Photo Release

Senate Session No. 9: Senate President Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero presides over Senate Session No. 9 Monday, August 12, 2024, with several bills of national and local significance approved on third and final reading.

During the plenary session, the Senate ratified Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) Revitalization bill aimed at reviving the SRDP program that was implemented during the 1970s, and envisioned domestic manufacturing and local sourcing of weapons, ammunition, equipment and related defense materiel. Approved on third reading were Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2587 or An Act Strengthening the Enterprise-Based Education and Training Framework; and SBN 2558 or An Act Strengthening Livestock, Poultry, and Dairy Industry Development and Competitiveness, Rationalizing the Organization and Functions of Relevant Government Agencies, and Creating a Competitiveness Enhancement Fund. Also approved on third reading were local bills that wil establish, upgrade and increase the bed capacities of several hospital.

Meantime, Senate President Escudero, in an earlier interview with the media at the Senate press office clarified that the Senate has no plan of reducing the existing working and non-working holidays.

Also the Senate chief welcomed the Philippine National Police’s new anti illegal drugs strategy of going after big-time drug traffickers. (Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau)