NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
House To Prioritize Food, Jobs, Education, And Health As 20th Congress Opens
Photo credit: Congress PH
As the 20th Congress opened its regular session on Tuesday, the House of Representatives made clear its central mission: to craft legislation that responds directly to the everyday needs of ordinary Filipinos.
“We will build an economy not just for the top 1%, but for the struggling 99% — an economy where ordinary people don’t just survive, they succeed,” said Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez in his address to lawmakers.
Guided by the policy directions laid out by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in his recent State of the Nation Address, Speaker Romualdez emphasized that the House will align its priorities with the people’s most pressing concerns — food, employment, education, and public health.
“Ang Kongreso ay hindi dapat maging tahanan ng mga pribilehiyo, kundi sandigan ng pangkaraniwang Pilipino,” the Speaker declared.
Legislation with a Human Face
Among the top agenda items is food security. Romualdez said the House will push for the passage of the Rice Industry and Consumer Empowerment (RICE) Act, aimed at stabilizing the rice supply while safeguarding farmers’ welfare.
He stressed that rice smuggling, hoarding, and price manipulation must be met with decisive reforms in enforcement and agriculture policy.
“Sa bayan ng masisipag na magsasaka, walang karapatang magutom ang mamamayan,” he said.
Complementing this, the House also plans to expand irrigation systems, improve post-harvest facilities, and support farm modernization. The institutionalization of the Walang Gutom Program, which provides monthly electronic food credits for vulnerable families, will also be included in the 2026 budget.
Dignified Work and Long-Term Jobs
Turning to employment, Speaker Romualdez highlighted the need for legislation that creates decent and sustainable work — particularly by empowering small businesses, boosting access to capital, and expanding TESDA programs.
He also echoed the President’s call to nurture industries such as automotive, electronics, biotechnology, and construction, which have the potential to generate long-term employment.
“Ang trabaho ay hindi lamang kabuhayan. Kakambal nito ang dangal, ito ang kinabukasan,” he said.
Romualdez underscored the need to resist economic models that benefit only the elite, saying it is time to build an economy that truly uplifts the working majority.
Access to Education for All
On education, the Speaker vowed to close learning gaps by advancing the Last Mile Schools Act and amending the E-GASTPE Law to extend support for underprivileged students. He also promised to expand the ARAL Program and bolster mental health initiatives in schools.
“Ang edukasyon ay hindi dapat premyo sa may kaya, kundi karapatan ng bawat bata,” he said.
Health Care That Cares
Healthcare was another key focus. Romualdez reaffirmed the House’s commitment to achieve zero billing in all government hospitals — aiming to remove out-of-pocket costs for patients.
He said this goal would be backed by investments in more health workers for underserved areas and stronger access to essential medicine.
“Sa ospital ng gobyerno, walang dapat maghirap para lang mabuhay,” he emphasized.
Peace, Safety, and Stronger Governance
Speaker Romualdez said peace and order should go beyond ending conflict — they must foster justice, safety, and opportunity for all. The House will support local peace councils, law enforcement, and national electrification to help achieve these aims.
The Speaker also backed stronger defense and disaster preparedness, noting that the protection of lives must be at the heart of national security.
On governance, he called for a more agile and people-centered bureaucracy, citing the need to digitalize services, remove red tape, and raise the standards of public service.
“Hindi na sapat ang ‘puwede na.’ Ang kailangan ng Pilipino: mabilis, maayos at may malasakit na serbisyo,” he said.
A Call for Impactful Reform
Romualdez closed his address with a call to action, urging his fellow lawmakers to legislate not only with intellect but with compassion.
“Let the 20th Congress be a turning point — not just in the laws we pass, but in the lives we changed,” he said.
He challenged the chamber to go beyond passing technically sound laws and instead focus on legislation that delivers meaningful, real-world results.
“Hindi sapat ang batas na maganda sa papel — dapat ito’y may saysay sa buhay.”
As the House moves forward, the Speaker reminded everyone of the institution’s core identity: the House of the People.
“Let us be remembered for being worthy of that name.”
