DEPUTY Speaker David “Jayjay” C. Suarez of the 2nd District of Quezon, together with Deputy Speaker Jefferson F. “Jay” Khonghun of the 1st District of Zambales, launched the GINHAWA KIT, a landmark legislative package that forms part of the priority agenda of LAKAS-CMD. The comprehensive reform initiative directly tackles three of the most pressing daily burdens faced by Filipino families: high electricity costs, unreliable and expensive internet access, and obstacles to securing decent employment.
Representing Ginhawa sa Kuryente, Internet, at Trabaho, the GINHAWA KIT seeks to transform essential systems so that ordinary households can move from mere survival toward real opportunity, dignity, and progress.
“Through the GINHAWA KIT, we are bringing real, immediate relief to where Filipino families feel the heaviest burden—on their electricity bills that keep the lights on, their internet connection that opens doors to learning and opportunity, and their path to a decent, dignified job,” said Deputy Speaker Suarez.
Deputy Speaker Khonghun emphasized the party’s unified commitment, noting that this package reflects LAKAS-CMD’s dedication to pro-poor, pro-Filipino reforms that deliver tangible benefits to the masses: “Ang GINHAWA KIT ay patunay na ang LAKAS-CMD ay laging nasa tabi ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino na nahihirapan sa araw-araw na gastusin. Dapat maramdaman nila na may pag-asa at suporta—hindi lang pangako, kundi tunay na aksyon para sa mas magaan na buhay at mas magandang kinabukasan.”
The package includes two bills and one resolution:
House Bill 8191 or the “GINHAWA sa Kuryente Act”
Amends Republic Act No. 9136 (EPIRA) to make lifeline rate enrollment automatic for qualified marginalized households, removing bureaucratic barriers that have prevented many from receiving the benefit. It also extends a uniform 50% discount on electricity charges to households with at least one minimum wage earner, applied only to their principal residence. Robust safeguards—including one-account-per-household limits, periodic revalidation, strict data privacy rules, and an inter-agency oversight committee—ensure the program remains precise, transparent, and protected from misuse.
2. House Resolution 823 or the “GINHAWA sa Koneksyon ng Internet”
A House Resolution directing the Committee on Information and Communications Technology to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, into the reliability, quality, affordability, and consumer remedies of internet and data services—building on the implementation of Republic Act No. 12234 (Konektadong Pinoy Act). The inquiry will examine pricing relative to household income, rural-urban service gaps, enforcement effectiveness by the NTC and DICT, and the consequences for education, remote work, and digital inclusion, with the goal of strengthening competition, transparency, and universal access.
3. House Bill 8192 or the “GINHAWA sa Paghahanap ng Trabaho Act”
Amends Republic Act No. 11261 to standardize application-stage documentary requirements, ban abusive practices such as requiring original civil registry documents or multiple overlapping clearances, and create a secure, consent-based Employment Verification Service integrated with eGovPH. Through QR-enabled verification, employers can quickly confirm IDs, clearances, and credentials while accessibility is preserved via assisted channels for jobseekers without smartphones or stable internet. Incentives aligned with the CREATE MORE Act encourage employers to hire and train first-time jobseekers.
The GINHAWA KIT is strongly supported by 75 members of LAKAS-CMD as co-authors of the legislative measures, demonstrating the party’s broad commitment to these reforms. The co-authors include: Representatives Romualdez, Ferdinand Martin G., Adiong, Zia Alonto, Alba, Jose Manuel F., Aquino, Jose II “Joboy” S., Arbison, Munir, Arenas, Ma. Rachel J., Asistio, Dean, Aumentado, Maria Vanessa C., Balindong, Yasser Alonto, Baronda, Julienne “Jam’’, Cagas, John Tracy F., Calixto, Antonino G., Castro, Jane T., Chua, Joel R., Corvera, Dale B., Cruz, Agay, Cruzado, Edwin L., Degamo, Janice V., Dimaporo, Sittie Aminah Q., Dionisio, Ernesto Jr. M., Espina, Gerardo “Gerryboy” Jr. J., Galang, Gerald Clyod Alexis, Galeos, Edsel A., Garcia, Dante S., Garin, Janette L., Gonzales, Alyssa Michaela “Mica” M., Gorrieceta, Kathy, Kho, Wilton “Tonton” T., Labadlabad, Ai, Lagon, Daphne A., Lara, Joseph “Jojo” L., Macapagal-Arroyo, Gloria, Mastura, Bai Dimple I., Matugas, Lalo, Olivarez, Eric, Ortega, Francisco Paolo V P., Ouano-Dizon, Emmarie “Lolypop”, Panaligan, Arnan C., Panotes, Rosemarie C., Pascual, Emerson D., Pleyto, Salvador A., Primicias-Agabas, Marlyn L., Rama, Eduardo R., Roman, Tony, Romualdo, Jurdin Jesus M., Sagarbarria, Ma. Isabel “Maisa” L., Sakaluran, Ruth, Salceda, Adrian, Salvacion, Reynaldo, Santos, Ma. Alana Samantha T., Solon, Steve Chiongbian, Suan, Lordan G., Tan, Joseph S., Tieng, Irwin C., Tuan, Dibu S., Tupas, Binky, Tutor, Kristine Alexie B., Uy, De Carlo “Oyo”, Uy, Roberto “Pinpin” Jr., Vargas-Alfonso, Baby Aline, Vargas, Patrick Michael D., Yap, Christopherson M., Yap, Eric Go, Yu, Joseph Kim, Yulo, Emilio Bernardino L., Bernos, JB, Dayanghirang, Nelson Jr., Flores, Jonathan Keith T., Arbison, Munir “Abdulmunir” M., Chua, Joel R., Domogan, Mauricio G., Kho, Elisa “Olga” T., Kho, Antonio T.
The initiative is grounded in reliable data from the 2024 National Information and Communications Technology Household Survey (NICTHS), Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), World Bank reports, and other credible sources that continue to highlight affordability challenges in utilities and connectivity, as well as employment barriers for youth and low-wage workers.
“Hindi sapat na makaraos lang ang pamilya—kailangan nilang makaramdam ng tunay na ginhawa upang makapagbigay ng mas magandang bukas sa kanilang mga anak at sa susunod na henerasyon. Iyan po ang ating ipinaglalaban sa GINHAWA KIT,” the Deputy Speaker Suarez concluded.
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