Legarda vows to continue crafting policies for Filipino people as 2nd Regular Session of 19th Congress begins

As the Second Regular Session of the 19th Congress opens today, Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda reaffirmed her commitment to crafting legislation that will uplift the lives of Filipinos and bring progress to the nation.

“I am deeply grateful to serve the Filipino people, along with my colleagues, and I thank them for their unwavering support and contribution in creating our country’s future policies,” Legarda stated.

Among the laws Legarda co-authored and co-sponsored over the past 12 months are Republic Act (RA) 11934, or the SIM Card Registration Law; RA 11939, which strengthened professionalism in the Armed Forces of the Philippines; and RA 11953, which frees agrarian reform beneficiaries from financial burden.

Awaiting President Marcos’ signature are numerous bills passed by Congress, including establishing Regional Specialty Centers, which Legarda is a co-author of, and co-authored the law that enables the enactment of a National Employment Action Plan.

Legarda, the chairperson of the Committee on Culture and the Arts, authored and primarily sponsored a law amending the National Cultural Heritage Act; authored and co-sponsored a bill that seeks to extend the period of availing of Estate Tax Amnesty.

Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) will soon enjoy the institutionalization of the One Town, One Product (OTOP) as one of the state’s stimulus programs for the latter.

Likewise, she sponsored the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) treaty’s concurrence, which will spur growth in the export sector.

The disability pension of veterans is also set to be increased following the bicameral conference’s ratification of the proposed law co-authored by Legarda.

After the opening ceremonies in the Senate, Legarda will proceed to the Batasang Pambansa for the Chief Executive’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA).

She will wear a 20-year-old hand-painted abaca baro’t saya upcycled and designed by Filipina fashion designer and heritage conservationist Patis Tesoro, Marikina shoes by entrepreneur and shoemaker Tish Sevilla, and a bag by renowned designer Carissa Cruz-Evangelista. (30)