Senator Bam Aquino has backed a proposal to declare a state of national emergency as rising oil prices linked to the Middle East conflict continue to push up the cost of goods and strain Filipino households.
Aquino said the country is already at “crisis level,” citing record-high fuel costs that have driven up prices of basic goods and affected both families and industries. He said they support the government’s declaration of a state of national emergency “to address the continuing rise in oil prices and to ease the burden of the public from high prices of goods.”
He urged the government to act early, noting uncertainty over how long the conflict will affect global oil prices. Aquino said many Filipino families are already experiencing “emergency-level” hardship due to rising fuel costs.
Under a state of national emergency, the President may direct government resources to provide financial assistance, expand repatriation efforts for overseas Filipino workers, and impose price control measures on essential goods.
For the public, the impact is immediate. Higher fuel prices can raise transport fares and delivery costs, which can lead to higher prices for food and other basic goods.
“That’s why we support the call for the declaration of a national emergency to address the continuous oil price increases and lighten the burden of the people affected by the high costs of basic goods,” he said.
Aquino also called for financial assistance for the transport sector, micro, small and medium enterprises, and vulnerable middle-class groups.
He stressed the need for strict oversight to ensure these powers are not abused or used for corruption.
A proposal to grant emergency powers, including the ability to suspend excise taxes on fuel, remains pending in Congress.
