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House of Representatives (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)
The House of Representatives is eager to pass the remaining four Marcos priority measures out of the 57 listed by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) as sessions resume Monday, Jan. 22.
“We are almost done with the priority bills agreed upon by Congress and the executive branch. We have approved on final reading all but four of the 57 measures in the LEDAC list,” House Speaker Martin Romualdez said in a statement Sunday, Jan. 21.
“We have accomplished our mission as lawmakers by acting promptly on the legislative agenda of President Marcos, which is focused on sustaining economic growth, helping the poor and vulnerable sectors, creating jobs and income opportunities, and in general, making life better for every Filipino,” he said.
Of the four bills, House Bill (HB) No. 9713, or “An Act institutionalizing a Philippine self-reliant defense posture program and promoting the development of a national defense industry pursuant thereto” is expected to be approved on third and final reading that day.
Romualdez said the bill will help the country achieve a credible defense program and industry so it would not be totally dependent on foreign allies and suppliers for its defense requirements.
The three other LEDAC measures awaiting the House’s final approval are the proposed amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, which is under technical working group finalization; and Budget Modernization Bill, and National Defense Act, which are under committee consideration.
The 300-member House of Representatives and the 24-member Senate comprise the Philippine bicameral Congress. Monday marks the end of Congress’ five-week holiday break.
“We will await Senate action on proposed laws that we have approved on third and final reading, and we will be ready to sit with senators in bicameral conferences to come up with the final versions,” said Romualdez, Leyte’s 1st district congressman.
He said Filipinos are now starting to reap the benefits of the LEDAC-endorsed measures approved by Congress and signed into law by the President.
“We will continue to provide legislative support to the Marcos administration and help it, principally by means of legislation, tackle the challenges the nation and the economy will face in the years ahead,” he said.
The 11 LEDAC bills that President Marcos has signed into law are SIM Registration Act, postponement of barangay/Sangguniang Kabataan elections, strengthening professionalism in the AFP, New Agrarian Reform Emancipation Act, Maharlika Investment Fund Act, regional specialty hospitals, national employment recovery strategy/Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act, LGU Income Classification Act, Internet Transaction Act/E-Commerce Law, amendments to the BOT Law/PPP Bill, and Ease of Paying Taxes Act.
Conference committee reports on four other previously approved LEDAC bills have been ratified by the House and the Senate.
The bills contained in these reports are: New Passport Act, revitalizing the salt industry bill, Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, and Tatak Pinoy (Proudly Filipino) Act.
Two more measures will undergo the bicameral conference process: amendments to the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act and Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System Act.
While not a LEDAC measure, the P5.768-trillion General Appropriations Act (GAA) or 2024 national budget that was signed by Marcos last Dec. 20 was also among the most vital pieces of legislation passed by Congress. — Ellson Quismorio
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