Pampanga 1st District Representative Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. has formally requested House Majority Floor Leader Ferdinand “Sandro” Marcos Jr. to include two of his proposed measures — the Autism Center Act (HB 5125) and the Universal Social Pension for Senior Citizens Act (HB 5068) — among the priority bills of the 20th Congress.

Filed on October 6, 2025, HB 5125 seeks to establish National and Provincial Centers for Autism that will implement a comprehensive plan for the diagnosis, therapy, rehabilitation, and vocational training of individuals with autism. The proposed centers will also offer free therapy services, employment support, and counseling for families.

“Through the establishment of these centers, we hope to provide individuals with autism and their families a place to seek assistance, access education, and find a supportive community,” Lazatin said.

Meanwhile, HB 5068, filed on October 2, 2025, proposes a universal social pension of ₱2,000 per month for all senior citizens, regardless of income, civil status, health condition, or residency. The pension will be administered by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in coordination with the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC), and will be automatically adjusted based on the Consumer Price Index set by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

“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 emphasized.

Inclusion in the list of priority bills allows proposed legislation to be fast-tracked for urgent deliberation and passage in Congress.