SEN. BONG REVILLA BARES HIS AGENDA FOR 15TH CONGRESS

BETTER infrastructure, education system improvement and easy access to public service are among the priorities that Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. will pursue at the opening of the 15th Congress.

Bong Revilla, who got a fresh mandate for the next congress, yesterday took his oath before outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during his victory party at 1Esplanade, Pasay City last night.

Shortly after swearing-in, the senator bared his plans on improving education system by integrating IT education in public schools in rural areas.

"As an initial step toward this goal, I have donated personal computers in Santo Tomas Elementary School in Barangay Faranal, San Felipe, Zambales. Students from this school have now access to computers and the Internet," he said.

During the 14th Congress, the senator filed bills, including Gifted and Talented Children Special Education - which will establish comprehensive education for indigent but gifted and talented students; and Book Barrio Bill, which will establish Book for the Barrios program that will collect books and educational materials to be distributed to the public schools and libraries in the provinces.

Bong Revilla admitted that these bills failed to reach the second and third reading, the process before enacting bills into laws. He said he will re-file the same on the next congress.

Meanwhile, he will also file a bill that will amend the Republic Act 8794 or Motor Vehicles User's Charge (MVUC). A portion of collection will be allocated as emergency funds that will be used for road clearing operations and repairs of infrastructures destroyed by calamities.

Among other bills that he will re-file are an act establishing a food security rice reserve; upgrading the benefits and incentives of barangay health workers; allocating budget for capital outlay of the Department of Education; motorcycle safety act for children.

He will also support the re-filing of Freedom of Information Act, which guarantees right of the people to information on matters of public concern.

In addition, the senator said he will continue to give medical assistance to poor Filipinos.

"My office will allocate more funds on medical assistance to accommodate more people and have better access for medical treatment," he concluded.