BUTUAN CITY – The Senate approved six significant measures on Monday as lawmakers reconvened for the final six session days of the 19th Congress.
Among the most notable was Senate Bill No. 890 or the Government Optimization Act, which grants the President authority to streamline the executive branch through a five-year rightsizing program aimed at improving efficiency without downsizing the workforce.
The bill, authored by Senate President Francis Escudero, passed with 22 affirmative votes. Escudero emphasized the program’s focus on upgrading and upskilling government personnel, with oversight to be handled by a newly formed “Committee on Optimizing the Executive Branch.”
Other approved measures include SBN 2965, or the Free Funeral Services Act, which offers burial assistance to indigent families, and SBN 2974, which expands the Philippine Science High School System to accommodate more students across regions.
The Senate also passed SBN 2805, which updates the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) charter to include regulation of digital streaming platforms. Sponsored by Senator Robinhood Padilla, the bill aims to ensure that online content aligns with Filipino values, especially to protect minors.
Additionally, senators approved the Lifelong Learning Development Framework Act, institutionalizing continuous learning through micro-credentials and skills training, and the Revised Animal Welfare Act, which seeks to modernize animal protection laws.
These legislative efforts highlight the Senate’s push to modernize public services, education, and regulatory frameworks as the 19th Congress nears its conclusion.
