The House of Representatives on Monday opened the Second Regular Session for the 18th Congress, amid challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano presided over the hybrid opening of the session attended by 301 lawmakers, 21 of whom were physically present at the plenary with 280 participating virtually.
In his opening remarks, Cayetano urged his fellow lawmakers to stay true to their mandate and come up with solutions to address the problems that the Filipino people face amid the continued threat of COVID-19.
"The enormity the challenges and severity of the crisis we face require much faith, sacrifice and hard work. Not just from our leaders but from each and every one of us," he said.
"It is in this spirit that we need to move together as one nation, move fast and united. United in our goal to protect the weakest among us and create a better way of life. A better way of life for all Filipinos, not just for the privileged, the rich, and the powerful."
Cayetano said the most difficult task of the lawmakers is to keep Filipinos safe and healthy while allowing them to go back to work.
"We need to rebuild and retool those industries that have been gutted by this pandemic. And in this endeavor, the government will be playing a significant role," he said.
"I propose that we strengthen the agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing sectors, augmented by robust investments in infrastructure, to be the primary source of employment and growth," Cayetano added.
He also reiterated his call for the creation of a Department of Arts and Culture to revitalize the Philippine creative industry.
"We must approach this problem and prepare as if we are at war – which to a large extent we are. Not with a foreign aggressor, but with an unseen enemy that shows no mercy, gives no quarter, and takes no prisoners," Cayetano said.
"In the face of an evolving enemy and a fluid battleground, Congress needs to continue to Adapt, Innovate, and Manage if we are to stay above water until a vaccine or a cure is found. Which, by the most conservative estimates, will not be a viable possibility until early next year at the soonest," he added.
Following the morning session, the Senate and the House of Representatives will jointly convene to hear President Rodrigo Duterte's fifth State of the Nation Address.
The opening of the Second Regular Session stems from Article VI, Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution, which states that "the Congress shall convene once every year on the fourth Monday of July for its regular session."