MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday called on members of both houses of Congress to pass laws that are more inclusive, responsive, and people-centered before yearend.
The President made the call in a bid to usher national development and improve the lives of Filipinos.
“To our fellow workers in both the houses of Congress, I implore that before the year ends ..that laws which are more inclusive, responsive, and people-centered to be passed. And we are deep in discussion about that,” President Marcos said during the ceremonial signing in Malacañang of the Negros Island Region Act (NIR) and Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act (RPVARA).
“Our people are eagerly awaiting the passage of the 17 priority bills certified by LEDAC — which we will be discussing very, very soon —which if passed and enacted, will steer our national development and improve the conditions of our fellow countrymen. So, let’s continue to collaborate and work closely on these matters,” he pointed out.
The President expressed gratitude to legislators for passing the two legislations, which supports the administration’s endeavors.
He likewise called on all government agencies to efficiently and effectively implement the newly enacted laws to its fullest extent so the people may reap its benefits at the soonest possible time.
Under the NIR Act, the provinces of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor, including its cities, municipalities, and barangays, shall be unified in one region to promote administration decentralization; strengthen local autonomy; and accelerate economic, cultural, and social development.
The RPVARA, on the other hand, aims to streamline, unify, and enhance the real property valuation and assessment system.
During the fourth Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council’s (LEDAC) full meeting last March 19, the body agreed to prioritize the passage of 20 bills by the end of June 2024.
Notably, three of these, including the NIR Act and RPVARA, have been enacted, while the remaining 17 are yet to be passed into law.
Among the priority bills to be enacted include the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, Self-Reliant Defense Posture Revitalization Act, Philippine Maritime Zones Act, Anti-Financial Accounts Scamming Act, Amendments to the Government Procurement Reform Act, Value-Added Tax on Digital Services, Blue Economy Act, Waste-to-Energy Bill, and the Mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.
Other proposals are the Unified System of Separation, Retirement, and Pension of Military and Uniformed Personnel, Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning Program Act, Apprenticeship Act, E-Government/E-Governance Act, Department of Water Resources, Open Access in Data Transmission, Amendments to the Universal Healthcare Act, Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy Act. (PND)
