FILE

In a determined final push before the 19th Congress wraps up, the House of Representatives, under Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, has approved a series of significant bills on third and final reading—highlighting its commitment to pass laws that directly address the needs of the Filipino people.

Topping the list is House Bill No. 11376, or the proposed P200 Across-the-Board Daily Wage Increase Act, which promises a much-needed relief for private sector workers. The bill seeks to grant a P200 daily wage increase for all employees, regardless of industry or company size—aimed at easing the growing burden of inflation and the rising cost of living.

Another key legislative milestone is House Bill No. 11373, the ERC Reform Act, a Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) priority measure. This bill proposes a major overhaul of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), reconstituting it as an independent, quasi-judicial, and rule-making body. It would be solely responsible for regulating the electric power industry and would be allowed to retain 50% of its revenue for capital, operational, and personnel expenses.

But the flurry of approvals didn’t stop there. Several other notable bills also received the green light:

• HB 11044: Strengthens local government regulation of cockfighting by updating the decades-old Cockfighting Law of 1974.

• HB 11253: Bans cockpits near residential, educational, religious, and healthcare zones.

• HB 11254: Prohibits e-sabong and all forms of online cockfighting betting.

• HB 11359: Establishes a Philippine Civil Registry Authority (PCRA) to modernize and manage a reliable civil registration system.

• HB 11372: Enhances land use and infrastructure planning for state universities and colleges (SUCs) and mandates long-term development plans.

• HB 11375: Introduces a framework for low carbon economy investment, with the Climate Change Commission spearheading climate resilience efforts.

• HB 11393: Renames the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy to Philippine National Maritime Academy (PNMA) while expanding its scope and authority.

• HB 11394: Promotes sustainable construction through the development and use of bamboo, with specific architectural and structural codes to be adopted.

• HB 11395: Institutionalizes the AICS (Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations) program under DSWD to provide permanent support for indigent Filipinos.

• HB 11400: Broadens benefits for senior citizens, including expanded discounts and exemptions from traffic reduction schemes.

• HB 11402: Lays out a national policy for the Philippine Motor Vehicle Manufacturing Industry to accelerate its development.

• HB 11429: Establishes a Malunggay Industry Development Committee to support malunggay as a livelihood source and boost its role in health and nutrition.

• HB 11430: Proposes a “State of Imminent Disaster” declaration system that would allow for timely government intervention and disaster preparedness.

As the 19th Congress enters its final chapter, the approval of these measures underscores a firm legislative push to enact reforms that touch on everything from wages and welfare to education, disaster preparedness, and sustainable development. The spotlight now shifts to the Senate, where many of these bills await counterpart deliberations and final passage into law.