The House of Representatives highlighted on Monday, Dec. 22 the approval on third and final reading of a total of 12 priority measures of the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).

House Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy, in his pre-Christmas address to the 300-plus strong chamber during plenary session Monday, thanked his colleagues for their efforts in passing the LEDAC measures these past few weeks.

“Sa aking mga kapwa mambabatas, sa ating masisipag na kawani, at sa sambayanang Pilipino na patuloy nating pinaglilingkuran—maraming salamat po (To my fellow legislators, to our hardworking staff, and to the Filipino people whom we continue to serve—thank you very much)," said Dy, Isabela's 6th district congressman.

Given final approval by House members were the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) bill, which sought to institutionalize the said assistance program; the National Reintegration Bill, which sought to make it easier for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to return to the country economically and socially; and the National Center for Geriatric Health bill, which sought better medical care for the elderly.

The chamber also prioritized education through the passage of the bills that proposed amendments (1) to the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education Act, and (2) to the Teachers Professionalization Act. 

Other bills passed on third and final reading include the proposed Blue Economy Act, the strengthening of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), the bill promoting waste-to-energy technologies, the bill proposing the establishment of Department of Water Resources, the bill proposing amendments to the National Building Code and to the Banks Secrecy Law. 

The bill proposing the extension of the estate tax amnesty period also was approved on third and final reading. 

Another five LEDAC priority bills are for comment/ concurrence of either the Committees on Appropriations and/or Ways and Means, with another 15 under review of the concerned House Committees. 

Dy III encouraged his fellow lawmakers to continue serving the people through the passage of important pieces of legislation, and to draw joy from such service. 

“Ang tunay na kagalakan sa paglilingkod-bayan ay hindi nagmumula sa posisyon, titulo o kapangyarihan. Ito ay nagmumula sa kaalaman na may isang bata na nakapagtapos, isang pasyenteng gumaling, may isang pamilyang umasa dahil pinili nating maglingkod ng totoo at tapat,” the Speaker said.

(The true joy in public service does not come from position, title, or power. It comes from the knowledge that a child has graduated, a patient has recovered, a family has found hope because we chose to serve genuinely and faithfully.)