Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan (left), House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Facebook, Speaker’s office)

Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan has credited Speaker Martin Romualdez's "high degree of professionalism" for the House of Representatives' work rate in the current 19th Congress.  

“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,” Yamsuan, whose party-list represents the Bicol Region, said in a statement Sunday, Oct. 22. 

“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," noted the rookie legislator. 

It's because of this that Romualdez is well-respected by his colleagues, said Yamsuan. 

"He listened and valued the inputs of every lawmaker—from district to party-list representatives, or whether he or she belongs to the majority of 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,” he said. 

(He listened to all sides and respected their inputs and opinions, that's why he is highly respected by each legislator.) 

Yamsuan recalled that just before the House went break last Sept. 28, the chamber was able to pass all the 20 bills identified by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) as priority measures. The LEDAC convened by President Marcos, had set a deadline of end-December 2023 for both chambers of Congress (House and the Senate) 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 Bicolanos in the House led by Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte authored.  

On top of passimg these priority measures, Yamsuan noted that 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".