Hontiveros calls for P52.8-B supplemental budget due to looming oil crisis

Senate Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros on Monday called for the passage of a P52.8-billion supplemental budget in response to the impending increase in oil prices amid heightened tensions in the Middle East. 

At a press briefing, Hontiveros said the supplemental budget will consist of P12 billion for transport subsidy, P2.8 billion for agricultural subsidy, and at least P38 billion emergency fund for the repatriation and reintegration of affected overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). 

“Ang panawagan natin ngayon ay simple at hindi tingi-tingi: kailangan nang pag-usapan, ihanda, at ipasa ang isang emergency supplemental budget package, na sa estima ng aking opisina, ay aabot ng P52.8 billion,” she said. 

(Our call today is simple: it is already necessary to discuss, prepare, and pass an emergency supplemental budget package, which according to my office's estimate, will reach P52.8 billion.) 

Fuel prices are set to increase by P17 to P24 per liter this week, but the hike will be spread over seven days instead of being implemented in a single day, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said. 

Source of supplemental funds

Hontiveros maintained that the supplemental budget could be sourced from various projects, including the discontinued flood control projects in 2025, amounting to P70 billion. 

She said money may also be freed up through the "phased obligation" of some large-scale infrastructure projects, so their entire cost is not immediately released.

According to her, there is also a P2.5 billion fund for the farm machinery of the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization that can be repurposed as an agricultural subsidy; and a portion of the P17.5 billion budget for the Philippines’s hosting and chairmanship of the ASEAN 2026 Summits and Meetings may also be used for such. 

“Kahit nga wala pang batas sa supplemental budget, pwede nang magsimulang mag-abot ng subsidies, even if partly, ang mga ahensya gamit ang pondo ng National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Program, na may P23.4 billion sa ilalim ng 2026 budget,” Hontiveros said. 

(Even though there is no law on the supplemental budget yet, the agencies can start handing out subsidies, even if partially, using the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Program fund, which has P23.4 billion under the 2026 budget.) 

“Hindi totoo na wala tayong mapagkukunan. Meron. Kailangan lang pag-usapan, pag-isipan, at aksyunan na agad,” she added. 

(It's not true that we don't have resources. We do. We just need to talk, think, and act immediately.) 

Hontiveros said her office already communicated the possible sources for the supplemental budget to the Department of Finance (DOF). 

Asked about the process of passing the proposed supplemental budget, she said it will have to go through the usual process of passing a bill into law. 

“It will have to emanate from the House. So I'm sure naman ‘yung counterparts namin sa House ay may sense of urgency din and ngayon palang ongoing malamang ‘yung communications para magpasa ng isang supplemental budget hangga't maaga,” she explained. 

(It will have to emanate from the House. So I'm sure our counterparts in the House also have a sense of urgency and are probably coordinating right now on how to pass a supplemental budget as soon as possible.) 

She also expressed hope that the proposed supplemental budget will be passed before the session adjourns. She said a special session may also be called, if necessary. 

“Kailangan kayanin and of course, kapag gano’n ang mapagkasunduan ng both Houses, I suppose, hihilingin din ‘yung suporta ng Executive. Dahil Executive ang madaragdagan ng pondo para tugunan ang mga urgent na problema sa krisis na ito ng ating mga kababayan,” Hontiveros said. 

(We have to do our best and if both Houses agree, I suppose we also have to ask for the support of the Executive. Because the Executive will be the one who will be given additional funds to address the urgent problems of our countrymen in this crisis.)  — RSJ, GMA Integrated News