Congressional Record2020/09/01 · 2 Congressional Record • 18th Congress 2RS v.1 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2020Lahat ng papuri, pagdakila at pagsamba, ibinabalik namin sa Iyo. Amen

Congressional RecordPLENARY PROCEEDINGS OF THE 18th CONGRESS, SECOND REGULAR SESSION

House of Representatives

Vol. 1 Tuesday, September 1, 2020 No. 5

1907PHILIPPINES

HOU

SE O

F REPRESENTATIVES

CALL TO ORDER

At 3:00 p.m., pursuant to Section 15(h), Rule IV of the House Rules, the Presiding Officer, Rep. Wilter “Sharky” Wee Palma II, called the session to order.

THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Palma). The session is now called to order.

Please rise for the Invocation. May I call on the Honorable Bañas-

Nograles to lead the Invocation.

Everybody rose for the Invocation.

INVOCATION

REP. BAÑAS-NOGRALES. Let us bow down our heads in prayer.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Lord, we come before You today as Your loving children, seeking Your grace, Your strength, wisdom and comfort.

Today, we see a nation and a world hurting because of an infliction.

We beseech Thee, O Lord, to cast out this disease with Your power and help us, Your people, with (inaudible) of this fatal disease.

We ask you, O Lord, to refresh the spirits and fortitude of our Filipino frontliners here and overseas. May You cover them with Your most precious blood and protect them from harm.

We ask You, O Lord, to help us find the trustworthy and reliable cure to this disease. May You guide our nation’s scientists and our agencies leading the search. Protect them and bless them as well with Your infinite knowledge.

We ask You, O Lord, to inspire and encourage

the hearts of those still battling this virus in their own localities throughout the archipelago, especially in cities and municipalities which have just felt the wave of this public health crisis. Guide them and inspire them, O Lord.

We thank You, O God, for curing our fellow Filipinos afflicted with this disease. We pray that You continue to protect everyone, especially our children and the elderly. We also pray, O Lord, for the souls of those who perished from this disease. We pray that You welcome them into Your arms and comfort the hearts of those hurting from this loss—the spouses, children, relatives, and friends of those who have succumbed to this disease. May You provide us with the comfort that we all sorely need in these trying times.

We pray to You, O Lord, that the people with worldly desires to hurt and those who take advantage of power and privilege for their own personal, selfish gains to the detriment of others be brought to justice. May You help this nation shed light on this darkness and provide the people with the justice and fairness that we seek every day.

Finally, O Lord, we humbly ask that You bestow upon us, the Members of this Congress, Your wisdom, most especially today as we enter this month’s deliberations on this nation’s resources. May You guide us and our colleagues in every government office and may we utilize wisely these resources for the benefit of the Filipino nation, all for Your glory.

We pray for protection of all those who work here in Congress, our staff, and employees. Protect them and shield them from harm. May You give us Your understanding, give us courage, give us a heart that comforts those in pain. You are in control, You are our great provider, our great healer. We trust in You.

2 Congressional Record • 18th Congress 2RS v.1 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2020

Lahat ng papuri, pagdakila at pagsamba, ibinabalik namin sa Iyo. Amen

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Palma). Amen.

NATIONAL ANTHEM

THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Palma). Please remain standing for the Philippine National Anthem.

Everybody remained standing for the singing of the Philippine National Anthem.

THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Palma). Majority Leader.

REP. NIETO. Mr. Speaker, I move that we call the roll of Members.

ROLL CALL

THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Palma). Secretary General, please call the roll of the honorable Members.

REP. NIETO. Thank you.

The Secretary General called the roll, and the result is reflected in Journal No. 5, dated September 1, 2020.*

At this juncture, Representative Palma relinquished the Chair to Deputy Speaker Conrado M. Estrella III.

THE SECRETARY GENERAL. Mr. Speaker, the roll call shows that 300 Members responded to the call.

T H E D E P U T Y S P E A K E R ( R e p . Estrella). With more than 300 Members present, the Chair declares the presence of a quorum.

Majority Floor Leader.

APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL

REP. NIETO. Mr. Speaker, I move that we approve Journal No. 4 of sessions dated August 10, 11, 17, 24, 25 and 26, 2020.

I so move, Mr. Speaker.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Estrella). Is there any objection? (Silence) There being none, the motion is hereby approved.


REP. NIETO. Mr. Speaker, I move that we now proceed with the Reference of Business and request that the Secretary General be directed to read the title of the bills and resolutions on First Reading, as well as communication and committee reports.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Estrella). The Secretary General is hereby directed to proceed.

REFERENCE OF BUSINESS

The Secretary General read the following House Bills and Resolutions on First Reading, Message from the President, Communications and Committee Reports, and the Deputy Speaker made the corresponding references:

BILLS ON FIRST READING

House Bill No. 7497, entitled:“AN ACT GRANTING VISAYAS

COCKERS CLUB. INC. A FRANCHISE TO CONSTRUCT, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN COCKPIT ARENAS OR STUDIOS IN THE PROVINCES OF NEGROS ORIENTAL, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL AND CEBU, AND TO ESTABLISH, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN OFF-COCKPIT BETTING STATIONS THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES”

By Representative Teves (Arnolfo)TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE

FRANCHISES

* See ANNEX (printed separately)

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 18th Congress 2RS v.1 • Congressional Record 3

House Bill No. 7498, entitled:“ A N A C T S T R E N G T H E N I N G

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND ENHANCING SUPPORT FOR SMALL ORGANIC FARMERS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE CERTAIN SECTIONS OF RA 10068 OR THE ORGANIC AGRICULTURE ACT OF 2010”

By Representatives Cullamat, Zarate, Gaite, Brosas, Castro (France) and Elago

TO THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FOOD

House Bill No. 7500, entitled:“AN ACT AMENDING EXECUTIVE

ORDER NO. 209, S. 1987, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE FAMILY CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES, INSOFAR AS RECLASSIFYING LEGITIMATE CHILDREN INTO CHILDREN BORN WITHIN WEDLOCK AND ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN INTO CHILDREN BORN OUT OF WEDLOCK, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representative Alvarez (Pantaleon)TO THE COMMITTEE ON REVISION OF

LAWS

House Bill No. 7501, entitled:“AN ACT DECLARING THE PANTARON

MOUNTAIN RANGE AS A PROTECTED AREA CATEGORIZED AS A NATIONAL PARK AND WATERSHED, AND PROVIDING FOR ITS MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION”

By Representative Alvarez (Pantaleon)TO THE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL

RESOURCES

House Bill No. 7502, entitled:“AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE DIGITAL

HORIZON IN PUBLIC EDUCATION ROAD MAP, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representative Dimaporo (Khalid)TO THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC

EDUCATION AND CULTURE AND THE COMMITTEE ON INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY

House Bill No. 7503, entitled:“AN ACT MANDATING TASK FORCE

BANGON MARAWI TO PROVIDE MONETARY COMPENSATION FOR THE LOSS OR DESTRUCTION O F R E S I D E N T I A L A N D COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES AS A RESULT OF THE MARAWI SIEGE, ARMED CONFLICT BETWEEN THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES AND TERRORIST G R O U P S , A P P R O P R I A T I N G FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representative Dimaporo (Khalid)TO THE COMMITTEE ON MINDANAO

AFFAIRS

House Bill No. 7504, entitled:“AN ACT CREATING THE SUSTAINABLE

DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDG) COUNCIL OF THE PHILIPPINES, DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representative Dimaporo (Khalid)TO THE COMMITTEE ON SUSTAINABLE

