Manila, March 18 -- Sen. Risa Hontiveros urged on Wednesday both houses of Congress to pass the proposed PHP52.8-billion supplemental budget.

"Itong gulo sa Middle East at ang oil crisis ay hindi matatapos bukas o sa susunod na linggo. Kailangan maging handa tayo, kahit gaano pa katagal ang problema (The conflict in the Middle East and the oil crisis will not end tomorrow or next week. We must be prepared no matter how long this lasts). We should start by ensuring that we have the funds to help our kababayans in the many challenging days ahead," Hontiveros said.

Hontiveros filed Senate Bill No. 1986, which seeks to appropriate PHP52.8 billion to expand subsidies for drivers, farmers, fisherfolk and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affec...