SEN. Bam Aquino urged the government on Friday to swiftly implement targeted support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and the more vulnerable segments of the middle class, emphasizing the need for assistance amid the ongoing war in the oil-rich Middle East and its impact on fuel prices. In a television interview, Aquino highlighted a growing gap in government aid programs, noting that many minimum-wage earners and small business owners fall outside traditional assistance frameworks despite facing significant economic risks. “Let’s say the middle class, minimum wage earners, or small businesses... they’re above the poverty line, and therefore they don’t get your aid, but they’re in a dangerous situation,” Aquino said. He warned that the economic effects of the conflict would soon be felt more sharply by consumers, particularly through higher costs of basic goods and services. “We will see the shocks eventually at the market, at the grocery store, at the gasoline station, at the sari-sari store. This is what’s really painful,” he said in Filipino. “Your government needs to move quickly. If there is targeted aid, give it immediately. If there is support for industries, release it swiftly. Don’t be general, be specific,” he added. Aquino emphasized the importance of using data-driven systems to ensure that government assistance reaches the most affected sectors efficiently. He said that in an era of advanced information systems, aid distribution should be both precise and rapid. “We need to be very targeted in this assistance. And we need to act fast,” he added. Beyond households, the senator also underscored the urgency of supporting MSMEs and transport sector workers, warning that failure to act could weaken economic activity and risk broader instability. “We need to support our MSMEs. We need to support our transport workers. There is a lot of funding allocated for aid. Maybe this is the time to use it,” Aquino said. “Targeted use of aid to ensure that our economy does not go into recession.” He further emphasized that sustaining business operations and mobility is key to maintaining economic momentum. “We have to keep our businesses open. We have to support our transport driver because if it's too expensive to go out, why would I go out?” he said. Aquino suggested several measures the government could adopt, including fuel subsidies, direct financial assistance or “ayuda,” and stronger supply chain linkages — such as increasing government procurement from MSMEs — to cushion the impact of rising costs. As inflationary pressures persist, the senator called for more responsive and inclusive economic interventions to protect both businesses and consumers from external shocks.