Congress is being called back into session to wrap up key legislative work on priority bills, with House leaders expressing readiness to move swiftly on measures aimed at strengthening social services and expanding access to education and healthcare.
House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call for a special session on June 17 gives lawmakers an opportunity to complete pending action on major reform bills identified under Proclamation No. 1318.
Dy said the House of Representatives is prepared to act on the President’s directive, noting that all measures listed for the special session have already been approved by the chamber.
“The House of Representatives stands ready to heed the President’s call and continue advancing legislation that directly responds to the needs of our people,” Dy said.
The priority measures include the National Center for Geriatric Health Act, amendments to the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education Act, the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation Act, amendments to the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, the Last Mile Schools Act, amendments to the Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act, the Anti-Political Dynasty Act, and the Presidential Merit Scholarship Program Act, among others.
Dy said these initiatives are part of broader efforts to strengthen social protection and improve living conditions for Filipino families.
He also reported that before Congress adjourned sine die on June 3, the House had already acted on 26 of the 52 measures under the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) Common Legislative Agenda.
Of these, one measure has been enacted into law, one has completed bicameral conference committee approval, three remain under bicameral deliberations, and 21 have been approved on third and final reading.
Aside from the bills listed for the special session, the House has also passed several other LEDAC priority measures, including proposals such as the National Land Use Act, Right to Information Act, amendments to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, Department of Water Resources Act, Energy Regulatory Commission restructuring, Waste-to-Energy Act, Digital Payments Act, and the Anti-Fake News and Disinformation Act.
Dy said the chamber remains committed to completing the legislative process in coordination with the Senate and the Executive branch.
“The House has already laid much of the groundwork for these priority reforms,” he said, adding that lawmakers aim to ensure the measures are translated into tangible benefits for the public.
House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, in a separate statement, said the special session underscores the administration’s push to fast-track urgent legislation.
He said the priority bills are intended to expand educational opportunities, strengthen assistance programs for vulnerable sectors, and improve healthcare and social protection systems.
“The House has demonstrated its readiness to act decisively on important reforms,” he said, expressing hope for swift Senate concurrence to complete the legislative process.
Photo courtesy of PH Congress, PCO
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