“We will build an economy not just for the top 1%, but for the struggling 99% — an economy where ordinary people don’t just survive, they succeed,” said Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez in his address to lawmakers.
Guided by the policy directions laid out by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in his recent State of the Nation Address, Speaker Romualdez emphasized that the House will align its priorities with the people’s most pressing concerns — food, employment, education, and public health.
“Ang Kongreso ay hindi dapat maging tahanan ng mga pribilehiyo, kundi sandigan ng pangkaraniwang Pilipino,” the Speaker declared.
Legislation with a Human Face
Among the top agenda items is food security. Romualdez said the House will push for the passage of the Rice Industry and Consumer Empowerment (RICE) Act, aimed at stabilizing the rice supply while safeguarding farmers’ welfare.
He stressed that rice smuggling, hoarding, and price manipulation must be met with decisive reforms in enforcement and agriculture policy.
“Sa bayan ng masisipag na magsasaka, walang karapatang magutom ang mamamayan,” he said.
Complementing this, the House also plans to expand irrigation systems, improve post-harvest facilities, and support farm modernization. The institutionalization of the Walang Gutom Program, which provides monthly electronic food credits for vulnerable families, will also be included in the 2026 budget.
Dignified Work and Long-Term Jobs
Turning to employment, Speaker Romualdez highlighted the need for legislation that creates decent and sustainable work — particularly by empowering small businesses, boosting access to capital, and expanding TESDA programs.
He also echoed the President’s call to nurture industries such as automotive, electronics, biotechnology, and construction, which have the potential to generate long-term employment.
“Ang trabaho ay hindi lamang kabuhayan. Kakambal nito ang dangal, ito ang kinabukasan,” he said.
Romualdez underscored the need to resist economic models that benefit only the elite, saying it is time to build an economy that truly uplifts the working majority.
Access to Education for All
On education, the Speaker vowed to close learning gaps by advancing the Last Mile Schools Act and amending the E-GASTPE Law to extend support for underprivileged students. He also promised to expand the ARAL Program and bolster mental health initiatives in schools.
“Ang edukasyon ay hindi dapat premyo sa may kaya, kundi karapatan ng bawat bata,” he said.
Health Care That Cares
Healthcare was another key focus. Romualdez reaffirmed the House’s commitment to achieve zero billing in all government hospitals — aiming to remove out-of-pocket costs for patients.
He said this goal would be backed by investments in more health workers for underserved areas and stronger access to essential medicine.
“Sa ospital ng gobyerno, walang dapat maghirap para lang mabuhay,” he emphasized.
Peace, Safety, and Stronger Governance
Speaker Romualdez said peace and order should go beyond ending conflict — they must foster justice, safety, and opportunity for all. The House will support local peace councils, law enforcement, and national electrification to help achieve these aims.
The Speaker also backed stronger defense and disaster preparedness, noting that the protection of lives must be at the heart of national security.
On governance, he called for a more agile and people-centered bureaucracy, citing the need to digitalize services, remove red tape, and raise the standards of public service.
“Hindi na sapat ang ‘puwede na.’ Ang kailangan ng Pilipino: mabilis, maayos at may malasakit na serbisyo,” he said.
A Call for Impactful Reform
Romualdez closed his address with a call to action, urging his fellow lawmakers to legislate not only with intellect but with compassion.
“Let the 20th Congress be a turning point — not just in the laws we pass, but in the lives we changed,” he said.
He challenged the chamber to go beyond passing technically sound laws and instead focus on legislation that delivers meaningful, real-world results.
“Hindi sapat ang batas na maganda sa papel — dapat ito’y may saysay sa buhay.”
As the House moves forward, the Speaker reminded everyone of the institution’s core identity: the House of the People.
“Let us be remembered for being worthy of that name.”
Jul 29, 2025
We are dedicated storytellers with a passion for bringing your brand to life. Our services range from news and media features to brand promotion and collaborations.
Interested? Visit our
Contact Us page for more information. To learn more about what we offer, check out our latest article on services and opportunities.
