MANILA, Philippines — As Congress resumes work on Monday, the House of Representatives will prioritize the passage of three bills creating new departments focused on overseas Filipinos, water resources, and disaster resilience, according to Majority Leader Martin Romualdez. On instructions of Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, the Leyte lawmaker and chair of the House rules committee said the 300-strong chamber would expedite passage of the three measures identified as priorities by President Rodrigo Duterte. ADVERTISEMENTThe goal is to pass the bills creating a Department of Filipinos Overseas, a Department of Water, and a Department of Disaster Resilience before the next adjournment of Congress in mid-March. Of the three bills, the one on overseas Filipinos, House Bill No. On the other hand, the 27 separate measures on disaster resilience have been consolidated into one, with the appropriations panel poised to discuss its funding provisions on Jan. 22.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer January 19, 2020 20:48 UTC