By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Senate leaders on Tuesday expressed strong support for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s policy priorities, saying the administration must now translate its reform agenda into tangible gains for Filipino workers, overseas Filipinos, farmers, and consumers.
Lawmakers said the President’s address laid out a roadmap centered on employment generation, investment promotion, and food security, but emphasized that the success of these initiatives would depend on swift implementation and continued legislative action.
Senator Joel Villanueva said the President acknowledged the day-to-day challenges confronting ordinary Filipinos, particularly the impact of rising fuel and electricity costs, global instability, and the need for stable employment.
He welcomed Malacañang’s recognition of several labor and education reforms initiated in the Senate, saying these measures have strengthened worker protection while expanding opportunities for employment and skills development.
Among the programs highlighted were the AKSYON Fund and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration’s livelihood assistance program, both of which have provided support to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) forced to return home due to armed conflicts and other international crises.
Villanueva said these initiatives have demonstrated the value of the Department of Migrant Workers Act by ensuring returning OFWs receive immediate assistance and livelihood opportunities during emergencies.
He also underscored the importance of flexible work arrangements, noting that work-from-home policies have evolved beyond easing Metro Manila traffic to becoming an effective response to fuel price increases and global disruptions while allowing businesses to remain productive.
The senator likewise pointed to recently enacted education and workforce development laws, including measures promoting enterprise-based training, expanded tertiary education equivalency, and lifelong learning. According to Villanueva, these reforms complement the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act by better preparing Filipino workers for emerging industries and future labor market demands.
He also cited the government’s Green Lanes initiative, which has attracted investment commitments exceeding PHP6 trillion and is projected to generate around 400,000 jobs nationwide.
While welcoming the influx of investments, Villanueva stressed that government must ensure Filipino workers possess the skills required to benefit from the employment opportunities being created.
“As more investments enter the country, we must make certain that our workforce is equipped to take advantage of these opportunities,” he said.
Meanwhile, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan welcomed the administration’s renewed focus on agriculture, saying food security should remain a top national priority amid continuing concerns over rising food prices.
Pangilinan said strengthening the country’s agricultural sector requires sustained government support for farmers and fisherfolk through modern farming technologies, technical assistance, affordable financing, post-harvest facilities, and stronger agricultural cooperatives.
He renewed his call for the immediate passage of the proposed Agricultural Cooperatives Act and the Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Act, both of which have already cleared second reading in the Senate.
According to Pangilinan, expanding agricultural extension services would allow farmers and fisherfolk to access modern production techniques and innovations, while stronger cooperatives would improve access to capital, farm inputs, processing facilities, and wider markets.
He maintained that achieving affordable and nutritious food for Filipino families begins with empowering the country’s food producers.
The senators agreed that while significant reforms have already been enacted, sustained implementation and the approval of key pending legislation remain essential to converting government policies into higher-quality jobs, stronger rural livelihoods, and more affordable food for millions of Filipinos.
ia/xf
