Manila: Leaders of the House of Representatives said Wednesday that the chamber will support and strengthen the programs of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., particularly his initiatives for housing, water, and electricity. Under the leadership of Speaker Faustino 'Bojie' Dy III and House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander 'Sandro' A. Marcos of Ilocos Norte, House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms chairperson Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur, and Deputy Speakers Paolo Ortega V of La Union and Jay Khonghun of Zambales said the House will match the administration's on-the-ground initiatives with measures that sustain affordability and widen access.
According to Philippines News Agency, the members of the so-called 'Young Guns' emphasized in a joint statement the importance of housing, electricity, and water as the foundations of decent living and a strong economy. They expressed their commitment to support President Marcos' programs that aim to create jobs, reduce family expenses, and strengthen the provinces. They also highlighted the significance of ensuring accountability in spending.
The stalwarts of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) stated that the House will ensure its legislative agenda bolsters the President's programs, particularly in housing, water, and electricity initiatives for the Filipino people. They identified housing, water security, and affordable electricity as nation-building priorities and pledged that their legislative efforts will enhance these programs and safeguard their long-term impact.
The Young Guns expressed full support for House Bill 2700, known as the proposed 'Free Electricity for Low-Consumption Households Act,' authored by Majority Leader Marcos. The bill aims to institutionalize a Direct Government Subsidy to fully cover electricity bills for qualified households within a defined monthly threshold, while exempting the subsidized portion from the 12 percent value-added tax.
For the three House leaders, integrating the administration's programs on housing, irrigation, and power is crucial. They advocated for delivering services on the ground and sustaining and broadening them through legislation, with clear accountability for every peso spent.
On February 12, President Marcos led the inauguration of the rehabilitated Mahayag Dam in Zamboanga del Sur and the turnover of solar-powered pump irrigation projects across the Zamboanga Peninsula. Additionally, Marcos announced reforms to make electricity subsidies more accessible for low-income and marginalized families and to streamline net-metering for faster installation of solar panels and the sale of excess power to the grid.
The President made these announcements during the 'Collective Response to Presidential Commitments in the Energy Sector' event at the Meralco Theater in Ortigas on February 14. He also led the awarding of homes and assistance to beneficiaries of the Expanded Pambansang Pabahay Para Sa Pilipino (4PH) Program during the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development's seventh anniversary celebration at the Megawide Precast Plant in Taytay, Rizal on February 16.
