The Bicol Saro Partylist has reaffirmed its full support for Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and his “inclusive and action-oriented leadership” that was instrumental in the speedy passage by the House of Representatives of all the priority bills of the Marcos Jr. administration.
Led by its representative in the House–Brian Raymund Yamsuan–the Bicol Saro Partylist thanked Speaker Romualdez for inspiring lawmakers to work hard in approving these measures, which will help bring Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. closer to his goal of long-term growth and prosperity for all Filipinos.
“Speaker Romualdez has demonstrated how inclusive and action-oriented leadership, along with a high degree of professionalism, can result in record accomplishments for the House of the People,” said Yamsuan, whose partylist represents the Bicol Region.
“Under his stewardship, the House was able to attain 100 percent approval of the bills under the Common Legislative Agenda of the 19th Congress way ahead of schedule. He was able to accomplish this remarkable feat without sidelining anyone. He listened and valued the inputs of every lawmaker—from district to partylist representatives, or whether he or she belonged to the majority or minority. _Pinakinggan ‘nya ang lahat ng panig at nirespeto ang kanilang mga inputs at opinyon, kaya naman umani rin siya ng mataas na respeto mula sa bawat mambabatas,”_ added Yamsuan.
Yamsuan recalled that before Congress adjourned last month for its second-regular recess, the House was able to pass all the 20 bills identified by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) as priority measures. The LEDAC has set a deadline of end-December 2023 for both houses of Congress to approve these measures.
The priority measures passed by the House include the P5.768-trillion national budget
for 2024, and the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act.
Signed into law by the President last month, the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act aims to address joblessness and underemployment by upskilling Filipino workers and providing support to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Other LEDAC bills approved under Speaker Romualdez’s leadership include the reforms in the taxation system, measures to strengthen the fight against smuggling and online fraud, and the proposed Philippine Salt Industry Development Act, which Yamsuan and several Bicolano representatives in the House led by Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte have authored.
On top of these priority measures, Yamsuan recalled that under Speaker Romualdez’s leadership, the House was also able to pass on third and final reading several local measures that would benefit the Bicol Region.
These are, among others, the setting up of satellite multi-species marine hatcheries, declaring certain areas in Bicol as ecotourism destinations, and the establishment of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Training and Assessment Centers.
Yamsuan said these local bills will “set the stage for creating more jobs and expanding livelihood opportunities in the Bicol Region.
