User:Ronnie L. Ong/sandbox

1. Overview on Rep. Ronnie Ong

Rep. Ronnie Ong is a Filipino politician currently serving as the second nominee of the Ang Probinsyano Partylist and is an elected representative at the House of Representatives of the Philippines as of the 18th Congress.

He is a proponent of the Foundling Welfare Act and has championed policies promoting employment, protection of children and senior citizens and animal welfare. Projects such as Tulong sa Senior Citizen Work Program, establishment of e-learning hubs dubbed as “E-skwela Hubs,” around the nation were his brainchild.

At the 18th Congress, he is currently Vice-Chairperson of the House Committees on Rural Development, Foreign Affairs, Tourism, and Games and Amusement, while also serving as Member to the House Committees on Appropriations, Ways and Means, Bicol Recovery and Economic Development, Economic Affairs, and Information and Communications Technology. He is an advocate for legislation and programs centering on labor and employment, fair trade, access to education, rights of foundlings, overseas workers, senior citizens, and persons with disability (PWDs), as well as animal welfare in the country.

Rep. Ronnie Ong was recently featured in the People Asia Magazine as “A congressman in the frontlines”, and was applauded and commended for his unwavering on-the-ground service to Filipino people amidst the pandemic.

2. Autobiography

Ronnie Lim Ong was born on November 2, 1970 in Manila. He finished his undergraduate studies at the De La Salle University in 1995 with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design. He is married to Jocelyn R. Ong, with three children.


 * 1) Rappler article, https://www.rappler.com/nation/house-approves-foundling-welfare-act-final-reading
 * 2) Philippine Daily Inquirer article, https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1188057/special-job-program-for-senior-citizens-to-be-launched-at-pup
 * 3) Philippine Star, https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/09/28/2045616/group-forms-e-skwela-hubs
 * 4) Congress Website, http://congress.gov.ph/members/search.php?id=ong-r
 * 5) People Asia, http://peopleasia.ph/a-congressman-in-the-frontlines/
 * 6) Official Website of Rep. Ronnie Ong, https://repronnieong.org
 * 7) Congress Website, http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_18/HB03472.pdf

3. 18th Congress Landmark Legislation

House Bill No. 3472 (Foundling Welfare Act)

This bill promotes the rights of foundlings -- defined as deserted or abandoned children with unknown parents, where foundlings are declared and given status as natural-born citizens of the Philippines and shall automatically be accorded such rights and protection as those belonging to such class of citizens.

House Bill No. 3887 (Regional One-Stop Shop Centers for OFWs (ROSSCO) Act)

This bill institutionalizes the Regional One-Stop Shop Program for OFWS nationwide, involving frontline government agencies availed the most by prospective, current and returning OFWs.

House Bill No. 5362 (Senior Citizens' Employment Act)

This bill promotes the employment of willing and able-bodied senior citizens in the workforce, and provides incentives to companies who continue to hire senior citizens.

House Bill No. 6895 (An Act Lengthening the School Calendar to 220 Days)

In response to the COVID19 pandemic, the school calendar was lengthened to 220 days instead of 200 days, as well as giving the Philippine president powers to adjust the opening of the classes in times of any national emergency.

This bill was ratified into law as R.A. 11480 on July 17, 2020.

House Bill No. 7202 (Trans Fat Law)

Seeks the regulation of food products containing trans-fatty acids (TFA), and promotes healthier but equally-affordable TFA alternatives to prevent risk with comorbidities like heart diseases which puts Filipino people in danger of contracting diseases like COVID19.

House Bill No. 81 (Artists’ Safety on Set (ASSET) Act)

Bill seeks to protect all kinds of artists, famous or not and regardless of contractual arrangement (employed or independent contractor) from injuries, hazards, and deaths.

House Bill No. 3983 (Synchronized Academic Calendar Act)

This bill mandates synchronization of academic calendar is needed in order to provide standard learning and exchange opportunities not just on a national level but on an international level.

House Bill No. 4092 (Pro-Poor and PWD Access to Government Act)

This bill prohibits discrimination on persons, especially the poor and the PWD, in terms of dress code, clothing or appearance, which hinders their entrance and access to government offices.

