DAVAO CITY —President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday that the newly enacted legislative measures will provide more opportunities to Filipinos, and that his administration will continue to pursue measures to improve quality of life, particularly as the country recovers from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking during the event held in Malacanang, President Duterte said Wednesday’s event attest to the fruitful collaboration between the legislative and executive branches of government.
The President thanked the members of Congress for their steadfast efforts in ensuring that his administration’s legislative agenda will be translated into relevant policies and programs that will improve the life of every Filipino.
“These laws – which open more opportunities for our people to serve in government and enable some of our LGUs to render more efficient and inclusive service – are part of our vision of bringing government closer to the people,” he said.
“I hope that when both houses of Congress resume sessions this year, priority will be given to the remaining flagship programs of my administration.”
These measures include the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program and the Retail Trade Liberalization Act, the Foreign Investments Act, and the Public Service Act.
The President rallied the support of lawmakers to act on these legislative measures so that he could sign them into law at the earliest possible time.
President Duterte expressed optimism that more government agencies will foster more cooperation as the country takes more meaningful steps to rebuild the economy and help people recover from the impacts of the pandemic.
“Now, more than ever, we need to follow the whole-of-nation approach in ensuring an inclusive and seamless response to the current challenges facing the nation,” he said.
“To the Filipino people, let me assure you that your government will continue to pursue measures that will improve and enhance your way of life.”
With the help of Congress, the President said he is confident that his administration can pursue its legislative agenda and create an environment conducive for the people’s growth and nation’s progress.
Among the recently signed laws that the President ceremonially signed were Republic Act (RA) No. 11549 or An Act Lowering the Minimum Height Requirement for Applicants of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and Bureau of Corrections (BuCor);
RA No. 11544 or An Act Converting the Municipality of Calaca in the Province of Batangas Into a Component City To Be Known as the City of Calaca; RA No. 11545 or An Act Reapportioning the First Legislative District of the City of Caloocan Into Two Legislative Districts; and RA No. 11546 or An Act Reapportioning the Province of Bulacan Into Six Legislative Districts.
Also present during the ceremony were Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, House Speaker Lord Allan Jay Velasco, Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, and other legislators.
