Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon is imploring President Marcos to declare a state of national emergency once the measure authorizing the President to suspend or reduce excise tax on petroleum products becomes a law.

Ridon, a member of the Committee on Ways and Means, says this will ensure prompt delivery of the relief that the legislature and the executive intended to provide Filipinos amid the Middle East conflict-triggered fuel price crisis.

“Once this measure is signed into law, we respectfully urge the President to immediately declare a state of national emergency so that the suspension or reduction of excise taxes on petroleum products can take effect in the soonest possible time,” Ridon said.

“Such a declaration will allow government to provide immediate relief to sectors most affected by rising fuel costs, including farmers, fisherfolk, public transport operators, small businesses, and low-income households,” noted the lawyer-legislator.

Ridon described the coordinated action between the executive and legislative branches as a significant step in addressing the impact of global developments on the local economy.

“This joint action by both the executive and the legislature is historic and unprecedented. It reflects a strong and unified commitment by government to respond decisively to an international crisis that directly affects the welfare of the Filipino people,” he said.

He noted that earlier legislation allowed the suspension of fuel excise taxes only within a limited timeframe and required months before government action could be triggered.

“Under previous legislation, the suspension of fuel excise taxes was limited to a time-bound mechanism between 2018 and 2020 and depended on the average three-month pricing of crude oil based on MOPS (Mean of Platts Singapore) before government action could be triggered. That framework meant that Filipinos had to wait months before relief measures could be implemented,” Ridon said.

According to the party-liet lawmaker, the new measure gives the President greater flexibility to respond to extraordinary global developments affecting energy prices.

“This new measure ensures that the nation will no longer have to wait for three months before government action can be undertaken on rising petroleum prices. Instead, it empowers the President to act swiftly during extraordinary circumstances, ensuring that the government’s response is immediate, responsive, and attuned to the realities of the global energy market,” he explained.

“At a time when global uncertainty continues to threaten economic stability, this measure proves that the Philippine government is prepared to act quickly and decisively in defense of the welfare of the Filipino people,” Ridon added.