House enacted into law 5 SONA priority measures

A year after President Du-terte’s fourth State of the Nation Address outlining his legislative priorities, Congress had responded by passing 10 bills and enacting five into law.

- CHARISSA M. LUCI-ATIENZA

One of them established the Malasakit Centers in all Department of Health hospitals providing the people, particularly the poor, a one-stop shop for their health requirements; another bill which was widely welcomed by government employees, modified the salary standards for civilian government personnel; and another established a National Academy of Sports. The two others were on a tax measure and the fifth postponed the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

The House records show that the five SONA measures that were passed by the Lower Chamber that have been enacted into law are the following:

Republic Act No. 11467, which seeks to increase and restructure the excise tax rates on alcohol, heated tobacco, and vapor products, signed on January 22, 2020.

Republic Act No. 11462, postponing the May 2020 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, signed on December 2, 2019

Republic Act No. 11463, establishing Malasakit Centers in all Department of Health (DOH) hospitals in the country and in the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), signed on December 3, 2019.

Republic Act No. 11466, modifying the salary schedule for civilian government personnel and authorizing the grant of additional benefits, signed on January 8, 2020.

Republic Act No. 11470, creating and establishing the National Academy of Sports, signed into law on June 9, 2020.

“The House’s performance during the first regular session exceeds its average historical performance, in my view, especially on fiscal and economic reform,” said Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda, chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means and co-chairman of Economic Cluster of the House Defeat COVID-19 Adhoc Committee (DCC).