MANILA — The efforts for lasting and genuine peace in the country with the end goal of achieving sustained and inclusive growth continue to top the agenda for the 3rd regular session, according to House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr.
“The Bangsamoro Basic Law is now on second reading and being fine-tuned to ensure greater inclusiveness and greater efficiency in practice,” Belmonte said. “We want to ensure a more meaningful autonomy while likewise paving the way towards a more effective provision of vital services to our people. We want a peace that is lasting and sustainable.”
During a briefing with media on the status of priority measures for the 3rd and last regular session of the 16th Congress, the Speaker spoke of the expected work at hand after the President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27, as both chambers of Congress wrestle with time to craft and pass significant and responsive measures in their common list of legislative priorities.
To date, the proposed “Act providing for the Basic Law for the Bangsamoo and abolishing the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao” is in the period of interpellation in the House of Representatives’ plenary, while a similar measure is still under committee consideration in the Senate.
The wide ranging list of priorities includes bills related to, among others, the following areas of concern: 1) economic development and trade; 2) national security, public order and safety; 3) promotion of good governance; 4)revitalizing education for a more competitive human resources; 5) enhancement of social protection; 6) expanding access to health to achieve higher productivity; 7) unleashing land productivity; 8) sustainable energy; 9) climate change adaptation; and 10) peace.
On the realm of economic development and trade, the Speaker credited his colleagues for the enactment of the liberalized entry and scope of operations of foreign banks in the Philippines (RA 10641), the amendments to the Lemon Law (RA 10642) and the extension of the corporate life of the Philippine National Railways (RA 10638). (PNA)
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