Manila: A little over two weeks after calling on lawmakers to act 'with purpose, discipline, and resolve' upon the resumption of session, House Speaker Faustino 'Bojie' Dy III on Friday said the quick and steady progress of priority legislation reflects the commitment of the House of Representatives to remain focused on its constitutional mandate and responsibilities to the Filipino people.
According to Philippines News Agency, the House approved on second reading 38 bills during plenary deliberations on May 20. These measures cover various areas including governance reforms, emergency response, energy security, public safety, infrastructure, and local development initiatives.
'At the resumption of session, we said that the House must continue to act with purpose, discipline, and resolve. Ang mahalaga ngayon ay tuluy-tuloy nating ginagawa ang trabaho at mandato na ipinagkatiwala sa atin ng taumbayan (What is important now is we are continuously doing our jobs and the mandate entrusted to us by the people),' Dy said in a statement. He emphasized the importance of focusing on proposed measures that have a direct impact on the lives of Filipinos.
Among the approved measures was House Bill No. (HB) 8389, or the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Act, which seeks to prohibit political dynasties in national and local elective offices. The bill, originally authored by Speaker Dy and House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander 'Sandro' Marcos, is a priority under the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).
The House also passed on second reading HB 9305, which institutionalizes a National Emergency Response and Resiliency Framework and creates the proposed 'KALINGA Program'. This program aims to ensure economic stability, energy security, and continuity of essential services during times of crisis. The bill was likewise originally authored by Dy and Marcos.
Additional measures approved on second reading include HB 8392, which declares National Election Day a regular non-working holiday, and HB 8702, which increases the compulsory retirement age of uniformed personnel of the Philippine National Police from 56 to 57 years old.
Several energy- and infrastructure-related measures also advanced, such as HB 9010, which seeks to grant a franchise for the transportation and distribution of natural gas and petroleum products, along with multiple electric cooperative franchise measures aimed at strengthening power distribution systems in various provinces.
Dy stated that the House would continue to pursue measures anchored on accountability, transparency, and public welfare. In addition to national measures, the House approved several local bills declaring special non-working holidays and commemorative measures in different provinces, municipalities, and cities across the country.
Recently, the House approved on third reading three key measures, including two LEDAC priority bills: HB 8647 or the proposed amendments to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Act, and HB 9157 or the proposed Philippine Waste to Energy Act.
The House also approved on third reading HB 8466 or the proposed National Land Use Act, a long-awaited measure that seeks to establish a rational and science-based framework for land use and physical planning in the country. This proposed law aims to harmonize development, food security, environmental protection, housing, infrastructure, and disaster resilience through a more coherent and sustainable land use policy.
