Senator Sherwin Gatchalian is pushing for a supplemental budget as Filipinos brace for economic shocks if the Middle East conflict drags on.
Gatchalian warned relief programs may need up to P60 billion to P400 billion in worst-case scenarios.
“Kailangan talaga ng supplemental budget or Bayanihan 3… maraming components ‘yan,” he said, citing possible loan reprieve and temporary credit card interest freeze.
A Senate PROTECT report recommended a targeted aid of P1,500 monthly support for 5 million minimum wage earners and MSME workers, plus cash top-ups for 3.5 million 4Ps beneficiaries over three months.
It also proposed widening cash support to cover more vulnerable households, including P3,000 monthly aid for 1.4 million near-poor families and another 1.4 million under a food security program.IMT
