IN its efforts to make a difference in the lives of Filipinos, the House of Representatives (HRep) under the leadership of Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Tuesday approved on Third and Final Reading, six more priority measures included in the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) common legislative agenda of the Marcos Administration.
House Bill (HB) 8525, or the proposed “Tatak Pinoy Act,” which was unanimously approved with 251 affirmative votes, would formulate a Tatak Pinoy Strategy (TPS) to diversify local enterprises and their linkages with value chains. Voting 251-0-1, the HRep also approved HB 9648 or the proposed “New Government Procurement Reform Act” on Third and Final Reading, which will repeal Republic Act 9184 or the “Government Procurement Reform Act.” The bill aims to make government procurement more transparent, competitive, streamlined, sustainable and inclusive.
Other priority measures approved on Third Reading are 1) HB 9662 or the proposed “Blue Economy Act,” with 254-3 votes; 2) HB 9663 or the proposed “National Water Resources Act,” with 254-3 votes; 3) HB 9673 or the proposed “Philippine Cooperative Code of 2023,” with 254-3 votes and 4) HB 9674 or the proposed “Revised Government Auditing Act,” with 258 affirmative votes.
In addition to the LEDAC priority bills, the House also approved other, equally important national bills: 1) HB 9682 or the proposed “Teaching Supplies Allowance Act;” 2) HB 9588 or the proposed “Graduation Legacy for Reforestation Act;” 3) HB 9587 or the proposed “Family Tree Planting Act;” 4) HB 9647, which would rename the Motor Vehicle User’s Charge into Motor Vehicle Road User’s Tax, and increase its rates to raise funds for public utility vehicle modernization and road safety programs; 5) HB 9034 or the proposed “Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act;” 6) HB 9430 or the proposed “Union Formation Act;” and 7) HB 9506 or the proposed “Rental Housing Subsidy Program Act.”
Deputy Speakers Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco and Antonio “Tonypet” Albano presided over Tuesday’s plenary session.
