Solons hope Marcos tackles disaster resilience, inflation, energy woes

MANILA, Philippines — Several House of Representatives lawmakers have laid down their wish list of topics for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona). Surigao del Sur Rep. Romeo Momo said a key measure that Marcos should discuss — and include in his priority bills — is the proposed New Philippine Building Act, as contained in House Bill No. 6615. Momo said that recent disasters — the earthquake in the Davao and Soccsksargen regions, and the collapse of a building in Pampanga — would have been prevented if the New Philippine Building Act had been enacted and allowed to set better construction standards. Article continues after this advertisement “We appeal to His Excellency to certify as urgent the passage of House Bill 6615 or the New Philippine Building Act (PBA),” Momo, chairperson of the House committee on public works and highways, said. “We should not forget that there have been recent devastating incidents that up until now the country and the people have not yet fully recovered,” he added. Momo has been advocating for the New Philippine Building Act, as it would ensure that structures are equipped to withstand potential damage by updating standards for the “planning, design, construction, occupancy, maintenance, and demolition of buildings.” According to the lawmaker, several provisions in the current 1977 National Building Code of the Philippines (NBCP) are already outdated, as the current law does not have provisions that prohibit “unauthorized deviations from approved plans, construction beyond permitted specifications” and “non-compliance with structural and safety standards and violations of permits and regulatory requirements.” “How many more lives do we need to lose, how many more risks do we need to take before we take action,” Momo said. Article continues after this advertisement “The Philippines sits in the Pacific Rim of Fire and because of that earthquakes are part of the Filipinos’ life. Earthquakes cannot be detected, it cannot be avoided but we can prepare for it and be more resilient when it strikes.” “We need to build better with stronger infrastructures that could withstand strong earthquakes and typhoons. Let the New Philippine Building Act be our guide toward this progress,” he added. Article continues after this advertisement Agusan del Norte Rep. Dale Corvera raised the same concerns, saying that Marcos’ Sona should center on the most urgent concerns like inflation and disaster resilience. “The widespread infrastructure damage and flooding from heavy monsoon rains also demand a rigorous accounting of infrastructure projects that need immediate action, and the President should set its direction and prioritize it in next year’s budget,” Corvera said. Similarly, Corvera said that the President should “clear things up” regarding the flood control scandal, which was kickstarted during the 2025 SONA after the Chief Executive asked politicians and contractors conniving behind ghost projects to be ashamed of themselves. “This year’s SONA, will also be the right venue for the President to clear things up on the flood control controversy which he started to unravel in last year’s SONA because the people are still wanting results,” he added. Energy issue 1-Rider party-list Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez said he hopes the President will discuss measures related to energy security, noting that oil prices are rising anew. “We know that this would be the last two Sonas of the President (so) it’ll probably be (about) laying out his legacy building, but for us, hopefully, (because) prices of fuel have risen again, hopefully oil deregulation is part of the conversation,” Gutierrez said. There have been calls to repeal the Oil Deregulation Law, especially when the United States-Iran conflict exposed problems brought by oil companies supposedly having free rein in terms of imposing higher prices on old fuel stock. Lawmakers said such concerns may be a signal to revisit Republic Act No. 8479 or the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act of 1998. READ: Maybe it’s time to revisit oil deregulation law — Quimbo Corvera raised the same issues as Gutierrez, saying that it would be good if Marcos can present a “clear roadmap” in terms of energy security given the situation “I also expect the President to present a clear roadmap on energy security in this year’s SONA given the unpredictable situation in the Middle East, and the Philippines is highly dependent on imported fuel,” he said. “These are extraordinary problems, and the President should spend his political capital in finding extraordinary solutions to restore the people’s trust in government, especially at this time that his trust rating has declined based on the latest SWS survey results,” he added. Regarding transportation, Las Piñas Rep. Mark Anthony Santos said he hopes Marcos can break the deadlock regarding the P64.9-billion Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) Cavite Extension Project. According to Santos, the project has not moved forward despite its benefirts to many commuters from Las Piñas, Parañaque, and Cavite. “It is now imperative for President Marcos to step in so that the much-delayed P64.9-billion LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project can finally move forward. The people have waited long enough for a railway system that will ease traffic congestion, shorten travel time, and improve their quality of life,” Santos said. “I am hopeful that President Marcos will demonstrate the same resolve in addressing the issues delaying the LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project. Millions of commuters have already waited far too long,” he added. ‘Repeat flunker’ Akbayan party-list Rep. Percival Cendaña meanwhile gave Marcos a “dismal” score in terms of raising the people’s standard of living, as the administration has failed to advocate for a legislated minimum wage hike. “The President has a consistent failing grade in terms of increasing workers’ wages. Sona after Sona, he has over-promised to the Filipino workers but he has repeatedly failed them. His report card for the past four years reflects a failing grade, if it were up to the labor sector,” Cendaña said. “He failed in securing a legislated wage hike in the 19th Congress. His lack of support for the measure this 20th Congress indicates he has already surrendered on raising the minimum wage,” he added. According to Cendaña, the P85 wage hike being touted by the administration is a pittance as it is not only a low amount, it only covers Metro Manila workers and will be delivered in two tranches. The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) and other labor groups are expected to hold their own address on Monday — hours before Marcos’ Sona, as the administration failed to champion the welfare of the labor sector. “The SOLA (State of Labor Address) will challenge the Marcos Administration’s failure to deliver a legislated wage hike, security of tenure, protection of workers’ rights, tax relief, affordable and accessible public services, and full accountability against corruption which all continue to deepen the daily hardship of every Filipino working family,” TUCP said in a statement. Marcos is scheduled to deliver his fifth and penultimate Sona on Monday, July 27. Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful. The President will address the 20th Congress on Monday afternoon, after the Senate and the House separately convene for the start of the second regular session. /gsg