Bills

Senate Bill No. 705: Scholarship for the Poor Act

Rusty Quintana grew up as a street child in Cagayan De Oro, and was unable to finish elementary and high school, instead finishing his basic education through the Alternative Learning System (ALS) Program of the Department of Education. Through his hard work, perseverance and talents. Rusty obtained a scholarship at the prestigious Xavier University and obtained his degree last year.

Rusty represents the many Filipino students who despite their talent, intelligence and determination, are unable to pursue higher education due to a lack of funds.

This bill proposes that all colleges and universities be mandated to provide scholarships to at least 5% of their total student population who are unable to afford secondary education but are deserving of the support.

In this way, post-secondary education in any institution can be made accessible to all students regardless of their financial situation.

By enacting this bill, our nation will uphold Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution which provides that the State “protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education” and “take appropriate steps to make education accessible to all.”

This mandate will serve as an incentive for low-income families and students to strive for excellence in their studies, having a viable pathway to an excellent postsecondary education in any college institution. Filipinos across the nation will be empowered by this legislation which will ultimately serve as a key to rising out of poverty.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

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Senate Bill No. 714: Declaring December 25-31 and January 1 as Special Non-Working Holidays

This bill seeks to institutionalize the observance of long holidays from December 25 – January 1 as special non-working days.

Section 26, Chapter 7, Book I of Executive Order No. 292, as amended, otherwise known as the “Administrative Code of 1987,” lists among its regular holidays, January 1 as New Year’s Day, December 25 being Christmas Day, December 30 as Jose Rizal Day, and December 31 as a nationwide Special Holiday being the last day of the year.

Excluding Saturday and Sunday, there are only two working days in the eight days affected by this bill. To make up for these two days, this bill seeks to also declare the two Saturdays preceding December 25 as regular working days, to avoid any productivity losses.

The proposed bill seeks to spur local tourism by extending the holiday period to include these eight days, thus encouraging citizens to plan travel vacations with family and friends.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
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Senate Bill No. 697: Adjusting the Level of Net Taxable Income and Nominal Tax Rates

As the Philippines pushes for inclusive growth, it is imperative that the government create the necessary mechanisms to enable the vast majority of Filipinos to feel the fruits of this growth. At present, efforts are underway to promote ease of business, generate jobs, support the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs); and address rising unemployment and underemployment.

In spite of all these, Filipinos are still feeling the pinch of high taxes and rising prices. The Consumer Price Index shows that a basket of goods worth PhplOO in 1997 is already worth Php228 in 2015, doubling in a space of 18 years since the tax brackets were last adjusted. While the private sector has a role in responding to the needs of its employees, many enterprises also struggle with ensuring fair and equal pay for their workers while keeping their own businesses afloat.

Thus, the government has to play the delicate balancing act between the growing demands of its labor force and the limitations of the private sector. One solution is to review and reform the current tax system in a way that reflects current prices, and enables a more equitable distribution of wealth for its citizens.

The measure, therefore, seeks to amend Section 24 of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, by adjusting the levels of net taxable income and simplifying the nominal tax rates for the purposes of computing the individual income tax. This Act effectively lowers the taxes on the Filipino working class — which comprises around 22 million of the Philippine population — allowing them to enjoy a higher net income and increasing their purchasing power, without necessarily imposing a burden on the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The collections from this Act also adjusts the tax level of the upper one percent (1%) of taxpayers, making sure that the government is able to collect a larger share of income from those who can afford to pay more. A more just tax system will also serve to encourage citizens to declare their true income and pay their taxes.

In effect, this measure serves as one of the important reforms to create a more equitable, just, and effective tax regime for Filipino taxpayers. It supports the government’s push for inclusive growth while ensuring that government is still able to raise funds for social programs that directly benefit the poor. It is a systemic, win-win solution that offers the greatest benefit to the greatest number of Filipinos. 

In view of this foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 

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Senate Bill No. 713: LPG Industry Regulation and Safety Act

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) stoves are recognized in other countries to provide a cleaner, safer, more efficient means of cooking. In India, for example, LPG use is promoted and even subsidized by the government.1

Our closer neighbor, Malaysia has doubled its per capita LPG consumption from 2000 to 2012 while Thailand and Indonesia have tripled their consumption in order to move into cleaner cooking fuel.2

Conversely, LPG consumption in the Philippines has simmered in the past 10 years, with demand remaining at an average of 1.1 metric tons yearly from 2009 to 2013. Moreover, the Bureau of Fire Protection reported 800 fires related to LPGs from 2005 to 2013.

We must light a fire under our local LPG sector and ensure sector players comply with safety standards while motivating them to progress as an industry.

This measure seeks to establish a regulatory framework for the importation, refining, refilling, transportation, distribution and marketing of LPG, and the manufacture, requalification, exchange, and swapping or improvement of LPG cylinders.

It shall establish the LPG Monitoring and Enforcement Task Force to create standards of conduct and codes of practice for LPG businesses to provide Filipino consumers high quality LPG for their personal and commercial use.

Let us push our local LPG industry to keep up with the modern standards of LPG manufacturing and protect our local consumers against faulty products and careless services. 

