MANILA – Senator Bam Aquino said a broader state of national emergency is needed to give the government stronger authority to control the prices of goods as the country faces an oil crisis.

Aquino said such a declaration would provide more flexibility compared to the current state of national energy emergency under Executive Order No. 110, particularly in implementing price controls on essential goods.

“Baka hindi kasama dito iyong price control na kapag mayroon tayong state of national emergency, puwedeng lagyan ng price control o price cap iyong essential goods at basic commodities,” Aquino said in a radio interview.

“Iyon naman ang isang hinahanap natin na kapag may state of national emergency or state of calamity ay puwede pong maglagay ng cap sa presyo ng pangunahing bilihin,” he added.

The senator said he would seek clarification during the upcoming Proactive Response and Oversight for Timely and Effective Crisis Strategy (PROTECT) Committee hearing to determine whether such provisions are covered under the executive order.

Aquino also raised concerns over whether local government units (LGUs) can tap their quick response funds (QRF) to assist constituents under the current declaration.

“Pangalawa, iyong mga local government units na ating katuwang sa pagtulong sa ating kababayan, puwede nilang magamit ang QRF kapag may state of emergency. Hindi rin klaro kung puwede nilang gamitin iyan,” he said.

He urged the government to utilize more than PHP200 billion in available funds to provide targeted assistance to sectors affected by rising fuel prices, including transport workers, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), farmers, fisherfolk, teachers, and healthcare workers.

“Kung tutulong na rin tayo, gawin natin nang maayos, gawin nating komprehensibo, gawin nating mabilis at tuloy-tuloy,” Aquino said.

Aquino also reiterated the need to protect public markets, hospitals, and schools, saying these are critical to shielding Filipino families from the worst effects of the crisis.