By Wilnard Bacelonia
MANILA – The Senate on Thursday approved nine measures on third and final reading covering overseas Filipino worker (OFW) reintegration, child online safety, housing, line worker protection and bamboo industry development, while also concurring in the Philippines-France Visiting Forces Agreement.
Among the measures approved was Senate Bill (SB) No. 2423, or the proposed Bagong Balikbayang Manggagawa Act, which would establish a comprehensive, integrated and sustainable reintegration program for returning OFWs.
Senator Raffy Tulfo said the measure recognizes that government responsibility to migrant workers should continue even after they return to the country.
“It is a long overdue tribute and national commitment to our OFWs,” Tulfo said.
He said returning workers may need help finding employment, managing savings, starting businesses, and establishing sustainable livelihoods after years of working abroad.
The Senate also approved SB 2424, or the proposed Safe Media Access and Responsible Technology for Kids in Digital Spaces Act, or Smart Kids Act, which imposes safeguards on high-risk digital services used by children.
Senator Joel Villanueva said the bill sets 18 as the minimum age for accounts on covered high-risk digital services and requires effective age checks, protection of personal data and safeguards against harmful or addictive platform features.
“Children’s safety must be part of doing business,” Villanueva said, referring to the responsibilities imposed on digital platforms.
Senator Robin Padilla, who shepherded the measure in the Senate, said the bill seeks to strengthen protection of children online while defining the responsibilities of parents, schools, government and technology platforms.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, however, registered a negative vote on the measure, warning that an outright ban for minors may also deprive young people of online spaces used for education, livelihood, communication and support.
She said safeguards should instead recognize the evolving capacities of children, with stronger restrictions for younger users and gradually increasing autonomy as they mature.
“Our objective is not simply to keep children off social media, but to make sure that the online environment is safe for them,” Hontiveros said.
Four housing measures likewise secured final Senate approval.
SB 1992 seeks to rationalize the acquisition and utilization of land for socialized housing, while SB 2503 would institutionalize a rental housing subsidy program.
SB 2507 provides incentives for the development, construction, rehabilitation and operation of qualified rental housing for poor and low-income households.
SB 2508, meanwhile, would condone outstanding housing obligations of qualified calamity survivors, including unpaid amortizations, interest and penalties.
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said the housing measures would help families secure safe and affordable shelter while giving calamity survivors a chance to rebuild without being weighed down by unpaid housing debts.
“For families who have already lost their homes, livelihoods and sources of income because of calamities, we should not allow housing debt to become another burden,” Go said.
The Senate also approved SB 2484, declaring the first Monday of August every year as National Line Workers Appreciation Day, and SB 2485, which mandates insurance coverage and other benefits for line workers.
Senator Erwin Tulfo said the measures recognize workers who restore electricity and communications during typhoons, earthquakes and other disasters despite the occupational hazards they face.
“The Senate stands with our people, especially the line workers whose work carries extraordinary occupational risk,” Tulfo said.
Completing the nine measures was the bill institutionalizing the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Program to strengthen the development, processing, utilization and commercialization of bamboo and bamboo products.
Go said the measure could transform bamboo from an underutilized resource into a sustainable and competitive industry capable of creating jobs and livelihood opportunities.
The chamber also adopted Proposed Senate Resolution No. 650 concurring in the ratification of the agreement between the Philippines and France on the status of visiting forces.
The agreement provides the legal framework governing the temporary presence of Filipino and French military personnel in each other’s territory and covers matters such as entry and exit, jurisdiction, custody, discipline, claims and taxation.
It also facilitates joint exercises, training, capacity-building, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, and other mutually agreed defense activities.
The Senate earlier agreed that all members be made co-authors and co-sponsors of Resolution No. 650. (PNA)
DOUBLE TIME. Senators hold a plenary session at the Senate on Thursday (Oct. 8, 2026) amid marathon impeachment hearings. Working double time, the chamber approved nine bills on final reading and concurred in the ratification of the Philippines-France Visiting Forces Agreement.
