Executive downsizing proposal, five measures hurdle Senate

June 2, 2025 , 08:36 PM

By Rodolfo Dacleson II

(June 2, 2025) – The Senate on Monday approved in the third and final reading a measure empowering Pres. Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to streamline the executive branch, among six proposals.

The upper chamber passed Senate Bill No. (SBN) 890 or the “Government Optimization Act” aimed to “minimize redundancies, eliminate redundant functions, and simplify rules, regulations, and processes” within the Marcos administration. It received 22 affirmative votes and no opposition.

Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero said the bill intends to optimize the government workforce, instead of merely downsizing it.

“Rightsizing is about streamlining the bureaucracy… upgrading, upskilling, and upscaling personnel to help them fill up much-needed positions and put them on the path toward career advancement,” said Senate President Escudero, the principal author, as quoted by the Philippine News Agency.

The Committee on Optimizing the Executive Branch will be created to oversee the implementation of the government optimization program, which covers agencies under the executive branch.

SBN 2960 or the “Lifelong Learning Development Framework Act” — also hurdled the Senate, which aims to “equip Filipinos with skills and knowledge for a rapidly changing world” by establishing systems supporting lifelong learning.

“Education should be continuous, flexible, and inclusive — whether through formal institutions, community centers, or work-based settings,” said Sen. Joel Villanueva, who authored the bill, in a media release.

Another education bill passed through was SBN 2974 or the “Expanded Philippine Science High School (PSHS) System Act,” which amends Republic Act No. 8496 and Republic Act No. 9036 (2001). It will allow the establishment of up to two PSHS campuses for each region, excluding the National Capital Region.

Sen. Migz Zubiri, the sponsor of the bill, explained the measure will make PSHS more accessible, citing the report of the Second Congressional Commission on Education that found over 5,800 qualified students have been turned away since 2022 due to a lack of classrooms.

“We will ensure that these regional campuses are not built in the same provinces, so we can democratize the Philippine Science High School and give more students a chance to apply for and enter the school,” said Senator Zubiri in a media release.

Other measures hurled the final reading are as follows:

SBN 2975 – Otherwise known as the “Revised Animal Welfare Act,” it was passed to update existing laws on the treatment and protection of animals.
SBN 2805 – Sponsored by Sen. Robinhood Padilla, it will expand the mandate of the “Movie and Television Review and Classification Board Act” to regulate on-demand streaming platforms.
SBN 2965 – Authored by Sen. Imee Marcos, it seeks to provide burial assistance for poor families.

The 19th Congress is set to adjourn sine die on June 13.

(JREC)

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