Even with the expected election campaign season, the leadership of the House of Representatives remained confident that the remaining six months of the 16th Congress will still see the passage of bills that are urgent and significant for the country’s sustained economic development and peace.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. aired the optimism as he reported the 2015 legislative accomplishments of congressmen, saying that the Lower House “focused on quality and responsive legislation rather than on quantity” during the year.

In a press statement, Belmonte said the Lower House will remain “united and focused on serving the highest welfare and interests of the Filipino people,” stressing that they will maximize remaining work days to deal with significant business.

“We will never renege on our constitutional mandate to promote good governance and protect the national interest and our people’s welfare, despite the time constraint now faced by the 16th Congress,” Speaker Belmonte stressed on Rizal Day yesterday.

High in the list of priorities for the next six months are the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) bill, the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) bill, and the “amendments to the economic provisions of our Constitution would be passed within the term of the current Congress.”

“We are focused on quality. We just did what was needed by our people and the future generations of Filipinos,” the speaker pointed out in reaction to criticisms that legislative accomplishment for 2015 was lean.

Belmonte lauded his House colleagues, both members of the majority coalition, the minority and the independent minority, for fully cooperating in passing bills that were deemed as imperative for economic development, peace and social reformation.

“As you may observe, my dear colleagues, we have been mindful of the demands and imperatives of our time as we have supported competitiveness-raising, job generation and more sustainable development through the policies we have enacted,” Belmonte said.

The veteran lawmaker and former local chief executive also boasted that during his almost six years as House speaker, there was no re-enactment of the national budget.

“There was no re-enacted national budget for the past six consecutive years,” Belmonte pointed out.

From July 22, 2013 to December 16, 2015, during the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Regular sessions, with a total 182 session days, the bigger Chamber of Congress was able to process 2,934 measures.

“To date, all major credit rating agencies have given the Philippines an investment grade. Our ranking in the World Economic Forum-Global Competitiveness Report has improved by no less than 38 ranks from 85th in 2010 to 47th in 2015 out of 144 countries,” he recalled, citing data provided by the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department of the House of Representatives.

Belmonte said the country’s macroeconomic environment, one of the 12 major pillars of the competitiveness report in particular, improved by 44 ranks from 68th to 24th during the period.

According to Belmonte Congress could be cited for passing “game changing” pieces of legislation that seek to bolster competitiveness of the economy and sustain economic growth that made the nation one of the best performers among the emerging economies.

Among these are:

•             R.A. 10667, Providing for a National Competition Policy prohibiting Anti-Competitive Agreements, Abuse of Dominant Position and Anti-Competitive Mergers and Acquisitions;

•             RA 1668, Allowing Foreign Vessels to Transport and Co-load Foreign Cargoes for Domestic Transshipment;

•             RA 10708, Instituting the Tax Incentives Management and Transparency Act (TIMTA);

•             RA 10659, Promoting and Supporting the Competitiveness of the Sugarcane Industry;

•             RA 10697, Preventing the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction by Managing the Trade of Strategic Goods, the Provision of Related Services, and for other purposes.

For job creation and industrial peace, the Lower Hosue passed:

•             RA 10691, Defining the Role of the Department of Labor and Employment, the Local Government Units and Accredited Non-Government Organizations in the establishment and operation of the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) and Job Placement Offices;

•             RA 10665, Establishing the Open High School System in the Philippines;

•             RA 10679, Promoting Entrepreneurship and Financial Education among Filipino Youth; and

•             RA 10693, Strengthening Non-government Organizations (NGOs) Engaged in Microfinance Operations for the Poor.

Relative to the enhancement of the quality and competitiveness of Filipino professionals, the House leader cited the following:

•             RA 10657, Regulating and Modernizing the Practice of Chemistry in the Philippines;

•             RA 10688, Regulating the Practice of Metallurgical engineering in the Philippines;

•             RA 10706, Protecting Seafarers Against Ambulance Chasing and Imposition of Excessive Fees;

•             RA 10698, An Act to Regulate and Modernize the Practice of Naval Architecture in the Philippines;

•             RA 10690, Regulating the Practice of Forestry in the Philippines;

•             RA 10699, Expanding the Coverage of Incentives Granted to National Athletes and Coaches.

 
Belmonte also cited Republic Axt 10953 provided increased take-home for workers by “Adjusting the 13th month pay and providing other benefits ceilings for purposes of taxation.”

30 December 2015
By Ben Rosario