By Lane Afable, News Editor
Malacañang on Monday said the proposed UPLIFT Bill is being considered as one of the priority measures of the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and is expected to strengthen government programs related to economic recovery, social protection, and assistance to vulnerable sectors.
UPLIFT stands for the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport, a “whole-of-government” framework established through Executive Order No. 110 on March 24, 2026, which seeks to address the economic impacts of the Middle East crisis and rising fuel prices.
“Iyong UPLIFT Bill ay napag-usapan before, so, tingnan natin kung mapapasama ito o kung may iba pang alternatibong maaaring gawin. May 19 ang susunod na meeting,” said Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro in a Palace press briefing.
Castro said the change in Senate leadership will not affect what transpired during the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting.
“Kung mayroon tayong priority bills na 21 at iyan ang huling napag-usapan sa LEDAC sa pamumuno pa ni Senate President Tito Sotto, wala naman dapat sigurong ipagbago dahil kung ito ay para sa taumbayan, hindi naman dahil sa nagbago ang liderato sa Senado ay babagalan nila ang trabaho at hindi ito makakabuti sa taumbayan at hindi rin ito makakabuti sa Pangulo at sa Kongreso,” she added.
During the LEDAC meeting on February 10, 2026, President Marcos identified 21 priority bills for congressional approval, including the Anti-Political Dynasty Law, the Travel Tax Abolition bill, and amendments to the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children Act.
