MANILA, Philippines- Kinondena ni Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong ang pagsusulong ng rebisyon ng 1987 Charter sa pamamagitan ng People’s Initiative sa konsultasyon ng Senate Subcommittee on Resolution of Both Houses No. 6 sa kanyang lungsod nitong Biyernes.
Itinutulak ng RBH 6 na bigyang-kapangyarihan ang Kamara na ikasa ang regulasyon ng foreign investments sa public utilities, higher education at advertising.
“I would like also decry some efforts of some legislators to pursue the People’s Initiative. I believe it is purely unethical,” pahayag ni Magalong.
“I also firmly believe that the process for moving these kinds of legislations forward should be aligned with what is provided in our constitution and that the core foundations of nationalism and national interest are still primarily protected and if not strengthened,” dagdag niya.
Nanindigan si Magalong na sinusuportahan niya ang pagsusulong ng economic opportunities para sa mga Pilipino.
“With the current landscape, our industries would be able to support an economic tract that is globally competitive, dynamic and adaptive to economic trends,” dagdag niya.
Tinutulan ng mga senador ang PI na sinusuportahan naman ng ilang miyembro ng Kamara.
Hindi naman ito kinontra ng ilang local officials mula sa Northern Luzon na dumalo sa pagtitipon.
“Quickening change is necessary for increasing both social and economic progress,” ayon naman kay Board Member Ericson Singson ng Ilocos Sur Singson.
“These changes have the potential of creating economic progress, jobs, and better services even as they also come with threats of national control, economic sovereignty and cultural integrity. This therefore calls for tight regulatory net, protection of national interests and equitable distribution of benefits from globalization. By finding a harmonious blend between all these aspects, Philippines can increase its economic resilience thereby securing a brighter tomorrow for its people.”
Samantala, nagsumite ng ilang stakeholders ng position papers sa panel.
Sinuportahan ng Cagayan Economic Zone Authority ang proposed amendments sa pamamagitan ng isang sulat na nilagdaan ng Administrator and Chief Executive Officer nito na si Katrina Ponce Enrile.
Nagpadala rin si La Trinidad Benguet Mayor Romeo Salda ng position paper bilang pagsuporta sa proposed amendments.
“Relaxing foreign participation in local investments would greatly contribute to local development,” ani Salda.
Samantala, tinawag sa position paper ng Mariano Marcos State University ang proposed amendment sa higher education na banta sa national security.
“The proposed amendment, by allowing foreigners to own, control, and administer the country’s higher educational institutions, gives rise to issues surrounding national security. While all higher educational institutions under the proposed regime will still be regulated by the relevant government agencies (i.e. CHED), the threat of dangerous foreign influences such, but not limited to, religious radicalism and any other ideological indoctrination is not remote,” anang MMSU.
Iminungkahi naman ng Cooperative Development Authority CAR Extension office ang pagsasama ng clause sa no foreign equity requirement sa mga kooperatiba upang palakasin ang base ng Filipino ownership.
“We stand by the Cooperative Principle of Autonomy in all cooperatives. Based on the present status of primary cooperatives, fully owned by Filipinos, they have proven that they can adequately sustain their respective cooperatives guided by the cooperative values of self-help and self-responsibility,” giit nito.
Ang konsultasyon sa Baguio ang una sa tatlong regional consultations, habang ang dalawa pa ay gaganapin sa Cebu at Cagayan de Oro sa susunod na linggo. RNT/SA
