Legarda hails Antique as 4th fastest-growing economy, cites long-term progress from poverty

Senator Loren Legarda welcomed Antique’s ranking as the fourth fastest-growing economy among the country’s provinces and highly urbanized cities in 2025, saying the milestone reflects how far the province has come and provides stronger momentum to create more jobs, strengthen local industries, and improve the lives of Antiqueños.

In its Provincial Product Accounts released on August 28, 2026, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that Antique posted 8.55 percent year-on-year economic growth in 2025, ranking fourth among 82 provinces and 33 highly […]

Stronger free college law signed: Legarda says more students can stay in school, finish their studies

Senator Loren Legarda welcomed the enactment of Republic Act No. 12325, calling it a major step forward in her continuing push to ensure that quality tertiary education is within reach of Filipino families regardless of income.

The new law strengthens the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act by improving the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES), directing assistance more deliberately toward the poorest students, and recognizing that the cost of education goes far beyond tuition.

“Hindi sapat na libre ang tuition kung wala […]

Legarda: Protect Filipino culture while building a stronger creative economy

Senator Loren Legarda called for stronger protection and investment in Filipino culture and creativity as the country observes Philippine Creative Industries Month this September, stressing that the growth of the creative economy must translate into better opportunities, sustainable livelihoods, and wider markets for Filipino artists, artisans, cultural workers, and creative entrepreneurs.

This year’s celebration carries the theme “We Are a Creative Nation.” Philippine Creative Industries Month is observed every September pursuant to Republic Act No. 11904, or the Philippine Creative Industries […]

Legarda: When fuel prices surge, government must have the tools to act

Senator Loren Legarda is seeking a permanent fuel-security framework that would allow the government to closely monitor the fuel market during normal conditions and act quickly when prices and supply are threatened by a crisis.

The proposal responds to gaps exposed during the recent oil crisis and the Senate PROTECT Committee hearings, where questions arose over fuel inventories, actual acquisition costs, industry margins, and the basis for price adjustments.

Legarda filed Senate Bill No. 2435, or the proposed Philippine Fuel Security and […]

Legarda: Philippine education must value our own language, knowledge, and identity

Senator Loren Legarda called for a deeper appreciation of Filipino languages, indigenous knowledge, and local realities in education, stressing that learning must help Filipinos understand and value who they are, as the third installment of the Solidaridad Literary Series was held on August 28, 2026 at the Solidaridad Bookshop in Padre Faura, Manila.

As a longtime advocate of Philippine culture and heritage and Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Culture and the Arts, Legarda said education plays an important role in […]