Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Motorcycle riders queue for refills at a gasoline station along EDSA in Makati City on April 1, 2026. ABS-CBN News

Motorcycle riders queue for refills at a gasoline station along EDSA in Makati City on April 1, 2026.

Article (news)

'Not just energy': Middle East war brings 'actual economic crisis', Cendaña says

Agatha Gregorio

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1775031854167Image (19).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Motorcycle riders queue for refills at a gasoline station along EDSA in Makati City on April 1, 2026. ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Motorcycle riders queue for refills at a gasoline station along EDSA in Makati City on April 1, 2026. <em>ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Philippines is facing an economic crisis because of the war in the Middle East, Akbayan Party-List Rep. Perci Cendaña said Wednesday, adding rising prices go beyond what government is referring to as an energy crisis. </p><p>The lawmaker said he will utilize the joint committee hearings in the House on the West Asia conflict to amplify certain proposals, such as passage of a P52.8-billion supplemental budget to help overseas Filipino workers (OFW) in need of repatriation, as well as drivers and passengers.</p><p>“Alam naman natin this is not an energy crisis. This is an actual economic crisis kasi lalo nalulunod sa taas presyo ang ating mga kababayan,&quot; Cendaña said, adding government has been slow to distribute aid to help Filipinos cope. </p><p>(We know this is not an energy crisis. This is an actual economic crisis because our people are drowning in high prices.)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/1/senator-pushes-for-immediate-fuel-rationing-1505">Senator pushes for immediate fuel rationing<br/></a></div><p>He said the House needs to discuss the proposed supplemental budget so funding can be released as soon as possible.</p><p>Akbayan party-list Representative Chel Diokno earlier called on the president to certify as urgent House Bill 8495 for the P52.8-billion supplemental budget.</p><p>Under the proposal, P12 billion will be allocated for fuel subsidies to help public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and transportation workers, while P38 billion will be earmarked for OFWs displaced by the crisis.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>SERVICE CONTRACTING TO BENEFIT PUV DRIVERS, COMMUTERS</strong></div><p>Cendaña said he will also propose service contracting for PUVs, where government will pay operators and drivers to transport commuters.</p><p>He said the proposal would help provide relief to transport workers and to their passengers.</p><p>“Libreng sakay sa panahon ng krisis, nang sa ganoon, matiyak natin na kumikita ang mga tsuper natin kasi ang magbabayad ay gobyerno at matiyak natin na mayroong reliable na transport system tayo sa panahon ng ganitong krisis,” Cendaña said.</p><p>(We can provide free rides for commuters and ensure drivers get paid because it will be the government that will pay them to provide a reliable transport system during a crisis like this)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/1/ph-officials-iran-ambassador-meet-on-energy-issues-cooperation-1555">PH officials, Iran ambassador meet on energy issues, cooperation<br/></a></div><p>He said service contracting, which the Manila city government is implementing, could be replicated nationwide. </p><p>House Committee on Ways and Means Chairperson Miro Quimbo of Marikina previously announced joint committee hearings to address the impact of the crisis in West Asia will begin on April 8. </p><p>“This is a full-blown economic crisis that needs a concerted action from government. And we&#x27;re very glad that Congress has [taken] on this challenge to hold special hearings para nang sa ganoon, makapaglatag tayo ng programa (so we can lay down programs),” Cendaña said.</p>

<p>The Philippines is facing an economic crisis because of the war in the Middle East, Akbayan Party-List Rep. Perci Cendaña said Wednesday, adding rising prices go beyond what government is referring to as an energy crisis.</p>

The Philippines is facing an economic crisis because of the war in the Middle East, Akbayan Party-List Rep. Perci Cendaña said Wednesday, adding rising prices go beyond what government is referring to as an energy crisis.