P41.6B spent in 60 days to respond to Middle East conflict — Win Gatchalian

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday said the Philippine government has used P41.6 billion over the past 60 days to respond to the challenges brought by the heightened tensions in the Middle East.

Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Finance committee and the Proactive Response and Oversight for Timely and Effective Crisis Strategy (PROTECT) committee, said this in a hearing, noting the amount was utilized for government interventions, like fuel subsidies given to public utility drivers during the oil price hike. 

“Ang gobyerno ay gumastos na ng P41.6 billion. We're already 60 days into the conflict. After 60 days, ang release ng gobyerno or disbursements ng gobyerno is about P41.6 billion, cut across different intervention programs,” Gatchalian said during the PROTECT panel hearing. 

(The government has already spent P41.6 billion. We're already 60 days into the conflict. After 60 days, the government has released or disbursed about P41.6 billion, cut across different intervention programs.) 

Citing information from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Undersecretary Joseph Capuno confirmed that the government has disbursements totalling to P41.6 billion, as of April 24, 2026. 

Capuno said that of the P238.6 billion total appropriations for the response measures, P130.4 billion were released as allotments, while P53.5 billion were obligated. 

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. earlier declared a state of national energy emergency and ordered the adoption of a Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) for affected sectors.

A whole-of-government response was also activated to ensure energy supply stability, support key sectors such as transport, agriculture, and MSMEs, and protect Filipinos amid global oil supply disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict. — RSJ, GMA News