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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Senator Mark Villar pushes for 10 priority bills as 20th Congress opens

Senator Mark Villar pushes for 10 priority bills as 20th Congress opens

Published Jul 6, 2025 12:24 pm
Sen. Mark Villar
Sen. Mark Villar
Senator Mark Villar marked the opening of the 20th Congress with the filing of 10 priority bills, reaffirming his commitment to comprehensive, multi-sectoral reform focused on consumer protection, digital innovation, public safety, and social welfare.
“We made sure that our priority bills for this Congress will address various pressing issues our country is facing,” Villar stated.
Among his top legislative proposals are three bills aimed at modernizing the country’s consumer and digital protection systems.
The Scam Prevention Center Act calls for the establishment of the Philippine Scam Prevention Center (PSPC), a centralized body to coordinate anti-scam efforts between financial institutions, private stakeholders, and law enforcement.
The Enhanced Protection for Consumer Act seeks to impose tougher penalties on illegal investment schemes and improve labeling and disclosure standards for consumer goods and medicines.
And the Use of Digital Payments Act promotes secure, efficient digital transactions for both public and private sectors.
On the issue of public safety, Villar introduced the Abducted or Missing Persons Alert (AMPA) Act, patterned after the U.S. Amber Alert system, to enable rapid, coordinated responses to cases of missing persons.
He also filed the Road Safety and Comprehensive Drivers Education Act, which proposes the integration of road safety lessons into the national K-12 curriculum.
To support everyday Filipinos, Villar proposed the Magna Carta of Commuters, which seeks to establish a more accessible, safe, and efficient public transportation system, and the Universal Social Pension for Senior Citizens, aimed at providing all elderly citizens with a standardized social pension regardless of economic status.
He also filed the Educational Assistance to Children of Farmers and Fisherfolk Act, which ensures support for school-related needs such as supplies, transportation, and lodging.
Healthcare and local governance were not left behind. The Free Annual Medical Check-Up Act of 2025 mandates PhilHealth to provide annual medical check-ups and expanded diagnostic services to all Filipinos. Rounding out the list is the Adjusted Benefits for Barangay Officials Act, which seeks to raise the benefits and incentives of barangay officials to enhance public service and curb corruption at the grassroots level.
Senator Villar emphasized that these 10 proposed measures are part of his broader vision to promote inclusive development and responsive governance in the country.

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