House to approve 30 measures by March - Speaker

MANILA, Philippines - The House of Representatives aims to approve some 29 measures before Congress goes on a break on March 21, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said.

In his letter to his colleagues last Jan. 19, Belmonte listed the chamber’s 45 priority measures and their status in the legislative mill.

He also asked House members to identify two priority local bills and submit the same to the Office of the Secretary General.

“I am grateful for your support and look forward to your continuing cooperation in our collaborative efforts to ensure the passage of all the measures in our legislative agenda,” the Speaker said in his letter.

He listed the following measures among his priority bills to be approved on third and final reading: Terrorist Financing Suppression Act, Hybrid Alternative Vehicle, Penalties for Election-Related Offenses, Criminal Responsibility of Minors, Anti-Cybercrime Act, Passport Act, and Valuation Reform Act which are under committee report preparation.

The approval of bills on Office of the Philippine Trade Representative, Prevention of Pollution from Ships, Survey of Cadastral Lots in the Country, Eliminating Gender Bias on Adultery or Concubinage, as well as Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance are also under committee report preparation.

Pending on second reading approval are the Anti-Trust Act, Witness Protection, Security and Benefit; Whistleblowers, Delineation of Specific Forest Limits and Stiffer Penalties for Stealing/Tampering Risk Reduction Equipment.

The proposed law on Regulating the Practice of Geology is pending for third reading approval.