Congress has been directed to convene in a special session on June 17, 2026 through Proclamation No. 1318 issued by President Ferinand R. Marcos Jrd., to deliberate on a package of priority social protection and human development measures identified as requiring urgent legislative action.
The proclamation, issued on June 15, invokes Section 15, Article VI of the 1987 Constitution, which authorizes the President to call Congress to a special session at any time to address pressing national concerns.
The directive orders lawmakers to take up a set of bills that have reached advanced stages of deliberation but remain pending final passage, with emphasis on strengthening social welfare systems, education access, healthcare delivery, and targeted assistance for vulnerable sectors.
Included in the legislative agenda are proposals for the establishment of a National Center for Geriatric Health, amendments to the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) Act, and the institutionalization of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program.
Also listed are amendments to the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, the proposed Last Mile and Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged and Conflict-Affected Areas (GIDA) Schools Act, and revisions to the Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act.
The agenda further includes the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Law, the Presidential Merit Scholarship Program, and other measures aligned with social protection and human capital development objectives.
According to the proclamation, the special session is intended to ensure legislative continuity during the congressional recess and enable immediate action on measures deemed critical to public welfare.
The same directive also allows the Commission on Appointments to convene in order to act on pending nominations to key positions in the Cabinet, military, and foreign service, a step aimed at maintaining institutional continuity across government agencies.
The measure comes amid ongoing governance pressures, including disaster response requirements and other national-level service demands affecting education, health, and social protection systems.
Malacañang said the special session is expected to provide lawmakers a focused window to act on priority legislation needed to sustain government support programs for affected and vulnerable sectors.