Congress to pass 16 priority measures

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate and the House of Representatives resumed their sessions on Monday with leaders of both chambers agreeing to pass 16 legislations before the next adjournment.

Senate President Franklin Drilon said he met with House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and other Congress leaders who agreed to give utmost priority on legislations that will provide support to the country's education system.

Until the adjournment of session in June, Drilon said the House leadership agreed to pass 16 bills of national importance, including six measures on education such as the national student loan program, an open high school system for out of school youth, and the Iskolar Ng Bayan Act.

The Congress also plans to approve the bills institutionalizing the open distance education in the country, ladderizing education and creating special education centers.

"We acknowledge the need to improve the country's education system and by passing these proposed measures, we would gradually widen the reach of delivery of educational services across major deterrents such as poverty and logistical difficulties," Drilon said.

The Congress will also work on the immediate passage of a bill that will extend Philhealth coverage to senior citizens and the bills extending the corporate life of the Philippine National Railways which is expiring by June 2014, and to grant franchise to the Cotabato Light and Power Company.

Also included in the list of priority bills is the postponement by another year of the Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

"Nakapagkasunduan po namin na ipasa ang labinganim na panukalang batas na tatapusin namin at isusumite sa Pangulo bago po ang adjournment sa Hunyo para po mabigyan natin ng kaukulang pansin ang mga pangangailangan ng ating taong bayan," Drilon said.

Congress will adjourn sine die on June 13.

The following are the priority bills:

• Amendments to the Sandiganbayan Law
• Ladderized Education Program
• Open High School System for Out of School Youth
• Open Learning Through Distance Education in Post Secondary and Tertiary Levels
• National Student Loan Program
• Special Education Center
• Iskolar Ng Bayan Act
• Picture Based Health Warning in Cigarettes
• Amendments to the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act
• Mandating Telecommunication Service Providers to Send Free Mobile Alerts in the event of Natural and Man-made Disasters and Calamities
• Cotabato Light & Power Company Franchise
• Extending the Corporate Life of the PNR
• Amendments to the Fisheries Code
• Philhealth Coverage for Senior Citizens
• SK extension
• Creating the Quezon City Development Authority