MANILA, Philippines – Target ng mga senador na makapagpasa ng mas marami pang “pro-people” bills sa Second Regular Session ng Senado.
Kabilang na dito ang panukalang batas na nagpapataw ng P150 across-the-board daily minimum wage sa pribadong sektor, ayon kay Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri nitong Biyernes, Hulyo 14.
Ang tinutukoy ni Zubiri ay ang panukalang inakdaan niya na Senate Bill 2022 na layong taasan ng P150 kada araw ang kasalukuyang P570 daily wage ng mga manggagawa sa Metro Manila at buong bansa.
“Given the urgency of the situation, a legislated wage increase is called for [to] ease the effect of wage erosion brought about by inflation… to cover food, water, fuel, electricity, clothing, transportation, rent, communications and other personal needs,” sinabi ni Zubiri.
Layon ng Kongreso na maipasa ang wage hike bill kasama ang 20 “priority measures” na tinukoy sa July 5 LEDAC meeting bago mag-Christmas break sa Disyembre ang mga mambabatas.
Kabilang sa mga ito ay ang Center for Disease Control Bill, Amendments to BOT/PPP Law, Internet Transactions Act, Mandatory ROTC bill, Revitalizing the Salt Industry, the Ease of Paying Taxes, New Philippine Passport Act at Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers.
Pag-uusapan din sa Senate floor ang Committee Report for the Waste to Energy bill.
“Aside from these measures, I will also be pushing for the passage of the Minimum Wage Hike bill,” pagbabahagi pa ni Zubiri.
Samantala, isusulong naman ni Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, ang agarang pagpasa ng PENCAs (Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital) at Blue Economy bills, upang maibsan ang epekto ng climate change.
“The PENCAS aims to provide a true, complete, and accurate report of the state of the development and economic performance of the Philippines… Government planners will be able to fully understand the natural capital available and expendable in the pursuit of national goals,” sinabi ni Legarda.
“Meanwhile, the Blue Economy bill aims to protect our oceans and coasts and enhance its potential contribution to sustainable development. As one of the longest coastlines in the world, the Philippines would greatly benefit if it sustainably utilizes its marine resources… Protecting and safeguarding our environment goes hand in hand with economic development,” pagpapatuloy niya.
Para naman kay Senador Risa Hontiveros, dapat na magpasa ng mga panukala ang Kongreso na tutugon sa pangangailangan ng mga tao, katulad ng expanded maternity leave for women sa informal sector, pagtutok sa issue ng teenage pregnancy, at pagtataas sa P500 monthly social pension sa mga matatanda sa P1,500.
“Increasing the amount of social pension for the elderly would also narrow the pension coverage gap as neighboring countries such as Thailand, Brunei, Timor-Leste and Vietnam are currently implementing similar tax-financed schemes to cover all citizens of a specified age,” sinabi ni Hontiveros sa panayam ng ABSCBN.
“I continue to press the importance of passing a comprehensive anti-teenage pregnancy measure while pregnancies among 10 to 14 year olds continue to rise… Teenage pregnancy has been a ‘silent epidemic’ for several years already with generational consequences,” dagdag pa niya.
Ang pagkabigo naman ni Senador Robin Padilla na makuha ang suporta ng mayorya sa kanyang charter change advocacy ang mas nagtulak sa kanya na magsulong pa ng mga batas na maglalayong magkaroon ng reporma sa politika ng bansa.
Isusulong din niya ang proposed Medical Cannabis Act.
“Desisyon at karapatan ng tao kung Ano ang gusto niyang alternatibong gamot sa kanyang karamdaman,” ani Padilla. RNT/JGC
