Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said the House of Representatives is ready “to hit the ground running” and looks forward to the ratification of the proposed P4.506-trillion national budget for 2021 as the 301-man chamber is set to resume its session on Monday, November 16.
According to Velasco, the House of Representatives will make “full use of this year’s remaining sessions to tackle and pass the priority measures, especially those that have been certified urgent by President Rodrigo Duterte.”
Congress only has four weeks left in session before its recess on December 19 for a month-long Christmas break.
“We are working with our House leaders in finding ways to fast-track priority measures that will ensure a more efficient and responsive government during these trying times,” said Velasco.
“We are confident that our colleagues in the legislature share a common goal as we all report for work on Monday,” he added.
According to Velasco, making sure the President will be able to sign the 2021 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) into law before the year ends remains the top priority of the House.
He stressed the record-high budget is the government’s “single-most powerful tool” to fight COVID-19 and help the economy and the people recover from the devastating impacts of the pandemic.
Also high on the House agenda, according to the Marinduque solon, is the approval of the bill strengthening Republic Act 9160 or the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA), the proposed Internet Transactions Act, and the proposed Magna Carta of Barangay Workers.
The President earlier certified as urgent House Bill 6174 seeking to amend AMLA, saying the amendments are necessary for the country to “comply with legal standards for anti-money laundering and countering terrorism financing, as established by relevant international bodies.”
Velasco underscored the urgent need to pass the bill in order to avoid adverse findings against the country, which could lead to higher cost of doing financial transactions of overseas Filipino workers and the local business sector.
The bill is now up for second reading approval after it was approved by the House Committee on Banks and Financial Intermediaries last month.
Velasco said the swift passage of the proposed Internet Transactions Act was necessary to protect consumers, especially with the increase in online transactions in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The measure was approved by the House Committee on Trade and Industry during the recess.
Other priority measures identified by Velasco are the proposed Coconut Levy Fund; National Land Use Act; Rightsizing the National Government Act; Right to Adequate Food, Anti-Ethnic, Racial and Religious Discrimination Act; and On-Site, In-City, Near City Local Government Resettlement Program.
Velasco also vowed to ensure the immediate passage of economic bills that will “jumpstart the economy and help the country rise above the devastating effects of the pandemic.”
“All these economic measures would go hand in hand with bills that will address systemic corruption in government,” Velasco pointed out. “Both are equally important in helping the country get back on track, especially in the last two years of the Duterte administration.” (CMC)
Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)
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