SENATE President Juan Miguel ‘Migz’ Zubiri called the First Regular Session of the 19th Congress a success, highlighting not only the quantity but also the quality of the measures approved by the chamber.

The Senate produced six measures enacted into law while 22 bills await the President’s signature.

Two national bills are pending at the bicameral conference committee and six more national bills have been approved on third reading.

Zubiri said among those bills that hurdled third reading were the proposed Teaching Supplies Allowance Act and the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act.

“True to our tradition, we do not agree to proposals without discussion, nor embrace ideas without debate. We improve before we approve. We do not trade scrutiny for speed,” he added.

He said the Senate also acted on various local measures that will infuse much-needed funding into local governments and schools.

The President has already approved the Cityhood of Carmona, Cavite, while fourteen more local bills, mostly concerning the establishment and conversion of schools, await his signature.

“Our national bills will always be our priority, but our local bills are indispensable in the development of our regions, and so we always make time for them as well,” Zubiri said.