Senator Sherwin Gatchalian is urging the government to mobilize an inter-agency response to protect jobs and provide financial lifelines to micro, small, and medium enterprises struggling from the economic fallout of the Middle East conflict. He warns that the current fuel crisis will severely impact the labor market.
In Manila, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian urged the immediate mobilization of an inter-agency response to protect jobs and MSMEs from the economic fallout of the Middle East conflict, particularly the fuel crisis.
"Higher fuel costs could trigger more layoffs and hiring freezes, especially in sectors that rely heavily on transport, power and delivery," Gatchalian said.
He called for the rollout of short-term economic shields prepared by the Proactive Response and Oversight for Timely and Effective Crisis Strategy ad hoc committee.
To prevent business closures and job losses, Gatchalian proposed concessional credit and temporary operating support for MSMEs heavily exposed to fuel price spikes.
He identified roughly P2.27 billion in idle funds under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), including P1.965 billion in unobligated allotments for MSME programs in the 2026 General Appropriations Act and P309.9 million in continuing appropriations from the 2025 budget, which can be tapped without new legislation.
Gatchalian also urged the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to complement DTI efforts with emergency reskilling and upskilling programs for displaced workers.