DEVELOPMENT GOALS

House Bill No. 7505, entitled:“ A N A C T E S T A B L I S H I N G A

T E C H N I C A L E D U C A T I O N AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (TESDA) TRAINING AND ASSESSMENT CENTER IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF DAET, P R O V I N C E O F C A M A R I N E S NORTE TO BE KNOWN AS THE C A M A R I N E S N O R T E T E S D A TRAINING AND ASSESSMENT CENTER, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

By Representative PanotesTO THE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER AND

TECHNICAL EDUCATION


M A N D A T O R Y E V A C U A T I O N CENTER IN ALL CITIES AND


MUNICIPALITIES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

By Representative BoliliaTO THE COMMITTEE ON DISASTER

RESILIENCE

House Bill No. 7508, entitled:“ A N A C T G R A N T I N G M A A S I N

CABLE TELEVISION A FRANCHISE TO CONSTRUCT, ESTABLISH, MAINTAIN AND OPERATE CABLE TELEVISION SYSTEM IN THE PROVINCE OF SOUTHERN LEYTE”

By Representative MercadoTO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE

FRANCHISES

House Bill No. 7509, entitled:“ A N A C T M A N D A T I N G A N D

INSTITUTIONALIZING ROLL-OVER DATA ALLOCATION SCHEME, PROVIDING FOR PENALTIES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representatives Pineda and RomeroTO THE COMMITTEE ON INFORMATION

A N D C O M M U N I C A T I O N S TECHNOLOGY

House Bill No. 7516, entitled:“AN ACT ESTABLISHING A PROVINCIAL

OFFICE OF THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE PROVINCE OF SORSOGON, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

By Representative EscuderoTO THE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER AND

TECHNICAL EDUCATION

House Bill No. 7517, entitled:“ A N A C T M A N D A T I N G T H E

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SALARY GRADE 15 MINIMUM MONTHLY SALARY FOR NURSES”

By Representatives Gaite, Zarate, Cullamat, Castro (France), Brosas and Elago

T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N APPROPRIATIONS

House Bill No. 7518, entitled:“AN ACT EXPANDING THE FUNCTION

OF THE LUPONG TAGAPAMAYAPA, THEREBY AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ‘LOCAL GOVERNMENT C O D E ’ , A N D F O R O T H E R PURPOSES”

By Representative VillafuerteTO THE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL

GOVERNMENT

House Bill No. 7519, entitled:“AN ACT MANDATING THE LANGUAGE

ACCESSIBILITY OF DISASTER-RELATED INFORMATION”

By Representative VillafuerteTO THE COMMITTEE ON DISASTER

RESILIENCE

House Bill No. 7520, entitled:“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 CORRECTION (BUCOR), AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6975, AS AMENDED, REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9263, AND REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10575, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representative VillafuerteTO THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC

ORDER AND SAFETY

House Bill No. 7521, entitled:“AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NETWORK

OF POP-UP BICYCLE LANES AND EMERGENCY PATHWAYS FOR USE DURING THE DURATION OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representative VillafuerteTO THE DEFEAT COVID-19 AD HOC

COMMITTTEE

House Bill No. 7523, entitled:“AN ACT EXCLUDING THE HAZARD PAY

EARNED DURING OR ON OCCASION OF A NATIONAL EMERGENCY IN


THE COMPUTATION OF GROSS INCOME, THEREBY AMENDING SECTION 9 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10963, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE TAX REFORM FOR ACCELERATION AND INCLUSION (TRAIN) LAW”

By Representative Umali (Alfonso)TO THE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND

MEANS

House Bill No. 7524, entitled:“AN ACT MANDATING THE SPECIAL

PROTECTION TO COASTAL FISHING COMMUNITIES FOR SUSTAINABLE SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES IN THE COUNTRY”


T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N AQUACULTURE AND FISHERIES RESOURCES

House Bill No. 7525, entitled:“AN ACT MANDATING THE PROVISION

OF THE P15,000 − FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THE 1 MILLION FILIPINOS EMPLOYED IN THE FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SECTOR, TO PUMP-PRIME THE WHEELS OF PRODUCTION, AS CRUCIAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE RECOVERY OF THE NATIONAL ECONOMY AND AS RESPONSE M E C H A N I S M T O M I T I G A T E THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC TO THE SECTOR RECOGNIZED AS ‘VULNERABLE AND MARGINALIZED’ ”


TO THE DEFEAT COVID-19 AD HOC COMMITTTEE


T E C H N I C A L E D U C A T I O N AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (TESDA) TRAINING AND ASSESSMENT CENTER IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF NABUA, PROVINCE OF CAMARINES SUR TO

BE KNOWN AS THE RINCONADA TESDA TRAINING AND ASSESSMENT CENTER, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

By Representative FortunoTO THE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER AND

TECHNICAL EDUCATION

House Bill No. 7527, entitled:“AN ACT RENEWING FOR ANOTHER

TWENTY-FIVE (25) YEARS THE F R A N C H I S E G R A N T E D T O BAYCOMMS BROADCASTING CORPORATION UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8718, ENTITLED ‘AN ACT GRANTING THE BAYCOMMS BROADCASTING CORPORATION, A FRANCHISE TO CONSTRUCT, INSTALL, ESTABLISH, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN RADIO AND TELEVISION STATIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES’ ”

By Representatives Hernandez and Nograles (Jericho)

TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE FRANCHISES

House Bill No. 7531, entitled:“AN ACT GRANTING INSTANT

DATA INC. A FRANCHISE TO CONSTRUCT, INSTALL, ESTABLISH, O P E R A T E , A N D M A I N T A I N T E L E C O M M U N I C A T I O N S SYSTEMS THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES”

By Representative RomualdoTO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE

FRANCHISES

House Bill No. 7532, entitled:“AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING

THE REGISTRATION AND THE N A T I O N A L D A T A B A S E F O R WORKERS, ECONOMIC UNITS, A N D O R G A N I Z A T I O N S O R ASSOCIATIONS IN THE INFORMAL ECONOMY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representative FernandezTO THE COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND

EMPLOYMENT


House Bill No. 7538, entitled:“AN ACT ESTABLISHING CONTACT

TRACING CENTERS IN COVID-1 9 H I G H - R I S K A R E A S A N D A P P R O P R I A T I N G F U N D S THEREFOR”

By Representative CasteloTO THE DEFEAT COVID-19 AD HOC

COMMITTTEE

House Bill No. 7540, entitled:“ A N A C T P R O V I D I N G F O R A

COMPREHENSIVE PHYSICIANS’ LAW TOWARDS AN INTEGRATED Q U A L I T Y H E A L T H C A R E SYSTEM REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 2382, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE MEDICAL ACT OF 1959, AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

By Representatives Zarate, Gaite, Cullamat, Castro (France), Brosas and Elago

TO THE COMMITTEE ON CIVIL SERVICE AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION

House Bill No. 7542, entitled:“ A N A C T T O D E V E L O P A N D

STRENGTHEN THE AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN THE COUNTRY THROUGH THE INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT F O R A G R I C U L T U R A L ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN THE POST-SECONDARY LEVEL”

By Representative VargasTO THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE

AND FOOD

House Bill No. 7546, entitled:“ A N A C T E S T A B L I S H I N G T H E

SOUTHERN TAGALOG MEDICAL CENTER IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF IBAAN, FOURTH DISTRICT OF THE PROVINCE OF BATANGAS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

By Representative BoliliaTO THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH

RESOLUTIONS

House Resolution No. 1162, entitled:“RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE

COMMITTEE ON AGRARIAN REFORM TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE STATE OF CHRONIC AND WORSENING LANDLESSNESS AMONG FILIPINO FARMERS, PERPETUATION OF HACIENDAS AND THE URGENCY OF A GENUINE AGRARIAN REFORM PROGRAM IN THE COUNTRY”


TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES

House Resolution No. 1163, entitled:“ R E S O L U T I O N C O N D E M N I N G ,

I N T H E S T R O N G E S T T E R M S POSSIBLE, THE TWIN BOMBINGS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF JOLO, PROVINCE OF SULU, EXTENDING OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILIES OF INNOCENT VICTIMS, AND URGING THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE (PNP) AND THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES (AFP) TO CONDUCT A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION, AND FILE APPROPRIATE CHARGES AGAINST THE PERPETRATORS OF THE COWARDLY ACT”

By Representative Tan (Shernee)TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES

House Resolution No. 1164, entitled:“A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING SUPPORT

FOR THE DECLARATION OF MARTIAL LAW AND SUSPENDING THE WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS IN THE PROVINCE OF SULU, OR WHERE NEEDED IN THE REGION OF MINDANAO, AND REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENSE TO PROVIDE A BASIS THEREOF TO THE COMMITTEE ON MINDANAO AFFAIRS”

By Representative Dimaporo (Khalid)TO THE COMMITTEE ON MINDANAO

AFFAIRS


House Resolution No. 1165, entitled:“A RESOLUTION FOR THE COMMITTEES

ON PUBLIC ACCOUNTS AND G O O D G O V E R N M E N T A N D PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY TO URGE THE DOF AND NEDA TO ACCESS OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE AMOUNTING TO US$300M FOR THE DEVELOPMENT O F A C E N T R A L I Z E D A N D NATIONALIZED E-GOVERNANCE SYSTEM BASED ON A FIFTH GENERATION (5G) WIRELESS NETWORK DATABASE FOR A P R O P O S E D E - P H I L H E A L T H SYSTEM”

By Representative HarescoT O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

P U B L I C A C C O U N T S A N D T H E C O M M I T T E E O N G O O D G O V E R N M E N T A N D P U B L I C ACCOUNTABILITY

House Resolution No. 1166, entitled:“A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THROUGH THE COMMITTEE ON CIVIL SERVICE AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION AND THE DEFEAT COVID-19 AD-HOC COMMITTEE TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE ALARMING SURGE OF COVID-19 INFECTIONS A M O N G G O V E R N M E N T WORKERS”

By Representatives Gaite, Zarate and Cullamat


House Resolution No. 1167, entitled:“A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR THE

IMMEDIATE RATIFICATION BY THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT OF INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION CONVENTION NO. 190, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS VIOLENCE AND HARASSMENT CONVENTION, 2019 (NO. 190)”

By Representative MendozaTO THE COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND

EMPLOYMENT

House Resolution No. 1169, entitled:“RESOLUTION URGING THE HOUSE

O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S T O CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE JUNE 27, 2020 COLLISION BETWEEN THE HONG KONG-FLAGGED AND CHINESE-CREWED M/V V I E N N A W O O D N A N D F / V LIBERTY 5 AND THE SUBSEQUENT ABANDONMENT OF 14 F ISH W O R K E R V I C T I M S I N O P E N SEAS, FOR THE PROTECTION O F F I L I P I N O F I S H E R M E N AND FISH WORKERS IN THE COUNTRY AGAINST RAMMING BY FOREIGN VESSELS SAILING IN THE COUNTRY’S TERRITORIAL W A T E R S A N D E X C L U S I V E ECONOMIC ZONE”



House Resolution No. 1170, entitled:“RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE

COMMITTEE ON AQUACULTURE AND FISHERIES RESOURCES TO C O N D U C T A N I N Q U I R Y , I N AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE THREAT OF DISPLACEMENT OF THE FISHERFOLK COMMUNITY IN BRGY. TANZA I AND OTHER B A R A N G A Y S I N N A V O T A S C I T Y , A M I D : O N G O I N G CONSTRUCTION OF POLDER D I K E A N D D U M P - F I L L I N G OPERATIONS; PENDING NOTICE T O P R O C E E D T O T H E 6 5 0 -HECTARE NAVOTAS COASTAL BAY RECLAMATION PROJECT; AND PUBLIC UPROAR AS NO PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS TO THE AFFECTED SECTORS WERE HELD AND NO ALTERNATIVES O F F E R E D T O S U S T A I N T H E FISHING LIVELIHOOD OF THE AFFECTED RESIDENTS”




House Resolution No. 1171, entitled:“ R E S O L U T I O N U R G I N G T H E

N A T I O N A L G O V E R N M E N T : T O R E G A I N C O N T R O L A N D AUTHORITY OVER THE PANATAG SHOAL AND KALAYAAN ISLAND GROUP, AMID LATEST MEASURES OF CHINA IN THE WEST PHILIPPINE SEA, SUCH AS THE APRIL 18, 2020 ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW CHINESE ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICTS, AND THE THREE-AND-A-HALF MONTH FISHING BAN SINCE MAY 1, 2020; AND TO UPHOLD THE INTEREST AND WELFARE OF FILIPINO FISHERFOLK, NATIONAL PATRIMONY AND NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY”


TO THE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL DEFENSE AND SECURITY

House Resolution No. 1172, entitled:“ A R E S O L U T I O N E X P R E S S I N G

PROFOUND SYMPATHY AND SINCERE CONDOLENCES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON THE DEMISE OF THE HONORABLE COMELEC CHAIRMAN SIXTO SERRANO BRILLANTES, JR.”

By Representative OlivarezTO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENTMALACAÑAN PALACE

MANILA

August 24, 2020

HON. ALAN PETER S. CAYETANOSpeakerHouse of RepresentativesBatasan Hills, Quezon City

Dear Speaker Cayetano:

In compliance with the President’s constitutional duty, I have the honor to transmit to the Congress, through the House of Representatives, the following budget documents:

1. President’s budget Message for FY 2021;

2. FY 2021 National Expenditure Program (Volumes I, II, and III);

3. FY 2021 Budget of Expenditures and Sources of Financing; and

4. FY 2021 Staffing Summary.

Very truly yours,

(Sgd.) RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE President of the Philippines

Enclosures: a/scc: Hon. Vicente C. Sotto III President Senate of the Philippines Hon. Juan Edgardo M. Angara Chairman, Committee on Finance Senate of the Philippines

Hon. Eric G. Yap Chairman, Committee on Appropriations House of Representattives


COMMUNICATIONS

Letter dated July 6, 2020 of Caesar R. Dulay, Commissioner, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Department of Finance, forwarding to the House of Representatives the following Budget and Financial Accountability Reports (BFARs) as of March 31, 2020:1. S ta tement o f Appropr ia t ions ,

Allotments, Obligations, Disbursements and Balances (SAAODB) − FAR No. 1;

2. S u m m a r y o f A p p r o p r i a t i o n s , Allotments, Obligations, Disbursements and Balances by Object of Expenditures − FAR No. 1-A;

3. List of Allotments and Sub-Allotments − FAR No. 1-B; and

4. S t a t e m e n t o f O b l i g a t i o n s , Disbursements, Liquidations and Balances for Inter-Agency Fund Transfers − FAR No. 1-C.