In view of this foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 

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Senate Bill No. 712: Right to Adequate Food Framework Act

In this day and age of technology, economic development, and social consciousness, it is inexcusable to allow our countrymen to grow hungry.

It is our duty to enhance the welfare of our citizens and ensure that every Filipino is given regular, permanent, and unrestricted access to sufficient food and nutrition.

The Adequate Food Framework Bill holds at its center this duty and responsibility, targeting the eradication of hunger across the Philippine islands in the next ten years.

In order to achieve this in a sustainable manner, this legislation will ensure that land devoted to food production shall be increased to 50% of all prime agricultural land in every region.

This measure also increases the coverage of school feeding programs, the public budget allocation for the marginalized and disadvantaged Filipinos who are unable to feed themselves, as well as research on agriculture, irrigation, and rural development.

To exercise due diligence, this measure proposes periodic reviews of compliance of set targets as well as the establishment of the Commission on the Right to Adequate Food, attached to the Commission on Human Rights, to ensure the proactive and efficient implementation of plans to achieve zero-hunger in the Philippines.

The least we can do for our poor countrymen is to actively pursue the eradication of hunger in the Philippines. I urge my colleagues to vote for the passing of this measure.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

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Senate Bill No. 710: Minimum Monthly Take-Home Pay Bill

Government employees and teachers have taken on the challenge of serving the country and being an active part in the tedious process of improving our beloved nation.

But with the increasing cost of living, many of these employees tighten their belts to get by on modest salaries. They turn to loan agents, government and private, to make ends meet. They go into debt in order to provide for their families’ needs, even to the extent that the entirety of their salary end up going to loan payments.

How can these critical players in nation building put their full effort into their public service if they are bombarded with financial woes? It is thus imminent that the State curb unhealthy practices and provide clear policies in support of its government servant-leaders.

By setting a minimum net take-home pay for government employees, this bill seeks to ensure that public servants are able to meet their families’ basic needs and reduce their need to take on debts. Setting a minimum take-home amount allows an appropriate control for government employees to be able to properly budget for their households’ expenses.

Such measure contributes in the efforts to ensure that no one gets left behind, especially among our country’s public servants, in the progress and development of the country.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

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Senate Bill No. 709: Electric, Hybrid and Other Alternative Fuel Vehicles Promotions Act

In a country that ranks among the world’s Top 10 most vulnerable countries to climage change1, it is important to mainstream programs that mitigate climate change risks while incentivizing climate change adaptation among the private sector, communities, and individuals.

The use of electric, hybrid, and other alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) among individuals and organizations presents such an opportunity. At present, the Department of Energy (DOE) aims to put 100,000 electric tricycles on the road by 2017, while the Electric Vehicles Association of the Philippines (EVAP) hopes to mainstream 1 million electric vehicles by 2020.

In a study released by international consulting firm Grant Thornton in 2012, “Asia is

currently the largest market for hybirds/electrics (56%).”2 Further: “The trend toward

alternative fuels is visible in global sales of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and battery

electric vehicles (BEVs), projected to reach 5.4 million vehicles by 2021 (more than 6% of the

automotive market), up from 810,000 vehicles in 2010 (approximately 2% of market share).”3

The same report states that, “Around a quarter of global companies (24%) have introduced or are considering vehicles that run on alternative fuels for their businesses… Companies in the ASEAN region (31%) were most likely to use or consider alternative-fuel vehicles.”4

Among the top reasons cited for ASEAN users to consider switching to AFVs are the following: the “price of oil” (88%); “saving the planet” (88%), “cost management” (81%), and “tax relief” (77%).

The study summarizes its findings this way: Rising oil prices and increasing awareness of the environmental impact of traditional fuels make alternative-fuel vehicles attractive to owners of commercial/business fleets. Government incentives and regulations are also pushing executives to explore alternative fuels. Indeed, many countries and states/provinces already offer significant incentives for buying or converting to alternative -fuel vehicles; in some regions regulations will eventually force the use of alternative fuels.”

This representation proposes stronger policy support in order to promote adoption of an drive consumer demand for electric, hybrid, and other alternative fuel vehicles. In this regard, this Act provides non-fiscal incentives to drive consumer demand, including the following:

a. Priority in registration and issuance of plate number;
b. Priority in franchise application;
c. Exemption from Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or Number-Coding Scheme; and
d. Provision for free parking spaces in new establishments.

It is recognized that while the costs of electric and hybrid vehicles are higher compared to those of regular vehicles, these non-fiscal incentives will make the acquisition and conversion of vehicles more attractive to consumers and manufacturers alike.

As the world braces itself for stronger impacts of climate change while adapting to swift changes in technology, it is imperative that Filipinos are not left behind in the waves of change. Early adaptation to and promotion of AFVs will help the country mitigate the risks associated with climate change, while opening up potential investment and job opportunities that will ultimately benefit more Filipinos.

In view of the foregoing, the passage and enactment of this bill is earnestly sought.

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Senate Bill No. 700: Support for Barangay Workers Act

The success of a government initiative is measured by its impact on communities and on the lives of our countrymen, especially the Filipinos who suffer from poverty and those that live in remote areas often forgotten.

