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PASAY CITY—The Senate fast-tracked critical economic relief measures on July 29, targeting high electricity bills and the struggles of local small businesses.
During a packed plenary session, lawmakers advanced legislative proposals aimed at overhauling the national energy sector while simultaneously reinforcing micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
This double-barreled economic push comes as a direct effort to ease the financial squeeze on ordinary citizens and stabilize the foundation of the country's commerce.
Championing the consumer front, Senator Erwin Tulfo called on his colleagues across both majority and minority blocs to dismantle long-standing energy policies that inflate utility bills.
Tulfo actively pressed for measures that examine system loss charges, strip the 12% value-added tax (VAT) from residential power consumers, and abolish the outdated Energy Tax.
He urged the chamber to build an energy sector that is transparent, competitive, and completely fair to the public.
“If we are serious about easing the burden on our people, then we must have the courage to revisit policies that have long been accepted but may no longer be fair,” Tulfo said during his privilege speech.
Complementing the energy push, Senator Bam Aquino anchored the chamber's focus on empowering MSMEs, which remarkably constitute 99% of all registered businesses in the country.
Senators stressed that protecting these small enterprises is vital to navigating the ongoing economic crisis and securing long-term financial stability.
Alongside these heavy economic debates, the Senate also wrapped up its internal business by electing new members to the minority bloc, successfully resuming the reorganization of its standing committees.
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Date posted: July 31, 2026 11:31 AM