Manila, March 2 -- Senators on Monday urged the government to prepare contingency measures as escalating tensions in the Middle East threaten to trigger another round of oil price hikes that could affect transport groups, farmers and fisherfolk.

Senator Raffy Tulfo said authorities must be ready to roll out fuel subsidies once global prices spike, warning of ripple effects on public utility drivers and food producers.

"I'm not only concerned sa ating mga OFWs (overseas Filipino workers), concerned din ako sa pagtaas ng langis... dapat naka-ready ang ating gobyerno sa fuel subsidy para sa transport groups, fisherfolk at farmers (I'm not only concerned about our OFWs, I'm also concerned about rising oil prices... the government should be ...