THE House of Representatives has finished the year 2023 with flying colors because of its achievements in terms of approved bills that would sustain economic growth, create more jobs, and income opportunities and in general, make life better for the people.

This is the remarks of Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez as he led the closing of the session for the Holiday break.

Aside from the “sterling accomplishments,” the House ratified last Monday the “most important measure of the year – the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) for Fiscal Year 2024.”

“The House of Representatives considers it a core mission to utilize the national budget next year to address four major concerns: fight inflation, keep the price of rice and other basic food items at affordable levels, provide more jobs and livelihood, and expand social services,” he said.

He said next year’s outlay includes a “revolutionary rice subsidy program” of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.

“With this new program, we seek to drive down the price of quality rice by almost half for 28 million Filipinos who are under challenging situations,” he added

“Kung maipapatupad ang programang ito, magagamit ng ating mga kababayan ang pera nila para makabili ng bigas nang hindi lalampas sa P30 per kilo. Hindi rin lugi dito ang mga kapatid nating magsasaka dahil gagamitin ang government subsidy sa pagbili ng bigas mula sa kanilang palayan,” Romualdez stressed.

He pointed out that the rice subsidy program would be implemented in all districts, cities and communities, from Aparri in Cagayan in the north to Jolo, Sulu in the south.

The leader of the 300-plus-strong House of Representatives told his colleagues that his chamber, under his leadership, also took a “more activist role” in nation-building.

“Many have noticed that the House of the People, perhaps for the first time, is exercising fully its oversight function to address the concerns of ordinary Filipinos,” he said.

In aid of legislation, he said the House exposed and brought down a cartel in the onion industry, driving the agricultural product’s price back to manageable level.

“We are fighting the cartels behind smuggling, hoarding and price manipulation of rice and other food commodities. We are helping the executive department in its relentless war against big-time drug traffickers,” he said.

“Kasama tayong lagi ng Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sa lahat ng laban niya,” he said.

Touching on the House accomplishments, the Speaker reported that the House had passed all 20 measures prioritized by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) as of September, “or three months ahead of schedule.”

He said President Marcos, in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July 2023, mentioned 17 priority bills “sustain our economic recovery and improve the living condition of our people.”

“It is with great pride and honor to report to this august chamber that we passed all of these 17 SONA priority measures seven months ahead of the President’s next SONA in July 2024,” he said.

He said with the timely approval of urgent legislative proposals endorsed by the President and the LEDAC, “we, as the duty elected representatives of the Filipino people, have done our bounden duty to realize their aspirations by strengthening the economy, revitalizing businesses and broadening the scope of services provided to the majority of our citizenry.”

Of the 20 LEDAC measures, four have been enacted into law: 1) The National Employment Master Plan or Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act; 2) LGU Income Classification Act; 3) Internet Transactions Act; and 4) Public-Private Partnership Code of the Philippines.

In addition, both Houses of Congress have already ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the New Philippine Passport Act and the Philippine Industry Development Act.

Speaker Romualdez said among the 17 SONA bills, the Automatic Income Classification of Local Government Units Act has been signed into law (Republic Act No. 11964) by the President last October 26.

He said the Ease of Paying Taxes Act “is another SONA measure that is expected to drive foreign direct investments and enhance the country’s competitiveness as an investment destination.”

This proposed law has been approved by the bicameral conference committee last December 6 and has been sent to President Marcos.

As of November 28, 10 out of the 17 SONA measures have been approved by the House on third and final reading.

These include amendments to the Fisheries Code, excise tax on single-use plastics, VAT on digital transactions, Anti-Financial Accounts Scramming Act, Philippine Immigration Act, Rationalization of Mining Fiscal Regime, Military and Uniformed Personnel Pension Reform Act, and amendments to the Anti-Agriculture Smuggling Law.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Jester P. Manalastas