President Marcos has proposed to Congress the temporary suspension of the implementation of the Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act (RPVARA), citing the need to prevent additional property-related costs on businesses, support investments, and allow a gradual transition to the new valuation system.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President raised the proposal before leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives during the fourth Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting at Malacañang on Thursday, Aug. 6.

“Nagpanukala si Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sa dalawang kapulungan sa LEDAC meeting nitong August 6, 2026 ng pansamantalang pagsuspinde ng pagpapatupad ng Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act o Republic Act (RA) No. 12001 (RPVARA) upang maiwasan ang karagdagang mga gastos sa ari-arian para sa mga negosyo, suportahan ang mga pamumuhunan, at tiyakin ang isang dahan-dahan at makatwirang transisyon patungo sa bagong valuation system (President Marcos proposed to both chambers during the LEDAC meeting this Aug. 6, 2026, the temporary suspension of the implementation of the Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act to prevent additional property-related costs for businesses, support investments, and ensure a gradual and reasonable transition toward the new valuation system),” she said.

Signed by Marcos in June 2024, RA No. 12001 establishes a nationally consistent system for valuing real property, adopts market value as the single valuation base for property-related taxes, and requires local governments to regularly update their schedules of market values.

The law does not automatically raise real property taxes because local government units retain the authority to adjust assessment levels and tax rates, while increases in real property taxes during the first year of an approved schedule of market values are capped at six percent under the law.

The LEDAC meeting will discuss 24 priority measures under the Common Legislative Agenda that the administration wants Congress to pass before the end of June 2027.

Among the political and governance measures are the Anti-Political Dynasty Law, which seeks to regulate political dynasties; the Party-List System Reform Act, which seeks changes to the party-list system; the People’s Freedom of Information/Right to Information Act, which seeks to institutionalize public access to government information; and the BRIGHT Act, which seeks amendments to bank deposit secrecy rules.

Economic and fiscal measures include the Philippine Budgeting Code, which seeks reforms in the government’s budgeting system; the Promoting Growth, Revenue, and Equity Towards Socio-Economic Sustainability (PROGRESS) Bill, a proposed fiscal reform measure; General Tax Amnesty, including Estate Tax Amnesty, which seeks relief for qualified taxpayers with outstanding liabilities; and Travel Tax Abolition, which seeks to remove the tax imposed on certain departing travelers.

Also included are amendments to the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act, which covers the use and management of the coconut levy trust fund for farmers and the industry, and amendments to the Fisheries Code, which governs the management, conservation, and development of the country’s fisheries and aquatic resources.

Consistent with priorities outlined by Marcos in his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) last month, the agenda included amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), including the proposed abolition of system loss charges and strengthening of the Energy Regulatory Commission; the Sariling Kuryente Act, which seeks to expand opportunities for consumers to generate their own electricity; and the Waste-to-Energy Bill or Waste Treatment Technology Act, which seeks a framework for converting waste into energy and other usable resources.

Education and nutrition measures include amendments to the Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act, or the Expanded National Nutrition Program Act, which seeks to strengthen government nutrition programs for children; the Classroom-Building Acceleration Program Act, which seeks to speed up the construction of classrooms; amendments to the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) Act, which covers government support for qualified students and teachers in private schools; and amendments to the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, which governs free tuition and other higher education assistance.

The list also includes the Presidential Merit Scholarship Program, which seeks to establish scholarship assistance for qualified students based on merit, and the National Coordinating Council for Education (NCCE) Act, which seeks stronger coordination among government agencies overseeing different levels of the education system.

Other priority measures are amendments to the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act, or the Child Online Safety and Protection Act, which seeks stronger safeguards against the online sexual exploitation and abuse of children; the National Center for Geriatric Health Act, which seeks to strengthen specialized healthcare for senior citizens; and the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) Act, which seeks to institutionalize government assistance for people facing crisis situations.

The agenda also covered amendments to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Act, which governs the government’s conditional cash transfer program; the National Reintegration Law or Bagong Balikbayan Act, which seeks a framework for the reintegration of returning Filipinos; and amendments to the National Building Code, which seek to update rules and standards governing building design, construction, occupancy, and safety.

Marcos convened the third full LEDAC meeting on Feb. 10, during which 21 priority measures were identified for passage by Congress.

Created under RA No. 7640, LEDAC brings together officials from the executive and legislative branches to discuss priority legislation and government programs supporting the country’s socioeconomic development, and is mandated to meet at least once every quarter.