Manila: Speaker Faustino Dy III on Tuesday led the House of Representatives in the first Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting of the 20th Congress, advocating for the inclusion of eight new reform measures in the priority legislative agenda. During the meeting held in Malaca±ang, Dy, accompanied by other House leaders, including Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, expressed the House's dedication to collaborating with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Senate President Vicente Sotto III, and other government leaders to expedite the passage of crucial measures.
According to Philippines News Agency, Dy emphasized the collaborative governance approach to align the legislative agenda with the administration's Philippine Development Plan and its 8-point Socioeconomic Agenda. He stated that the House's legislative agenda for the 20th Congress focuses on economic growth, enhanced social protection, and governance reforms. Key elements of this agenda include laws to ensure affordable food, create sustainable jobs, enhance digital connectivity, and improve public services for all Filipinos.
Dy reported that of the 33 measures identified by the Executive, 32 have already been filed in the House, marking a promising start for effective collaboration with all government branches. He then introduced eight new measures for potential inclusion in the LEDAC priority list. These include a Disaster Risk Financing and Insurance Framework for efficient calamity response and a bill to strengthen the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) by extending its corporate life and allowing select land developments.
The House also advocates for a Presidential Merit Scholarship Program to support outstanding graduates from low- and middle-income families and a bill to disqualify relatives of officials up to the fourth degree from government contracts, aiming to enhance public service integrity. Additionally, to protect democracy, the chamber seeks to regulate digital campaigning through a Fair Use of Social Media, AI, and Internet Technology in Elections.
Another proposal is to modernize the Bureau of Immigration by professionalizing its ranks, introducing new visa categories, and upgrading border security. The proposed Rice Industry and Consumer Empowerment (RICE) Act aims to stabilize prices and strengthen the National Food Authority, while the Magna Carta for Barangays seeks to provide overdue benefits and resources for local officials and communities.
Dy expressed confidence in achieving these legislative goals under the President's leadership and the Council's collective will. He emphasized, 'Tumutugon ang Kamara de Representante sa panawagan ng taumbayan sa pamamagitan ng paglikha ng mga batas na may direktang epekto sa kanilang buhay (The House of Representatives heeds the call of the people through the creation of laws that directly affects them).'