House of Representatives (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Noting that the 19th Congress is nearing its conclusion, Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte has pushed for congressional action on his various pending social protection measures. 

“I am hoping that we will still have time to consider acting between now and before the 19th Congress ends next year a slew of measures designed to provide additional financial support for such sectors as senior citizens and PWDs (persons with disabilities) as well as extra benefits for young Filipinos, teachers, barangay health workers (BHWs) and ordinary consumers,” Villafuerte said over the weekend. 

The National Unity Party (NUP) president gave these remarks ahead of the resumption of sessions Monday, Nov. 4, after a six-week recess. 

With just 11 session weeks left before the Congress adjourns next year for the election campaign period, the third-term congressman says he is “hopeful that lawmakers will still have time to consider passing additional measures aimed at helping the Marcos presidency fulfill its commitment to improve the lives of all Filipinos, most especially the poor and underprivileged sectors".

Villafuerte is the lead author of House Bill (HB) No.8223 establishing a Disability Support Allowance Program (DSAP) under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on the grant of a monthly stipend of P2,000 to PWDs; HB No.7980 crafting a long-term quality care program for the elderly, HB No.10423 providing for a universal pension for all elderly Filipinos and not just to indigent seniors; HB No.8312 providing free health insurance coverage for “junior citizens” or Filipinos 12 years of age and below; and HB No.6557 giving job security to our BHWs and “depoliticizing” their employment in local government units (LGUs). 
 
He likewise appealed to his peers to consider other measures he had authored, including HB No.5640 requiring property developers to build rainwater facilities in their buildings, HB No. 8203 creating an Immigration Fund (ITF) to modernize the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and providing   salary hike for its employees, HB No.1851 raising the salary grade level of our public school teachers from Grade 11 to Grade 19, and HB No. 7977 expanding the list of basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs) to be covered by a price freeze during super typhoons and other natural calamities.
 
HB Nos.1851, 5640, 7977, 7980, 8223, and 8312 or the equivalent of which remain pending in both the Senate and the House; while HB Nos. 6557, 8203, and 10423 have already been passed on third and final reading in the House and will thus only require approval by the Senate.
 
“Congressional approval of these measures are aligned with the President’s commitment to improve the lot of all Filipinos and leave nobody behind in our country’s march to high and inclusive growth,” Villafuerte said.
 

The 19th Congress is currently on its third and final regular session, which represents the third year of the current Marcos administration.

Starting Nov. 4, legislative sessions will continue until Dec. 20, when lawmakers from both the House of Representatives and the Senate are set to take their annual yearend break. 

Congress will reopen again on Jan. 13, 2025 and adjourn on Feb. 7, for the two-month campaign period for the May 12 mid-term polls. Villafuerte is running for Camarines Sur governor.
 
The 19th Congress will then hold its final session weeks from June 2 to 13, 2025 before adjourning sine die or for the last time. Sessions are only held from Monday to Wednesday.