FIRST DISTRICT, Pampanga – Pampang 1st District Representative Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. has requested the Majority Floor Leader, Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative Ferdinand “Sandro” Marcos, for the inclusion of House Bills No. 5125 and 5068 among the priority bills in the 20th Congress.
HB 5125, filed by Lazatin on October 6, 2025, mandates the establishment of National and Provincial Centers for Autism to formulate and implement an integrated and comprehensive plan for the diagnosis, therapy, and rehabilitation of individuals with autism.
Meanwhile, HB 5068, filed on October 2, 2025, calls for a universal social pension for senior citizens amounting to P2,000 per month – regardless of their income, civil status, health condition, or residency.
“Nakikita po natin na ang mga ito ay immediate needs ng ating mga kababayan, kaya po hiniling natin na masama ito sa priority bills natin sa Kongreso,” Lazatin said.
Under HB 5125, autism centers shall provide free diagnosis, therapy, and rehabilitation; vocational training for adults with autism; employment opportunities for individuals with autism; and counseling, orientation, and referral services.
“Through the establishment of these centers, we hope to provide individuals with autism and their families a place to seek assistance from, access education, and find a community,” Lazatin said.
Meanwhile, HB 5068 shall be implemented through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in coordination with the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC).
The amount of social pension shall be automatically adjusted based on the Consumer Price Index, to be determined by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
Being included among priority bills will allow a piece of legislation to be ‘fast-tracked’ for urgent passage.