House Speaker Calls for Empathy-Driven Legislation to Improve Filipino Lives

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has called on legislators to go beyond technical lawmaking and focus on enacting laws that genuinely improve the well-being of Filipinos. In a statement, Romualdez emphasized the need for legislation that resonates with the struggles of everyday citizens. \"Let the 20th Congress be a turning point, not just in laws we pass but in the lives that we change,\" Romualdez said during a recent session. He added that laws must carry sincerity and real meaning, stressing, \"Hindi sapat ang mga batas na mahusay, kailangan nito ay may puso. Hindi sapat ang batas na maganda sa papel, dapat ito ay may saysay sa buhay.\" Romualdez underscored that empathy and relevance should guide all legislative deliberations, particularly in light of ongoing challenges faced by many Filipinos. \"Let us make every debate meaningful, let every law reflect compassion, let every session honor the dreams of our people,\" he stated. He also reminded House members of their responsibility, declaring, \"We are the House of the People. Let us be remembered for being worthy of that name.\" Among the priorities outlined by Romualdez are the passage of the proposed Rice Industry Consumer Empowerment Act (RICE Act), institutionalizing the \"Walang Gutom Program\" to provide monthly food credits, supporting digital skills training and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and advancing reforms in public education. Key educational measures include the Last Mile Schools Act and amendments to the Expanded Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (E-GASTPE). Through this approach, Romualdez envisions a legislative agenda that not only addresses policy but also directly improves the day-to-day lives of Filipinos facing economic and social challenges.

Tsunami Advisory Prompts Class Suspension and Evacuations in Rapu-Rapu, Albay

LEGAZPI CITY — Classes across all levels in Rapu-Rapu, Albay, were suspended on the afternoon of July 30, 2025, in response to a tsunami advisory issued by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) issued Advisory No. 001, mandating the suspension of classes and advising coastal communities to move to elevated areas as a safety precaution. In a phone interview, Mayor Rommel "Otoy" Galicia emphasized the importance of immediate evacuation upon hearing the warning bell. He identified designated evacuation centers, including Rapu-Rapu National High School, Rapu-Rapu Central School, Sta. Florentina Parish Church, the municipal training center, and selected two-story houses located away from the shoreline. In neighboring Camarines Sur, Governor Luis Raymund Villafuerte reminded residents via social media to stay vigilant. "There is no threat of a destructive tsunami, but safety precautions are still necessary," he said. Phivolcs’ Tsunami Information Bulletin No. 2 reported that tsunami waves measuring under one meter could impact parts of Albay province. The first waves were anticipated to reach the area between 1:20 p.m. and 2:40 p.m. and could continue for several hours thereafter.

Bacolod City Imposes P1.68 Million Penalties on Garbage Hauler for Contract Violations

The City Government of Bacolod has levied penalties amounting to P1.68 million against its garbage collection contractor, IPM-Construction and Development Corp. (IPM-CDC), on July 29, 2025. According to City Legal Officer Karol Joseph Chiu, the sanctions stem from multiple breaches of the firm’s contract with the local government. Chiu explained that the Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office (Benro) served the official notice of violations to IPM-CDC. A significant infraction involved the company’s failure to provide the mandated global positioning system (GPS) access to the City Mayor’s Office, Benro, and the Management Information Technology and Computer Services (MITCS). Additionally, IPM-CDC fell short in delivering the required number of shredders as stipulated in the contract; only one shredder was supplied instead of the agreed three. "They have incurred penalties every month due to these lapses and are obligated to fulfill their contractual duties," Chiu stated, adding that Mayor Greg Gasataya has emphasized the importance of ensuring full compliance from the hauler. The city government also requested IPM-CDC submit their garbage collection route plan to improve transparency and monitoring. A meeting with IPM-CDC officials is scheduled for August 1, 2025, to discuss these issues further. Earlier, the City had extended IPM-CDC’s contract until December 31, 2025, valued at P303 million, covering collection, hauling, and disposal of municipal waste.