MANILA, Philippines – Inaprubahan ng Senado sa ikatlo at huling pagbasa ang tatlong mahahalagang panukalang batas na naglalayong lumikha ng congressional commission on agriculture and food security, pagtatayo ng multi-faith prayer and quiet room sa mga pampublikong lugar, at pagpapahusay ng documentary requirements sa government financial institutions.
Sa botong 17 pabor, walang komontra at walang abstention, inaprubahan ng Senado ang Senate Bill No. 1624 na lumilikha ng Congressional Commission on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Security (AGRICOM).
“The body will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the agriculture and fisheries sector, review the performance of concerned agencies, and recommend targeted short- and long-term policy reforms. The 10-member commission—five each from the Senate and the House of Representatives—will be co-chaired by the respective agriculture committee heads and is allocated an initial PHP200 million for operations,” ayon sa panukala.
Inaprubahan din ng Senado ang Senate Bill No. 1629 sa botong 18 pabor, walang komontra at walang abstention, na naglalayong maglagay ng kahit isang multi-faith prayer and quiet room sa mga public offices at public-facing establishments.
“The measure mandates that the rooms be neutral, inclusive, and free from permanent religious symbols favoring a specific faith,” ayon sa panukala.
Samantala, inaprubahan din ng Senado ang Senate Bill No. 155 sa botong 19-0-0, na naglalayong gawing simple at standard ang pagsusumite ng dokumento sa pagkuha ng financial assistance.
Kilala bilang Direkta at Agad na Lingap at Interbensiyon (DALI) Act, layunin nitong gawing tatlong dokumento lamang ang kailangan sa pagkuha ng ayuda, tulad ng isang valid government-issued ID, billing statement, at medical certificate o abstract.
Inaatasan ang lahat ng kinauukulang ahensya na iproseso ang kahilingan sa loob ng isang araw o sa susunod na araw kung naisumite ito matapos ang office hours.
“For too long, our kababayans have been burdened by excessive and repetitive documentary requirements. These requirements cost them time, money, and sometimes dignity,” ayon kay Senador Erwin Tulfo, principal author ng panukala.
“This bill ensures that government assistance becomes truly accessible, inclusive, efficient, and responsive. This is a reform rooted in social justice. It affirms a simple principle: Assistance should be given with compassion, not complication,” aniya.
“The bill also allows authorized relatives to file requests on behalf of beneficiaries and mandates digital processing of aid applications through government systems, with coordination with the Anti-Red Tape Authority to prevent undue delays and non-compliance,” dagdag ng panukala.
