Manila: The Kalinga Bill has been introduced as the House of Representatives' comprehensive response to the ongoing oil crisis and potential future disruptions, as stated by Marikina City Representative Miro Quimbo during the final deliberations on the proposed measure.

According to Philippines News Agency, Rep. Miro Quimbo emphasized the timeliness of presenting the Kalinga Bill to the Filipino people as a foundational step in addressing the oil crisis. He highlighted that the bill aims to consolidate the outcomes of deliberations into a substitute bill, providing immediate relief while initiating long-term systemic changes to reduce fuel dependency. This initiative, labeled the Kalinga Program, is designed to offer immediate relief and ensure resilience for the future.

Quimbo, who also serves as the chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means, outlined the framework's dual approach to tackling the crisis. It seeks to provide direct relief to vulnerable households and sectors while implementing stabilization measures to maintain the flow of food, transport, energy, jobs, essential services, and supply chains. The proposed measure aims to extend beyond the immediate crisis, promoting conservation, fuel efficiency, renewable energy adoption, and reducing dependency on imported fuel.

The Kalinga Program, detailed in House Bill 8834, is authored by Speaker Faustino 'Bojie' Dy III and Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos of Ilocos Norte. It encompasses seven key responses: fuel price stabilization, energy supply security and inventory management, targeted assistance, stabilization of essential goods and logistics, energy relief and continuity for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), energy conservation and demand reduction, and flexible fiscal and regulatory measures.