Press Release
June 12, 2008

SENATE PASSES PRIORITY BILLS; ADJOURNS 1st REGULAR SESSION

After another marathon session in the Upper House today, Senate Majority Leader and Independent senator Kiko Pangilinan today announced the passage of priority measures in time for the Senate's adjournment sine die of the 1st Regular Session of the 14th Congress.

"The Senate has been steadfast in passing vital measures that will pave the way for improvements in crucial fields such as tourism, education, the pre-need industry, among others," Kiko said.

"We have passed on 3rd reading a measure that declares a national policy for tourism, which reorganizes our tourism authorities and aligns our thrusts in the said field. With this in order, we anticipate a more aggressive tourism force that will encourage more tourists and generate more jobs for the poor," Kiko added.

"We likewise passed on second reading the bill upgrading the minimum salary grade level of teachers from Salary Grade 10 to 19. This measure is long-overdue, and we are speeding up its passage as we know that this will have a decisive effect on the quality of our education," Kiko said.

Other bills passed on 3rd reading are the measure on Amusement Tax, which reduces the tariff on the movie industry, and the Pre-need bill, which regulates the establishment of pre-need industries. Passed on second reading are SB 2230 which codifies the laws on illegal/unlawful possession, manufacture and acquisition of firearms, ammunition and explosives, SB 2150 or the Right to Reply bill, SB 1976 which creates five additional Metropolitan Trial Courts, and SB 3224 or the reappointment of the lone legislative district in Agusan del Sur.

"In the face of the worsening crisis on oil and food, we at the Senate are adamant in exploring more ways to improve the lives of our citizens. We will continue to respond to the challenge through a proactive and relevant legislative agenda," Kiko ended.

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