Manila: The country's economic managers on Tuesday threw their support behind the KALINGA bill, describing it as a comprehensive and timely response to rising fuel prices and global market disruptions. The expressions of support were made during the hearing of the House Ad Hoc Committee on Legislative Energy Action and Development (LEAD), led by Committee on Ways and Means Chair Marikina 2nd District Rep. Miro Quimbo. Agencies underscored the urgency of a coordinated national response to the energy-driven economic strain.
According to Philippines News Agency, the bill, filed by Speaker Faustino Dy III and Majority Leader Sandro Marcos as House Bill No. 8834, seeks to establish the KALINGA Program, or the Komprehensibong Alalay sa Livelihood, Inflation, Negosyo at Goods Assistance. It is designed as a whole-of-government emergency response framework that ensures energy and essential goods supply security, delivers targeted and time-bound assistance to vulnerable sectors, and activates automatically once key crisis indicators are met.
Acting Secretary Rolando Toledo expressed the Department of Budget and Management's (DBM) support for the measure, noting its potential to sustain economic activity amid global oil shocks. Toledo highlighted that the bill addresses the national emergency caused by global market disruption from conflict in the Middle East, with energy security at risk and rising fuel prices affecting vulnerable communities.
The Department of Finance also endorsed the KALINGA bill, emphasizing its role in cushioning the economy from fuel-driven inflation and supply shocks. Finance Undersecretary Karlo Fermin Adriano noted that the bill's framework is similar to the Bayanihan laws, which served as a protective measure during the Covid-19 pandemic. The KALINGA Act aims to provide targeted assistance to low-income families, farmers, and small businesses, acting as a safeguard against economic instability.
The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) supports the bill's objectives, which aim to enhance the government's capacity to respond decisively to the crisis. DEPDev Undersecretary Joseph Capuno remarked that the bill will strengthen the executive's authority and capacity to address the emergency situation.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) also expressed its support, emphasizing the importance of fiscal discipline and accountability in implementing the bill's interventions. BSP Department of Economic Research Director Dennis Bautista acknowledged the bill's intent to establish a coordinated government response to external shocks, which would help manage inflationary pressures and ensure macroeconomic stability.
Economic managers collectively agreed that the proposed KALINGA framework would enable the government to swiftly deploy targeted support and stabilize the economy amid volatile global fuel markets. The LEAD Joint Committee is currently consolidating inputs from agencies and stakeholders as deliberations continue on the KALINGA bill, which is being positioned as the government's central legislative response to the ongoing energy crisis.
