Dy pushes fuel supply security plan under KALINGA bill

Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III on Tuesday emphasized fuel supply security as a critical pillar of the proposed KALINGA Act, saying the measure is designed not only to cushion prices but also to prevent shortages amid volatile global oil markets.

Dy, together with House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” A. Marcos, filed House Bill No. 8834 establishing the KALINGA Program—Komprehensibong Alalay sa Livelihood, Inflation, Negosyo and Goods Assistance—a centralized framework designed to cushion the impact of fuel-driven inflation while ensuring energy and essential goods supply.

Section 6 of the proposed measure establishes the Energy Supply, Security, and Inventory Management Component to ensure the availability of oil, fuel, electricity, and other energy products during periods of price shocks and supply disruptions.

The provision authorizes government-to-government fuel supply agreements, diversification of import sources, monitoring of national fuel inventories, enforcement of minimum stock levels, priority allocation of fuel for essential sectors, and emergency procurement and distribution measures.

Dy stressed that stabilizing supply is just as important as stabilizing prices.

“Kahit may subsidy, kung kulang ang supply, tataas pa rin ang presyo at maaapektuhan ang buong ekonomiya. We must secure fuel availability while managing price volatility,” explained Dy.

“The KALINGA bill allows government to diversify supply sources, enforce inventory levels, and prioritize fuel allocation for critical sectors like power generation, transport, and food logistics.”

The Speaker added that the said provision is intended to strengthen national energy resilience during global disruptions.

“This component ensures that when global supply tightens, the Philippines has the tools to prevent shortages and protect essential services,” said the former governor.

The KALINGA Act integrates seven components intended to address the effects of skyrocketing fuel prices: (1) fuel price stabilization; (2) energy supply security and inventory management; (3) targeted assistance; (4) essential goods and logistics stabilization; (5) MSME energy relief and business continuity; (6) energy conservation and demand reduction; and (7) flexible fiscal and regulatory measures. (RM)