Philippines President Approves 21 Priority Legislative Measures Including Travel Tax Abolition and Anti-Dynasty Bill
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved 21 priority bills through the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council, including measures to abolish travel tax, combat online child exploitation, and establish anti-political dynasty laws.
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Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved 21 priority legislative measures during the third meeting of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC), with officials highlighting the addition of four new bills focused on travel tax elimination and child protection measures.
The newly approved priority list includes the Travel Tax Abolition Bill, which would eliminate current departure fees for Filipino travelers. Additional measures focus on combating online crimes against children through the proposed Expanded Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act of 2026.
Governance and Economic Reform Measures
Among the 21 priority measures are several governance reforms, including the Anti-Political Dynasty Law and the Party-List System Reform Act. Economic development initiatives include the Waste-to-Energy Bill focused on waste treatment technology and amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act to strengthen the Energy Regulatory Commission's oversight and consumer protection capabilities.
According to LEDAC documentation, 12 of the council's measures have already received approval on third and final reading in Congress. These approved bills address service gaps in areas including energy regulation, waste management, healthcare for elderly populations, and building code modernization.
Broader Legislative Agenda
Beyond the 21 priority measures, LEDAC discussed 31 additional bills under its common legislative agenda. These cover policy areas including land use planning, taxation reform, healthcare expansion, education improvements, digitalization initiatives, and economic regulation frameworks.
The priority list also includes the National Center for Geriatric Health and Research Institute Act, the Classroom-Building Acceleration Program Act, and measures addressing government assistance programs for students and teachers in private education. Officials indicated that the expanded legislative agenda now encompasses 52 total measures under LEDAC consideration.
Both Perspectives
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Progressive advocacy groups would likely support the anti-political dynasty provisions and enhanced consumer protection measures as steps toward reducing elite political control and strengthening regulatory oversight. The focus on child protection legislation and expanded social services aligns with priorities for vulnerable population protection and expanded government social programs.
Conservative policy analysts may favor the travel tax abolition as reducing government burden on citizens and the waste-to-energy initiatives as market-based environmental solutions. The emphasis on economic regulation reforms and private education support measures could appeal to those prioritizing business-friendly policies and educational choice options.
Sources
This article was synthesized from 9 sources.