Lawmakers asked to pass BBL, economic Cha-cha

MANILA, Philippines – Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. has urged his colleagues to work in earnest to pass key reform and priority measures when Congress resumes session on Nov. 3.

The House of Representatives went on a break last Oct. 10 but not before approving on second reading the proposed P3.002-trillion national budget for 2016 and 30 other bills.

“We are capable of setting aside our differences and look for points of unity. This is why I am confident that with the same diligence and determination, we will be able to pass other priority bills that have temporarily taken the back seat to give way to the national budget,” Belmonte said.

“Our landmark measures and legislative accomplishments will be the legacy we will leave as the 16th Congress,” he added.

According to Belmonte, among the measures that need immediate approval are the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), the proposed Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Act and the Resolution of Both Houses No. 1 (RBH 1) that seeks to amend the economic provisions of the Constitution.

The BBL seeks to create a new autonomous region in Mindanao, while the PPP bill seeks to amend the Build-Operate and Transfer Law to attract more investments.

Belmonte said the House passed game changing legislation, including the proposed Transparency in the Management and Accounting of Tax Incentives and the modernization of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Administration, which will soon be transmitted to President Aquino for signing.