners or may small businesses. They're above the poverty line and therefore hindi nila nakukuha iyong mga ayuda pero nasa delikadong sitwasyon sila (Those in the middle class, such as minimum wage earners or those with small businesses, are above the poverty line a...