Manila, June 15 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has called on Congress to convene in a special session on June 17 to act on priority measures aimed at strengthening social protection, education, healthcare and to ensure urgent government responses to the needs of Filipinos amid ongoing challenges, including the recent Mindanao earthquake.

Marcos signed and issued Monday Proclamation No. 1318, directing lawmakers to consider several pending bills that have reached advanced stages in the legislative process but remain unfinished.

The President said urgent action is needed amid ongoing energy challenges and the recovery efforts following the recent magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck parts of Mindanao.

"The challenges confronting o...