In the 25 days since former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assumed the Speakership during the Third Regular Session of the 17th Congress, the House of Representatives processed a total of 778 measures, or an average of 31 measures per session day, before Congress adjourned its session last October 10, 2018.
This translates to a total of 3,707 measures processed by the House from the opening of the 17th Congress on July 25, 2016.
At the outset, Speaker Arroyo made it clear that she will endeavor to carry out the legislative agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte in the House of Representatives.
Exemplifying her trademark sense of hard work, Speaker Arroyo attended committee hearings and plenary sessions to ensure that vital socio-economic measures are deliberated upon and approved on schedule. During the House plenary budget deliberations last October 1, the Speaker, along with the House Members, stayed overnight until session was adjourned at 6 a.m. the next day. Then at 9 a.m. of that day, she attended the hearing of the Committee on Ways and Means chaired by Rep. Estrellita Suansing (1st District, Nueva Ecija) which tackled the Fiscal Regime for the Mining Industry bill.
Of the 778 processed measures during the Third Regular Session, a total of 32 were enacted into law, eight of which were of national significance and 24 of local significance.
Four days after the opening of the Third Regular Session, the much-awaited Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao was signed into law by President Duterte as Republic Act 11054, which was based on House Bill 6475.
Also enacted was Republic Act 11055, or the “Philippine Identification System Act” based on HB 6221, which establishes a single national identification system to promote seamless delivery of service, and increase transparency while reducing corruption in the delivery of social services.
Others are RA 11057, or the “Personal Property Security Act” based on HB 6907; RA 11058, “An Act Strengthening Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards” based on HB 64; RA 11059 or the “Retirement Law of the Office of the Ombudsman” based on HB 6578; RA 11069, “An Act Amending Section 1 of Republic Act No. 9727, Reapportioning the Province of Cavite into Eight Legislative Districts” based on HB 5367; RA 11078, “An Act Separating the City of Calamba from the Second Legislative District of Laguna to Constitute the Lone Legislative District of the City of Calamba” based on HB 990; and RA 11080, “An Act Reapportioning the Province of Isabela into Six Legislative Districts” based on HB 7778.
Meanwhile, 41 more measures are awaiting the President’s signature to become additional laws.
Apart from these landmark measures, the House ratified 10 bicameral reports, nine of which are of national importance and one of local significance.
Among the ratified bicameral reports are : HB 6617 and SB 1390, “Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act”; HB 4113, “Increasing the Maternity Leave to 100 Days”; HB 7442 and SB 2023, “An Act Providing For the Special Protection of Children In Situations of Armed Conflict and Providing Penalties For Violations Thereof”; HB 5745 and SB1233, “An Act Establishing The Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Trust Fund And Providing For Its Management And Utilization”; HB 6775 & SB 1578, “An Act Creating The Department Of Human Settlements And Urban Development, Defining Its Mandate, Powers And Functions, and Appropriating Funds Therefor”; HB. 2158 and SB 1753, “An Act Rationalizing and Expanding The Powers And Duties of the Social Security Commission and the Social Security System”; HB 5777 and SB 1537, “Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act”; and HB 7402 and SB 1363, “Telecommuting Act”; HB 4113 or the Expanded Maternity Leave Act”.
Meanwhile, pending at the bicameral conference are eight measures consisting of five national bills and three local bills. The national bills are HB 7652, “The Mobile Number Portability Act”; HB 6769, “Prohibiting Discriminatory Acts Against Women on Account of Sex”; HB 5615 and SB 1716, “Establishing the National Sports Training Center”; HB 7449, “Appropriating the Sum of P1.161 billion as Supplemental Appropriations for Dengvaxia Vaccinees” which has been certified as urgent; and HB 5162, “Separating General Santos City From the First Legislative District of South Cotabato.”
In terms of plenary approval, the House approved on third and final reading a total of 125 bills. These comprise 33 national and 91 local measures, and one joint resolution.
Among the national bills approved on third reading are : HB 8165, “Creating the Department of Disaster Resilience, Defining its Powers and Functions”; HB 7773, “Institutionalizing the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) to Reduce Poverty and Promote Human Capital Development”; “HB 8014, “Mandatory PhilHealth Coverage of All Persons with Disability”; HB 7735, “Replacing the Quantitative Import Restrictions on Rice with Tariffs and Creating the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund”; HB 7437, “Prohibiting the Privatization and Corporatization of Public Hospitals, Pubic Facilities and Health Services”; HB 7373, “Green Building Act”; HB 7544, “Declaring the Last Monday of January of Every Year A Special Working Holiday in Observance of “National Bible Day”; HB 7749, “National Youth Day Act”; HB 8139, “Tulong-Trabaho Act”; and HB 7774, “Bill of Rights of Taxi, Tourist Car Transport Service and Vehicle for Hire Passengers.”
Likewise The House approved House Joint Resolution No. 26, which extends until December 31, 2019 the period of availability of funds intended for victims of human rights violations during the Marcos Regime.
Meanwhile, the House also approved on second reading 16 bills, all of national significance. Topping the list is HB 8169, “Fiscal Year 2019 General Appropriations Act” which provides for a national budget of P3.757 trillion for fiscal year 2019; HB 8400, “An Act Establishing The Fiscal Regime For The Mining Industry”; HB 8239, “An Act Promoting Positive And Non-Violent Discipline, Protecting Children From Physical, Humiliating Or Degrading Acts As A Form Of Punishment And Appropriating Funds Therefor”; HB 8453, “Instituting Reforms In Real Property Valuation And Assessment In The Philippines”; HB 8204, “Redefining the Crime of Game-Fixing”; HB 8244, “Expanding The Definition Of Sexual Harassment”; HB 8282, “Declaring the Province of Catanduanes As the Abaca Capital Of The Philippines”; HB 7849, “Providing For A Free And Culture - Sensitive Civil Registration System For Indigenous Peoples”; HB 8110, “Mandating The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to Develop, Publish, Disseminate And Update A Handbook On the Rights And Responsibilities Of Migrant Workers”; HB 1700, “Granting The Overseas Filipino Workers The Right To Equal Protection On Money Claims” ; and HB 8110, “Mandating the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to Develop, Publish, Disseminate and Update a Handbook On The Rights And Responsibilities Of Migrant Workers.”
The House also adopted a total of 24 resolutions, namely: regular resolutions, 17; concurrent resolutions, 4; resolutions on inquiries, in aid of legislation, 2; and resolution of the Committee of the Whole, 1. | Czarina Engracia/ Rowena B. Bundang
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