Senator Loren Legarda has issued a sharp challenge to the executive branch, demanding that government agencies shift to a "crisis mode" to address the compounding effects of the Middle East conflict and the global climate emergency. During a high-level budget hearing, the Senator argued that the government's refusal to officially designate these situations as crises has resulted in a response that is "painfully slow," leaving millions of Filipinos vulnerable to economic shocks.
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| Sen. Legarda Calling out the Executive |
Defining the Crisis to Trigger Urgency
Senator Legarda emphasized that the first step toward effective governance is acknowledging the severity of current events. She warned that if the government does not admit there is a climate crisis or a Middle East crisis, it will fail to take the necessary "record time" actions to protect the environment and the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families. According to the Senator, this lack of urgency is currently reflected in the slow utilization and implementation of funds across various departments.
The Senator noted that the Middle East crisis is not just a foreign policy issue but a domestic economic threat that is driving up the prices of petroleum products, energy, food, and transport, while simultaneously displacing millions of Filipinos.
Watch the Video of Sen. Loren Legarda:
Demands for Tangible Economic Relief
Moving beyond general policy discussions, Legarda directed specific, high-pressure instructions to several key agencies to cushion the impact on the public:
- Department of Trade and Industry (DTI): Tasked with presenting a concrete plan to lower the prices of basic commodities.
- DOF, BIR, DOE, and ERC: Challenged to delete the collection of VAT on specific items that she argues should not be vatable, providing immediate relief to consumers.
- Department of Budget and Management (DBM): Required to explain why many essential projects remain under "For Later Release" (FLR) status despite being part of the approved budget.
A Call for "On the Ground" Results
Legarda emphasized that the 2025 and 2026 budget proceedings must move past "powerpoints" and "motherhood statements". She insisted that the government's success should be measured by "actual jobs created" and "actual food on the table" for the most affected sectors, specifically highlighting the plight of 40,000 farmers and fishers, as well as 40,000 transport drivers.
"I want to hear the answer on the ground," Legarda stated, rejecting the "usual way things are" in government bureaucracy.
DSWD Receives Praises from Legarda
While criticizing the general sluggishness of the executive branch, Legarda singled out the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as a model for other agencies. She praised Secretary Rex Gatchalian for being "quick" and "on the ground," noting that he is one of the few cabinet members who responds with the urgency required by the current national situation.
The Senator concluded her statement by reminding the gathered officials that they must "call a spade a spade" and act with the speed necessary to save the Filipino people from the escalating global and environmental crises
Reviewed by PhilNewsXYZ
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March 24, 2026
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