THE House of Representatives is prioritizing legislation aimed at sustaining economic growth, expanding business opportunities, and improving the lives of Filipino families, a lawmaker said.
Speaking at the opening of the 20th Manila Foods and Beverages Expo at the World Trade Center, Camarines Sur Rep. Tsuyoshi Anthony “Hori” Horibata said the chamber remains focused on measures that produce tangible benefits for the public and the economy.
The lawmaker, who delivered the message on behalf of the House leadership, said lawmakers have chosen to concentrate on policies that help communities, workers, entrepreneurs, and families, instead of allowing legislative work to be defined only by political noise.
“The House has chosen to concentrate on legislation that can make a real difference in people’s lives and help move the economy forward. Much of that work happens quietly and away from the spotlight,” he said.
He said the House approved 229 measures during the First Regular Session of the 20th Congress that are now awaiting Senate action. These include 66 national bills and 163 local measures.
The approved measures cover economic reforms, social protection, infrastructure, education, healthcare, government modernization, food security, and local development initiatives.
“These are not merely numbers on a legislative report. They represent better benefits for our students, more paved roads, improved government services, and expanded economic opportunities,” Horibata said.
Addressing business owners, exhibitors, entrepreneurs, and industry stakeholders, Horibata said the House and the private sector share the same objective of creating opportunities that can improve the lives of ordinary Filipinos.
He said national progress should be measured not only through political debates or public statements, but through concrete indicators such as business growth, job creation, better services, and greater opportunities for families.
Among the major measures approved by the House are the proposed National Land Use Act, amendments to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps, the eBayad Act, and the Philippine Waste-to-Energy Act.
The chamber also advanced bills seeking stronger child online protection, a national nutrition program for Filipino children, an expanded mandate for the Bases Conversion and Development Authority to attract investments and generate jobs, longer validity of Professional Regulation Commission licenses, and greater transparency in government through a proposed Right to Information law.
“Together, they represent concrete efforts to make it easier for businesses to grow, for investments to flow, and for Filipino families to enjoy a better quality of life,” Horibata said.
He also compared lawmaking to entrepreneurship, saying both require patience, discipline, preparation, coordination, and sustained work away from public view.
“In many respects, legislation is much like entrepreneurship. Progress requires patience, discipline, and steady work behind the scenes. The public often sees only the finished product, but success is built on countless hours of preparation, coordination, and execution,” he said.
The lawmaker also congratulated Worldbex Services International for staging MAFBEX for two decades, describing the annual event as a major platform for the country’s food and beverage sector.