Senate to focus on rice, jobs, power rates

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian has laid down the Senate’s priorities for the Second Regular Session of the 20th Congress, saying lawmakers will focus on measures that could ease the rising cost of living.

In his opening speech, Gatchalian said the Senate will push bills aimed at making rice more affordable, increasing workers’ take-home pay, lowering electricity rates, improving infrastructure, and creating more jobs.

“The most urgent point of concern, therefore, is getting the Philippine economy back on track,” Gatchalian said.

Among the priority measures are amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law to keep rice prices affordable while protecting farmers, the proposed Ginhawa Bill, the ERC Strengthening Bill, and changes to the Oil Deregulation Law to make fuel pricing more transparent.

Gatchalian also stressed the need to pass the 2027 national budget on time, saying it remains the government’s strongest tool to support the economy. 

He added that the transparency reforms introduced in the 2026 budget process, including the livestreaming of bicameral meetings, should continue.IMT