RDC III backs flood resilience, education bills in support of Bataan lawmaker’s measures

The Central Luzon Regional Development Council (RDC III) has unanimously approved two resolutions supporting key legislative measures on flood resilience and education during its recent Fourth Quarter Full Council Meeting held at the Royce Hotel and Casino in Clark Freeport, Pampanga.

In its 18th RDC III Resolution No. 03-60-2025, the council expressed support for the proposed Flood Resilience Legislative Package of 2025 upon the request of Bataan 1st District Representative Antonio Roman III. The package includes House Bill No. 2201 or the National Flood Risk Governance and Data Integration Act of 2025, House Bill No. 2202 or the Flood Resilience Incentive and Performance Fund Act of 2025, and House Bill No. 2203 or the Urban Wetlands and Easement Protection Act of 2025.

According to the RDC, the proposed measures aim to modernize flood governance, strengthen data-driven risk management, provide targeted funding support to local government units, and protect natural flood buffers such as wetlands and easements. The council noted that implementation of the bills will require a coordinated, multi-agency approach involving national government agencies and LGUs across Central Luzon.

The Council said the flood resilience bills are aligned with the Central Luzon Regional Development Plan 2023–2028 Midterm Update, particularly the strategies on infrastructure expansion, climate action, and disaster risk reduction. The RDC III Infrastructure Development, Economic Development, and Environment Committees earlier endorsed the measures before they were elevated to the full council.

In a separate resolution, 18th RDC III Resolution No. 03-61-2025, the council also endorsed a set of education-related legislative measures authored or supported by Rep. Roman. These include House Bill No. 607 or the Digital Teaching Excellence Act, HB 614 or the Innovation and Learning Hubs Act of 2025, HB 615 or the National English Competency Week Act, HB 1482 or the Critical Thinking and Pedagogical Transformation Act, HB 1483 or the Critical Pedagogy in Teacher Education Act, and HB 1912 or the Constitutional Literacy and Civic Engagement Act.

The RDC III said the education bills seek to strengthen teaching quality, promote innovation and learning hubs, institutionalize English competency initiatives, and enhance critical thinking, pedagogy, and civic education among learners and teachers. The Department of Education and other concerned agencies expressed support for the measures, which the council said are consistent with regional priorities on lifelong learning, research and innovation, and human capital development.