Posted on March 03, 2015 09:59:00 PM
By Melissa Luz T. Lopez, Reporter
FIVE priority measures sought by business groups will secure approval from Congress by June, its top official said, adding that these include reforms seen to improve the Philippines’ investment climate.
These are the Fair Competition law, amendments to Cabotage law, creation of the Department of Information and Communication Technology, the Bangsamoro Basic Law, and reforms to the Sandiganbayan.
In his keynote address at the Fourth Arangkada Assessment Forum on Tuesday, Senate President Franklin M. Drilon assured foreign and local business leaders of sustained reform proposals, a number of which would see enactment this year.
According to Mr. Drilon, among the measures that are expected to be signed into law by June are the Fair Competition Act and amendments to the Cabotage Law.
The new targets came after a joint meeting of both the House of Representatives and Senate last Monday, Mr. Drilon said.
The competition policy seeks the creation of a Philippine Competition Commission to police unfair business practices and investigate possible anti-competitive behavior. The Senate passed the measure on third and final reading last December, but remains pending second reading approval at the House.
“The momentum continues as Congress aggressively pushes for a number of good governance and public accountability measures anchored on the rule of law,” Mr. Drilon said. “We will continue pursuing our reform agenda in the remaining term of the 16th Congress.”
CUSTOMS MODERNIZATION
The Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, which seeks to streamline customs practices through automation of all forms and procedures and thereby curb smuggling, will be effective this year. The bill is awaiting plenary approval at the House of Representatives and committee approval in Senate.
Lifting the prohibitions for foreign ships to carry their cargoes across Philippine ports by amending the Cabotage Law is also seen to boost international trade and will be effective by June, Mr. Drilon added.
Meanwhile, a bill creating the Department of Information and Communication Technology will also be approved by the same month, Mr. Drilon added. It is seen to develop communication systems so that the country will be on a par with its neighbors.
Reforms to the Sandiganbayan, the country’s anti-graft court, is now up for signing into law by the President and is expected to be in place by June, said Mr. Drilon. Once enacted, the measure will increase the court’s divisions from five to seven, in a bid to speed up resolution of corruption cases.
BANGSAMORO LAW TARGET
Congress has also set a unanimous June 30 target in approving the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), a measure seen to bring peace in war-torn Mindanao but suffered a huge setback following a bloody encounter between police and Moro fighters on Jan. 25.
Peace in Mindanao is one of seven targets set by the Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines (JFC) in achieving inclusive growth, as it is seen to bolster investor confidence in the country.
“Anything that affects the reputation of a country in terms of peace and security will have impact on investments,” Julian H. Payne, president of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, said in a press conference of the Arangkada initiative yesterday.
“In reiterating our support for the Bangsamoro Peace Process, we said that there is no other alternative to guarantee the aspirations of the Bangsamoro people but total and lasting peace, and the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law is a crucial component in the overall strategy for peace in Mindanao,” Makati Business Club Chairman Ramon R. Del Rosario, Jr. said during the Arangkada forum.
For his part, Mr. Drilon reiterated that Congress will pass a Bangsamoro law by June that is “consistent with the Constitution” and in the “interest of our people.”
TRADE REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE
Measures creating a Philippine Trade Representative Office will also gain momentum this year, as it is seen to improve foreign trade by dedicating a Cabinet-rank position to administer external trade relations.
The Freedom of Information Act is only awaiting approval from the lower chamber, as the Senate has passed its version in March 2014.
Source: http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=5-priority-bills-OK%E2%80%99d-by-June&id=103712
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