Let’s get back to work, Senate and House leaders say
(Eagle News) — Let’s get back to work.
This was the message of Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez in the opening of the second regular session of the 17th Congress.
Pimentel began his speech with figures from a survey last week that he said showed that the Senate was the “most trusted institution” in the country.
He said based on the survey, 57 percent of Filipinos trust the Senate, three points higher than the same survey in a previous period.
“This should inspire us as we resume our session. With higher trust, approval ratings come higher expectations,” he said.
According to Pimentel,in the agenda were relevant measures that can ensure the welfare of Filipinos such as a measure for a national ID system, for the improvement of the delivery of basic services, the Universal Healthcare Act, and the Bangsamoro Basic Law
“Through the Bangsamoro Basic Law, we will empower regions to determine their overall plans through their shift to federalism,” he said.
The Senate President said there are 1242 bills still pending, and 200 plus resolutions.
“We are looking at a lot of work. These are large numbers but not daunting numbers,” he said.
“I am confident that we can do just as well or even better than how we did in the previous session,” he added.
Quick approval
In his speech, Alvarez lauded the members of the House of Representatives for what he said was their quick approval of measures.
According to Alvarez, in 97 days, rhe Lower House has approved 210 bills.
“That’s an average of two bills on third reading every session day,” he said.
He said among those in the House’s agenda were the creation of a Philippine National Railways Authority, a Philippine Airports Authority, and the merging of the Land Transportation Office and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.
He said the Bangsamoro Basic Law was also a priority in the House.