The House of Representatives approved 38 bills on second reading in a single plenary session, advancing measures on governance reform, disaster response, energy security, public safety, infrastructure, and local development.
The May 20 approvals reflected the chamber’s commitment to continue working on priority legislation despite the politically charged atmosphere in Congress.
“At the resumption of session, we said that the House must continue to act with purpose, discipline, and resolve. Ang mahalaga ngayon ay tuluy-tuloy nating ginagawa ang trabaho at mandato na ipinagkatiwala sa atin ng taumbayan,” Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III said.
“Patuloy nating pagtutuunan ng pansin ang mga panukalang batas na may direktang epekto sa buhay ng mga Pilipino,” he added.
Among the measures approved was House Bill No. 8389, or the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Act, which seeks to prohibit political dynasties in national and local elective posts. The bill, originally authored by Dy and Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, is among the priority measures of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).
Also approved was House Bill No. 9305, which seeks to institutionalize a National Emergency Response and Resiliency Framework and create the proposed KALINGA Program. The measure aims to ensure economic stability, energy security, and continuity of essential services during crises.
The House also passed on second reading House Bill No. 8392, which seeks to declare National Election Day a regular non-working holiday, and House Bill No. 8702, which proposes to raise the compulsory retirement age of Philippine National Police (PNP) uniformed personnel from 56 to 57.
Several energy and infrastructure measures were likewise advanced, including House Bill No. 9010, which grants a franchise for the transportation and distribution of natural gas and petroleum products. Other bills involved electric cooperative franchises meant to improve power distribution in various provinces.
The Speaker said the House would continue pushing measures grounded in accountability, transparency, and public welfare.
“Sa bawat hakbang ng Kamara, ang layunin natin ay tiyaking may konkretong mararamdaman ang ating mga kababayan at mapanatili ang tiwala nila sa mga institusyon ng pamahalaan,” the Isabela solon said.
The chamber also approved local measures declaring special non-working holidays and commemorative observances in several provinces, cities, and municipalities.
The one-day approval of 38 bills followed the House’s recent passage on third and final reading of three major measures, including two LEDAC priority bills: amendments to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program Act and the proposed Philippine Waste to Energy Act.
Lawmakers also approved on third reading the proposed National Land Use Act, a long-pending measure that seeks to create a rational and science-based framework for land use and physical planning.
The proposed law aims to harmonize development planning with food security, environmental protection, housing, infrastructure, and disaster resilience through a more coherent national land use policy.