Manila: The Senate will pursue five legislative priorities aimed at supporting the Marcos administration's economic agenda while lowering food and electricity costs, increasing workers' take-home pay, improving infrastructure, and securing jobs, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said Monday. Opening the second regular session of the 20th Congress, Gatchalian emphasized that each legislative measure must provide concrete solutions to the everyday concerns of Filipino families.
According to Philippines News Agency, Gatchalian stated that addressing economic issues is critical because national progress cannot be realized while families struggle to meet their basic needs. He pinpointed the Senate's five focus areas as tackling high commodity prices, enhancing purchasing power, reducing expensive electricity, bridging infrastructure and transportation gaps, and addressing employment insecurity.
The Senate plans to amend the Rice Tariffication Law to keep rice affordable while protecting farmers, ensuring the National Food Authority maintains sufficient reserves. Gatchalian highlighted that the average price of regular-milled rice, a staple in Filipino households, has surged by nearly 20 percent over the past year.
Additionally, the Senate will prioritize the Ginhawa Bill, which proposes exempting workers earning up to PHP400,000 annually from income tax and raising the tax-free ceiling for bonuses. The bill also seeks to eliminate taxes on overtime, holiday pay, night-shift differential, hazard pay, and service charges, aiming to increase workers' take-home pay.
On the electricity front, the Senate will focus on the Energy Regulatory Commission Strengthening Bill. This move follows a Department of Energy report that identified the Philippines as having the highest average power rate among ASEAN countries in June. The bill aims to enhance regulatory oversight, strengthen accountability among industry participants, and protect consumers from excessive charges.
Furthermore, the Senate intends to amend the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act to mandate greater transparency in pump-price components, ensuring that price increases are justified by legitimate expenses rather than unreasonable margins.
For infrastructure, the chamber will prioritize the Masterplan for Infrastructure and National Development Bill, which envisions a 30-year framework connecting major roads, airports, hospitals, and energy pipelines. Gatchalian argued that coordinated infrastructure development would generate employment, attract investments, and sustain long-term growth.
The Senate also plans to amend the Magna Carta for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises. These proposed reforms aim to expand access to capital, credit guarantees, shared machinery, and technical support for small businesses, which constitute 99.7 percent of registered businesses in the country. The reforms would also offer these enterprises greater opportunities to participate in government projects and ensure faster payment for their services.
Gatchalian proposed the creation of an ad hoc committee to coordinate legislative action on economic growth, employment, and the cost of living. He stressed the interconnectedness of the five priorities and the need for coherent reforms that extend beyond a single administration.
Lastly, Gatchalian committed to the timely passage of the proposed 2027 national budget and the continuation of transparency reforms, including livestreamed bicameral deliberations and the publication of budget documents through the Senate Transparency Portal. He emphasized the importance of building an economy where work provides security, daily needs are within reach, and the benefits of growth are felt in every Filipino home.