House Bill No. 4462 (Mandating MARINA or Maritime Industry Authority to promote Fair Shipping Charges)

This bill addresses the current gap in existing maritime law by mandating MARINA to prescribe charges pertinent to the operation of public water transport utilities, facilities, and services as well as promotes fair and transparent shipping charges among agents and forwarders of international shipping lines.


 * 1) Congress Website, http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_18/HB03887.pdf
 * 2) Congress Website, http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_18/HB05362.pdf
 * 3) Congress Website, http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/third_18/HBT6895.pdf
 * 4) Congress Website, http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_18/HB07202.pdf
 * 5) Congress Website, http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_18/HB00081.pdf
 * 6) Congress Website, http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_18/HB03983.pdf
 * 7) Congress Website, http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_18/HB04092.pdf
 * 8) Congress Website, http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_18/HB04462.pdf

House Bill No. 6059 (Prevention of Abuse on OFWs)

This bill provides an active monitoring and urgent response mechanism to address incidents and emergencies endangering the life, limb, and liberty of our OFWs and to instill that consciousness among our frontline government agencies and stakeholders, under pain of administrative and criminal penalty.

House Bill 7868 (New Normal of Voting for Senior Citizens)

This bill mandates the COMELEC to develop a new normal of voting in order to avoid disenfranchising millions of senior citizens and PWDs and allow them to vote early as well as put up the necessary protocol to protect their life and health while they vote in the 2022 elections.

House Resolution No. 2 (Suspending the Implementation of the Provincial Bus Ban)

This resolution urges the MMDA, DOTr and LTFRB to suspend provincial bus ban, revisit the implementation of the Integrated Terminal Scheme and find non-oppressive and less intrusive solutions that will improve traffic condition along EDSA without unduly burdening millions of Probinsyanos from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

House Resolution No. 198 Port Fees (Addressing High Import Costs and Inflation due to Excessive Destination Charges of International Shipping Lines)

This resolution urges the DTI, DOTr and DOF to immediately address the high import costs imposed by international shipping lines and/or their agents resulting to nationwide inflation and unduly burdening Filipino consumers and businesses. This resolution aims to regulate the excessive and questionable destination charges on imports due to the absence of a mandated government agency strictly imposing port and shipping regulations and policies.

House Resolution No. 206 (Animal Welfare Act in Pounds and Shelters Nationwide)

This resolution seeks to review the implementation of animal welfare laws in the country in order to ensure humane and standardized treatment for all dogs, cats and other stray animals in animal pounds and shelters nationwide, as well as promoting the intensification of the spay/neuter programs and animal adoption programs.

House Resolution No. 359 (Directing that the Bidding for the Philippine Lottery System (PLS) of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) be in Accordance to Laws and Best Practices)

This resolution ensures bidding for the PLS of the PCSO is in accordance to procurement laws.

House Resolution No. 477 (Proper Documentation and Protection of Employees by Rationalizing the Gaming Employment Licenses (GELs))

This resolution urges PAGCOR, DOLE, DOF, DOJ BID, BIR, NBI and other concerned agencies, to endeavor to immediately find ways to make the GEL ID the primary documentation tool or legal proof of employment and streamline and harmonize the corresponding procedures and fees, so that we can ultimately realize the policy of generating revenues for projects benefiting the provinces nationwide while addressing the evils, malpractices and corruption that are normally prevalent in the club, casino and POGO industry.


 * 1) Congress Website, http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_18/HB06059.pdf
 * 2) Congress Website,http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_18/HB07868.pdf
 * 3) Congress Website, http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_18/HR00002.pdf
 * 4) Congress Website, http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_18/HR00198.pdf
 * 5) Congress Website, http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_18/HR00206.pdf
 * 6) Congress Website, http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_18/HR00359.pdf
 * 7) Congress Website, http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_18/HR00477.pdf

House Resolution No. 798 (Alleged Illegal Activities of Unscrupulous Traders and Consignees-for-Hire)

This resolution directs the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the alleged illegal activities of unscrupulous traders and alleged consignees-for-hire to evade the rightful payment of import taxes to the Philippine government

House Resolution No. 256 (Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Education)

This resolution provides for Congress and relevant government agencies to to resolve the following: relevancy, creativity and effectiveness of methods employed, with emphasis on teaching and actual application of life-saving and disaster survival and management skills, and determining best practices of schools nationwide, as well as providing for the participation of the youth in quick response groups and other disaster risk reduction and management activities, especially in identified disaster-prone areas.

