Manila: Speaker Faustino 'Bojie' Dy on Tuesday welcomed the approval of the substitute KALINGA bill by the Ad Hoc Committee on Legislative Energy Action and Development (LEAD), saying the measure marks a major step toward protecting Filipino families and businesses from fuel shocks, soaring energy costs, and global market disruptions.
According to Philippines News Agency, Dy mentioned that the House leadership collaborated closely with economic managers, transport groups, labor representatives, agriculture stakeholders, energy officials, and business groups affected by rising fuel costs to ensure that the measure would address the ripple effects of spiraling fuel prices across the economy. He emphasized that the KALINGA measure is based on the principle of 'relief now, resilience for the future,' a framework highlighted during the LEAD hearings.
Dy stressed the importance of not just addressing the current crisis but ensuring the economy and livelihoods of Filipinos remain stable against future fuel shocks. 'We want a future where global oil price spikes will no longer automatically translate into deeper hardship for Filipino families,' he added.
The proposed KALINGA Act, co-authored by Dy and House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander 'Sandro' Marcos, was crafted after nearly two months of extensive hearings and consultations. It is intended to serve as Congress's long-term strategy for responding to future global oil shocks while providing immediate relief to sectors hardest hit by rising fuel prices and inflation.
The substitute bill and its corresponding committee report were approved, subject to amendments, form, and style, during Tuesday's LEAD committee meeting presided over by Marikina City Rep. Miro Quimbo, chairperson of the House Committee on Ways and Means. Speaker Dy expressed gratitude to Quimbo for leading the marathon deliberations and thanked the chairpersons and members of the 12 other committees comprising the LEAD joint panel.
Rep. Marcos also praised the approval of the measure by the LEAD, highlighting its importance in providing relief to most Filipinos affected by the oil crisis. He stated that the proposed KALINGA Act is about helping and protecting the most vulnerable Filipinos, including the poorest, transport sector drivers, farmers, fisherfolk, and small business owners.
Marcos emphasized that the proposed law would establish a mechanism for effectively responding to oil crises and similar emergencies. He expressed hope that the Senate would act on the bill promptly.
The LEAD panel comprises committees on Ways and Means, Energy, Agriculture and Food, Foreign Affairs, Labor and Employment, Transportation, Information and Communications Technology, Economic Affairs, Social Services, Trade and Industry, Overseas Workers Affairs, and Appropriations.
KALINGA, short for Komprehensibong Alalay sa Livelihood, Inflation, Negosyo at Goods Assistance, seeks to institutionalize a national crisis-response framework that would automatically trigger government interventions during extraordinary fuel price increases, supply disruptions, inflation spikes, and energy emergencies. The measure includes targeted aid for vulnerable households and affected sectors, along with initiatives to promote fuel efficiency, renewable energy, energy resiliency programs, and supply stabilization measures aimed at reducing the country's dependence on imported fuel.
