SPEAKER Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III on Monday said Filipino families stand to benefit directly from the priority measures identified by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for consideration during the special session of Congress, as he highlighter the House of Representatives’ work in advancing legislation focused on social protection, education, healthcare, and economic opportunity.
Dy said the measures listed in Proclamation No. 1318 address some of the most pressing concerns facing ordinary Filipinos, particularly students, senior citizens, low-income families, and communities in geographically isolated areas.
“Ang mga panukalang ito ay may direktang epekto sa buhay ng ating mga kababayan. Kapag napalawak natin ang access sa edukasyon, napalakas ang sistema ng ayuda para sa mga nangangailangan, at napabuti ang serbisyong pangkalusugan, mas maraming pamilyang Pilipino ang magkakaroon ng pagkakataong umangat at magkaroon ng mas magandang kinabukasan,” said the Speaker.
Among the measures identified by the President are amendments to the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) Act and the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, which seek to expand educational opportunities for Filipino students.
Also included are the proposed National Center for Geriatric Health Act, which aims to improve specialized healthcare services for senior citizens, and the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) Act, which seeks to institutionalize assistance for Filipinos facing medical, financial, and other emergencies.
The President likewise identified the proposed Last Mile and Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged and Conflict-Affected Areas (GIDA) Schools Act, which seeks to improve educational access in underserved communities, as well as amendments to the Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act to strengthen nutrition programs for children.
According to Dy, these measures reflect a common objective: ensuring that government services reach those who need them most.
“Nais ng mga panukalang ito na gawing mas abot-kamay ang tulong ng pamahalaan para sa bawat Pilipino, lalo na sa mga sektor na higit na nangangailangan ng suporta,” he said.
The House chief noted that all of the measures specifically identified by the President for the special session have already been approved by the House of Representatives, allowing the Senate an opportunity to complete action on the proposals.
“Our people have waited long enough for many of these reforms. The House has already done its part, and we are hopeful that the legislative process can move forward so these measures can become law and begin delivering benefits to our constituents,” Dy said.
Before adjourning sine die on June 3, the House had already acted on 26 measures under the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) Common Legislative Agenda, or half of the administration’s 52 priority measures.
Beyond the measures identified for the special session, the House has also approved major reforms such as the proposed National Land Use Act, Right to Information Act, amendments to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Department of Water Resources Act, restructuring of the Energy Regulatory Commission, Waste-to-Energy Act, Digital Payments Act, and the proposed Anti-Fake News and Disinformation Act.
Dy said these accomplishments demonstrate the House’s commitment to translating legislation into tangible improvements in the lives of Filipinos.
“Ang tunay na sukatan ng pagiging epektibo ng ating mga panukala ay kung paano nito napapagaan at napapaganda ang buhay ng ating mga kababayan,” he said.
“Kung mas maraming estudyante ang makakapag-aral, mas maraming senior citizen ang makatatanggap ng tamang pangangalaga, mas maraming pamilya ang matutulungan sa panahon ng pangangailangan, at mas maraming Pilipino ang magkakaroon ng pagkakataong umunlad, nagagawa natin nang tama ang ating tungkulin.”
The Speaker said the House remains committed to working with the Senate and the Executive Branch to ensure that these priority measures become law and ultimately deliver meaningful and lasting benefits to the Filipino people
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