Letter dated 15 July 2020 of Agnes VST Devanadera, Chairperson and CEO, Energy Regulatory Commission, forwarding to the House of Representatives a copy of the Commission’s Accomplishment Report for the 2nd Quarter − April to June 2020.TO THE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY

Letter dated July 15, 2020 of Evelyn S. Marañon, State Auditor V, Supervising Auditor, Corporate Government Sector III, Water Districts and Other CGS Stand Alone Agencies, Commission on Audit, furnishing the House of Representatives with copies of the 2018-2019 Biennial Audit Reports and 2018 Management Letter on the following water districts:A. Biennial Audit Report:

1. Bago City Water District, Bago City, Negros Occidental;

2. Himamaylan Water District , H i m a m a y l a n C i t y , N e g r o s Occidental;

3. La Carlota City Water District, La Carlota City, Negros Occidental;

4. Sibulan Water District, Sibulan, Negros Oriental;

5. Talisay Water District, Talisay City, Negros Occidental;

6. Tanjay Water District, Tanjay City, Negros Oriental; and

7. Victorias City Water District, Victorias City, Negros Occidental.

B. Management Letter:1. Ilog Water District, Ilog, Negros

Occidental.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated 22 July 2020 of Benjamin E. Diokno, Governor, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, submitting to the House of Representatives their Report to Congress on Public Sector Foreign Loans approved by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) in the Second Quarter of 2020.TO THE COMMITTEE ON BANKS AND

FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

Letter dated July 23, 2020 of Caesar R. Dulay, Commissioner, Bureau of Internal

Revenue, Department of Finance, submitting to the House of Representatives their Consolidated Monthly Report of Disbursements (FAR 4) for the month of June 2020 and Statement of Approved Budget, Utilizations, Disbursements and Balances for Trust Receipts (FAR 6) for the quarter ending June 30, 2020.


Letter dated July 27, 2020 of Dante La. Jimenez, Chairman, Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), Office of the President, furnishing the House of Representatives a copy of the 2nd Year Report of PACC from March 2019 to March 2020.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated 5 August 2020 of Marilou P. Mendoza, Chairperson, Tariff Commission, informing the House of Representatives that their Financial Accountability Report and Physical Report of Operations for the second quarter (April to June 2020) have been posted in their website https://tariffcommission.gov.ph/.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Email of Engineer Rickris Marie T. Fernandez, Provincial Engineer’s Office, Province of Davao del Norte, submitting to the House of Representatives their Quarterly Financial and Physical Report of Operations for the Quarter ended June 2020, on the LGSF-KALSADA Program − Conditional Matching Grant to Provinces, attested by Edwin I. Jubahib, Provincial Governor.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Report of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education (Committee Report No. 445), re H.R. No. 1168, entitled:“A RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING

AND COMMENDING MS. CRISTETA PASIA COMERFORD FOR RECEIVING


AN HONORARY DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF HUMANE LETTERS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES IN RECOGNITION OF THE HONOR AND PRESTIGE SHE HAS BROUGHT TO THE PHILIPPINES THROUGH HER EXEMPLARY ACHIEVEMENT AS THE FIRST ASIAN EXECUTIVE CHEF AT THE WHITE HOUSE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”

recommending its adoption in substitution of House Resolution No. 550

Sponsors: Representatives Go (Mark) and Silverio


Report of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education and the Committee on Appropriations (Committee Report No. 446), re H.B. No. 7522, entitled:“ A N A C T E S T A B L I S H I N G A

T E C H N I C A L E D U C A T I O N AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (TESDA) TRAINING AND ASSESSMENT CENTER IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF CABAGAN, PROVINCE OF ISABELA, TO BE KNOWN AS THE CABAGAN, ISABELA TESDA TRAINING AND ASSESSMENT CENTER, AND APPROPRIATING F U N D S T H E R E F O R ”

recommending its approval in substitution of House Bill No. 6726

Sponsors: Representatives Go (Mark), Yap (Eric) and Albano


Report of the Committee on Tourism and the Committee on Appropriations (Committee Report No. 447), re H.B. No. 7528, entitled:“AN ACT DECLARING THE FORESHORE

AREAS THAT LINE THE ALBAY WEST COAST IN THE THIRD DISTRICT OF THE PROVINCE OF ALBAY AS TOURIST SPOTS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”


Sponsors: Representatives Aragones, Yap (Eric) and Cabredo


Report of the Committee on Tourism and the Committee on Appropriations (Committee Report No. 448), re H.B. No. 7529, entitled:“ A N A C T D E C L A R I N G T H E

MUNICIPALITY OF JOVELLAR IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBAY AN ECOTOURISM ZONE AND A P P R O P R I A T I N G F U N D S THEREFOR”


Sponsors: Representatives Aragones, Yap (Eric) and Cabredo


Report of the Committee on Tourism and the Committee on Appropriations (Committee Report No. 449), re H.B. No. 7530, entitled:“AN ACT DECLARING THE CITY OF

ILIGAN A TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AREA AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”


Sponsors: Representatives Aragones, Yap (Eric) and Siao


Report of the Committee on Tourism and the Committee on Appropriations (Committee Report No. 450), re H.B. No. 7533, entitled:“AN ACT DECLARING BARANGAY

L A G U I T P A D I L L A I N T H E MUNICIPALITY OF BUGALLON, PROVINCE OF PANGASINAN AN ECOTOURISM ZONE AND A P P R O P R I A T I N G F U N D S THEREFOR”


Sponsors: Representatives Aragones, Yap (Eric) and Espino


Report of the Committee on Tourism and the Committee on Appropriations (Committee Report No. 451), re H.B. No. 7534, entitled:


“ A N A C T D E C L A R I N G T H E LIMAHONG CHANNEL LOCATED I N T H E M U N I C I P A L I T Y O F L I N G A Y E N , P R O V I N C E O F PANGASINAN A TOURIST SPOT AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”


Sponsors: Representatives Aragones, Yap (Eric) and Espino


Report of the Committee on Tourism and the Committee on Appropriations (Committee Report No. 452), re H.B. No. 7535, entitled:“AN ACT DECLARING MUDLOM

CAVE IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF QUEZON, PROVINCE OF PALAWAN A T O U R I S T D E S T I N A T I O N , PROVIDING FOR ITS DEVELOPMENT AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”


Sponsors: Representatives Aragones, Yap (Eric) and Abueg-Zaldivar


Report of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education and the Committee on Appropriations (Committee Report No. 453), re H.B. No. 7536, entitled:“ A N A C T E S T A B L I S H I N G A

T E C H N I C A L E D U C A T I O N AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (TESDA) TRAINING AND ASSESSMENT CENTER IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF PULILAN, PROVINCE OF BULACAN, TO BE KNOWN AS THE PULILAN, BULACAN TESDA TRAINING AN D ASSESSMEN T C EN TER , AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”


Sponsors: Representatives Go (Mark), Yap (Eric) and Sy-Alvarado


Report of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education and the Committee on Appropriations (Committee Report No. 454), re H.B. No. 7537, entitled:“AN ACT ESTABLISHING CAMPUSES

OF THE DAVAO DEL NORTE STATE COLLEGE (DNSC) IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF CARMEN AND STO. TOMAS, AND IN THE ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL, PROVINCE OF DAVAO DEL NORTE, TO BE KNOWN RESPECTIVELY AS THE DNSC-CARMEN CAMPUS, DNSC-STO. TOMAS CAMPUS, AND DNSC-ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL (IGACOS) CAMPUS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

recommending its approval in substitution of House Bills Numbered 5957, 5958 and 5959

Sponsors: Representatives Go (Mark), Yap (Eric) and Dujali


Report of the Committee on Ways and Means (Committee Report No. 455), re H.B. No. 7068, entitled:“AN ACT EXTENDING THE PERIOD OF

AVAILMENT OF THE ESTATE TAX AMNESTY, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11213, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ‘TAX AMNESTY ACT’ ”

recommending its approval without amendment

Sponsors: Representatives Romualdez (Ferdinand), Romualdez (Yedda), Palma and Salceda


Report of the Committee on Aquaculture and Fisheries Resources and the Committee on Appropriations (Committee Report No. 456), re H.B. No. 7539, entitled:“AN ACT ESTABLISHING A CENTRAL

