20 measures await House final OK

MANILA, Philippines - Even as lawmakers will have their hands full by next week following receipt of the proposed P2.606-trillion 2015 national budget, the House of Representatives is expected to soon pass on third and final reading five national bills, one House Joint Resolution and some 14 local bills which were approved on second reading during the later days of the first regular session.

Notwithstanding the long committee deliberations on the proposed 2015 General Appropriations Act submitted on July 30 by the President, through Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, Speaker Belmonte assured that , like the previous years, there will be no re-enacted budget by January 2015.

The five measures of national scope which were approved on second reading, beating the close of the first regular session last June 13, include the following:

--- HB 3675 – “An Act removing the conditions for the condonation of all unpaid taxes due from local water districts, amending for the purpose section 289-A of the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended.” (passed on June 10, 2014)

--- HB 4629 – “An Act providing for a Magna Carta of the Poor,” which was approved on June 11, 2015.

--- HB 4630 – “An Act establishing a Philippine High School for Sports and appropriating funds therefore,” approved on June 11.

--- HB 4633 – “An Act Strengthening the policy framework for the development of the sugarcane industry, establishing the Sugarcane Industry Development Fund, and reconstituting the Board of Directors of the Philippine Sugar Corporation,” also approved on June 11.

--- HB 4571 – “An Act naming the new building owned by the DILG located at Quezon Avenue corner EDSA, Quezon City as The Secretary Jesse Robredo building in honor of the late DILG Secretary.”

One resolution which also awaits final passage in the House is House Joint Resolution No. 13 entitled “Joint Resolution deferring the implementation of the mandatory fortification of refined sugar with Vitamin A as required by Republic Act No. 8976, otherwise known as the ‘Philippine Food Fortification Act of 2000’ until the National Nutrition Council has determined whether it is still necessary or not.”

Two among the equally significant 14 local bills that await third and final reading during the early sessions of the just opened second regular session are:

--- HB 3522 or “An Act rationalizing the management of the natural resources in the Camotes Islands, Province of Cebu, amending for the purpose Proclamation No. 2152 dated December 29, 1981, entitled ‘declaring the entire Province of Palawan and certain parcels of the public domain and/or parts of the country as mangrove swamp forest reserves.’”

--- HB 4625 or “An Act establishing a mechanism for the sustainable development and use of the Island of Boracay, Municipality of Malay, Province of Aklan, defining the mode of acquisition for certain parcels of its public domain classified as agricultural land open to disposition under Proclamation No. 1064, and providing environmental safeguards therefor.”

Corollary to this, records of the House show that some 93 national bills on various concerns have been approved on final reading and endorsed to the Senate for its proper consideration and action in the just opened 2nd regular session.

Likewise, some 114 local measures, approved on third reading by the House during the first regular session, await appropriate Senate action.