President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. officially signed into law the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) in the presence of Senate and House leaders and Cabinet members in Malacañang on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (Photo from the Office of the President)
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was catapulted to his landslide victory with his promise of improving the lives of Filipinos.
In his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) in 2022, the President enumerated several plans to make good his promises, and he has signed 21 significant measures into law since then.
Here is a quick rundown of legislation enacted since Marcos delivered his first SONA.
Landmark measures
The first measure President Marcos signed into law was the SIM Registration Act which mandates Filipinos and foreigners in the Philippines to register their mobile numbers to curb cybercrimes and address online hate speech and disinformation.
The Chief Executive signed Republic Act (RA) No. 11939, which limited the terms for military service years and adjusted the compulsory retirement age from 55 to 57. According to the President, this law resolved the issue of seniority among the ranks and gave officers an equal opportunity to be promoted to higher positions.
Sim card Registration Act to curb cybercrime. (Noel B. Pabalate)
This month, the President signed the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, which freed agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) from their agrarian debt burden. This law condones ₱57.56 billion of unpaid principal debt of 610,054 ARBs.
The President likewise approved postponing the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) that were supposed to take place in December 2022 to the last Monday of October 2023.
New Agrarian Emancipation Act: Freeing agrarian reform beneficiaries from debt. (Unsplash)
Economic measures
Only recently, the Chief Executive signed the controversial Maharlika Investment Fund Act, which created the country's first-ever sovereign wealth fund to support the Administration's economic goals.
According to Malacañang, the Maharlika Investment Fund law will allow the country to invest in "extremely important projects" such as agriculture, infrastructure, digitalization, and value chain strengthening.
Marcos signed the 2023 national budget of P5.268 trillion which aims to help achieve the Administration's bid for an "inclusive and sustainable" economic transformation.
EDUCATION: 13 Republic Acts on education were signed. (Ali Vicoy)
Educational measures
On May 17, 2023, President Marcos signed 13 Republic Acts (RAs) on the separation and establishment of public elementary and high schools across the country:
RA 11940 extended the term of the Office of the President of the Adiong Memorial State College from three to four years
RA 11941 created the Baclay National High School in Zamboanga del Sur
RA 11942 created the Ramon Magsaysay National High School in Zamboanga del Sur
RA 11943 created the Gaspar Danwata National High School in Malita, Davao Occidental
RA 11944 established the Mabca National High School in Sagñay, Camarines Sur
RA11945 established the Bolila National High School in Malita, Davao Occidental
RA 11946 created the Mariano Gomes National High School in Bacoor, Cavite
RA 11947 created the Bukid Integrated School in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental
RA 11948 created the Tribal Filipino School of Tambelang Integrated School in Malita, Davao Occidental
RA 11949 created the Kidaman Integrated School in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental
RA 11950 created the Hibao-an Integrated School in Mandurriao District, Iloilo City
RA 11951 created the Nabitasan Integrated School in La Paz District, Iloilo City
RA 11952 created the Ambatutong Elementary School in Paracelis, Mountain Province
Carmona City
President Marcos approved in February 2023 the measure which converted the municipality of Carmona in Cavite into a component city.