The Middle East is still restless, and the ripple effects continue. You see, every headline about conflict or tension feels closer than it should, because it shows up in the price of gas, in the delivery fees, or even in the airfare we check online.
Petroleum prices keep climbing. Republic Act 12316, which empowers the President to suspend excise tax and value added tax on petroleum products, has already been signed, but it hasn’t been implemented yet.
The government, however, has yet to decide when to exercise the powers to suspend fuel excise taxes. Erratic fuel prices have made it difficult to determine the best timing, President Marcos said. On paper, it promises relief. In reality, we’re still waiting. That waiting is what makes people uneasy, because the bills don’t wait.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) recently announced that Iran will allow safe passage of Philippine-bound oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz. That’s a big step. But then Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, in her April 4 Facebook post, told Filipinos to “manage expectations.” It was a reminder that even with agreements, nothing is guaranteed.
That line stuck with me. Because while the government negotiates abroad, we negotiate with ourselves at home. We adjust, we cut, we rethink. We have to give up certain comforts to ensure survival in case this Middle East conflict prolongs. The uncertainty out there forces us to face the uncertainty in our own wallets. Kinakailangan nang harapin ang isyu.
Over Holy Week, I had to make a choice. I didn’t go home to the province. Semana Santa has always been a time to reconnect with loved ones, but the airfare—round trip atP12,000++ —was way too much. I stayed in Manila, and the downtime gave me the opportunity to reflect, assess, and even strategize.
Truth be told, I haven’t been budgeting seriously for years. No daily plan, no monthly guide. No budget ceiling. Just spending as I go. No wonder, my finances ended up tangled, like the cable wires hanging over Manila’s streets.
Oras de peligro ngayon. So, I told myself I must cut back. As a starter, my health club membership stays frozen until June- at least. Dining out and food deliveries, which ate up a big chunk of my monthly spending, will have to be reduced dramatically. My several visits to the spa are now down to once a month. Dermatologist appointments will be done every other month- or quarterly, perhaps.
Even the small routines had to change. Hair coloring at the salon—which cost me P2,500 per visit—is now a DIY project. Enough of unnecessary online shopping, including gym outfits and running shoes since I already have plenty. I likewise have to be truly selective in the theater shows I watch. Tickets to these plays aren’t cheap, especially if one opts for good seats. Lastly, my annual trip to Europe, which I’ve always looked forward to, is under review. Maybe saving is the smarter move this year.
These changes may sound ordinary, but for me they mark a shift. For years, I treated budgeting as optional. I am single, anyway… that’s how I tried to justify it. But now, I know something has to be done. The Middle East crisis didn’t just raise oil prices—it raised a mirror to my own habits.
And maybe that’s the real takeaway. Managing expectations isn’t only about oil deals or government statements. It’s about how we live, how we adjust, and how we prepare for what comes next. The world may be unpredictable, but at least I can take control of my own spending. Change has to start at home, and for me that means finally taking budgeting seriously. No more excuses.#
