We can further reduce poverty, PBBM poverty alleviation programs now yielding positive results – Speaker Romualdez

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Monday said the government can get more Filipinos out of poverty by creating additional income and job opportunities for them.

In remarks marking the resumption of the session of Congress, the House leader also thanked his colleagues for giving priority to disaster response over rest during their recess in the wake of recent typhoon Kristine.

“Maraming salamat sa maagap ninyong pagkilos. Saludo po ako sa malasakit na ipinakita ninyo sa ating mga kababayan,” he said.

The leader of the 300-plus-strong House said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. and his administration should be commended “for their approach to reducing poverty and addressing food insecurity, leading to a notable reduction in self-rated hunger.”

“The government’s reforms and programs are now yielding positive results,” he said.

He noted that the August 28 to September 2, 2024, Tugon Ng Masa (TNM) survey published by OCTA Research showed that self-rated poverty dropped by five percentage points, with an estimated 1.4 million Filipino families now considering themselves “not poor.”

“Sustaining our economic recovery requires collaboration between the private sector, government, and academia. We must ensure that the Marcos administration’s vision of a more equitable and prosperous Philippines becomes a reality. Through consistent efforts, we can further reduce poverty and provide more opportunities for our people to thrive,” Speaker Romualdez said.

He recalled that before the recess in September, the House adopted House Resolution (HR) 2036, allowing five committees to conduct a joint inquiry and propose legislation to counteract massive smuggling and price manipulation of essential goods.

This Quinta Comm, comprising the committees on ways and means, trade and industry, agriculture and food, social services, and the special committee on food security, aims to mitigate hunger and ensure food security.

Despite government efforts, Speaker Romualdez said many Filipinos still face food insecurity.

He cited a report of the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization showing that the Philippines ranks first in food insecurity in Southeast Asia, with around 51 million Filipinos experiencing moderate to severe lack of food and highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive action.

“This year, our nation has endured the impacts of both El Niño and extensive flooding, causing severe damage to the agricultural sector and affecting countless livelihoods,” the House leader said.

In response, and under the President’s directive, he said the 2025 national budget would prioritize projects designed “to create a more resilient and sustainable future for our communities.”

Speaker Romualdez commended President Marcos for declaring Monday as a day of national to honor the more than 100 lives lost in the wake of severe tropical storm Kristine.

“We mourn with their families, loved ones, and communities who bear the weight of this tragic loss. As we share in this moment of profound grief, let us find strength in our unity and offer comfort and support to those who have lost so much. May our heartfelt prayers and unwavering solidarity serve as a source of hope and healing in this time of immense sorrow,” he said.

He told his colleagues that in the face of the typhoon, “a calamity that swept through communities, destroyed homes, and disrupted lives, many of you did not hesitate to set aside what should have been a period of rest.”

“You mobilized, responded, and reached out to those in need, showing our countrymen what it truly means to serve…You prioritized the welfare of our people, balancing legislative responsibilities with relief efforts that spanned our nation,” he said.

The House leader said aside from allocating funds to make flood-prone communities minimize flooding, the House introduced changes in the proposed 2025 national budget.

These include earmarking P293.23 billion to enhance social services, strengthen social safety nets, and ensure food security.

The amount is in addition to the PHP 591.8 billion allocated by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for cash assistance to indigent families.

The allocations will support programs such as Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), the Sustainable Livelihood Program, Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD), the Government Internship Program, Tertiary Education Subsidy, and Tulong Dunong programs, among others.

To address the continuing issue of safe and accessible shelters during calamities, the House of Representatives filed and deliberated on House Bill (HB) No. 7354.

Subsequently, in September, Speaker Romualdez said the House adopted Senate Bill (SB) No. 2451, or the “Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act,” as an amendment to the House bill, and the House now awaits the enrolled copy from the Senate for signing.

“This legislative measure is essential for protecting communities during disasters by establishing and maintaining safe, fully equipped, and permanent evacuation centers in every city and municipality,” he said.

He said as he and his colleagues reconvene “for another legislative cycle of lawmaking – a task we have committed to undertake with urgency and passion – we are once again expected to provide effective solutions to the most challenging and complex problems facing our nation.”

“Our track record speaks for itself. With confidence, I can say that the 19th Congress has consistently delivered successful results and exceeded expectations,” he added.

“As we approach the end of this remarkable term, we have demonstrated to the nation that no goals are unachievable, and no aspirations are unattainable, as long as we work cohesively and stand united,” he stressed.

The House leader cited several laws recently signed by President Marcos Jr., including Republic Act (RA) No. 12022, or the “Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act,” RA 12028, the “Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program Act,” RA 12024, the “Self-reliant Defense Posture Revitalization Act,” and RA 12023, the “Value Added Tax on Digital Services Law.”

He said the House has been instrumental in the enactment of 24 laws identified as priority measures under the LEDAC’s common legislative agenda for the 19th Congress.

He said of the 28 House priority measures targeted for passage by the end of the 19th Congress, only two remain pending with the concerned committees: Amendments to the Agrarian Reform Law and the Foreign Investors’ Long-term Lease Act.

Twenty-six measures have either been enacted into law or approved on third reading.