The House of Representatives opens the Second Regular Session for the 18th Congress on Monday, amid the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, as of GMA News.

No less than Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano himself presided over the hybrid opening of the session attended by 301 lawmakers, of which 21 were physically present at the plenary and 280 participated virtually.

According to the Article VI, opening of the Second Regular Session stems, Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution, it states that “the Congress shall convene once every year on the fourth Monday of July for its regular session.

Based on Cayetano’s opening remarks, he urged his fellow lawmakers to stay true to their mandate and come up with solutions to address the problems that the Filipino people face amid the continued threat of COVID-19.

Cayetano said, “The enormity the challenges and severity of the crisis we face require much faith, sacrifice and hard work. Not just from our leaders but from each and everyone of us.”

“It is in this spirit that we need to move together as one nation, move fast and united. United in our goal to protect the weakest among us, and create a better way of life. A better way of life for all Filipinos, not just for the privileged, the rich, and the powerful.

Cayetano also recognized that the most difficult task of the lawmakers is to keep Filipinos safe and healthy while allowing them to go back to work.

“We need to rebuild and retool those industries that have been gutted by this pandemic. And in this endeavor, the government will be playing a significant role,” he said.

“I propose that we strengthen the Agriculture, Tourism, and Manufacturing sectors, augmented by robust investments in infrastructure, to be the primary source of employment and growth,” he added.

In regards on this morning’s session, the Senate and the House of Representatives will jointly convene to hear President Rodrigo Duterte’s fifth State of the Nation Address.

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