Benitez to File Bayanihan Act Following Marcos' National Energy Emergency Declaration
House Deputy Speaker and Bacolod City Lone District Representative Alfredo Abelardo Benitez is now preparing to file the Bayanihan for Economic Resilience and National Stability Act of 2026. This move comes in direct response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signing Executive Order 110, which declared a state of national energy emergency on March 24, 2026.
Supporting the Executive's Timely Response
In a recent statement, Benitez praised the President's declaration of a state of national emergency and the authorization of the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food and Transport. He described it as a timely and much-needed response to the new crisis facing the entire nation.
"I have always advocated for a whole-of-government approach to solving our most serious issues, and this declaration allows for just that -- for the government to move as one to ensure that the Filipino people are able to continue living decently, that industries are protected, that no one loses their job because of this crisis," Benitez emphasized.
Learning from Past Crises
Reflecting on lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic, Benitez highlighted the importance of swift, decisive, and flexible government response mechanisms. "If there is anything we should have learned from the Covid-19 pandemic, it is that government must be swift, decisive, and flexible in its response mechanisms," he stated.
To bolster the Executive's efforts, Benitez announced his intention to file the Bayanihan for Economic Resilience and National Stability Act of 2026. "This bill seeks to empower the Executive to respond efficiently to this evolving crisis while ensuring transparency, accountability, and targeted relief by providing emergency powers, fiscal flexibility, and strategic interventions to stabilize prices, protect vulnerable sectors, and ensure national resilience," he explained.
Call for Legislative Support
The lawmaker has called upon his colleagues in the House to support the swift deliberation of his proposal. "Now more than ever, we need to act as the House of the People and craft a viable strategy that will allow us to overcome this crisis and ensure the welfare of the Filipino people," Benitez urged.
Background on the Energy Emergency
Executive Order 110 cites the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy corridor for global oil shipments, as a key factor disrupting the flow of petroleum products to international markets. This constrains global fuel supply and has significant implications for the stability and adequacy of the Philippines' domestic energy supply.
The Secretary of Energy has determined that these circumstances pose an imminent danger of a critically low energy supply. Urgent measures are deemed necessary to ensure the stability and adequacy of the country's energy resources, as outlined in the executive order.
