SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Wednesday night declared the 19th Congress a success, emphasizing that the House of Representatives “worked hard and made change real” by crafting and enacting laws that directly improved the lives of Filipinos.
“The World Bank’s latest forecast is more than just good news—it is a clear validation that our country is moving in the right direction. We are no longer just recovering. We are rising. We are breaking through,” Romualdez said.
According to its June 2025 Economic Update, the World Bank ranked the Philippines as the second-fastest growing economy in Southeast Asia, posting a solid 5.6% GDP growth in 2024, with strong projections through 2027. Only Vietnam ranks higher in the region.
A People-Centered Breakthrough
Romualdez emphasized that this growth must be measured not only in economic data, but in how it uplifts the everyday lives of Filipinos.
“Ang ibig sabihin ng breakthrough na ito: mas maraming trabaho para sa ating manggagawa, mas mataas ang kita ng maliliit na negosyo, mas maraming oportunidad para sa mga estudyante at kabataan, at mas magaan ang buhay para sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino,” the Speaker said.
He credited the administration’s Bagong Pilipinas agenda, in partnership with a responsive and reform-oriented Congress, for laying the groundwork through strategic policy reforms and investment in people.
The House as Catalyst for Change
Romualdez underscored the pivotal role of the House of Representatives in advancing legislation that fueled this growth:
• Ease of Doing Business reforms to support MSMEs and job creators
• Massive infrastructure funding to enhance connectivity and logistics nationwide
• Expanded support for farmers, fisherfolk, and rural enterprises
• Digital transformation policies to bridge urban-rural development gaps
• Laws on education, health care, and social protection to build long-term human capital
“We are not just growing fast—we are growing right. Congress made sure our laws open doors for ordinary Filipinos, not just the elite. That is the breakthrough we fought for,” Romualdez declared.
The Speaker added that the country’s economic trajectory signals a major turning point:
“We are entering a new phase—not defined by crisis, but by confidence and capability. From being vulnerable to shocks, we are now ready to compete, to expand, and to lift our people to new heights.”
He also assured the public that the House will continue championing pro-people, pro-growth legislation aimed at reducing inequality, promoting social mobility, and empowering Filipino families.
“This breakthrough is not just for the few—it is for every Filipino who dreams of a better life. Sa Bagong Pilipinas, walang maiiwan. Sama-sama tayong aangat,” Romualdez said.
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