Senator Sherwin Gatchalian wants an assessment carried out on the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on Philippine energy security and affordability.
With fuel prices still rising, Gatchalian believed there is a need for Congress to look into the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war in terms of the situation in the Philippines.
The senator filed Senate Resolution (SR) No. 78 as he lamented that the continued increase in oil and coal prices has heavily affected Fliipinos, including the many public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers who are no longer plying their routes. This has led to the lack of available public transportation.
"There is a need for Congress to be apprised of the short, medium, and long-term effects and implications of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on the Philippine economy," he said.
Gatchalian, who was the chairman of the Committee on Energy in the previous 18th Congress, conducted a hearing in March to determine the specific solutions and programs of the Department of Energy (DOE) and relevant government agencies to mitigate the impact of the conflict.
He asserted that the Philippines "will no longer be able to cope with the constant rise in petroleum prices that have also caused the price of major commodities to rise".