SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Tuesday assured Overseas Filipino Workers that the House of Representatives will help push President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s initiatives to create more jobs, bring down prices, and promote the general welfare of every Filipino.
Romualdez made the statement after he accompanied Pres. Marcos and other government officials in meeting with the Filipino community at the EQ Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, kicking off the President’s 3-day state visit to Malaysia.
The Speaker noted that in his 2nd State of the Nation Address (SONA) Pres. Marcos said that among the top priorities of his administration is to sustain the country’s economic trajectory to create more decent jobs and provide workers with the option to stay here or work abroad.
“Bilang lider ng Kamara, makaasa ang ating mga kababayan, lalo na ang ating mga OFW, na ipapasa namin ang mga repormang nais ng Pangulo at maglalaan kami ng tamang pondo para sa mga programa sa pagkakaroon ng mas maraming trabaho, murang mga bilihin, at mga karampatang social services para sa lahat ng Pilipino,” Romualdez said.
“We are one with the President’s aspirations to uplift the life of every Filipino so that parents no longer need to leave home and work abroad for their family’s survival but only as a matter of choice,” he added.
Romualdez noted that upon the conclusion of the First Regular Session of the 19th Congress the House has approved 33 out of the 42 priority bills of President Marcos adopted by the Legislative Executive Advisory Council (LEDAC).
“The House will work expeditiously for the passage of the 17 measures outlined by President in his 2nd SONA as well as the remaining LEDAC priority measures, which include the National Employment Action Plan and the amendment to the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act, which will benefit our workers and farmers,” Romualdez said.
Earlier, Romualdez vowed that the House will likely be able to pass the proposed PHP 5.768-trillion 2024 National Expenditure Program by October this year after comprehensive scrutiny of the budget.
“We’d like to ensure that priority programs, such as those geared to promote the welfare of our workers and basic social services are provided ample allocations. At the same time, we would continue the exercise of our oversight functions to ensure all of these are properly implemented,” Romualdez said.
Meanwhile, Romualdez also thanked the Filipino community in Malaysia for their warm welcome to Pres. Marcos and his entire delegation.
“Maraming salamat po sa mainit ninyong pagtanggap sa amin. Magsisilbi itong inspirasyon para mas lalo kaming magsumikap na tulungan ang ating Pangulo na maisakatuparan ang kanyang mga pangarap para sa isang Bagong Pilipinas,” Romualdez said.
