SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Wednesday reported to his colleagues that the House of Representatives, under his leadership, has accomplished its mission of enhancing peace and improving the economy.
“Our work in this session has been driven by a clear and compelling mission. Our focus: national security and economic transformation, which are key to improving the living condition for Filipinos,” he said in remarks marking the end of the second regular session of Congress.
“This holistic approach underscores our commitment to safeguarding our nation while fostering economic growth and ensuring that every Filipino experiences a tangible improvement in their quality of life,” he said.
“Malinaw po ang misyon nating lahat. Kapayapaan sa buong bansa. Seguridad sa mga komunidad. Masiglang ekonomiya. Maunlad na kabuhayan para sa lahat,” he said.
The leader of the 300-plus-strong House enumerated his chamber’s accomplishments, saying that “as always, we were faithful in fulfilling our solemn obligation.”
“The House of Representatives recognizes that sovereignty is a crucial element of independence and any threat to the nation’s sovereignty requires no less than prompt and deliberate action,” he said.
Passed critical measures on sovereignty, defense
In pursuit of a defense position against any act of aggression or provocation, he said the House has “passed critical measures on sovereignty and defense to enhance our national defense capabilities.”
“This ensures the protection of our sovereignty and the preservation of our territorial integrity. Our efforts include bolstering our nation’s military capabilities and enhancing our diplomatic strategies to secure our interests in the region,” he said.
He specifically mentioned House Bill No. 9713, or the “Philippine Self-Reliant Defense Posture Program Act,” as one defense-related measure the House has passed.
“Another equally crucial matter that requires our ongoing effort is the economic stability and growth of our nation. To sustain our impressive economic growth, we have enacted fiscal measures and created a stable economic environment conducive to long-term prosperity by ensuring improved revenue collections and prudent spending,” Speaker Romualdez said.
To meet revenue targets, he said his chamber has approved Ease of Paying Taxes Act, which is now Republic Act No. 11976.
“With this enactment, processes have been digitized, taxpayer registration has been streamlined, and the tax base has been expanded, leading to a 17-percent rise in revenue collections this year,” he said.
Approved Maharlika Investment Fund Act
He added that to further improve the investment climate in the country, Congress has approved Republic Act No. 11954, or the “Maharlika Investment Fund Act of 2023.”
“This is a significant step towards attracting high-impact investments that will drive economic growth and create jobs for our people,” he stressed.
In the area of infrastructure development, the Speaker pointed out that the “country’s growing economy must be supported by excellent infrastructure development.”
“This leads me to one of our top priorities: the Build Better More Program. Our unwavering commitment to such a program helped secure funding and legislative support for numerous infrastructure projects, including the unified national grid, which aims to enhance connectivity and competitiveness across our archipelago,” he said.
He said the House has also advanced the DPWH-NIA Convergence Plan, integrating flood control efforts with broader water management strategies to ensure efficient use of our water resources.
He explained that the initiative “aims to enhance food security, support irrigation, and manage water supply effectively.”
“By aligning the DPWH’s flood control programs with NIA’s water conservation initiatives, we can better manage our resources to support multiple needs, including irrigation, water supply, and potentially power generation. This integrated approach will significantly contribute to our agricultural productivity, food security, and overall economic stability,” he said.
