House to pass social welfare bills

HOUSE of Representatives plans to pass several social welfare and governance measures when Congress resumes in the last week of January, its majority leader said on Sunday, as he touted the chamber’s approval of priority bills by end-2025.

In a statement, House Majority Leader and Ilocos Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” A. Marcos III said the chamber approved on final reading 12 priority bills, while five were cleared at the committee level. About 15 remain at committee level, with 17 more queued for hearings.

“Our target when we return from recess is to move as many of the social protection, health, education and good governance measures up the pipeline,” he said.

Congress went on a later‑than‑usual break on Dec. 29 after the annual budget process came under intense scrutiny amid a widening corruption scandal over flood control projects.

Lawmakers are set to reconvene on Jan. 26.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s administration has set 44 priority measures for Congress, framed as a roadmap to attract investment and modernize state institutions.

Rep. Marcos said the House approved on final reading amendments to the Energy Regulatory Commission and waste‑to‑energy measures, along with a bill institutionalizing cash aid for indigent Filipinos. Lawmakers also passed changes to the decades‑old bank secrecy law. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio