NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Gov't Backs Speaker Dy's 'KALINGA' Bill As Fuel Crisis Pressures Economy
Photo credit: Congress PH
Economic managers have thrown their full support behind a proposed measure in Congress aimed at cushioning Filipinos from rising fuel prices and global market shocks.
During a recent hearing of the House Ad Hoc Committee on Legislative Energy Action and Development, government agencies rallied behind House Bill No. 8834, also known as the KALINGA bill—short for Komprehensibong Alalay sa Livelihood, Inflation, Negosyo at Goods Assistance.
The bill, authored by Speaker of the House Faustino Dy III and Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, is being positioned as a broad, emergency response framework to address the ripple effects of soaring oil prices and supply disruptions worldwide.
At the hearing led by Ways and Means Chair Miro Quimbo, officials stressed the urgency of a coordinated national plan as global tensions—particularly in the Middle East—continue to threaten energy supply and drive up costs.
The proposed KALINGA program aims to secure energy and essential goods, while delivering targeted and time-bound aid to vulnerable sectors. It is also designed to automatically activate once certain crisis indicators are met, allowing faster government response.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) backed the measure, with Acting Budget Secretary Rolando Toledo pointing to global instability as a key reason for immediate action. He said the bill would allow the government to respond swiftly to protect livelihoods and ensure continued delivery of basic services.
Under the proposal, the President may be granted limited emergency powers to mobilize resources and stabilize the situation, particularly during periods of extreme economic strain.
Support also came from the Department of Finance, which likened the bill to the Bayanihan laws enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Finance Undersecretary Karlo Fermin Adriano said the measure would act as a safeguard against inflation driven by fuel costs and supply disruptions, while ensuring aid reaches low-income families, farmers, and small businesses.
The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) emphasized that the bill would strengthen the government’s ability to respond decisively to crises, with Undersecretary Joseph Capuno highlighting the importance of coordination between the executive branch and Congress.
Meanwhile, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas underscored the importance of keeping interventions disciplined and accountable. BSP official Dennis Bautista said the measure aligns with efforts to manage inflation and protect consumers, while maintaining overall economic stability.
With multiple agencies now backing the proposal, economic managers agree that the KALINGA framework could give the government the speed and flexibility it needs to respond to an increasingly volatile global fuel market.
During a recent hearing of the House Ad Hoc Committee on Legislative Energy Action and Development, government agencies rallied behind House Bill No. 8834, also known as the KALINGA bill—short for Komprehensibong Alalay sa Livelihood, Inflation, Negosyo at Goods Assistance.
The bill, authored by Speaker of the House Faustino Dy III and Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, is being positioned as a broad, emergency response framework to address the ripple effects of soaring oil prices and supply disruptions worldwide.
At the hearing led by Ways and Means Chair Miro Quimbo, officials stressed the urgency of a coordinated national plan as global tensions—particularly in the Middle East—continue to threaten energy supply and drive up costs.
The proposed KALINGA program aims to secure energy and essential goods, while delivering targeted and time-bound aid to vulnerable sectors. It is also designed to automatically activate once certain crisis indicators are met, allowing faster government response.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) backed the measure, with Acting Budget Secretary Rolando Toledo pointing to global instability as a key reason for immediate action. He said the bill would allow the government to respond swiftly to protect livelihoods and ensure continued delivery of basic services.
Under the proposal, the President may be granted limited emergency powers to mobilize resources and stabilize the situation, particularly during periods of extreme economic strain.
Support also came from the Department of Finance, which likened the bill to the Bayanihan laws enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Finance Undersecretary Karlo Fermin Adriano said the measure would act as a safeguard against inflation driven by fuel costs and supply disruptions, while ensuring aid reaches low-income families, farmers, and small businesses.
The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) emphasized that the bill would strengthen the government’s ability to respond decisively to crises, with Undersecretary Joseph Capuno highlighting the importance of coordination between the executive branch and Congress.
Meanwhile, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas underscored the importance of keeping interventions disciplined and accountable. BSP official Dennis Bautista said the measure aligns with efforts to manage inflation and protect consumers, while maintaining overall economic stability.
With multiple agencies now backing the proposal, economic managers agree that the KALINGA framework could give the government the speed and flexibility it needs to respond to an increasingly volatile global fuel market.
May 5, 2026
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