Courtesy: House of Representatives
SPEAKER Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III declared a unified, whole-of-government response to the oil price crisis driven by tensions in the Middle East, as the House of Representatives convened the first in a series of high-level multi-panel hearings on Wednesday.
In his opening statement, Dy said the House is working in close coordination with the Executive to confront the global fuel shock and mitigate its impact on Filipino households.
“Hindi tayo magkakanya-kanya, bagkus tayo ay magsasama-sama. This is exactly the kind of whole-of-government response our people expect—a Congress that has chosen to work with the Executive to find lasting and forward-looking solutions. At higit sa lahat, ito ang nararapat nating gawin para sa ating mga mamamayan,” the Speaker said.
The hearing marks the first formal session of the expanded 13-committee panel tasked to craft a coordinated legislative response, bringing together House lawmakers, Cabinet officials, economic managers and regulators.
Dy pointed out that the impact of this crisis is felt daily by Filipino families.
“Alam po natin na ang krisis na ito ay hindi natin kontrolado. Ito ay dulot ng tensyon sa ibang bahagi ng mundo, subalit ang bigat nito ay pinapasan nating mga Pilipino—sa pamasahe, sa presyo ng langis, sa singil sa kuryente, at sa bawat hapag-kainan,” he said.
He stressed that while the crisis cannot be prevented, the government can take decisive steps to address its effects.
“Hindi man natin mapipigilan ang krisis, subalit mayroong mga paraan para tumugon sa mga pagsubok na ito.”
“We are here not just to ask questions; we are here to deliver answers—fast, concrete, and felt by the people,” Dy added.
The Speaker outlined two priorities for the hearing: immediate assistance and long-term reforms.
“Una, ang agarang pagtugon—targeted assistance para maibsan ang pasanin ng ating mga kababayan. Ikalawa, ang mga pangmatagalang solusyon—mga reporma sa enerhiya, ekonomiya, at seguridad sa suplay upang hindi na tayo paulit-ulit na tinatamaan ng ganitong krisis,” he said.
“The objective is clear: protect the Filipino people, stabilize the economy, and build resilience against future shocks.”
The multi-panel hearing, facilitated by Marikina City Rep. Miro Quimbo, chair of the Committee on Ways and Means, consolidates the work of committees handling key sectors to align legislative action with ongoing executive measures.
Cabinet officials, regulators and economic managers attended the briefing to present data, assess supply risks, and propose policy options that can be rolled out immediately.
Dy thanked the Executive for its participation and emphasized the importance of a coordinated national response.
“Ang inyong presensya ngayon ay napakahalaga—ito ay malinaw na mensahe na sa panahon ng krisis, iisa ang direksyon ng ating pamahalaan,” he said.
He stressed that unity between the branches must translate into real relief for the public.
“Maliwanag po ang mensahe natin sa taumbayan—sa gitna ng krisis, magkatuwang at nagkakaisa ang Executive at Legislative branches, ang pamahalaan ay nakatutok sa pagbibigay ng mga solusyon at nakahandang makipagtulungan at kumilos para sa kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino.”