M U L T I - S P E C I E S M A R I N E HATCHERY IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF BAROTAC VIEJO, PROVINCE OF ILOILO AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”



Sponsors: Representatives Cueva and Yap (Eric)


Report of the Committee on Aquaculture and Fisheries Resources and the Committee on Appropriations (Committee Report No. 457), re H.B. No. 7541, entitled:“ A N A C T E S T A B L I S H I N G A

S A T E L L I T E M U L T I - S P E C I E S MARINE HATCHERY IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF SAN FERNANDO, PROVINCE OF CAMARINES SUR, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”




Report of the Committee on Aquaculture and Fisheries Resources and the Committee on Appropriations (Committee Report No. 458), re H.B. No. 7543, entitled:“AN ACT ESTABLISHING A SATELLITE

MULTI-SPECIES MARINE HATCHERY IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF PASACAO, PROVINCE OF CAMARINES SUR, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”





C E N T R A L M U L T I - S P E C I E S MARINE HATCHERY IN THE CITY ENVIRONMENTAL ESTATE IN BARANGAY STA. LUCIA, CITY OF PUERTO PRINCESA, PROVINCE OF PALAWAN, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”





C E N T R A L M U L T I - S P E C I E S MARINE HATCHERY IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF VILLABA, AND SATELLITE MULTI-SPECIES MARINE HATCHERIES IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF CALUBIAN AND LEYTE, PROVINCE OF LEYTE, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”




Report of the Committee on Energy (Committee Report No. 461), re H.R. No. 1173, entitled:“ R E S O L U T I O N U R G I N G T H E

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE) TO DIRECTLY REMIT TO THE MUNICIPALITY OF VILLANUEVA, PROVINCE OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL, ITS EQUITABLE SHARE IN THE PROCEEDS OF THE UTILIZATION OF THE NATIONAL WEALTH BY THE INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS (IPPs) LOCATED IN AND HOSTED BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT (LGU)”

recommending its approval in substitution of House Resolution No. 324

Sponsors: Representatives Velasco and Uy (Juliette)


Report of the Committee on Aquaculture and Fisheries Resources and the Committee on Appropriations (Committee Report No. 462), re H.B. No. 7547, entitled:


“AN ACT ESTABLISHING A SATELLITE MULTI-SPECIES MARINE HATCHERY IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF BATAD, PROVINCE OF ILOILO AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”





C E N T R A L M U L T I - S P E C I E S MARINE HATCHERY IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF MINALABAC, PROVINCE OF CAMARINES SUR, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”




THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Estrella). Majority Floor Leader.

REP. NIETO. Mr. Speaker, today, being a Monday, …

Mr. Speaker, I move that we approve Journal No. 4.

SUSPENSION OF SESSION

REP. PALMA. Mr. Speaker, may I move for a suspension for a few seconds.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Estrella). The session is suspended.

It was 3:29 p.m.

RESUMPTION OF SESSION

At 3:30 p.m., the session was resumed.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Estrella). The session is resumed.

Majority Leader.

APPROVAL OF H.B. NOS. 7022, 7023 AND 7024ON THIRD READING

REP. PALMA. Mr. Speaker, I move that we consider House Bills Nos. 7022, 7023 and 7024 on Third Reading—for final consideration on Third Reading, all of which are local bills to establish provincial and municipal trial courts, and may I request that the Secretary General be directed to call the roll of Members for nominal voting.


THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Estrella). Is there any objection to the motion? (Silence) There being none, the motion is hereby approved.

The Secretary General, please proceed with the nominal voting. Roll call of Members, please.

Thereupon, the Secretary General read the titles of the measures, printed copies of which were distributed to the Members on August 14, 2020, pursuant to Section 58, Rule X of the House Rules.

The Chair directed the Secretary General to call the roll for nominal voting. The result of the voting on Third Reading* on the aforesaid measures is reflected in Journal No. 5, dated September 1, 2020.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Estrella). With 229 affirmative votes, zero negative vote, and zero abstention, House Bill No. 7022, entitled: AN ACT CREATING TWO (2) ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN THE TWELFTH JUDICIAL REGION TO BE STATIONED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF MLANG, PROVINCE OF COTABATO, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14(M) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129,



OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980”, AS AMENDED;

House Bill No. 7023, entitled: AN ACT CREATING ONE (1) ADDITIONAL BRANCH OF THE MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT IN CITIES TO BE STATIONED IN THE CITY OF MALAYBALAY, PROVINCE OF BUKIDNON, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 29 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980”, AS AMENDED;

And, finally, House Bill No. 7024, entitled: AN ACT CREATING SIX (6) ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN THE FOURTH JUDICIAL REGION TO BE STATIONED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF LOS BAÑOS AND IN THE CITY OF CABUYAO, PROVINCE OF LAGUNA, AND CREATING ONE (1) ADDITIONAL BRANCH OF THE MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT IN CITIES TO BE STATIONED IN THE CITY OF CABUYAO, PROVINCE OF LAGUNA, AND APPROPRIATING F U N D S T H E R E F O R , A M E N D I N G FOR THE PURPOSE SECTIONS 14(E) AND 29 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980”, AS AMENDED are hereby approved on Third and final Reading.


APPROVAL OF H.B. NOS. 6975, 6976, 7019, 7027, 7029 AND 7030

ON THIRD READING

REP. NIETO. Mr. Speaker, I move for the consideration on Third Reading of House Bills Nos. 6975, 6976, 7019, 7027, 7029, 7030, all are local bills for the establishment and conversion of State universities and colleges, and request that the Secretary General be directed to call the roll for nominal voting.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Estrella). Is there any objection? (Silence) There being none, the motion is hereby approved.

The Secretary General is directed to call the roll for nominal voting.

Proceed, please.


THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 6975, entitled: AN ACT INTEGRATING THE PALAWAN STATE UNIVERSITY-COLLEGE OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT (PSU-CCRD) EXTERNAL CAMPUSES IN THE PROVINCE OF PALAWAN AND IN THE CITY OF PUERTO PRINCESA AS REGULAR CAMPUSES OF PALAWAN STATE UNIVERSITY (PSU), AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7818, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR;

House Bill No. 6976, entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A CAMPUS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND T E C H N O L O G Y O F S O U T H E R N PHILIPPINES (USTSP) IN BARANGAY BALUBAL, CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, TO BE KNOWN AS THE USTSP-BARANGAY B A L U B A L , C A G A Y A N D E O R O CAMPUS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR;

House Bill No. 7019, entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING THE AGUSAN DEL SUR STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE A N D T E C H N O L O G Y ( A S S C A T ) I N THE MUNICIPALITY OF BUNAWAN, PROVINCE OF AGUSAN DEL SUR INTO A STATE UNIVERSITY, INTEGRATING THEREWITH THE SATELLITE CAMPUS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF TRENTO, PROVINCE OF AGUSAN DEL SUR, TO BE KNOWN AS THE AGUSAN DEL SUR STATE UNIVERSITY (ADSSU) , A N D A P P R O P R I A T I N G F U N D S THEREFOR;

House Bill No. 7027, entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF ALIAGA, PROVINCE OF NUEVA ECIJA, TO BE KNOWN AS THE ALIAGA


POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR;

House Bill No. 7029, entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF CUYAPO, PROVINCE OF NUEVA ECIJA, TO BE KNOWN AS THE CUYAPO POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR; and

House Bill No. 7030, entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING THE ABRA STATE I N S T I T U T E O F S C I E N C E S A N D TECHNOLOGY IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF LAGANGILANG AND BANGUED, PROVINCE OF ABRA INTO A STATE U N I V E R S I T Y , T O B E K N O W N A S THE UNIVERSITY OF ABRA, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.


THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Estrella). With 233 affirmative votes, zero negative and zero abstention, House Bills Nos. 6975, 6976, 7019, 7027, 7029 and 7030 are now approved on Third and final Reading.


APPROVAL OF H.B. NOS. 6974, 7017 AND 7018ON THIRD READING

REP. NIETO. Mr. Speaker, I move for the consideration on Third and final Reading of House Bills Nos. 6974, 7017, 7018, all are local bills on the establishment of CHED provincial offices, and request that the Secretary General be directed to call the roll for nominal voting.


THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Estrella). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is hereby approved.

The Secretary General is hereby directed to proceed with the calling of the roll for the

nominal voting on House Bills Nos. 6974, 7017 and 7018.

Please proceed.


THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 6974, entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A PROVINCIAL OFFICE OF THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION (CHED) IN VIGAN CITY, PROVINCE OF ILOCOS SUR, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR;

House Bill No. 7017, entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A PROVINCIAL OFFICE OF THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION (CHED) IN THE PROVINCE O F M I S A M I S O C C I D E N T A L , A N D APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR; and

House Bill No. 7018, entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A PROVINCIAL OFFICE OF THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION (CHED) IN THE PROVINCE OF ILOCOS NORTE, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.


THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Estrella). With 232 affirmative votes, zero negative and zero abstention, House Bill No. 7018 is hereby approved on Third and final Reading.

With 234 affirmative votes, zero negative, zero abstention, House Bills Nos. 6974 and 7017 are hereby approved on Third and final Reading.


REP. NIETO. Mr. Speaker, I move that we direct the Secretary General to immediately



transmit to the Senate the bills approved on Third and final Reading.


THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Estrella). Is there any objection to the motion? (Silence) There being none, the Secretary General is hereby directed to do so.

The Majority Floor Leader.

PRIVILEGE HOUR

REP. NIETO. Mr. Speaker, with leave of the House, I move that we open the Privilege Hour.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Estrella). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the Privilege Hour is hereby opened.

REP. NIETO. Mr. Speaker, first to avail, I now move that the Lady from the Party-List BAYAN MUNA, the Hon. Eufemia “Ka Femia” Cullamat, be recognized to avail of the Privilege Hour.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Estrella). The distinguished colleague, Representative Cullamat, is hereby recognized.

Please proceed.

PRIVILEGE SPEECH OF REP. CULLAMAT

REP. CULLAMAT. Maraming salamat, Mr. Chair—Ginoong Speaker.

Mga kapwa ko Mambabatas, Ginoong Speaker, magandang araw sa ating lahat.

Ginoong Speaker, kahapon, habang ginugunita natin ang Araw ng mga Bayani, nagtatanong ang marami: Sinong bayani ba dapat ang ating pagpupugayan? Iyon bang nakalibing sa Libingan ng mga Bayani na nagpasasa sa kapangyarihan, at nagnakaw sa yaman ng bansa at sa mga pumanaw na katulad nila? Hindi sila ang mga bayani ng bayan.

Ngayong September 1, 2020, ang mga Lumad sa Rehiyon ng Caraga, lalo na ang mga nagpapatuloy sa pagdepensa sa lupang ninuno at naggigiit sa karapatan sa sariling pagpapasya ay nasa limang taon na ng pagdeklara at

paggunita sa Aedow tu Pakigsimangga tu Tumindok tu Caraga o Araw ng Pakikibaka ng Lumad sa Caraga. Ang deklarasyong ito, Ginoong Speaker, ay pagkilala sa walang humpay na kontribusyon ng mga Lumad na tunay na nagbigay kahulugan sa pagtatanggol at pagdedepensa ng lupang ninuno para sa susunod na henerasyon. Ang kasaysayan ng pakikibaka ng mga Lumad sa Caraga ay mayamang aral tungkol sa buhay, mga karanasan at pakikibaka, at tagumpay sa gitna ng matinding pamamasista ng kasalukuyang administrasyon.

Ginoong Speaker, Setyembre 1, 2015, ito ang karumal-dumal na araw ng pagpaslang sa aming dalawang lider-Lumad na si Dionel Campos, Chairman ng Malahutayong Pakigbigsog Alang sa Sumusunod o MAPASU at si Datu Juvillo Sinzo at ang aming pinagpipitagang guro, Principal ng paaralang ALCADEV, Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development, na si Sir Emerito Samarca. Ngayon ang ikalimang taon ng brutal na pagpatay sa kanila ng mga paramilitar na Magahat-Bagani kasama ang 75th IB at ang Third Special Forces Battalion.

Ginoong Speaker, sila ang aming mga bayani. Sila ay nag-alay ng kanilang buhay sa pakikibaka para sa sariling pagpapasya at pagdepensa sa kalikasan laban sa mga dayuhang plantasyon at mina na nandarambong ng likas na yaman. Pinatay sila ng mersinaryong teroristang pasistang militar at bayarang paramilitar upang gipitin at harass-in ang mga komunidad ng Lumad upang durugin ang aming mga panindigan. Ginoong Speaker, ang kanilang kamatayan ay hindi nagpapahina sa aming paninindigan. Kami ay humuhugot ng inspirasyon at lakas sa kanilang sakripisyo upang lalong mapalakas ang aming paninindigan para sa ikabubuti ng mga Lumad sa Caraga at para sa susunod na henerasyon.

Ginoong Speaker, kumustahin natin ang tunay na kalagayan naming mga Lumad sa Lianga. Pinaliliparan ng helicopter ang aming mga komunidad, pinahihirapan kaming makalabas at makapasok sa sarili naming lupang ninuno dahil sa mga military checkpoints. Padagdag nang padagdag ang mga kasundaluhan na nagrerekisa, nagha-


harass, nagbabanta at namimintang sa amin na kami ay mga NPA o kaya tagasuporta nila.

Ganito na ang buhay namin mula 2016 noong kababalik lang namin sa aming lupang ninuno hanggang sa kasalukuyan. Labis na naapektuhan ang aming kabuhayan at labis na naabala ang edukasyon ng aming mga anak. Simula noong dumating ang mga militar sa aming komunidad, sabay na ibinabalik ang mga checkpoints sa komunidad ng Km. 16 (inaudible). Naging istrikto ang pagpapalagpot, nag-uusisa ang mga militar kung saan pupunta, saan galing, anong dala at kailan babalik. Hindi na ito normal sa amin dahil kinokontrol na kami ng mga tao na noon pa lang namin nakikita at hindi residente ng aming munisipalidad.

Ginoong Speaker, kinontrol agad ang pagpapasok ng aming mga pagkain at ang malala pa nito, nakapondo na ang militar sa komunidad ng Km. 9. Lumala ang aming kalagayan ngayon dahil limitado ang aming pagkain. Halos hindi na kami malayang makapagsaka. Kahit ang mga tindahan sa mga komunidad sa Simuwaw ay kinokontrol ang pagbili ng bigas. Marami kaming pagkain na naiwan sa aming komunidad at mga taniman ngunit dahil sa militarisasyon, nawalan kami ng kalayaan sa pinagkukunan namin ng pagkain.

Ginoong Speaker, naipundar na namin ang aming sakahan, kabuhayan at eskwelahan sa tulong na rin ng mga ahensya ng gobyerno, humanitarian NGOs, at iba’t ibang simbahan sa loob ng mahigit isang dekada na hindi kami inistorbo ng militar.

