MALACANANG is set to notify the leadership of both the Senate and the House of Representatives of the approval of three significant laws that aim to protect the welfare of disabled military veterans, improve the country’s business system and strengthen the conservation and protection of Philippine cultural heritage.
A series of transmittal letters separately addressed to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez were already signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin last Aug. 24, stating the three laws that were approved by President Marcos.
Executive Secretary Bersamin, through the transmittal letters, will notify Congress this Tuesday, August 29, regarding the approval of Republic Act (RA) Nos. 11958, 11960, and 11961.
RA No. 11958 titled, “An Act Rationalizing the Disability Pension of Veterans, Amending for the Purpose Republic Act. No. 6948, Entitled, ‘An Act Standardizing and Upgrading the Benefits for Military Veterans and their Dependents’, as Amended’ aims to provide a monthly disability pension to a veteran who is disabled due to sickness, disease, wounds, or injuries sustained in the line of duty in accordance with the rates provided by the new law.
The President also approved RA No. 11960 titled, ‘An Act Institutionalizing the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines Program, Appropriating Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes,’ otherwise known as the OTOP Philippines Act.
The law aims to develop a self-reliant and independent national economy effectively controlled by Filipinos through policies and programs that drive inclusive local economic activity and boost national economic growth.
It also aims to provide adequate and effective support services for local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) led by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) with the collaboration of various agencies such as the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) and the Department of Agriculture (DA).
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) are also members of the OTOP Management Committee.
Other agencies included are the Department of Transportation (DOTr), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
The chief executive also approved RA No. 11961 titled, ‘An Act Strengthening the Conservation and Protection of Philippine Cultural Heritage Through Cultural Mapping and Enhanced Cultural Heritage Education Program, amending for the Purpose Republic Act No. 10066, Otherwise Known as the “National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009.”
