House eyes approval of 4 more LEDAC bills before adjournment

The House of Representatives is aiming to approve on third and final reading four more priority measures under the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) Common Legislative Agenda before Congress adjourns sessions on March 21.

The bills lined up for final reading this week are:

• Travel Tax Abolition
• Digital Payments Act
• Amendments to the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act
• Presidential Merit Scholarship Program

“If the House approves the four measures mentioned above, it will bring to 17 the number of LEDAC bills that have hurdled the chamber’s approval out of the 52 listed,” the House said in a statement.

Meanwhile, two other LEDAC measures are already under bicameral conference committee: the National Center for Geriatric Health bill and the measure resetting the first regular elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The lower chamber has already approved on third and final reading 11 LEDAC priority bills:

• EPIRA Amendments: ERC Strengthening
• Waste-to-Energy or Waste Treatment Technology Act
• Amendments to the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education Act
• Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) Act
• Amendments to the National Building Code
• Blue Economy Act
• National Reintegration Bill
• Amendments to the Teachers Professionalization Act
• Extension of the Estate Tax Amnesty Period
• Department of Water Resources Bill
• Amendments to the Bank Deposits Secrecy Law

Meanwhile, three other priority measures are up for second reading:

• Anti-Political Dynasty Bill
• National Land Use Act
• Amendments to the Biofuels Act

“We are right on track to approve LEDAC measures on time. The public does not live on promises alone; they need results," House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos said.

"That is exactly what we are trying to deliver by moving these measures with urgency and discipline,” he added.—MCG, GMA Integrated News