Christopher Vera Perez de Venecia (born October 27, 1986), sometimes referred to as Toff de Venecia, is a former child actor, writer, director and a member of the Philippine House of Representatives for the 4th district of Pangasinan. He is the son of Gina de Venecia and Jose de Venecia Jr.
He finished his elementary studies at the Colegio de San Agustin and his secondary education at the Ateneo de Manila High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science at the Ateneo de Manila University and completed courses in Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School.
Political career
Congressional stint
De Venecia ran under the platform B.A.G.E.T.S., which stands for Buhay na Turismo, Agrikultura, Gusali at Imprastraktura, Edukayson, Trabaho, at Serbisyong Pangkalusugan, and was elected as the Representative of the Fourth District of Pangasinan in 2016. In the 2019 elections, he was overwhelmingly elected for a second term once again representing the Fourth District of Pangasinan.
At present, he is sitting as a Deputy Majority Leader and also the Chairman of the Special Committee of Creative Industry and Performing Arts.
He is also the lead convener of the Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Bloc of the 18th Congress, with 6 Deputy Speakers and 12 Committee Chairmen as members.
On July 10, 2020, he, along with his cousin Edward Maceda, was one of the 11 representatives who voted to grant the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN. He is the only North Luzon Representative and the only Pangasinense to grant the franchise as opposed to Conrado Estrella III (who voted to reject the franchise).
Buhay na Turismo
Congressman de Venecia was able to develop the San Fabian Biker's Trail and finish the building of the Biker's Den. He also pushed for the construction of the Tondaligan Baywalk in Dagupan City and the San Fabian Baywalk in Barangay Bolasi, San Fabian.
He also filed a bill declaring the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag as a destination site.
Agrikultura
He was able to distribute water pumps to numerous farmers organization in the district providing irrigation to almost 951 hectares of land. In addition, farm machineries and equipment were also distributed to farmer beneficiaries during his first term.
A Rice Processing Center was also built in Barangay Oraan East, Manaoag in partnership with the Department of Agriculture. This facility will improve the earnings of our farmers.
An Integrated Natural Demonstration Farm was also created in Barangay Aramal, San Fabian to help push for organic farming in his district.
Gusali at Imprastruktura
During his first term, 30 multi-purpose covered courts were built, 5 barangay halls, 2 footbridges in Manaoag and San Fabian.
There were also 11 drainage systems, 12 riverbank protection projects, 11 river flood control projects constructed during his first term.
In addition 9 school buildings, 1 livelihood center in San Fabian, 2 day care centers in Mangaldan and Dagupan City, 1 Kabuhayan Center in Dagupan City, 1 Health Center, and a seawall in Bonuan, Dagupan City.
Edukasyon
In his first year in office, he was able to provide 478 college scholarships to deserving students in the Fourth District of Pangasinan. This number increased to 685 scholars in 2017 and 2018.
Trabaho
Provided Technical and Vocational Trainings to 1,048 individuals through TESDA.
Livelihood programs such as Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) and Government Internship Programs (GIP) were also made available to constituents.
Serbisyong Pangkalusugan
Almost 22,000 individuals were beneficiaries of his district-wide Medical and Dental Missions. 153 senior citizens and PWDs were given wheelchairs and distributed BP Apparatus and Nebulizers to all the 140 Barangays in the Fourth District of Pangasinan.