QC First District solon hits ground running

Quezon City First District Representative Juan Carlos "Arjo" Atayde filed eight priority measures on the first day of his second term in the House of Representatives, signaling a continued commitment to what he describes as "swift, responsive, and inclusive public service."

Atayde stated the bills embody his "Aksyon Agad" philosophy.

"The government must be present, proactive, and purposeful," Atayde said. "That is what Aksyon Agad is all about — getting things done for the people who depend on us to make their lives better."

The measures cover a range of issues, from healthcare and labor to cultural recognition and public safety. Among the key bills filed are proposals to increase the bed capacity of East Avenue Medical Center from 1,000 to 1,500 beds to alleviate overcrowding and improve access to public healthcare, and to standardize barangay officials' compensation, converting their honoraria into regular government salaries with full benefits.

Other legislative efforts aim to promote film and television tourism by establishing a national framework and inter-agency mechanism, and to declare Quezon City as the Film and Television Arts Capital in recognition of its significant role in the country's creative economy.

Furthermore, Atayde introduced bills to create a national forensic DNA database to strengthen criminal investigations and aid in disaster victim identification, to regulate artificial intelligence and automation in the labor industry to prevent job displacement and ensure worker protection, and to prohibit all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression (SOGIE), imposing penalties for violations.

Additionally, Atayde filed a House resolution urging the Department of Transportation and the Metro Rail Transit Corporation to rename the North Edsa MRT-7 Station to "Bago Bantay North Edsa Station," to acknowledge the community's historical significance and cultural identity.

"These bills offer real solutions to real problems," Atayde said, summarizing his legislative priorities as "better healthcare, livable wages, inclusive communities, safer workplaces." He added that these are the demands of his constituents, and what he and his team are "working and fighting for in our second term."

Atayde stressed that his proposed measures are a direct result of lessons learned during his first three years in Congress, informed by fieldwork, research, and continuous dialogue with his constituents.

"I am grateful for the trust the people of the First District have again given me," Atayde said. "I return to Congress excited and ready to work even harder, because progress cannot and should not wait — and neither should the people we serve."