QUEZON CITY, Philippines — House Speaker Faustino “Inno” Dy V has issued a directive ensuring that the work of the House of Representatives will proceed without interruption despite the scheduled congressional recess. Addressing the chamber before the Lenten break, the Speaker emphasized that the “triple threat” of the Middle East conflict, the “diesel double whammy,” and the transition to the dry season necessitates an active and vigilant legislature.
While formal plenary sessions are paused, Speaker Dy confirmed that key committees—particularly those handling Agriculture, Energy, and Economic Affairs—have been authorized to conduct “marathon hearings” and oversight inspections. This move is designed to ensure that government subsidies, such as the Pantawid Pasada and agricultural fuel vouchers, reach their intended beneficiaries without administrative delays.
“The crisis does not take a recess, and neither will we,” Speaker Dy stated. “Our priority is to monitor the ‘Third Wave’ of global economic fallout and ensure that the executive branch has the legislative support it needs to stabilize prices. We are keeping the doors of the House open to address any urgent interventions required by our transport and farming sectors.”
The Speaker outlined a “Recess Action Plan” focusing on three critical areas:
- Subsidy Oversight: Committees will monitor the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Department of Agriculture (DA) to ensure the ₱6,500 fuel subsidies and ₱4,500 agri-vouchers are distributed transparently and efficiently.
- Price Monitoring: In coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), lawmakers will conduct “market rounds” in their respective districts to prevent profiteering as the new fare hikes for jeepneys and buses take effect in April.
- Energy Security Legislation: Technical working groups will continue refining bills related to Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) and the expansion of renewable energy incentives, aiming for immediate floor deliberation once Congress resumes.
Speaker Dy also noted that the House is prepared to convene a special session should President Marcos find it necessary to pull the trigger on the “emergency powers” bill regarding fuel excise tax adjustments. The Speaker highlighted that the ₱50-billion housing push and the ₱10-billion Rockwell bond success are positive economic indicators, but they must be protected from the inflationary pressure of the current energy spike.
The directive has been welcomed by various sectors, with transport and labor groups urging the House to use the recess to “ground-truth” the impact of the ₱13.00 minimum jeepney fare. As the Amihan continues to weaken and temperatures rise, the House is also expected to look into water security measures for drought-prone provinces.
“We are in a period of high volatility,” Dy added. “Our role during this break is to serve as the eyes and ears of the people, ensuring that the policies we passed—like the Travel Tax Abolition—actually translate into relief for every Filipino family.”