House Resolution No. 928 (Postponement of Current School Year due to COVID-19 Threat)

This resolution urges the Department of Education to postpone the School Year 2020-2021 while cure and vaccine for COVID-19 are absent and in view of the economic burden on parents/guardians and the unpreparedness of the educational system nationwide for online learning. During postponement this bill ensures equipping teachers of proper learning materials for online classes; subsidizing public and private teaching and non-teaching personnel; and promotes elective and non-credit courses for the continuous mental exercise and advanced learning of students.

House Resolution No. 303 (Honoring the Late Businessman and Philanthropist Dominic Lim Sytin)

This resolution commends the exemplary effort in the investigation of the case of the Philippine National Police in the pursuit of justice for the bereaved family.

House Joint Resolution No. 13 (Directing the Congressional Oversight Committee on Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (COCCAAP) to Continue its Mandate as Provided for by R.A. 9497)

This joint resolution promotes the extension for another 5 years of the existence of the COCCAAP to take into account services previously rendered and ensure pressing aviation concerns are fully addressed.


 * 1) Congress Website, http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_18/HR00798.pdf
 * 2) Congress Website, http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_18/HR00256.pdf
 * 3) Congress Website, http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_18/HR00928.pdf
 * 4) Congress Website, http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_18/HR00303.pdf
 * 5) Congress Website, http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_18/HJR0013.pdf

4. Projects and programs

Tulong sa Senior Citizens Work Program

Together with the Department of Labor and Employment, Rep. Ronnie Ong launched the Tulong sa Senior Citizens Work Program which allowed willing senior citizens to work at universities, hospitals, and government agencies as support staff doing administrative work for 3-6 hours per day and paying senior citizens with minimum wage pay monthly through the Department of Labor and Employment.


 * 1) Manila Bulletin, https://manilastandard.net/mobile/article/310167

E-learning Hubs

With occurring lapses and concerns of the educational sector with respect to internet connectivity, resources for modules and inaccessibility of the devices brought about by the pandemic in the Philippines, Rep. Ronnie Ong has established E-learning hubs, aka E-skwela hubs, around the nation for the “new normal of learning.”

These e-learning hubs are located at Baguio City, City of Manila, Pasig City, San Francisco of Cebu, Poro of Cebu, Tudela of Cebu, Camotes Islands, Pilar of Cebu, Danao City of Cebu, Tuburan City of Cebu and in Batangas. By the end of 2020, a total of twenty-five (25) is expected to be established nationwide. These E-skwela hubs are open to all students and teachers and are in partnership with the #FrontrowCares corporate social responsibility arm of multi-level marketing firm Frontrow Philippines Inc., and the respective local government units of the locations of the hubs.


 * 1) Manila Bulletin, https://manilastandard.net/mobile/article/335304

Mang Dodong with his #LibrengBisikleta and sidecar

Libreng Bisikleta

Ong initially proposed bike-to-work incentives to Filipinos who bike to work everyday. During the COVID19 pandemic, he launched the #LibrengBisikleta project started with the purpose of providing alternative transportation to workers in Metro Manila that had difficulties because of the implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine in the metro. The project has distributed to workers from Katipunan, Ave of Quezon City, from Pasig City, from Sampaloc, Manila and to more. One of the beneficiaries of the #LibrengBisikleta is “Mang Dodong,” a fish vendor dubbed by Filipino netizens as “one of the faces of injustices during lockdown.” Mang Dodong, a Caloocan resident, was arrested for violating quarantine protocols when he tried to buy his supply of fish at the Malabon fishport for his daily living. Enhanced community quarantine protocols at that time prohibited crossing between boundaries without proper documentation and certification. As one of the beneficiaries of this program, Rep. Ronnie Ong, together with his friend Coco Martin, helped Mang Dodong get back on his feet by providing him a bicycle with a sidecar for his fish business, as well as his own fish stand at Caloocan. In his statement dated May 24, 2020, Rep. Ronnie Ong called on his fellow civil servants to “be fair but be compassionate during this pandemic, and to not forget to serve and protect the Filipino people, especially people like Mang Dodong who go to great lengths everyday to provide food on the table.”


