The House of Representatives through the Committee on Energy tackled House Bill 8834 or the Komprehensibong Alalay sa Livelihood, Inflation, Negosyo at Goods Assistance (KALINGA Act) a national emergency response framework to address fuel-driven inflation and strengthen the country’s energy and supply security.
Palawan 2nd district Congressman Jose C Alvarez, who chaired the House committee on energy said that a meeting was held recently specifically the Ad Hoc Committee on Legislative Energy Action and Development (LEAD).
“The proposed measure aims to ensure the continuous supply of energy and essential goods, provide targeted and time-bound assistance to vulnerable sectors, and equip the government with flexible mechanisms to immediately respond during times of energy and economic crises,” Congressman Alvarez said.
He further said that the proposed measure was authored by House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III and Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos.
During the meeting, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Rolando “Rolly” U. Toledo expressed the agency’s support for the proposed legislation.
“The DBM supports the proposed KALINGA Bill which aims to address the national emergency caused by global market disruption from conflict in the middle east,” Secretary. Toledo manifested.
The DBM said that the House Committee on Energy convened to discuss the establishment of the KALINGA Program as a national emergency response framework to mitigate fuel-driven inflation, ensure energy and essential goods supply security, provide targeted and time-bound assistance to vulnerable sectors, and grant flexible emergency powers to President Marcos.
“The bill underscores the government’s commitment to protecting Filipino consumers from the impact of rising fuel prices while pursuing long-term solutions toward a more stable, resilient, and secure energy future for the country,” Alvarez said.