Press Release
April 20, 2008

Senate resumes session
Villar: Senate to focus on bills addressing economic, social and environmental concerns

Senate President Manny Villar today said the Senate, as it resumes session on Monday, is ready to buckle down to legislative work and enact bills that will help address the country's needs in economic, social and environmental fronts.

"We are ready to work on proposals that will address our people's most pressing needs today, including the rising cost of basic commodities and unemployment. We intend to put in place new systems and remedy existing legislations to help shield the Filipino from economic hardship," Villar said.

Villar said among the priority measures are:

  • Amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA that will make the price of electric power more competitive;

  • Bill on special employment of students that will create employment opportunities for Filipinos aged 15-24 years;

  • The bill that will grant exemption to minimum wage earners from payment of income tax;

  • The bill granting financials assistance and scholarships to children of fire fighters, policemen and soldiers killed in the line of duty;

  • The extension of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program;

  • The establishment of a socialized and low cost housing loan restructuring program;

  • Pre-Need Code bill to protect planholders;

  • The establishment of the La Mesa Watershed to ensure quality supply of water for domestic use;

  • The Renewable Energy Act, which aims to make the country self-sufficient in providing for its energy needs;

  • Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability, the treaty which asserts the universal claim to equal dignity and strengthen disability rights;

  • The Optional Protocol for the Convention Against Torture and Cruel and Unusual Punishment, which strengthens the universal drive against physical, emotional, psychological, mental abusive acts;

  • The policy measure that mandates the publication of revenue and expenditures of local government units to promote public accountability and transparency;

  • The act allowing LGUs to choose a depositary bank, other than government banking institutions;

Villar added that the bills penalizing torture and prostitution and the bill repealing the crime of premature marriages are also in the advanced stage of legislation.

News Latest News Feed