House targets energy crisis response bills by May 4

Under the direction of Speaker Faustino Dy III, the House of Representatives is fast-tracking a package of measures to address rising fuel costs, with legislation expected to be ready when Congress resumes session on May 4.

The push is being led through the Legislative Energy Action Development (LEAD) Council, a multi-committee body tasked with aligning immediate relief and long-term reforms as oil prices continue to climb amid tensions in the Middle East.

Marikina City Rep. Miro Quimbo, chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means and presiding officer of the LEAD Council, said lawmakers are working through the break to ensure that concrete measures are in place once session resumes.

“By the end of the month, ‘pag nag-start na kami ng formal session natin ng first week of May, is meron na kaming nabuong batas that will address ‘yung urgent needs natin today,” Quimbo said in a radio interview.

Congress has been on session break since March 21.

Quimbo said the planned legislation will tackle both immediate relief from the oil price shock and structural reforms to reduce the country’s vulnerability to global price swings.

He said the House has been holding extended and back-to-back hearings—even during the congressional session break—to speed up the process and deliver results.

“Ito talaga ang pinamamadali ni Speaker Bojie Dy. Sinabi niya, huwag na tayong maghintay, kahit tayo naka-break lahat. I want to start moving,” Quimbo said.

Among the reforms being considered are incentives to promote cleaner and more sustainable transport, including support for electric vehicles and related industries.

“Kasama diyan ang pagbibigay ng incentives para makabuo tayo ng isang panibagong cars program na magpo-promote ng electric vehicle use. Hindi lang sa gobyerno, pero pati pagbibigay ng tax incentives at saka iba’t ibang insentibo na hindi nagre-require ng gobyerno na magbigay ng pera,” Quimbo said.

He said the goal is to create a policy environment that encourages private sector investment in emerging industries such as electric vehicles, battery production, and other alternatives to fossil fuels.

“Pwede tayong mag-create lang ng environment such that we are encouraging people para magtayo ng mga ganito, whether it is a battery o anong industriya,” he added.

The LEAD Council, composed of 13 House committees, is serving as the central platform for the House’s coordinated response, with lawmakers aiming to roll out both short-term relief and long-term solutions to cushion the impact of rising fuel prices on Filipinos. (RM)