House panel convenes to discuss relief package amid oil, energy crisis

MANILA, Philippines – House lawmakers meet on Wednesday, April 8, to discuss the possible relief package by Congress in response to the oil and energy crisis driven by the situation in the Middle East.

The House ways and means committee, led by chairperson Miro Quimbo, will lead the first of a series of hearings scheduled in April.

Wednesday’s hearing invites numerous government agencies to brief the House about the oil and energy supply situation in the Philippines, the economic repercussions of the United States’ war on Iran, and the government’s response.

Quimbo previously said that the meetings will hammer out a Bayanihan 3 package, which seeks to provide short-term relief to the most affected 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.

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