Paranaque representative Dr. Eduardo Zialcita is a well-loved administrator, an effective legislator, a pro-people person, a man of God, of familial responsibilities, and of practical leisure, a total embodiment of a truly effective leader...
Born in Manila in 1950, he was raised by parents Dr. Benjamin Zialcita and the former Cristina Castro, with a keen sense of nationalism in mind. As a direct descendant of Don Agapito Zialcita, one of the signatories of the Declaration of Independence in 1896, EDZA, as the pro-people congressman prefers to be called, continues along and reaffirms such proud Filipino tradition.
As a young man, he stood tall with academic accolades, elected yearly as the class president, until he finally caps off his grade school years as San Sebastian College's Valedictorian in 1962. He carried on his tasks and duties as class president during his high school years, and assumed the role of Boy Mayor in 1966. His academic and extra curricular excellence then earned him SSC's Salutatorian award of the Class of 1967. He earned his degree in Mass Communication from the State University, where he was hailed as Champion Debater and Orator. He then fulfilled his MBA at the University of Asia and the Pacific and further pursued his education as a government scholar in Georgetown University in the United States.
He completed his Doctorate at the International Academy of Management and Economics, and it did not take any longer for both University of the Philippines and San Sebastian College to bestow him with the Most Outstanding Alumnus Award.
With a truly resounding list of credentials, EDZA is an easily efficient leader of various civic, political and religious organizations: from private firms in the real estate industry; to presidential appointed posts like General Manager/Chairman of Public Estates Authority, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Information, and Director of RPN-9 under President Corazon C. Aquino; and Director of PAG-IBIG Fund and Presidential Management Staff under President Fidel V. Ramos.
EDZA's call of duty came in 2001 as he was elected by the people of Parañaque to be their voice in the 12th congress. Because of his outstanding performance, he was voted as the Outstanding Neophyte Legislator in August 2002. In 2004, he was again elected for his 2nd term in the city's first district. Not failing his beloved constituents, EDZA continues to implement more than 15 programs on infrastructure, health care service, livelihood, education, youth development, senior citizens, people with disability and children's welfare among others. A stunning achievement is his legacy to award thousands of certificates of titles under the CMP, the largest in the history of Parañaque. And because of his continued outstanding performance in the House of Representatives where he authored significant national and local bills, EDZA was again voted as Outstanding Legislator by the Consumers Union of the Philippines in August 2004.
In 2003, EDZA championed the cause of the elderly when he fathered the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2004 (R.A. 9257), also known as the Magna Carta for Older Persons which provided more benefits and privileges to senior citizens.
On August 2, 2004 in a bold attempt to question the legality and humanity of the National Government debt, EDZA fired away at the floor with his privilege speech enlisting a proposal for a Congressional Inquiry into each and every public debt. EDZA enjoined his colleagues in the House of Representatives by echoing his battle cry, "Lets Choose Life Over Debt". This started a national scrutiny, debate and awareness of all national public sector debt.
EDZA's major agenda represents the culmination of his expertise in Real Estate and his experience as a top-caliber legislator. As Chairman of the Committee on Housing and Urban Development, EDZA authored House Bill 687 otherwise known as the Omnibus Housing and Urban Development Act, which calls for the creation of a unified, cabinet-ranked body which will prioritize urban planning, development and renewal; land use and zoning, housing, as well as financing.
This carefully laid-out framework reflects EDZA's vision where each and every Filipino family can rightfully own a place to call home. The other housing-related bills envisioned by EDZA include: the Magna Carta for Homeowners Associations; the National Land Use Act Policy; the Land Administration Reform Act; the Local Housing Board Act; and the Socialized and Low Cost Housing and Loan Restructuring Program, among others.
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