REELECTED Leyte 1st District Representative Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Tuesday gathered House Members from Regions III and IV—including first-term, returning, and reelected lawmakers led by former President and Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo—to build consensus around President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Bagong Pilipinas program and legislative roadmap for the 20th Congress.
During the meeting, Romualdez called on his colleagues to unite behind the President’s policy direction, which will be fully laid out in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28, and presented the first 20 House Bills he filed as part of a comprehensive reform agenda.
“These measures are designed not only to support the President’s vision but also to address real needs on the ground—from food security to healthcare, education to digital governance, and job creation to national security,” Romualdez said.
He also emphasized that policymaking should not be done in a vacuum, and used the occasion to consult with Members about their local development priorities and concerns that need national support.
“Our job in Congress is to ensure national development reaches every district, every barangay, every Filipino,” Romualdez said. “That starts with listening to you—your concerns, your aspirations for your provinces, and the legislative or oversight tools you need to make that happen.”
“That’s why I also invited you here today because we also have to make sure that we have this dialogues so that we are sensitive and responsive to the needs of your constituents.”
Romualdez also assured fellow lawmakers that the House will exercise its oversight functions vigorously to ensure proper implementation of national programs and alignment with regional priorities.
“Hindi sapat ang batas lang. Kailangang tutukan natin ang pagpapatupad nito at tiyaking nakikinabang ang ating mga kababayan,” Romualdez added.
The House leader also reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that the needs of Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog will be heard and addressed in the national agenda.
Likewise, he presented the first 20 House Bills he filed on the first day of the 20th Congress, calling them “a roadmap of reforms” aligned with the administration’s development thrusts:
The first 20 legislative priorities of Rep. Romualdez in the 20th Congress are:
1. HB No. 1: Rice Industry and Consumer Empowerment (RICE) Act
2. HB No. 2: Strengthening the Philippine Health Care System
3. HB No. 3: Philippine Centers for Disease Prevention and Control Act
4. HB No. 4: E-GASTPE Act – Expanding Government Support to Private School Students and Teachers
5. HB No. 5: Eastern Visayas Development Authority Act
6. HB No. 6: Leyte Ecological Industrial Zone Act
7. HB No. 7: Amending the Law on Secrecy of Bank Deposits (RA 1045)
8. HB No. 8: Immigration Modernization Act
9. HB No. 9: Cybersecurity Act
10. HB No. 10: Health Emergency Auxiliary Reinforcement Team (HEART) Act
11. HB No. 11: Budget Modernization Act
12. HB No. 12: National Land Use Act
13. HB No. 13: Artificial Intelligence Development and Regulation Act
14. HB No. 14: Expanded Agricultural Insurance Act
15. HB No. 15: Green Lanes for Strategic Investments Act
16. HB No. 16: Enhanced Discounts for Senior Citizens and PWDs Act
17. HB No. 17: Freelance Workers’ Protection Act
18. HB No. 18: Last Mile Schools Act
19. HB No. 19: National Quality Infrastructure Development Act
20. HB No. 20: Enhanced National Shelter Program ActRomualdez emphasized that these measures are not merely policy proposals, but legislative tools aimed at empowering ordinary Filipinos—farmers, seniors, students, workers, and entrepreneurs—and accelerating national progress.
“Ang lahat po ng panukalang ito ay bunga ng pakikinig sa taumbayan. Layon nating itaguyod ang Bagong Pilipinas—isang bansa na mas matatag, makatarungan, at makabago,” he said.
The seasoned lawmaker added that these measures will be formally recommended to the House Majority Bloc as part of the priority legislative calendar once the 20th Congress opens its regular session on July 28, coinciding with President Marcos’ State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Former President Arroyo and the attending House Members expressed appreciation for the early dialogue and reaffirmed their readiness to work together for their collective mission of transforming the Philippines into a stronger and more inclusive nation.
“This Congress must be defined by collaboration, consultation, and concrete results,” Romualdez said in closing. “Together, we can deliver the promise of Bagong Pilipinas to every Filipino.”
