40 of 64 key reforms passed in congress—A mark of progress

The 19th Congress has passed 40 out of the 64 priority measures identified under the Common Legislative Agenda (CLA) of the Marcos administration, marking the highest output of such bills since the Ramos-era 10th Congress.

In a statement released Wednesday, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) noted the strong legislative output reflects a productive partnership between the Senate and House of Representatives, under the guidance of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).

Before Congress adjourned sine die on June 11, lawmakers ratified seven more reconciled bills, including the Government Optimization Act, the E-Governance Act, and the Enhanced Fiscal Regime for Large-Scale Metallic Mining Act.

Once signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., these measures will join 33 other enacted CLA bills, bringing the total to 40.

“This achievement would not have been possible without the heightened synergy between the Senate and the House of Representatives,” said DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan. He thanked Senate Presidents Francis Escudero and Juan Miguel Zubiri, along with House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, for their “unwavering commitment.”

Among the major reforms already enacted are the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Code, the CREATE MORE Act, the Capital Markets Efficiency Promotion Act, and the Real Property Valuation Reform Act. These laws aim to streamline economic policy and bolster the country’s investment climate.

On the social side, education-focused legislation such as the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning Program Act and the Enterprise-Based Education and Training Framework Act were passed. Key agriculture-related measures, including the New Agrarian Emancipation Act and the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, were also signed into law.

Looking ahead to the 20th Congress, DEPDev said it remains focused on unpassed legislation including the proposed Department of Water Resources and the National Land Use Act, both seen as crucial to improving governance and sustainability.