“All this will no doubt enhance political stability, sustain economic growth and expand social services in the years to come”
THE House of Representatives is wasting no time in passing the priority bills of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC). In fact, under the leadership of Speaker Faustino G. Dy III and Majority Leader Alexander Marcos, the House has already passed 18 out of 52 LEDAC bills before the Holy Week break next week.
This means that the proposed laws have already advanced to the bicameral stage, reflecting an aggressive but disciplined push to move the Marcos Jr. administration’s legislative agenda in the 20th Congress.
For House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, the chamber’s LEDAC record shows that it has not allowed the session calendar to blunt its momentum on measures tied to economic reform, public services, education, governance and social protection.
“We are proud of what we have accomplished,” he pointed out.
The young legislator gave credit to Speaker Dy for keeping the chamber focused on legislative work, saying the House has moved with urgency amid the Middle East crisis the country has been facing recently.
“We even passed the bill giving the President the power to reduce or suspend the excise tax on petroleum products, because this what is needed by our countrymen. We all need immediate relief from high fuel prices and the corresponding increases in the costs of basic goods, transport and other commodities,” he explained.
Let’s take a look at how these 18 bills, if passed by the Senate, would benefit the country as a whole.
1. Resetting the BARMM first regular elections: Ensure a lawful, orderly, and peaceful first parliamentary election in the Bangsamoro region after legal changes (including the exclusion of Sulu) required redistricting and adjustments to the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
2. The creation of a National Center for Geriatric Health: Establish a specialized national facility for elderly care, training, and research to address the growing aging population and improve geriatric health services.
3. Amendments in the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) and Strengthening the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC): Improve regulation of power rates, increase transparency, and stabilize electricity prices.
4. Waste-to-Energy Act: Promote technologies that convert waste into electricity or fuel in order to reduce landfill use, improve waste management, and increase domestic energy supply.
5. Amendments to the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) Act: Expand subsidies and support mechanisms for students and teachers in private schools to help decongest public schools and improve access to education.
6. Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) Act: Institutionalize and standardize financial and medical assistance programs of the DSWD so aid can be delivered faster and with clearer rules.
7. Amendments to the National Building Code: Modernize construction standards to improve safety, disaster resilience, environmental compliance, and urban planning.
8. Blue Economy Act: Develop marine resources sustainably by promoting fisheries, shipping, offshore energy, tourism, and coastal industries while protecting marine ecosystems.
9. National Reintegration Bill: Provide stronger support for returning OFWs through livelihood, training, and financial programs to ensure economic reintegration.
10. Amendments to the Teachers Professionalization Act: Update licensing, training, and professional standards for teachers to improve education quality and align with modern teaching requirements.
11. Extension of Estate Tax Amnesty: Give heirs more time to settle unpaid estate taxes, formalize land ownership, and bring idle assets into the formal economy.
12. Department of Water Resources Bill: Create a single department to manage water supply, irrigation, flood control, and resource conservation, replacing the fragmented system of multiple agencies.
13. Amendments to the Bank Deposits Secrecy Law: Allow limited access to bank records in cases of corruption, tax evasion, or money laundering to strengthen financial transparency and meet global standards.
14. Travel Tax Abolition: Remove the travel tax to lower the cost of international travel and make tourism more competitive while funding tourism programs through the national budget instead.
15. Digital Payments Act: Expand electronic payments, reduce reliance on cash, improve financial inclusion, and make government and private transactions faster and more transparent.
16. Amendments to the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act: Improve implementation of free college education by fixing funding rules, clarifying coverage, and ensuring sustainability of subsidies.
17. Presidential Merit Scholarship Program: Create a national scholarship system for top students to support higher education in priority fields such as science, technology, and public service.
18. Amendments to the Biofuels Act: Increase the use of locally produced biofuels to reduce oil imports, support farmers, and improve energy security.
Taken together, the 18 measures fall into four strategic clusters: Governance and institutions; economic reform; social services; and sustainability and resources.
All this will no doubt enhance political stability, sustain economic growth and expand social services in the years to come. (Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)
