MANILA – The House of Representatives has approved 38 bills on second reading during plenary deliberations on May 20, as Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III underscored the chamber’s commitment to fast-tracking priority measures upon the resumption of session.

The approved measures cover a wide range of policy areas, including governance reforms, emergency response, energy security, public safety, infrastructure, and local development initiatives.

“At the resumption of session, we said that the House must continue to act with purpose, discipline, and resolve. Ang mahalaga ngayon ay tuluy-tuloy nating ginagawa ang trabaho at mandato na ipinagkatiwala sa atin ng taumbayan (What is important now is we are continuously doing our jobs and the mandate entrusted to us by the people),” Dy said in a statement.

“Patuloy nating pagtutuunan ng pansin ang mga panukalang batas na may direktang epekto sa buhay ng mga Pilipino (Let’s maintain our focus on the proposed measures that have direct effect on the lives of Filipinos).”

Among the bills approved on second reading was House Bill No. 8389, or the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Act, which seeks to prohibit political dynasties in both national and local elective positions. The measure was originally authored by Dy and House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos and is listed as a priority under the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).

Also approved was House Bill No. 9305, which institutionalizes a National Emergency Response and Resiliency Framework and establishes the proposed “KALINGA Program” to support economic stability, energy security, and continuity of essential services during crises. The bill was likewise authored by Dy and Marcos.

Other measures approved include House Bill No. 8392, which declares National Election Day a regular non-working holiday, and House Bill No. 8702, which raises the compulsory retirement age of Philippine National Police personnel from 56 to 57 years old.

Several energy and infrastructure-related bills also advanced, including House Bill No. 9010, which seeks to grant a franchise for the transportation and distribution of natural gas and petroleum products, as well as measures strengthening electric cooperative franchises in various provinces.

Dy said the House will continue prioritizing measures anchored on accountability, transparency, and public welfare.

In addition to national legislation, the chamber also approved local bills declaring special non-working holidays and commemorative measures in various local government units.

Recently, the House approved on third reading several key measures, including House Bill No. 8647, which amends the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Act; House Bill No. 9157, the proposed Philippine Waste to Energy Act; and House Bill No. 8466, the proposed National Land Use Act.

The National Land Use Act, one of the longest-pending measures in Congress, seeks to establish a science-based framework for land use and physical planning to balance development, food security, environmental protection, housing, infrastructure, and disaster resilience.