Several senators on Tuesday called on Malacañang to declare a “state of national emergency” as the conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate and impact the Philippine economy.
During the first hearing of the Senate Proactive Response and Oversight for Timely and Effective Crisis Strategy (PROTECT) Committee on March 24, Senator Bam Aquino said government assistance to affected sectors, particularly transport groups, remains inadequate.
“Marami pa rin ang hindi nabibigyan. Marami pa ring sektor ang naghihintay at nangangailangan ng agarang saklolo mula sa ating gobyerno. Pakiwari ko po, panahon nang magdeklara ng ‘state of national emergency,’” Aquino said.
He added that broader government powers are necessary to effectively respond to the crisis.
“Marami po sa amin na gano’n din ang pakiramdam. Kailangan ng pamahalaan ng mas malawak na kapangyarihan upang agad-agad na matugunan ang krisis na ito,” he noted.
Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito echoed the call, saying the situation has gone beyond normal conditions.
“I agree with my colleague, Sen. Bam, that we are already in crisis. Hindi na po normal ang sitwasyon. And what we have to do right now is to do the preparation just like during the COVID-19 when there was uncertainty,” Ejercito said.
His fellow Deputy Majority Leader, Risa Hontiveros, meanwhile, urged Malacañang to be more transparent about the severity of the situation and the government’s contingency plans.
“Dapat aminin na ng Malacañang gaano ba talaga kabigat ang sitwasyon? At ano na ba ang eksaktong plano ng gobyerno kung lumala pa ito?” she asked.
She stressed the need for clear measures to assist returning overseas Filipino workers and protect Filipinos from rising fuel costs.
Senator Kiko Pangilinan also highlighted the disproportionate impact on low-income households.
“As with all crises, this one hurts the poor the most. Kung tumigil sila sa pagsasaka, panghuhuli ng isda, pamamasada, o kaya’y pagtatrabaho sa Middle East, madaling isipin kung ano ang mangyayari sa tahanan at negosyong Pilipino,” he said.
Lawmakers noted that the creation of the PROTECT Committee aims to push the government toward a more proactive and coordinated response to the crisis.
The calls came after Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said on March 23 that there is currently no oil supply crisis in the country, during a press briefing at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.