Ginoong Speaker, pagkatapos gibain ang aming komunidad noong 2015, ngayon ay gigibain na naman ang aming naipundar. Sa bawat operation ng militar, bumabalik ang aming pangamba sa nangyayaring pagpaslang sa aming mga lider na brutal na pinatay sa aming harapan o sa aming presensya. Hindi namin gustong magbakwit pero kailangan naming alagaan ang aming buhay. Mapanganib man sa amin ang isaboses ang aming mga panawagan, hindi kami titigil sa paglantad sa mga paglabag sa aming mga karapatan. Patuloy naming dedepensahan ang aming lupang ninuno, na tanging-

yaman na aming maiiwan sa aming susunod na henerasyon. Ginoong Speaker, ito ay makatwiran.

Hanggang ngayon, wala pa ring hustisya sa pinatay na aming mga lider na sila Datu Juvillo Sinzo at Dionel Campos. Hanggang sa ngayon, wala pa ring nahuhuli sa mga pumatay ng aming Executive Director ng ALCADEV na si Sir Emerito Samarca. Sila ang tunay na mga bayani na dapat nating kunan ng leksyon at lakas dahil kanilang ipinaglaban ang karapatan ng mga Lumad at taumbayan.

Ginoong Speaker, tulad din ng iba pang mga bayani na nag-alay ng kanilang buhay para sa karapatan ng mamamayan, ilulunsad pa rin ng rehimeng Duterte ang marami pang pag-atake laban sa mamamayang Lumad upang masamsam ang yaman ng lupang ninuno. Ngunit ang labis na kalupitan ng rehimeng ito, kasama ang pasistang militar nito ay mabibigo sa kanilang masamang hangarin at hindi kailanman mananalo sa lakas ng pagtuligsa ng nagkakaisang bayan na gustong makamit ang pagbabago. Kaya ang hanay ng pambansang Minorya, nahihirapan man ay patatatagin ang pagkakaisa, ipagpapatuloy ang pakikibaka para sa sariling pagpapasya. Patuloy naming poprotektahan ang aming lupang ninuno at haharapin ang nagbabagong mga hamon. Sa hustisya at masang inaapi papanig ang kasaysayan—sa hustisya at masang inaapi papanig ang kasaysayan.

Ginoong Speaker, maraming salamat at magandang hapon sa ating lahat.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Estrella). Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat.

Yes, Majority Floor Leader.

REP. NIETO. Mr. Speaker, I move that we refer the speech of the Hon. Eufemia “Ka Femia” Cullamat to the Committee on Rules for its appropriate action.



REP. NIETO. Mr. Speaker, I now move that the Lady from the Party-List ACT-CIS, Hon.


Niña Taduran, be recognized to avail of the Privilege Hour.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Estrella). The distinguished Lady or should I say the distinguished beauty and brains, the Lady from ACT-CIS, is hereby recognized.

Proceed, please.

PRIVILEGE SPEECH OF REP. TADURAN

REP. TADURAN. Maraming salamat, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues in Congress, magandang hapon.

Do we care about the media? How about the men and women behind the media—the journalists, correspondents, announcers, editors, writers and other media workers? Do we care about their plight? We always say that we care about freedom of speech and of the press, but do we care about the media workers who actually bring us the news, day in and day out?

Sa kabila ng presence ng iba’t ibang social media platforms, nangingibabaw pa rin ang kasanayan at kaalaman ng mga journalists. Sila ang mga taong walang takot at buong tapang na sinusuong ang anumang hamon ng kanilang trabaho sa hangaring makapaghatid ng mga balita at impormasyon, lalo na sa panahon ng anumang kalamidad at iba’t ibang mga kaganapan na bumubuo sa ating lipunan. While we continue to rely on them to enlighten us about everything that is going on around us, it is very unfortunate that the needs of our media workers have largely been ignored for decades. We obligate them to give us the news 24/7 no matter the cost to their lives, health, and well-being.

Being a journalist is more than a profession; it is a dedication, a desire to provide the truth without hesitation, without fear, without favor. They are willing to do that even at great risk to themselves. It is ironic that while media workers courageously fight for the rights of others, they have miserably failed to fight for their own rights. The inherent risks in the media profession are real and personal. In the pursuit of the truth, media workers are subjected to threats, harassment, violence

and even murder by those who want to hide it. Ang mga tinatawag nating “journo” ay buong tapang na nangangalap at nagbubuwis din ng kanilang buhay sa panahon ng iba’t ibang coverage. Hindi natitinag sa anumang panganib at banta sa kanilang buhay alang-alang sa diwa ng malayang pamamahayag at makatotohanang impormasyon.

During the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists in November 2019, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said:

When journalists are targeted, societies as a whole pay a price. Without the ability to protect journalists, our ability to remain informed and contribute to decision-making is severely hampered. Without journalists able to do their jobs in safety, we face the prospect of a world of confusion and disinformation.

Sa kabila ng banta sa tungkulin ng mga mamamahayag, patuloy silang naghahatid ng mga balita at impormasyon sa harap na rin ng banta sa press freedom. Sa 2017 report ng Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication, nananaig pa rin ang violent attacks sa hanay ng Filipino journalists. Hindi pa rin ito alintana ng mga media workers sa kagustuhang makapaghatid ng makatotohanan at makabuluhang balita at impormasyon. Patuloy sila sa pagtugon sa tungkulin sa kabila ng mahabang panahon nilang pakikipaglaban para sa maayos na pasahod at security of tenure, bukod pa sa iba pang mga benepisyo.

Just imagine a world without journalists. Malaki ang gampanin at ambag ng journalists sa ating lipunan. Sila ang tinatawag na “watchdog,” lalo na sa larangan ng pagbabalita. Malaki ang impluwensya ng media workers sa paghubog ng lipunan. Sila ang mananatiling sandigan ng bawat isa, lalo na sa panahon ng kalamidad at iba pang mga kaganapan na labis na nakakaapekto sa bawat isa sa atin. Sa panahon ng pandemic, kabilang sila sa hanay ng mga bayaning frontliners.

Looking back, during the siege of Marawi, the longest urban battle in the modern history


of our country, we would not have known the details of the war if not for our brave media workers who were willing to put their lives at risk to give us the news, like our soldiers defending our country against these evil terrorist groups.

The COVID-19 pandemic also underscored the perils that our media workers face in the pursuit of the truth. Much like the work being done by our health workers in protecting the lives of every Filipino, our media workers have been indispensible in the fight by bringing the latest information about the dreaded virus to our countrymen. In all respects, the media has become united with the government in the war against the invisible enemy. They’ve become part of the so-called frontliners. Inevitably, they are exposed to health risks and hazards.

Let us not forget about November 23, 2009, Mr. Speaker, a day that horrified the entire world. Since that fateful day, we have been languishing in the company of war-torn countries such as Iraq, Syria, Somalia and South Sudan as one of the top five worst countries in the world in the Global Impunity Index of the Community to Protect Journalists or CPJ, an international media watchdog. The CPJ’s index spotlights countries where journalists are slain and their killers go unpunished. This dubious distinction has caused shame and dishonor, not only as a nation but as a people who value and have fought for the right to free speech and of the press since the creation of the first Philippine Republic.

The country’s ranking is due in part to the deadly ambush of 58 individuals, including 32 journalists and media workers, in Maguindanao on November 23, 2009. The incident would be known in the annals of history as the infamous “Maguindanao massacre,” the single deadliest attack on media workers the world has ever seen. These are the kinds of risks that our media workers face each day.

Sa artikulong nalathala ng Union of Catholic Asian News noong February 7, 2018 na inakda ni Fr. Shay Cullen, tinukoy nito kung paano nagbuwis ng buhay ang maraming bilang ng Filipino journalists mula 1986 hanggang sa maganap ang karimarimarim

na Maguindanao massacre. According to Cullen, the killings continue to this day in an attempt to control the message and cover up the truth. Nakakalungkot, Mr. Speaker, na sa mahabang panahon, nananatiling nasa balag ng alanganin ang buhay ng aking kapwa mamamahayag. Bukod sa kawalan ng sapat na proteksyon, humahantong pa sa exploitation ang kanilang employment bunga na rin ng kawalan ng sapat na batas na sasaklaw sa media workers. Isa na po rito ang talent-basis employment na kadalasang walang employee-employer relationship kung kaya’t may mamamahayag na rumaraket at kung mamalasin pa, nasasawi at walang anumang naiiwan sa pamilya dahilan sa kawalan ng security of tenure at maayos na pasahod at iba pang benepisyo.

