A ranking congressman from Manila is batting for a targeted subsidy program for middle class workers and micro, small and medium enterprises in lieu of an emergency measure patterned after pandemic-era "Bayanihan" laws.

Manila 2nd district Rep. Rolando Valeriano, chairman of the House Committee on Public Order, dubbed his proposal AHON or the "Agapay sa Hanapbuhay at Operasyon ng Negosyo package", which he said should he pursued "instead of 'Bayanihan 3'".

"Kasama sa AHON bill ang mga direktang tulong sa mga manggagawa, middle class, at micro small and medium enterprises dahil sila ang dumaranas ngayon ng kalbaryo sa sobrang pagtaas ng presyo ng mga produktong petrolyo," Valeriano said in a statement Monday, April 6.

(Included in the AHON bill are direct assistance to workers, the middle class, and micro, small and medium enterprises because they are the ones currently enduring the ordeal of the excessive increase in petroleum product prices.)

"Congress should give the Small Business Corporation (SBC) and other agencies the mandates and funds to help workers and businesses survive and recover from the national energy emergency," Valeriano said, referring to President Marcos' earlier declaration.

"I propose a tax-free wage support of at least P3,000 for minimum wage earners and SSS (Social Security System) members earning less than P25,000 monthly," he said.

Meanwhile, for MSMEs, an interest-free P250,000 loan from SBC, payable in two to three years, is being proposed under AHON.

"For households and MSMEs, a P500 LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) discount voucher for every 11-kg (kilogram) tank purchased and suspension of utility services disconnection and bill payments," Valeriano added.

For larger companies, a net operating loss carryover (NOLCO) lasting two to three years for losses incurred during the energy emergency is being pitched.

"Layunin ng AHON na tulungan ang mga Pilipinong manggagawa, middle class, at negosyante na makaahon sa kinasasadlakang krisis (The purpose of AHON is to help Filipino workers, the middle class, and entrepreneurs rise from the crisis they are currently facing)," noted Valeriano.

The House leader is also eyeing a tax credit equivalent to the incremental higher cost of fuel and cargo rates for retailers, wholesale firms, and freight forwarders. He said this will help them recoup losses through lighter tax burden.

Valeriano also wants to mandate to banks and financial intermediaries to suspend loan payments and grant reprieves on loan defaults.

The Manila lawmaker has yet to provide the parameters for these proposed actions, which he has pitched amid his House colleagues' intention to file crisis response measure dubbed Bayanihan 3.

This effort was inspired by the two Bayanihan laws enacted during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

Republic Act (RA) No.11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act earmarked an estimated P200 billion for a social amelioration programs (SAP) for low-income families that were hard-hit by the pandemic, while RA No.11494 or the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act allocated P165.5 billion for Covid-19 response and recovery.

Following the United States (US) and Israel's attacks on Iran in late February, local pump prices of gasoline and diesel have raced past the P100-per-liter mark, while a typical 11-kg LPG cylinder now costs over P1,000.