Gov’t agencies brief House about PH state of energy emergency amid Middle East crisis

MANILA, Philippines – The House joint committee on legislative energy action and development (LEAD) meets on Monday, April 13, to continue discussions on the impact of the crisis in the Middle East on the Philippines.

Government agencies will brief the panel about the implementation of Malacañang’s Executive Order 110, which placed the country under a state of national energy emergency, and authorized the government to come up with a unified package for livelihoods, industry, food, and transport.

The ways and means committee, chaired by Marikina 2nd District Representative Miro Quimbo, already led initial discussions last week in the House on the crisis, although lawmakers have yet to zero in on the legislative package that Congress will craft to help individuals most affected by the situation.

Quimbo previously said the goal of the hearings is to come up with “Bayanihan 3,” which seeks to provide short-term relief to the most impacted sectors, and long-term plans to ensure a resilient Philippines in case of another crisis in the future.

The details of the relief package are still patchy, and other lawmakers have also come up with their own proposals to address the crisis — from aid-focused measures, to more ambitious proposals such as a fuel price cap or suspension of VAT.

Suggestions to suspend the VAT or set a fuel price ceiling were discussed during last week’s hearing, but government agencies were either lukewarm or totally opposed to the idea.

Quimbo also said last week that oil firms will be invited to face the joint committee to address allegations of fuel overpricing.

Bookmark this page to watch the hearing on Monday at 9:30 am. – Rappler.com