Landmark proposals in the 20th Congress
FOR his 20 priority measures in the 20th Congress, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada has put forward proposals aimed at improving the lives of ordinary Filipinos — from the elderly, to government workers, and to jobseekers —while also championing reforms that promote safer communities and future-proof essential public services.
“These proposed measures aim to address both long-standing and emerging challenges confronting our kababayans — whether in health, livelihood, security, disaster resilience, or digital transformation,” the seasoned lawmaker said.
Among his landmark proposals is a law that guarantees a monthly stipend for all Filipino seniors — ₱1,000 for indigents, and ₱500 for non-indigents, to be increased after five years, and another measure granting senior citizens a 20% discount on travel tax. Complementing these is the proposed Philippine Geriatric Medical Center Act, which envisions the creation of a world-class hospital dedicated to senior citizens.
To ensure disaster preparedness and rapid response during emergencies, Estrada also filed the Disaster Food Bank and Stockpile Act and the long-sought Department of Disaster Resilience Act to streamline disaster management efforts. In the area of water conservation and climate adaptation, he also proposed the Rainwater Harvesting Facility Act, which mandates rainwater collection systems.
Recognizing the importance of a digitally literate public sector, his Artificial Intelligence (AI) Training for Government Workforce Act seeks to equip government employees with the tools and knowledge to harness artificial intelligence for faster, more efficient public service.
In education and employment, Estrada proposed the approval of the Rationalized Basic Education Act, which seeks to remove Senior High School from the basic education system to ease the financial and time burden on families; and the Kabalikat sa Hanapbuhay Act, which provides jobseekers from poor households with discounts or waived government document fees.
To protect Filipino consumers, the Senate leader filed the Prepaid Load Forever Act, banning the expiration of prepaid load credits; and the Refund for Internet and Telecommunications Service Outages Act, which would require telcos to refund subscribers for service disruptions.
Key defense and national security reforms include the Philippine Coast Guard Modernization Act, the DND Proper Transformation Act, and the New Anti-Espionage Act, which impose stricter penalties for espionage, including life imprisonment without the benefit of parole, to safeguard national sovereignty.
Further, Estrada seeks to uplift public servants through the Augmented P.E.R.A. Act (APERA), which doubles the allowance of government personnel from ₱2,000 to ₱4,000; and a measure extending the validity of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) identification card from three to five years.
In the area of arts and culture, his World-Class Filmmakers’ Incentives Act aims to revive the golden age of Philippine cinema through tax perks and production support for globally competitive local films.
Other notable bills include the proposed creation of the National Family Commission of the Philippines, a dedicated agency to promote, protect, and strengthen Filipino family values and well-being; and the Anti Game-Fixing Act, which prescribes severe penalties — including life imprisonment, hefty fines, and perpetual disqualification from amateur and professional sports — for violators.
Estrada also wants the approval of his proposed Philippine Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Act, which seeks to modernize outdated civil registration laws to improve data accuracy and responsiveness to current national and global contexts.
“These bills are the product of consultations, feedback from communities, and a clear understanding of the pressing needs of our people. As public servants, it is our duty to respond with policies that are inclusive, forward-looking, and grounded in reality,” Estrada said.