MANILA, Philippines — Before the end of the 19th Congress, the government is pushing for the passage of priority measures focused on improving connectivity, health care, as well as encouraging investments.
In a statement yesterday, the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) said these measures were discussed by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council during the LEDAC meeting on May 29, and are scheduled for deliberation in the bicameral conference committee.
The priority measures are the Amendments to the Foreign Investors’ Long-Term Lease Act, Rationalization of the Mining Fiscal Regime, Amendments to the Universal Health Care Act, the E-Government Act or E-Governance Act, the Konektadong Pinoy Act, the Virology Institute of the Philippines Act and the Blue Economy Act.
“We remain hopeful that the remaining set of bills will be passed just in time before the end of the 19th Congress,” DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said.
Also being pushed for passage by the end of the current Congress are the National Government Rightsizing Program and the Amendments to the Right-of-Way Act.
The National Government Rightsizing Bill aims to minimize redundancies, eliminate functions with duplications, as well as simplify rules, regulations and processes.
Meanwhile, the Amendments to the Right-of-Way Act is expected to expedite the implementation of infrastructure projects.
The 19th Congress will resume on June 2 for a six-day session before it adjourns on June 13. The 20th Congress will convene its first session on July 28.
House deputy majority leader Rep. Paolo Ortega V yesterday said that the House of Representatives is on track to finish the 19th Congress with a near-perfect record in fulfilling its legislative commitments under the Common Legislative Agenda (CLA).
He added that during a House leadership meeting on Thursday, Speaker Martin Romualdez emphasized the institution’s high rate of legislative accomplishment, particularly the passage of 27 out of 28 LEDAC bills.
As reported in the 8th LEDAC meeting, the measures that have been signed into law are the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act, Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, VAT on Digital Transactions and the Self-Reliant Defense Posture Revitalization Act.
The New Government Procurement Reform Act, Philippine Maritime Zones Act, Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning Program Act, Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act and amendments to the Agricultural Tariffication Act are among the others that have also become law.
Meanwhile, the proposed amendments to the EPIRA law have lapsed into law as of April 18, and the Capital Markets Promotion Act was sent to the Office of the President on April 29.
Bills like the National Water Resources Act, National Citizens Service Training Program Act, Right-of-Way Act amendments, Single-use Plastic Bags Tax Act, Water Treatment Technology Act, Revised Government Auditing Act, Immigration Modernization Act, and the Military and Uniformed Personnel Pension System Act have already passed third reading in the House and are awaiting Senate action.
Ortega said the one remaining CLA measure awaiting House approval is the proposed amendments to the Agrarian Reform Law, which is expected to be addressed upon the resumption of session. — Jose Rodel Clapano