SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin Romualdez assured the Filipino-American community of the unwavering support of the House of Representatives to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and the realization of his vision for a brighter future for all Filipinos.
The Speaker joined President Marcos and his delegation in a meeting with the Fil-Am community at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Washington, D.C. following the bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden.
“The House of Representatives will continue working hand-in-hand with President Marcos to advance his legislative, policies, and initiatives geared towards job creation, improved business climate, and a better life for all Filipinos,” Romualdez said.
Romualdez laid the groundwork for the official visit of President Marcos to the US through a series of engagements with US officials and American business leaders.
“This is our way of thanking all our overseas Filipino workers for their invaluable contributions to the economic growth of our country and for showcasing to the world the solid work ethic, talent, and the good nature of all Filipinos,” he added.
In his speech, President Marcos expressed his gratitude to the Filipino overseas workers for their remittances and that helped to keep the Philippine economy afloat, particularly during the coronavirus pandemic.
Speaker Romualdez said the positive outcome of the meeting between the two leaders, particularly the announcement of President Joe Biden that he will send a presidential trade and investment mission, the Philippines can expect more job creation and economic growth.
“The prospect of a presidential trade and investment mission fills the nation with hope and optimism for a brighter future,” Speaker Romualdez said.
He said the House is ready to pass necessary legislations that would facilitate the entry of trade and investments from the US generated by the official visit of President Marcos and to ensure these would all redound to the benefit of the Filipino people.
“We have already manifested our solid commitment to support the prosperity agenda of President Marcos by passing the necessary measures to help establish the Philippines as an ideal destination for foreign investments. We will continue to do so,” Speaker Romualdez said.
When the House adjourned for its Holy Week break, the chamber has s approved on third and final reading 23 of 31 bills identified by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) as priority measures of the Marcos administration, while the remaining eight measures are in advanced stages of deliberation.
Among the economic-related measures in the LEDAC priority bills the House had approved include the E-Governance Act / E-Government Act, Internet Transaction Act / E-Commerce Law, Waste-to-Energy Bill, Apprenticeship Act, Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Law, and the Government Financial Institutions Unified Initiatives to Distressed Enterprises for Economic Recovery.
Aside from the 31 measures in the LEDAC list, Speaker Romualdez said the House has identified 21 measures that they wanted to be given priority, where 10 are intended for LEDAC endorsement. Four of these – the Maharlika Investment Fund bill, Ease of Paying Taxes Act, LGU Income Classification, and Amendment to Universal Health Care Act – have been approved on third and final reading.
The House priority list also includes the Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 6, calling for a constitutional convention to amend “restrictive” economic provisions of the Charter to enable the country to attract more foreign investments, and its implementing measure, HB No. 7352.
Catherine R. Cueto
