SPEAKER Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III on Monday said the House of Representatives is ready to translate the priorities outlined by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) into legislation and concrete action.
The House chief said the President’s address provides Congress with a clear legislative direction as lawmakers begin work on the administration’s priority measures, including proposals to ease the tax burden on Filipinos and lower electricity costs.
“Ang SONA ang nagtatakda ng direksyon ng administrasyon. Ang papel ng Kamara ay tiyaking mabibigyan ito ng kinakailangang suporta sa pamamagitan ng maayos, masusi, at napapanahong pagtalakay ng mga panukala,” the Speaker from Isabela said.
Responding to the President’s legislative requests, Dy said the House is prepared to prioritize measures that would expand the income tax exemption to cover more workers earning up to P350,000 annually; reduce income taxes for other workers; exempt small businesses from the minimum corporate income tax; and grant tax amnesty for unpaid income tax, estate tax, donor’s tax, value-added tax (VAT), and the corresponding penalties.
“The House fully supports the President’s call to provide meaningful tax relief to our people. We will carefully study these proposals and work to pass measures that will allow Filipino workers to keep more of what they earn, help small businesses grow, and give qualified taxpayers a fresh start through a fair and responsible tax amnesty,” Dy said.
He also welcomed the President’s call for reforms aimed at reducing electricity costs, including the passage of the Sariling Kuryente Act to make rooftop solar panels and battery storage systems more accessible and affordable for households, as well as amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) to prohibit the charging of systems loss and the corresponding VAT to consumers.
“The President has made it clear that bringing down electricity costs is a national priority, and the House stands ready to do its part. We will give due priority to the proposed Sariling Kuryente Act and the amendments to the EPIRA to ensure that consumers are no longer made to shoulder charges that should not be passed on to them,” Dy said.
Dy said the President’s message is in line with the direction he outlined at the opening of the Second Regular Session of the 20th Congress, where he urged fellow lawmakers to prioritize reforms that directly benefit ordinary Filipinos.
“Ang hamon ngayon ay tiyaking ang bawat panukalang tatalakayin ng Kamara ay may malinaw na pakinabang sa bawat Pilipino. Iyan ang magiging sukatan ng ating trabaho,” Dy said.
He also underscored the importance of close coordination between the Executive and Legislative branches in carrying out the administration’s agenda.
“These are practical reforms that respond to the everyday concerns of Filipino families. The House is committed to working closely with the Executive to turn these priorities into laws that will ease the cost of living, strengthen our economy, and improve the quality of life of every Filipino,” said the Speaker.
Dy said the House would continue to uphold responsible and people-centered lawmaking.
“Sa huli, iisa lang ang layunin ng Ehekutibo at Lehislatura—ang makapaghatid ng mas maayos na serbisyo at mas magandang buhay para sa bawat Pilipino. Mas madali natin itong magagawa kung sama-sama tayong kumikilos,” he said.
“Hindi lamang pagpasa ng batas ang mahalaga. Ang mas mahalaga ay ang pagtiyak na ang bawat batas ay may tunay na saysay at pakinabang sa ating mga kababayan.”
metrosundaily
