Marcos seeks immediate passage of waste-to-energy bill

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Wednesday sought for the immediate passage of the “Waste-to-Energy Bill,'' with the aim to address flood woes in the country.

“We have to look at it in a more urgent sense because it really becomes such an important part of the flood control program,” Marcos said during the 6th Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) full meeting at the Malacañang Palace.

The Presidential Communications Office said the Waste-to-Energy Bill was already approved on third and final reading by the House of Representatives while it is still pending for second reading at the Senate.

Marcos mentioned the need to revisit the proposed measure, noting that the waste-to-energy measure is an important discussion in flood control “because the garbage problem is actually severe.”

Marcos also said the waste-to-energy projects have also reduced flooding by 40%, adding that it has to be implemented at the local government level.

“I think waste-to-energy now has taken on a new role. It is no longer just for garbage, or waste disposal or waste management. It is also now very much part of the flood control effort,” Marcos said.

Further, the President is also pushing for the reorganization of water management in the country through the creation of the Department of Water Resources. 

Marcos told Senate President Francis ''Chiz'' Escudero that Malacañang would come up with an executive version of the Department of Water Resources bill.

“It’s a department because we are going to reorganize everything. But the original idea was that we will reorganize the entire water management process in the Philippines. But because of the exigencies of climate change, we really have to direct our efforts, our attention to [water],” Marcos said. 

In a separate press conference, Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez ensured that the House of Representatives is on track when it comes to accomplishing the priority measures of the administration.

''On behalf of the House of Representatives, we are very, very pleased to announce that we have reported to the President and to the LEDAC that, again, the House of Representatives has accomplished all but two of the priority legislative measures, labeled as priority,'' Romualdez said.

''And we are confident that before the year ends, we shall have finished all by December or six months in advance,'' he added. 
 
He also praised the Senate for being dynamic and proactive.

''We are most appreciative to the Senate President for the output of the local bills that the Senate has generated for and behalf of our congressmen,'' Romualdez said.

--VAL, GMA Integrated News