Press Release
November 8, 2006

Senate notches up performance record,
passes vital socio-economic measures

NOTCHING up its performance record, the Philippine Senate under the leadership of Senate President Manuel B. Villar Jr. has hit the ground running by passing vital socio-economic measures during Mondays resumption of session.

Delivering on his promise to prioritize the passage of pending local and national bills, Senate President Villar steered the approval of at least six measures, four of which were passed on third and final reading.

The approved measures include Senate Bill 2482 entitled An Act regulating the placement of billboard signs.

The Senate also unanimously adopted Senate Resolution 581 or the Resolution Concurring in the Ratification of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).

Two House of Representatives-approved local bills were also approved on third and final reading by the Senate plenary. These are House Bill 4430 An Act Granting Muslim Mindanao Radio and Television Network Corporation a Franchise to Construct, Install, Establish, Operate and Maintain Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations in the Province of Lanao Del Sur -- and House Bill 4487 An Act Granting the Mindanao Jockey and Country Club, Inc., A Franchise to Construct, Operate and Maintain a Racetrack for Horse Racing in Davao City

The upper chamber also approved on second reading two other local proposals - House Bill 692 or An Act Granting the Cable Link & Holdings Corp. A Franchise to Construct, Install, Establish, Operate and Maintain Cable/Community Antennae Television Systems in the Philippines, and House Bill 4429 or An Act Granting the Puerto Princesa Broadcasting Corporation A Franchise to Construct, Install, Establish, Operate and Maintain Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations in the City of Puerto Princesa and All the Municipalities in the Province of Palawan

Senate President Villar said the approval of these local bills would go a long way in promoting harmonious relations with the House, which was strained by the non-approval of House-approved local bills by the Senate in the past.

For the first time ay binibigyan talaga ng pansin ng Senado yung mga local bills dahil sa tingin naman namin ay hindi kami dapat makipag-away sa Mababang Kapulungan. Kasamahan natin yan, kasama natin sa Kongreso, at bibigyan namin din ng pansin yang kanilang mga panukala, Villar said.

The Senate has also approved on third and final reading Senate Bill 1972 declaring May 7 of every year as Health Workers Day.

We will buckle down to some serious legislative work, and we intend to pass as many measures as possible during the remaining session days of the year, Villar said.

He noted that the Senate had earlier passed on third and final reading the much-awaited Biofuels Act, as well as other important pending measures.

Villar said the Senate will prioritize the enactment of the proposed P1.13 trillion year 2006 national budget, the Anti-Terrorism Bill, the Automation of Elections, the proposed Human Rights Compensation Act, the amendments to the Expanded Value Added Tax law, and the Income Tax Reform Bill, among other pending measures. (end)

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