House Fuel Crisis Ad Hoc Committee co-chairperson Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda said Monday, March 7 that it's President Duterte’s "moral obligation" to give Filipino consumers relief from the unabated fuel price hikes.
As such, the outspoken economist-solon said the President ought to call for a special session in Congress soon in order to give lawmakers a chance to legislate a relief mechanism.
"Kailan ba aaray kapag kinukurot? So tingin ko March 15 (When are we supposed to feel pain if we're being pinched? So I think we'll have the special session on March 15). We need to draw a line on the sand," Salceda said in a press conference.
"If by March 15, it's (world crude prices) still above $100 , the President should call for a special session. It is his moral obligation to the people to provide relief," he added.
The raging Russia-Ukraine war and the easing of Covid-19 pandemic protocols worldwide have caused crude price to eclipse the $115 per barrel-mark.
Salceda said Filipino consumers have had practically have zero relief since January this year in terms of local pump price adjustments, which have always been on the uptick.
"Because that means almost 75 days of suffering already, without relief. So any form of relief from government. So I think it's his moral obligation already to call for a special session."
Both chambers of Congress (House of Representatives and Senate) are currently on recess due to election-related activities. Proposed relief mechanisms like the suspension of fuel excise tax and the tweaking of the 1998 Oil Deregulation Law can only happen if the lawmakers are in session.
But if Malacañang really wants to give an immediate response, Salceda also raised the possible declaration of a "State of Economic Emergency".
"Ang pinakamabilis dyan is (The fastest option is) for the President to declare a State of Economic Emergency arising from fuel crisis. Therefore, enabling him to use the calamity fund or for local government units (LGUs) to use their calamity funds to provide relief to tricycle drivers, farmers and fisherfolks," he said.
Salceda said this will run parallel with the current "State of Calamity" that the Philippines has in connection with the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Kailangan ng (It needs a) presidential declaration kasi (because) it affects everyone Yan ang madali. Hindi na kailangan ng DBM, hindi na kailangan ng DOTr (That's the easy way. You no longer need the Department of Budget and Management and the Department of Transportation for the release of subsidies)," the Commitee on Ways and Means chairman explained.
Just minutes before the Monday presser, the fuel crisis panel wrapped up a five-hour meeting to discuss possible actions of the House in case a special session is called by the President.
Salceda and his fellow co-chairmen agreed to include the request for a special session in their list of recommendations.