Courtesy: House of Representatives
SPEAKER Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III on Wednesday said the proposed KALINGA Act will deliver targeted and time-bound assistance to sectors most affected by rising fuel prices, as the House moves to cushion the impact of inflation on vulnerable groups.
Filed last week, Section 7 of the measure establishes the Targeted Assistance Component, which provides direct cash assistance to low-income households and minimum wage earners, fuel subsidies for drivers, farmers, fisherfolk, and logistics providers, transport support for workers, and other time-bound assistance.
Dy emphasized that the goal is to avoid blanket subsidies and focus resources where they are most needed.
“Hindi pare-pareho ang tama ng fuel crisis. Mas mabigat ang epekto nito sa low-income families, drivers, farmers, at workers. Kaya kailangan targeted ang tulong. Financial assistance must go to where it is needed most,” said Dy.
Dy said targeted intervention allows the government to protect purchasing power while maintaining fiscal responsibility. He said that one objective of the LEAD Joint Committee hearings is to determine not only who gets aid, but how to ensure that the aid gets to the intended recipients.
He explained that this component of the measure “will help families cope with rising costs while keeping support focused, time-bound, and sustainable. Nais natin makatulong sa ating mga kababayan nang hindi dumadagdag sa utang ng ating gobyerno. We must not look at the situation now but also be mindful of the future.”
“Sa mga hearing natin sisikapin din natin na makahanap ng paraan upang masigurado na ang financial assistance pupunta sa nangangailangan. We need to fine tune systems to prevent leakages, redundancies, or potential graft.”
Dy, together with House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” A. Marcos, filed House Bill No. 8834 establishing the KALINGA Program—Komprehensibong Alalay sa Livelihood, Inflation, Negosyo and Goods Assistance.
The proposal integrates the following components: (1) fuel price stabilization; (2) energy supply security and inventory management; (3) targeted assistance; (4) essential goods and logistics stabilization; (5) MSME energy relief and business continuity; (6) energy conservation and demand reduction; and (7) flexible fiscal and regulatory measures.
The LEAD Joint Committee hearings scheduled this week aim to refine the scope and delivery of assistance programs under the KALINGA framework.
