House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III is pushing for the Kalinga Act to protect Filipino families from the impact of rising fuel prices. The proposed measure seeks to establish a coordinated government response that delivers timely assistance before a crisis escalates, ensuring support reaches those who need it most.
Dy revealed that the House of Representatives is preparing a consolidated version of the Kalinga Act, a measure designed to provide early and coordinated support during fuel-driven price shocks. The initiative, backed by Dy and House Majority Leader Bongbong Marcos, aims to address the economic strain faced by ordinary Filipinos whenever oil prices spike.
Dy emphasized that the Kalinga Act — short for Komprehensibong Alalay sa Livelihood, Inflation, Negosyo, at Goods Assistance — should not only respond to the current oil crisis but serve as a long-term commitment to ensure the government acts swiftly when families, workers and small businesses are affected by rising costs. “The Kalinga Act must answer a very human question: when prices rise and families begin to feel the squeeze, how fast can government stand beside them?” Dy said. He added that the goal is to make the law proactive, allowing government support to arrive before the full impact of a crisis is felt.
House Bill No. 8834, filed by Dy and Marcos, seeks to establish a national protection system that enables the government to respond quickly and decisively when fuel prices surge or when inflation and limited fuel supply threaten economic stability. The legislative process involves a 13-panel mega-panel led by Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo, tasked with gathering input from various sectors, agencies and communities affected by fuel price increases.
Dy stressed that the Kalinga Act must be both compassionate and efficient, ensuring assistance reaches vulnerable sectors without bureaucratic delays. The measure is also intended to strengthen the President’s capacity to respond to crises by providing the tools needed for swift action when the next fuel shock occurs.
