Maharlika fund eyed for Cebu infra projects

CEBU, Philippines — Senator Mark Villar is eyeing the controversial Maharlika Fund as possible source for infrastructure projects to help address traffic and flooding problems in Metro Cebu.

Villar, who was in Cebu yesterday to attend an event of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines—Luzon Island Cluster, admitted he was caught in traffic on his way to Cebu City from the airport in Lapu-Lapu City. He said some infrastructure projects in Cebu are qualified for Public-Private-Partnership that may be funded through Maharlika Fund.

Villar said that the Metro Cebu Expressway, which started during his stint as secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways, and the upcoming construction of the fourth bridge are qualified for funding from Maharlika Investment Fund. These projects, Villar believes, will surely help decongest the traffic in Metro Cebu.

Villar also hopes that encroachments on waterways in Cebu would be stopped as this is very critical in solving flooding.

“At siguro yung kailangan ilipat, ilipat sa mas maayos na lugar,” said Villar.

Meanwhile, Villar reported to the members of the LMP -Luzon Island Cluster that the One Town One Product or Senate Bill No. 1594 that he authored and sponsored is now a signature away from becoming a law. This bill, he said, will enact the long-overdue institutionalization of the OTOP Program.

Villar said that the bill will institutionalize the OTOP Program to promote products of localities and stimulate local enterprises and employment.

He also filed Senate Bill No. 2085 or Establishing Evacuation Centers in Every City and Municipality. The bill seeks to establish a well-equipped evacuation center in all municipalities and cities in the country.

Villar also filed Senate Bill No. 1378 or An Act Providing an Increase and an Automatic Adjustment Mechanism in the Personnel Economic Relief Allowance (PERA), which aims to increase the financial assistance given to our government employees to defray some of their expenses corresponding to the cost of essential goods and services.

According to him, his Senate Bill No. 1846 or the Internet Transactions Act of 2023 is already due for interpolation.

“Hopefully, within the year, magiging law na ito. It’s about time to protect our online buyers as well as the sellers against fraudulent practices in internet transactions,” said Villar in a press conference.

Through this bill, Villar said, digital platforms or e-marketplaces shall be subsidiarily liable with the online merchant or retailer if it failed to perform its responsibilities laid down in the bill that caused damage to the consumer.

This bill also establishes a code of conduct for all businesses involved in e-commerce in order to safeguard and advance the interest of consumers.

Once enacted into law the Internet Transactions Act of 2023 is expected to prevent online scams and assure safety of both consumers and merchants engaged in e-commerce. FPL (FREEMAN)