Noy signs 4 new laws before exit

MANILA, Philippines – Two days before he steps down from office, President Aquino signed four new laws, including a measure that gives P100,000 to centenarians.

The Centenarians Act of 2016 (Republic Act 10868) recognizes the centenarians’ rare gift of longevity and their contributions to the country’s communities.

The measure provides that Filipinos who reach the age of 100 years old, whether residing in the Philippines or abroad, shall be honored with a Letter of Felicitation from the President of the Philippines congratulating the celebrant for his or her longevity.

But the law “does not carry the provision about 75 percent VAT exemption which was the objectionable feature of the enrolled bill when it was first submitted to the President and vetoed in the 15th Congress,” according to Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr.

All Filipinos who have turned centenarian in the current fiscal year shall be awarded a plaque of recognition and a cash incentive by their respective city or municipal governments in appropriate ceremonies. 

The LGU concerned shall determine the amount of the cash incentive. 

The Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Health and the Commission of Filipinos Overseas will promulgate the necessary guidelines for the new law. 

The law also declared Sept. 25 as “National Day of Respect for Centenarians” as part of the annual Family Week celebration from Sept. 19 to 28.

Aquino also signed the National Bureau of Investigation Reorganization and Modernization Act (RA 10867) which, according to Coloma is “a SONA-enunciated initiative” and a “product of inter-agency consensus building.”

He also signed the Batanes Responsible Tourism Act (RA 10866) and the Mayor Hilarion Ramiro Sr. Medical Center Act (RA10865).

Sen. Loren Legarda hailed the enactment of the NBI Reorganization and Modernization Act and the Batanes Responsible Tourism Act. 

Legarda is a co-author of RA 10867, which mandates the modernization of the NBI through acquisition of state-of-the-art intelligence and forensic equipment, and maintaining an elite and competent personnel through the provision of competitive compensation packages, including training, insurance benefits and scholarship grants for NBI agents and employees. 

“Amid increasing demands upon the NBI in the investigation of high profile and complex cases such as human trafficking, cyber pornography, drug cartels and rice smuggling, among many others, we really need to modernize and reorganize the agency,” she said.

“The NBI must maintain a modern work system, as well as competent and highly trained personnel who will be at par with their foreign counterparts, especially in light of the constantly evolving modus of crimes and to ensure that it can effectively carry out its mandate,” Legarda said.

Legarda also sponsored RA 10866, which seeks to promote and protect Batanes’ natural and cultural heritage.  

RA 10866 declares the province of Batanes as a responsible, community-based, ecotourism zone and shall be accorded priority development by the national government in promoting and protecting the integrity of its ecology and environment, the richness of its natural and cultural heritage, and the resilience of its indigenous social institutions and its people.

“The natural beauty of Batanes has been attracting both local and foreign tourists. In fact, the province has seen a dramatic increase in the number of visitors since 2014. We are aware of the negative impacts of unplanned tourism development and we do not want this pristine island group to be subjected to abuse and exploitation of tourists. Sustaining the natural and cultural heritage of Batanes is key priority in the development of the province,” Legarda stressed.

20 bills awaiting Noy’s signature

However, 20 bills are still waiting for Aquino’s signature.

Among the pending bills are measures for the creation of national high schools and medical centers, renewing franchises of broadcasting companies and requiring students to undergo age-appropriate basic life support training.

Also pending are the measures strengthening the Balanced Housing Development Program, the proposed act providing a new anti-carjacking law and an act institutionalizing the nationwide implementation of Jobstart Philippines Program. 

“If they are on his desk for more that 60 days on or before June 30, it will lapse into law. If not, they will be deemed unacted,” said Sen. Vicente Sotto III, echoing lawmakers’ lament for their wasted time and money for the measures that Aquino would not sign into law.

On the other hand, Senate secretary Oscar Yabes expressed belief that the measures would lapse into law unless vetoed. – With Christina Mendez