From Classrooms to Coastlines: Mindanao Poised to Benefit from 12 LEDAC Bills

DAVAO CITY (January 12) — Mindanao residents could soon see changes in schools, hospitals, fisheries, and local services after the House of Representatives approved 12 priority bills endorsed by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC), Majority Leader Sandro Marcos reported.

The LEDAC agenda, shaping President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s reform priorities, includes 48 measures on education, health, energy, governance, and social protection. Of these, 12 have cleared the House, five await budget review, 15 are under committee deliberation, and 17 are docketed for future hearings.

How Mindanao benefits

Key measures affecting southern communities include:

• Education – Amendments to the Teachers Professionalization Act and student assistance programs aim to improve resources for schools in remote areas.
• Health – The National Center for Geriatric Health expands services for older residents.
• Fisheries & environment – The Blue Economy Act promotes sustainable marine resource use for coastal towns.
• Energy & infrastructure – Updates to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act and the Department of Water Resources bill aim to improve electricity and water reliability.
• Disaster aid – Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations Act ensures faster support for typhoon- and flood-affected communities.

Voices from the ground

Elena Abubakar, a teacher in Marawi, said, “Better support for teachers means we can help students in far-flung areas get the education they need.”

Fisherman Rogelio Santos in Davao Oriental welcomed the Blue Economy Act: “If the government protects our reefs and encourages sustainable fishing, our families can earn a living without harming the environment.”

Single mother Marilyn Lao in Davao City said the new disaster aid law could save lives: “Quick help after floods can protect our homes and livelihoods.”

Vendors like Joey Calingasan see improvements from better water and waste management: “Markets will be cleaner and safer, which helps our businesses and neighborhoods.”

Next steps

Another five LEDAC bills—including land-use reforms and immigration modernization—await fiscal review, while 15 more are under technical deliberation. The remaining 17 measures, covering cybersecurity, anti-political dynasty rules, and digital governance, are queued for committee hearings.

Marcos emphasized that LEDAC priorities are not just “national bills”: “These reforms affect everyday life—from classrooms to barangay halls, hospitals to fisheries, and local jobs to services in Mindanao communities.”

The House resumes sessions January 26, aiming to speed up bills that deliver tangible benefits to the region.