President Marcos discuss 24 priority bills at 4th LEDAC meeting

MANILA, Philippines - President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday convened the fourth Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting at Malaca ang to discuss 24 priority legislative measures for the 20th Congress.Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the President wanted to proceed with his scheduled engagements despite the suspension of work in the government due to the inclement weather brought by Tropical Storm "Maymay.""Hindi mapipigilan ang Pangulo sa pagtatrabaho kahit pa may bagyo (Nothing can stop the President from working even during typhoon),' Castro said during a press briefing.The Palace press officer said the government is hopeful that these priority Ledac common legislative agenda bills 'would be passed before the end of June 2027.'Among the priority measures are the Anti-Political Dynasty Law; Party-List System Reform Act; People's Freedom of Information/Right to Information Act; and amendments to the Bank Deposits Secrecy Law, or the BRIGHT Act.The legislative agenda also includes the Philippine Budgeting Code; Promoting Growth, Revenue, and Equity Towards Socio-Economic Sustainability (PROGRESS) Bill; General Tax Amnesty, including Estate Tax Amnesty; Travel Tax Abolition; amendments to the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act; and amendments to the Fisheries Code.Consistent with the priorities outlined by the President in his fifth State of the Nation Address SONA last July 27, the agenda also includes amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, including the abolition of system loss charges and the strengthening of the Energy Regulatory Commission; the Sariling Kuryente Act; and the Waste-to-Energy Bill or Waste Treatment Technology Act.In the education and nutrition sectors, priority measures include amendments to the proposed Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act, or the Expanded National Nutrition Program Act; the Classroom-Building Acceleration Program Act; amendments to the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education Act; amendments to the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act; the Presidential Merit Scholarship Program; and the National Coordinating Council for Education Act.Other priority measures include amendments to the proposed 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; the National Center for Geriatric Health Act; the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation Act; amendments to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Act; the National Reintegration Law or Bagong Balikbayan Act; and amendments to the National Building Code.The President convened the third full Ledac meeting on Feb. 10, during which 21 priority measures were identified for passage by Congress.Created under Republic Act 7640, Ledac brings together officials from the executive and legislative branches of government to discuss priority legislation and government programs that support the country's socioeconomic development.It is mandated to meet at least once every quarter, while the President may convene special meetings when necessary.