The 13-committee House Legislative Energy Action Development (LEAD) Council must also provide ample attention to the problem of rising unemployment in the country.

Thus, said Cavite 1st district Rep. Jolo Revilla, who cited the latest Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data which showed renewed pressure on the country’s labor market.

“Hindi lamang ito usapin ng presyo ng gasolina o kuryente—ito ay krisis na ramdam ng bawat Pilipino: mula sa mga magsasaka at mangingisda, sa ating mga manggagawa, hanggang sa bawat pamilyang nagsusumikap sa araw-araw,” Revilla said during the council's maiden hearing on Wednesday, April 8.

(This is not just about the price of gasoline or electricity—it is a crisis felt by every Filipino: from farmers and fisherfolk, to our workers, and to every family striving each day.)

The Revilla-chaired Committee on Labor and Employment is one of the 13 panels that comprise the LEAD Council.

As per PSA figures, the country's unemployment rate rose to 5.8 percent or around 2.96 million Filipinos in January 2026. This underscored the urgency of aligning energy policy with job protection measures.

Revilla says the energy crisis is now directly affecting employment, as rising costs continue to constrain business operations and limit hiring. As such, addressing the energy crisis and the issue of unemployment must go hand-in-hand.

He stressed that the LEAD Council hearings must lead to concrete outcomes that protect workers and sustain job creation.

“Layunin ng pagdinig na ito ang makabuo ng konkretong hakbang at batas… upang matiyak na walang sektor ang maiiwan (The purpose of this hearing is to craft concrete measures and laws to ensure that no sector is left behind)," he said.

Revilla also warned that employment risks may persist even if global tensions ease.

“Kahit magkaroon ng ceasefire, hindi agad nagiging stable ang supply at presyo ng enerhiya. In many cases, the situation can still worsen before it improves (Even with a ceasefire, the supply and price of energy do not immediately stabilize. In many cases, the situation can still worsen before it improves."

The Caviteño reaffirmed that Filipino workers must remain at the center of policy discussions as Congress moves forward in its attempt to craft both immediate and long-term legislative relief.

“Bilang chairperson ng Committee on Labor and Employment, patuloy tayong kikilos upang maprotektahan ang kapakanan ng ating mga manggagawa—ang tunay na sandigan ng ating ekonomiya,” Revilla vowed.

(As chairperson of the Committee on Labor and Employment, we will continue to act to protect the welfare of our workers—the true backbone of our economy.)