House ready to act on SONA legislative agenda — Speaker

THE HOUSE of Representatives will back any legislative priorities Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. will mention in his third State of the Nation Address (SONA), Speaker and Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said on Sunday.

Mr. Marcos is expected to mention the need to prioritize laws enabling economic development, healthcare, education, and infrastructure, he added.

“The President’s SONA will provide a clear roadmap, and the House is prepared to translate this vision into tangible legislative outcomes,” he said in a statement. “The SONA will set the tone for our legislative agenda, and we are more than ready to take the necessary actions to achieve our shared vision for a better Philippines.”

The chamber would also deliberate remaining Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) bills while eyeing to accomplish the proposed 2025 national budget before September, Mr. Romualdez said.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is expected to submit next year’s proposed P6.352-trillion national budget on July 29, a week after Mr. Marcos’ state address and a comprehensive review of the Cabinet, said Mr. Romualdez.

Zambales Rep. Jefferson F. Khonghun said in a separate statement that he expects Mr. Marcos to mention the need for laws that would support micro, small, and medium enterprises, spurring the creation of more jobs for Filipinos.

Regional development through the construction of infrastructure projects would likely be mentioned by Mr. Marcos, citing the need to strengthen interregional connectivity between provinces, Lanao del Sur Rep. Ziaur-Rahman Alonto Adiong said in the same statement.

In a separate statement, Bohol Rep. Kristine Alexie Besas-Tutor urged Congress to also prioritize social bills aside from the economic bills set by LEDAC.

“I appeal for a Social Agenda because it is urgent and necessary to improve the quality of life of Filipinos especially the vulnerable and neglected sectors,” she said on Saturday. “Among these vulnerable and neglected sectors are children, PWDs (persons with disabilities), families of OFWs (overseas Filipino workers), seniors, women, workers, and MSME (micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises) entrepreneurs.” — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio