BACK TO WORK. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri bangs the gavel to start off the resumption of session in Pasay City on Monday (April 29, 2024). He said they will approve 20 priority bills before the Second Regular Session of the 19th Congress adjourns May 24. (PNA photo by Avito Dalan)
MANILA – Senators are optimistic they will be able to pass 20 priority bills listed under the Common Legislative Agenda of the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (CLA-LEDAC) with only 11 session days before the Second Regular Session of the 19th Congress ends on May 24, 2024.
In an interview with Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon on Monday, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian expressed the Senate's determination to pass priority measures relating to education, economy and health, even if the task is “quite challenging.”
"Kaya naman, dahil bawat senador may kanya-kanyang mga priority measures at priority bills. Kanya-kanya namang defend noong mga priority bills, ide-defend namin iyong mga priority bills namin. At kanya-kanya namang kumbaga committee na mino-monitor at tinututukan namin (We can do it, because each senator has his/her own priority bills, and we defend our priority bills. And each one of us have respective committees to focus on and monitor," Gatchalian said.
The senator added several bills are already in the "advanced stage," citing as an example his measure on tax refund for non-resident tourists.
On Sunday, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri assured that the chamber is "on track" when it comes to the approval of priority measures of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
"We are confident that the Senate can pass 20 of these measures before the 2nd Regular Session ends, and the rest of our commitment before this year ends,” Zubiri said.
He said the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System (PENCAS) Act, a framework that accounts for the country's natural capital and its economic impact, is already for the signature of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Meanwhile, the bicameral report on the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the measure establishing the Negros Island Region have already been ratified and now in the process of enrollment.
The Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act has also been ratified by the Senate.
Two priority measures -the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act and the Self-Reliant Defense Posture Act (SRDP)- are both awaiting bicameral conference committee approval, while the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program Act is already approved on final reading and was transmitted to the House of Representatives for action.
The priority measures pending approval on second reading include the Anti-Financial Accounts Scamming Act; VAT on Digital Services/Transactions Act; Amendments to the Government Procurement Reform Act; Blue Economy Act; Waste-to-Energy Act; Unified System of Separation, Retirement and Pension of MUPs/New Separation, Retirement and Pension System for the Military and Uniformed Personnel; Enterprise Based Education and Training Program Act; Mandatory Reserve Officer's Training Corps Act; and Amendments to the Universal Health Care Act.
Meanwhile, the E-Government/E-Governance Act, the Department of Water Resources Act and the Konektadong Pinoy Act are all pending committee approval.
The Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) Bill, which was passed on third and final reading in the House of Representatives, has already been transmitted to the Senate for proper action.
"We will focus all our energies on these 20 measures before we adjourn for the 3rd Regular Session. But we are confident we can fulfill all of our legislative commitments to the President and to the people before this year ends," Zubiri said. (PNA)
