Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Wednesday assured every Filipino household of access to decent housing, better education and quality jobs under the administration of President Marcos Jr.
“Hindi tayo titigil sa trabaho hangga’t hindi natutupad ang pangarap ni Pangulong Marcos: ang mabigyan ng bahay ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino,” he said in remarks marking the end of the second regular session of the 19th Congress.
(We will not stop working until the desireof President Marcos is fulfilled: to give every Filipino family a decent house)
Romualdez said legislative actions have been taken to ensure the provision of over one million affordable housing units, giving every Filipino the opportunity to own a home and improve their living conditions.
He said the overwhelming passage of House Bill (HB) 10172, the “National Housing Authority Act,” “further demonstrates this chamber’s strong desire to serve the underprivileged, homeless, and low-income households.”
He reported that the House has also approved House Bill No. 9506, or the “Rental Housing Subsidy Program Act,” which seeks to establish a rental housing subsidy program for informal settler families to further alleviate their plight.
“These measures are crucial in providing immediate relief and long-term housing stability to those in need,” the leader of the 300-plus-strong House of Representatives said.
He said the House has also approved measures that have become laws to enhance the healthcare system and citizen welfare.
He mentioned Republic Act No. 11959, or the “Regional Specialty Centers Act,” which simplified healthcare services, ensuring that specialized medical care is accessible to regions outside Metro Manila; and Republic Act No. 11965, or the “Caregivers’ Welfare Act,” which provides necessary protections and benefits to caregivers, recognizing their invaluable contribution to society.
There is also House Bill 8461, which seeks to strengthen the national health program for senior citizens through a comprehensive nutrition and wellness program to prevent poor nutrition and related illnesses in the elderly.
Another measure, House Bill No. 7447, proposes to strengthen local health boards by ensuring the representation of barangay health workers, whom we continue to recognize as essential front-liners in health promotion and advocacy.
In the area of education, the Speaker said Congress has enacted Republic Act No. 11984, or the “No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act,” to ensure that financial constraints do not hinder our students’ academic progress.
The House has also passed House Bill 8210, or the “Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program Act,” to address and resolve the gap between current and expected learning competencies; and House Bill 10142, or the “Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) System Act,” which aligns early childhood care and development services with maternal, child health, and nutrition programs, aimed at nurturing our youngest citizens from the earliest stages of their development.
“Hindi lang natin tinitiyak ang libre at abot-kayang edukasyon para sa lahat. Sinisugurado natin na walang sagabal para makapagtapos ang mga estudyante natin sa kanilang pag-aaral,” the House leader said.
(We are not just ensuring free and affordable education for all. We ensure that there are no obstacles for our students to complete their studies)
He also said that the House has attended to measures to increase employment opportunities and protect labor rights.
“Matibay po ang ating paniniwala. Kailangan natin ang mga investment para makalikha ng mga trabaho. At hindi basta lamang na trabaho. Trabaho na marangal at kayana bumuhay ng pamilya,” the Speaker said.
(Our belief is strong. We need investments to create jobs. And not just a job. It is a job that is honorable and able to raise a family,” the Speaker said.
On social welfare, he said the House social welfare initiatives “are designed to uplift marginalized communities and ensure equitable access to resources”)
He cited three proposed laws: House Bill 8463, or the “Disaster Food Bank and Stockpile Act,” which provides for the establishment of disaster food banks and stockpiles throughout the country to speed up the delivery of relief goods and other supplies during calamities;
House Bill 9506, or the “Rental Housing Subsidy Program Act,” which seeks to establish a rental housing subsidy program for informal settler families to further alleviate their plight. These measures are crucial in providing immediate relief and long-term housing stability to those in need;
And House Bill 9978, or the “Moratorium on Payment of Student Loan Act,” which proposes to postpone the collection of student loans for a reasonable duration during and following the occurrence of disasters and other emergencies.
The Speaker’s remarks also touched on renewable energy and environmental protection.
He said the House has approved HB 8456, or the “Philippine Downstream Natural Gas Industry Development Act,” to increase the share of renewable energy in our power mix and promote sustainability, reflects our commitment to address climate change and ensure a resilient future for our nation; and
HB 9663, or the “National Water Resources Act,” which calls for the establishment of the Department of Water Resource Management and enhances disaster preparedness measures which are critical steps towards safeguarding our environment and ensuring sustainable development.
“All these legislative measures that we had approved are not merely words on paper; they embody our commitment to the welfare of every Filipino and reflect our dedication to creating a more just, prosperous, and dynamic society. As Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, ‘The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today’,” Romualdez said.
He congratulated his colleagues, its officers, the congressional staff, and the chamber’s secretariat personnel, including contractual employees.
“Let us carry with us the understanding that our work is not just a responsibility but a noble privilege – a chance to uplift our fellow Filipinos, leave a lasting imprint on our society, and pave the way for a more prosperous tomorrow,” he said.