It is when every Filipino, every family, and every barangay is healthy, educated, and financially independent that we can declare our country as a champion in development.

According to the Local Government Code of 1991: “As the basic political unit, the Barangay serves as the primary planning and implementing unit of government policies, plans, programs, projects and activities in the community, as a forum wherein the collective views of people may be expressed, crystallized and considered, and where disputes may be amicably settled.”

Apart from attending to the basic needs of the community and delivering various government services, barangay officials and volunteers also facilitate citizen empowerment and engagement so that leaders are responsive to the true needs of the citizens they serve.

Thus, this bill endeavors to strengthen barangay governance by providing barangay tanods and barangay health workers transformative capacity building, sufficient financial empowerment, and continuity of service.

Proposed reforms under this bill uphold the principle of local autonomy enshrined in the Constitution and advocate the operative principles of decentralization as declared in the Local Government Code of 1991.

To ensure an effective and inclusive government that promotes the active participation of its citizens, it is imperative that we strengthen barangay governance in our 42,036 barangays around the Philippines. The key to unlocking national progress lies in our ability to reach out to each individual in every barangay.

In view of the foregoing, the early approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 

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Senate Bill No. 708: The People’s Freedom of Information Act

The colorful relationship between the Filipino people and their government is often clouded by distrust owing to a perceived lack of transparency to the public. For a nation that is still building on the foundations of hard-earned democracy, it is essential for the public to have convenient access to ail publicly relevant information.

This bill seeks to lay down a framework for all government agencies to be able to provide all publicly relevant information to any citizen requesting for it. With this bill, each government agency will be mandated to provide a Freedom of Information manual that allows both citizens and government employees to be clearly informed on the process of obtaining and disseminating publicly relevant information.

With this legislation, all branches of government will be required to post information such as their monthly collections and disbursements, procurement contracts and agreements with local and foreign contractors for projects.

All Filipinos, whether individuals, businesses or community organizations, have the right to access information which is related to the governance of their nation and that informs national policy, except for information that is pertinent to national security.

An efficient and accessible process for the procurement of public information will serve to democratize all government functions by allowing ordinary citizens, civil society organizations, and businesses to be informed and have a greater understanding of policies.

Aside from this mandate serving as a watchdog against corruption and abuse of public funds, it will also allow ordinary citizens to educate themselves on how government agencies allocate funds, what information is used to inform policies, who are the key officials in government offices and this—amongst other information—they will be better able to help our officials in responsible and participative governance.

this bill will benefit both government servants and the public who will have an open and trusting relationship that is inclusive, bringing governance in the hands of each and every Filipino. 

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is earnestly sought. 


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Senate Bill No. 707: National Quality Infrastructure Act

This bill seeks to facilitate the development of a culture of quality through providing a sound and effective National Quality Infrastructure that allows the development and compliance with increasing quality requirements and that can support the national authorities in their mandates for consumer protection, free trade, environmental protection and other societal objectives from a technical point of view.

With the imminent development of the ASEAN Economic Community in 2016, the capacity of the country to develop more competitive products, services and systems and to support industries to show compliance with both internal and external market requirements is a top priority to take full advantage of trade flows in terms of socioeconomic growth.

While the country is making great progress in many competitiveness and ease of doing business indicators, there is still substantial room for improvement, particularly when it comes to facilitating the access of Philippine MSMEs to foreign markets (the 12th edition of the Doing Business Reports shows the need for improvement in the trading across borders dimension).

A critical aspect of technical development and market access is the capacity of the country to implement and show compliance with mandatory and voluntary technical requirements. Technical compliance is supported by a number of interlinked activities, many of them of voluntary nature, which are usually collectively referred to as the National Quality Infrastructure. This includes standardization, accreditation, and metrology.

The need for a coordinated quality infrastructure has been already identified in the Philippines Development Plan 2011-2016: The government shall set up a National Quality Infrastructure to integrate and coordinate a series of activities involving metrology, standardization, testing, and accreditation and certification.

The reason for the existence of the National quality Infrastructure is to have the necessary institutions and practices that allow the different stakeholders to develop and show compliance with technical requirements and strive for increasingly higher levels of quality beyond the mandatory accepted level set out in technical regulations. Therefore it is not only a resource for more competitive products and services, but it is also used by government to support the definition of and compliance with safety, health, fair trade and consumer/environment protection and is used by Government in its dual roles of public purchaser and as overseer of service providers in both the public and private areas.

While the country has already a number of Republic Acts addressing the need for institutions and practices dealing with Consumer Protection, including the usage if National Quality Infrastructure that also address the need to support the Philippine economy in developing products, services and systems of quality levels beyond the mandatory requirements set out in technical regulations. 

Based on all existing institutions mandated to develop National Quality Infrastructure related activities, and on the need to increase coordination amongst them, the need for greater ownership by the private sector in contributing to the governance and strategy of those activities, and the need to promote increasing levels of quality for products, services and systems, there is an urgent need to create a national vision of the quality infrastructure for the country. 

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is earnestly sought. 

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