Solons assure passage of Marcos’ priority bills

Lawmakers on Wednesday assured President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. they will pass the 20 priority measures that the Chief Executive requested this year, Malacañang said.

In a statement following the Third Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council meeting, Malacañang said the Congress is on track for the December passage of the measures, including the General Appropriations Bill.

The Palace, citing Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, said the Senate has completed about half of the 20 priority legislations requested by the President for December passage.

"During our last LEDAC meeting, the second LEDAC meeting, there were about 20 proposals requested by the President before the end of the year," Zubiri said after the LEDAC meeting with President Marcos and other members of Congress.

"And we are happy to announce that almost half of them have already been completed in the Senate. Those pending proposals will be laws within the next few weeks. Hopefully, the President will be able to sign them," Zubiri said.

The 20 bills identified as priority measures include the National Employment Action Plan, LGU Income Classification, Internet Transaction Act, BOT/PPP Act, Salt Development Industry Act, Ease of Paying Taxes, Real Property Evaluation and Assessment Reform Act, Magna Carta for Seafarers, and Anti-Agriculture Smuggling Act.