Metro Manila, Philippines – The government needs around ₱52.8 billion more to respond to the Middle East crisis, based on estimates from the office of Senate Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros.
In a press conference on Monday, March 9, Hontiveros said the proposed funding package includes ₱12 billion in subsidies for the transport sector and ₱2.8 billion for agriculture, both aimed at helping sectors bearing the brunt of rising fuel prices. Another ₱38 billion would be allocated for the repatriation and reintegration of affected overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Hontiveros said the funding could be through a supplemental budget bill from the House of Representatives.
“I’m sure naman yung counterparts namin sa House ay may sense of urgency din and ngayon pa lang ongoing malamang yung communications para magpasa ng isang supplemental budget hangga’t maaga,” she said.
[Translation: I’m sure our counterparts in the House also have a sense of urgency, and communications are likely already ongoing so that a supplemental budget can be passed as soon as possible.]
Hontiveros noted that government agencies currently have limited available funds to respond to the crisis. The Department of Energy only has about ₱2.5 billion in carryover funds from 2025 for subsidies, while the Department of Agriculture only has ₱150 million. Meanwhile, the Department of Migrant Workers has ₱1.76 billion left in its emergency fund for repatriation.
“May pwede bang pagkunan ng pondo para sa supplemental budget? Oo,” Hontiveros said.
[Translation: Are there possible sources of funding for the supplemental budget? Yes.]
“Hindi totoo na wala tayong mapagkukunan. Meron! Kailangan lang pag-usapan, pag-isipan at aksyunan na agad,” she added.
[Translation: It’s not true that we have nowhere to get funds. There are sources. We just need to discuss them, study them, and act on them immediately.]
She identified several possible funding sources, saying parts of the funds could come from:
- ₱70 billion in discontinued flood control projects
- ₱2.5 billion in farm machinery funds under the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization
- ₱17.5 billion allocated for the Philippines’ hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations 2026 summit and related meetings
- ₱23.4 billion under National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Program
“Kaya yan kung magra-rationalize ang ating organizers [That’s doable if our organizers rationalize the spending],” she said, referring to the possibility of reducing funds allocated for the ASEAN summit.
She added that any reallocation from the disaster fund should come with the assurance that sufficient resources would be available for Filipinos affected by natural calamities.
Hontiveros said lawmakers should consider this package of responses to address the crisis as they study the request of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for emergency powers to reduce fuel excise taxes.
However, Hontiveros said another option would be suspending the value-added tax (VAT) on fuel, which she believes may be a better alternative.
Meanwhile, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said he has been coordinating with the Office of the Executive Secretary since the weekend regarding the possible suspension of fuel taxes and a bill allowing the importation of biofuel.
