Akbayan Party-list is calling for an emergency session of Congress to act on urgent relief measures, including a proposed P52.8-billion supplemental budget for sectors that may be affected by the worsening Middle East crisis.
Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña said the special session is needed to move pending measures that seek to help vulnerable Filipinos cope with possible price increases, income losses, and other economic effects of the crisis.
“Napapanahon itong special session para maipasa natin yung mga urgent bills na natengga. Isa na rito yung supplemental budget para sa agarang tulong sa mga apektado ng Middle East crisis. The country is still very much susceptible to further price shocks and erosion of our citizens’ incomes,” Cendaña said.
Cendaña warned that the government should not delay action, citing high inflation and estimates that many Filipinos remain at risk of falling into poverty.
“We cannot afford to be lulled into complacency. Based on the economic data, the inflation is at a high 6.8%, and as much as 28% of Filipinos are at risk of sliding into poverty. These are serious issues that need urgent solutions,” he said.
Under the proposal, P38 billion would be allocated for the emergency repatriation of overseas Filipino workers, P12 billion for transportation subsidies, and P2.8 billion for agricultural subsidies for farmers and fisherfolk.
Akbayan also said the emergency session should take up other urgent economic measures, including the proposed P200 minimum wage hike.
“Hindi pwedeng mawala sa usapin ng pagtugon sa krisis yung usapin ng pagtaas sa sweldo. Workers’ incomes have been in crisis before the US-Iran War. Lalo na ngayon, mas dama nilang lunod na sila sa taas-presyo ng mga bilihin,” Cendaña said.
He said a meaningful wage increase is necessary to help workers cope with rising prices and support households struggling with the impact of the crisis.
Cendaña said Congress should treat the proposed aid package and wage hike as urgent measures, noting that ordinary Filipinos are already feeling the pressure from high prices and uncertain economic conditions.