Speaker Martin Romualdez is on the right track in urging the House of Representatives to focus on their job of lawmaking.
“Rather than engaging in politicking, I would rather that we, in the House of Representatives, remain focused on more urgent matters. The Uniteam, which the House leadership has always been a part of, must continue to focus on finding immediate solutions to problems of ordinary Filipinos.”
Speaker Romualdez has issued a timely and appropriate reminder to the leaders and members of the House to adhere to the same performance level that allowed them to approve on third and final reading at least 29 of the 42 bills that comprise the Marcos administration’s legislative agenda.
Among the bills already approved by the House are those condoning the debts of our agrarian reform beneficiaries, the establishment of specialty centers in the provinces similar to the Lung and Heart Centers in Metro Manila, and the Magna Carta bills that seek to protect the rights and promote the welfare of barangay health workers and seafarers.
In fact, the legislature has to work on a number of priority bills.
Among these is the National Government Rightsizing Program, which would enhance the government’s institutional capacity to perform its mandate and provide better services, while ensuring optimal and efficient use of resources.
The E-Government Act provides for the establishment of the E-Government Master Plan which shall cover all e-government services and processes.
Meanwhile, the creation of a Department of Water Resources had been proposed as early as 2019 to address concerns over water shortages.
The proposed bill would adopt the Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) as the strategic framework for national water management, policy-making and planning.
The Internet Transaction Act or E-Commerce Law will establish an effective regulation of commercial activities through the internet or electronic means to ensure that consumer rights and data privacy are protected, innovation is encouraged, fair advertising practices and competition are promoted, online transactions are secured, intellectual property rights are protected, and product standards and safety are observed.
The National Land Use Act will provide for a rational and holistic management and development of country’s land and water resources and compel land owners and local government units to ensure sustainable development on their land.
All this tells us one thing: Lawmakers should now work double-time to discuss pending measures that will enhance economic growth as well as accelerate social and political reforms in the years ahead.