Before adjourning for the Christmas break, Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Wednesday lauded his fellow lawmakers after the House of Representatives (HRep) was able to approve on final reading 20 Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) priority measures three months ahead of schedule. He also recognized them for passing on final reading all 17 State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2023 priority bills seven months before SONA 2024. “We continue to produce landmark legislation that are designed to strengthen the economy, revitalize business, and widen the scope of services provided to our kababayans,” he said. Speaker Romualdez also highlighted that the 2024 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) is being scheduled for submission to the President after the House and the Senate’s timely ratification of the measure’s bicameral report. “The House of Representatives considers it a core mission to utilize the national budget next year to address four major concerns: 1) fight inflation; 2) keep the price of rice and basic food items at affordable levels; 3) provide more jobs and livelihood; and 4) expand social services,” he assured everyone. Speaker Romualdez also recognized that the House is taking a more active role in nation-building by exercising its oversight functions. He bared that the House would prioritize reviewing the proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution next year, particularly the restrictions blocking the entry of foreign capital and investments to ultimately “unlock the vast potential of the Philippine economy.” The HRep also ratified the bicameral conference committee reports on the disagreeing provisions of 1) House Bill (HB) 8278 and Senate Bill (SB) 2243 or the proposed “Philippine Salt industry Development Act,” 2) HB 8525 and SB 2426 or the proposed “Tatak Pinoy Act,” and 3) HB 7325 and 2221 or the proposed “Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers. The HRep will resume session in January 22, 2024. All committees were authorized to conduct meetings and hearings during the holiday break. Deputy Speakers Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco and Raymond Democrito Mendoza also presided over the plenary session.
SPEAKER ROMUALDEZ COMMENDS FELLOWS FOR BILLS OUTPUT; BICAM REPORTS ON PRIORITY MEASURES RATIFIED