 * 1) CNN Philippines, https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/6/14/solon-calls-for-incentives-Filipinos-biking-to-work.html?fbclid=IwAR10mUfagZ03AI3RPLx8S1UanlaLl4bDheRzd2DegFV2OPUCCRdF7GjULZs
 * 2) Post from Rep. Ronnie Ong, https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.618134852440118&type=3&comment_id=618537185733218&reply_comment_id=618764282377175
 * 3) Bulatlat News, https://www.bulatlat.com/2020/06/23/mang-dodong-and-other-faces-of-injustice-during-lockdown/
 * 4) One News, https://www.onenews.ph/viral-detention-of-fish-vendor-for-ecq-violation-netizens-decry-double-standard-inhumane-law-enforcement
 * 5) Inquirer Libre, https://libre.inquirer.net/20855/coco-martin-nagbigay-ng-bisikleta-na-may-sidecar-kay-mang-dodong
 * 6) Rep. Ronnie Ong Facebook Page, https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=588784032041867&id=336528977267375

Libreng Gulay

Benguet and Mt. Province farmers experienced a surplus in their production of vegetables during the period starting last March 16, 2020, while prices of vegetables jacked up in Metro Manila and nearby cities. As a way of helping both, Rep. Ronnie Ong launched the #LibrengGulay initiative, buying tons of vegetable produce from Benguet and Mt. Province farmers weekly and distributing the vegetables to various local government units and their community kitchens in Metro Manila. Some of the beneficiaries are the City of Manila, City of Pasig, Marikina, Batangas and Rizal.


 * 1) Inquirer Libre, https://libre.inquirer.net/18619/libreng-gulay-initiative-inilunsad

Libreng Sakay

No public transportation was allowed to operate during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) protocols at Metro Manila, and so healthworkers and frontliners who were needed to report to work everyday were left with no choice but to rely on private transportation or company shuttles. To augment this need, Rep. Ronnie Ong launched the #LibrengSakay program for healthworkers and frontliners of Philippine General Hospital, East Ave. Medical Center, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, and National Kidney Transplant Institute through hired UV Express Shuttle vans. This program helped not only the healthworkers and frontliners of the major hospitals but also UV Express Shuttle drivers who were not allowed to resume operation of their services during the quarantine period.


 * 1) SMNI News, https://m.facebook.com/repronnieong.appl/videos/smni-news-interview-on-librengsakay-program/143592710415462/

Libreng Tablets

As a way to help various public and private school teachers as well as students with no access to their own e-learning gadgets, Rep. Ronnie Ong also launched the #LibrengTablets program which distributed electronic tablets to chosen beneficiaries. Under the new normal of education, online classes were the norm, and so, gadgets like laptops and tablets were in demand. The children at Bantay Bata Children's Village at Norzagaray, Bulacan were also among the beneficiaries in order to help them transition to online learning.

Posts from Rep. Ronnie Ong, https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=repronnieong.appl&set=a.637224507197819

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=repronnieong.appl&set=a.644487529804850

No Paw Left Behind

Rep. Ronnie Ong with Pawssion Project PH Founder, Malou Perez, with aspin rescues, Coco and Tiger

Since July 2019, Rep. Ronnie Ong has been in partnership with animal welfare organization, Pawssion Project Philippines in lobbying for animal welfare laws, stray rescue and adoption drives and spay and neuter programs. At the International Homeless Animals Celebration 2019, Rep. Ronnie Ong adopted an aspin named, Coco, one of Pawssion Project’s rescue animals. During the Taal Volcano eruption in January 2019, Rep. Ronnie Ong and team joined Pawssion Project in rescuing dogs and cats who were left behind during the evacuation. Many dogs and cats were reported to have been abandoned by owners due to their haste in evacuating to safer places. Two months later, during the outbreak of COVID-19, together with Pawssion Project, they also conducted stray feeding and rescue to make sure strays continue to be fed and strays in need of rescue or fostering will be given homes for the meantime.


 * 1) Congress Website, http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_18/HR00206.pdf
 * 2) Post from Rep. Ronnie Ong, https://www.facebook.com/repronnieong.appl/posts/644475943139342
 * 3) GMA News, https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/722188/farm-animals-pets-left-to-fend-for-themselves-on-taal-s-volcano-island/story/
 * 4) Rep. Ronnnie Ong Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=repronnieong.appl&set=a.511169189803352