Senator Loren Legarda has filed the Senate Bill No. 2020 or the “Bayanihan 3: Power to the People Act,” a comprehensive emergency measure to shield Filipino families from the 2026 global oil crisis while laying the groundwork for a more secure and resilient economy.

The proposed legislation recognizes a state of national emergency and gives the government targeted, time-bound powers to bring down fuel and electricity costs, protect food supply, and provide direct relief to the most vulnerable sectors. The measure also provides the government with calibrated authority to intervene in the energy sector when necessary to prevent supply disruptions and stabilize prices, subject to safeguards and oversight.

“Ang Bayanihan 3 ay naglalayong tugunan ang hirap na dinaranas ngayon ng mga Pilipino—lalo na ang mga jeepney driver, magsasaka, mangingisda, manggagawa, at mga pamilyang umaasa sa araw araw na kita,” Legarda said.

A salient feature of the measure is its two-tiered approach. The bill clearly separates immediately executable emergency directives under Section 5 from measures under Section 6 that first require rapid assessment before implementation. This design allows the government to act at once where it already has the authority and systems in place, while at the same time seriously studying and preparing more complex reforms that still need legal, fiscal, or operational groundwork.

Bayanihan 3 introduces stricter transparency measures by requiring oil companies to disclose detailed information on their pricing, costs, inventory, and supply transactions. This allows the government to monitor whether price movements are justified and ensures that any tax relief or policy intervention is fully felt by consumers. By mandating fair and accurate reporting from private sector participants, the bill protects the public from profiteering and strengthens accountability across the energy supply chain.

Under the bill, the government may temporarily suspend or reduce excise taxes and even apply a zero rate on VAT for petroleum products, with the clear requirement that these tax breaks be fully and immediately passed on to consumers at the pump. It also mandates a thorough clean-up of electricity bills and allows the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to stagger or defer payments without interest and penalties, while prohibiting disconnection for amounts validly deferred. It explores fair burden-sharing measures, including potential windfall taxes on excess profits and a solidarity-based wealth contribution from ultra-high-net-worth individuals, ensuring that those with greater capacity contribute more equitably to national recovery during the crisis.

“Simple lang ang gusto natin, kung may bawas sa buwis, dapat ramdam agad sa presyo sa gasolinahan; kung may tulong sa kuryente, dapat mabawasan ang bigat ng binabayaran kada buwan,” Legarda stressed. “Hindi dapat pahirapan ang mga tao sa panahong gipit na nga. Kailangang maramdaman ng bawat Pilipino ang ginhawa sa mismong bulsa.”

Bayanihan 3 also provides direct fuel subsidies of 5,000 to 10,000 pesos per month for qualified public utility vehicle drivers, small farmers and fisherfolk, and small agricultural transporters, harmonized with existing social protection programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The bill allows financial relief to transport cooperatives and other affected operators to help stabilize routes and fares.

“Sa mga tsuper na nag-aalangan kung lalabas pa ba dahil baka lugi lang sa krudo, sa mga magsasaka at mangingisdang nag-iisip kung sulit pa bang mag-araro o pumalaot, may nakalaan na tulong para sa inyo,” Legarda said. “Hindi puwedeng sila ang unang bumigay sa krisis na ito, dahil kapag bumigay sila, kawawa ang buong bayan, walang masasakyan, walang pagkain sa hapag.”

The bill also mandates ‘handholding’ and fast-track registration of unregistered drivers, farmers, farmworkers and fisherfolk for them to be able to access the subsidies.

To secure the nation’s food supply, the measure mandates priority food cargo lanes, toll exemptions for vehicles hauling essential food and agricultural goods, and expanded fuel and financial support for food producers. It authorizes the use of public lands as community gardens and urban farms, and encourages LGUs to suspend or reduce market fees and rentals to ease the burden on vendors and consumers.

Beyond immediate relief, the bill accelerates the shift to a more resilient energy system. It authorizes emergency procurement of fuel and rapidly deployable renewable and off-grid energy systems for public hospitals, schools, and other critical facilities, alongside mandatory energy conservation in government, alternative work arrangements, and the digitalization of frontline government services to cut transport fuel demand.

“This crisis is a warning and an opportunity,” Legarda noted. “We cannot remain hostage to imported fossil fuel forever. Bayanihan 3 not only protects our people today. It pushes us towards a cleaner, more secure, and more independent energy future.”

Legarda also highlighted that the second tier of measures under Section 6 is subject to a strict 30-day timetable for government review. She introduced a provision requiring the Executive to conduct a rapid assessment of these proposals and submit its findings within 30 days. Within that period, the Executive must state which measures can already be implemented because they are legally, fiscally, and operationally feasible, which measures cannot yet be rolled out, and what concrete steps or alternatives are needed so that these reforms can move forward.

“May mga hakbang sa Bayanihan 3 na puwedeng ipatupad agad, at mayroon namang kailangang pag-aralan para masigurong kayang tustusan, maayos sa batas, at praktikal sa pagpapatupad,” Legarda explained. “Kaya may malinaw na tatlumpung araw na palugit para sa ehekutibo na  sabihin kung alin ang kaya na ngayon, alin ang hindi pa, at ano ang kailangang gawin para maging posible ang mga ito para sa taumbayan.”

Legarda underscored that all emergency powers granted under the bill are strictly limited in scope and duration and subject to full transparency, auditing, and congressional oversight. While these authorities are limited to the duration of the national emergency, the measure also provides for the careful review and possible continuation of key reforms particularly those that strengthen energy security, transparency, and long-term resilience.