In the nine session days since the start of the 17th Congress’ third regular session, from July 23 to August 8, the House of Representatives has processed a total of 195 measures, including passing two priority measures of President Rodrigo Duterte.
In a report by the Committee on Rules, the House under Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo passed two priority laws — Republic Act 11055 or the Act Establishing the Filipino Identification System. and RA 11054, the Act Providing for the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
During the same period, lawmakers were able to process an average of 22 measures per session. They were able to substitute or consolidate 116 measures and approved 79 bills and resolutions, the report added.
The Lower House also ratified two bicameral reports, concurred with Senate Amendments on two bills, and brought to the Bicameral Conference two national bills: the granting of a franchise to Innove Communications Inc. and the strengthening on the drive against Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV-AIDS).
The House also approved on third reading a total of 28 bills and approved 38 bills on second reading, which included the rice tariffication bill to curb inflation, another priority measure of the Duterte administration. Five resolutions were also adopted.
Speaker Arroyo, the former President and representative of Pampanga’s Second District, earlier vowed to carry out the legislative agenda of the President, which included Charter Change, rice tariffication, ban on contractualization, passage of the Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Reform Act, National Land Use Act, the establishment of a Department of Disaster Management and the Coco Levy Trust Fund and the Universal Health Care.
The House earlier passed its version of the UHC as well as the National Land Use Act. It also passed a bill that gives security of tenure to workers and prohibits subcontracting work.
The Senate has yet to pass their counterpart bills on these measures.