As a media worker for 30 years, I was witness to the deplorable state of employment of our media workers. It’s a fact that many of our media workers are underpaid and unprotected. Binabarya-barya lang ng mga pinagtatrabahuhan nila. It is a cruel and thankless job, but media workers keep on doing their best because of the desire to inform. The problem of media violence is compounded by the fact that it is a by-product of the economic vulnerabilities of media workers. These vulnerabilities cause them to be involved in unethical practices.

S a a r t i k u l o n g i n i l a t h a l a n g journalismresearchnews.org na inakda ni Edson C. Tandoc Jr. noong August 31, 2016, nagsagawa ang Nanyang Technological University ng survey sa hanay ng 346 Filipino journalists ukol sa tinatawag na mga problemang kinakaharap ng mga ito sa pagtugon sa kanilang tungkulin bilang mamamahayag. Lumabas sa pag-aaral na ang most common concerns ng Filipino journalists ay ang mababang pasahod, violence against journalists at ang kawalan ng access sa impormasyon at professionalism. Mr. Speaker, the only way to stop this grim cycle is to enact a law that will ensure the professional and economic well-being of our media workers. But is it possible through legislation to give our media workers the employment protection and benefits that they deserve? I believe so.


This is why it is high time, nay, long overdue, for Congress to enact the Media Workers’ Welfare Act. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I wish to call for the passage of House Bill No. 2476 or the Media Workers’ Welfare Act so that we can put an end to these vulnerabilities and reinforce their duties as defenders of the truth while guaranteeing their safety and security.

Mr. Speaker, sa aking karanasan bilang journalist sa mahabang panahon at bago pa man ako mailuklok sa Congress, batid ko kung gaano kahirap para sa mga kapwa ko mamamahayag ang magtrabaho na may mababang pasahod, walang overtime pay, insurance coverage at iba pang benepisyo sakaling magkaroon ng problema sa oras ng pagtugon sa tungkulin, lalo na sa tinatawag na “high-risk coverage,” upang makapaghatid ng timely at makatotohanang balita at impormasyon.

I would like to believe that my election as a Party-List Representative is God’s perfect timing. Ginawa niya akong medium upang maisulong ko ang panukalang batas na magsasaayos sa sektor ng media workers sa pagtugon sa kanilang tungkulin kaakibat ang karampatang pasahod, security of tenure, insurance at health benefits, bukod pa sa hazard pay at ibayong proteksyon sa aspeto ng occupational risks. It is high time that we support this Bill because it will benefit thousands of media workers.

Mr. Speaker, through the enormous support of my colleagues, particularly in this august Chamber, these media workers can freely attend to and fulfill their duties and obligations given the existence of an enabling law that will safeguard their welfare and interests. We are the Fourth Estate, and I firmly believe that it’s high time na mabigyan ng pansin ang kanilang mga karaingan.

Mr. Speaker, maraming salamat po sa inyong suporta. Mabuhay tayong lahat sampu ng mga kasamahan nating media workers.

Dios mabalos po.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Estrella). Thank you, distinguished Lady from the ACT-CIS Party-List.


REP. NIETO. Mr. Speaker, I move that we refer the speech of the Hon. Niña Taduran to the Committee on Rules for its appropriate action.



REP. MACAPAGAL ARROYO. Mr. Speaker, I move that we recognize the Hon. Cristal Bagatsing to avail of the Privilege Hour.


THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Estrella). The distinguished Lady from Manila is hereby recognized.

REP. BAGATSING. Hello, mic test. Can you hear me on the floor?

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Estrella). Yes, we can hear you loud and clear.

REP. BAGATSING. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Estrella). Proceed.

PRIVILEGE SPEECH OF REP. BAGATSING

REP. BAGATSING. Okay. Mr. Speaker, honorable colleagues, I rise on

a question of personal and collective privilege to speak in defense of one set of frontliners in our nation’s battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, who are laboring in anonymity and struggling to survive. I am referring to the women and men who work in the garment industry—ang ating mga mananahi, mga sastre, mga weavers at tailors. Sila ang may natatanging kakayahan na likhain ang milyon-milyong mga face masks at ang iba pang mga kailangan katulad ng protective personal equipment, or PPE, na pumupuksa sa tuluyang pagkalat ng coronavirus. However, Mr. Speaker, I am impelled to rise, not just to praise them for a job well done but more


urgently, because they are threatened. Sila ay nahihirapan. Marami sa ating mga kapwa Pinoy ay displaced, nawalan ng trabaho, and sad to say, Mr. Speaker, hindi sapat ang tulong na ating naibibigay sa kanila bilang mga Representatives nila. Mr. Speaker, the unsung women and men who toil in our garment industry deserve recognition as creative geniuses whose particular skill is adaptation.

Many of us can relate to our own neighborhood sastre or mananahi, readily accessible and readily accommodating the measurements and tweaks that we ask of them. Many of us have not hesitated to repeatedly patronize their services, to cultivate them as mga suki because they are dependable, reliable and (inaudible), mga nakagawian nating tawagan at puntahan para makapagpagawa ng simpleng adjustment sa ating mga hemlines or sa damit natin—mga kapitbahay, kabarangay nating mga sastre at mananahi.

The arrival of the pandemic on our shores has affected the normal livelihood of those who work in our garment industries. Factories and retail shops had been forced to close during the lockdown, their workforce significantly cut back. With the decrease in activity, demand from the private sector for products has declined. Our garment workers have been forced to look for new opportunities, new materials to create so they could continue making a living.

One opportunity did arise, one which would not only boost the garment industry but would also meet a critical need of the Filipino people in this time of pandemic: the production of PPEs and face masks for every Filipino. After all, it is the consistent advice of the Department of Health, the World Health Organization and every other medical expert in the world that the use of face masks, even nonmedical-grade face masks, is indispensable to stop the spread of the virus. Dahil sa pangangailangan ng mga face masks at PPE, paangat dapat ang mananahing Pilipino; ngunit taliwas ang nangyayari. Naghihikahos ang mananahing Pilipino. Sila po ay nagtatanong at nagme-message po sa akin. Saan po nanggagaling

ang PPE natin? Bakit tayo nag-i-import ng PPE? Hindi ba natin ito kayang gawin dito? Bakit tayo nagbibigay ng trabaho sa mga dayuhang manggagawa kung kaya din naman iyang gawin ng Pilipinong mananahi, sastre, weavers at tailors?

According to the report published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer last August 22, the Department of Health has continued to import PPEs such as coveralls and face masks even if our local manufacturers have informed the government as early as March that they have the capacity to produce the PPEs. Ano pong nangyari? Nakakabahala. Ang mga PPE na ito na inaangkat mula sa ibang bansa, basta may certification lang silang maipakita ay pasado na sila agad sa medical standards, samantalang ang mga local na producer ng PPE ay hindi ganoon kadali at mas mahigpit ang proseso. Kailangan pa daw na i-test sa abroad ang mga gawa nila.

Sa lagay na iyon, hindi nakakagulat na puro imported lang ang PPE na ating nabibili, ng ating pamahalaan. Sa bawat face mask, sa bawat PPE na binili ng pamahalaan mula sa ibang bayan, ang kaban ng kapwa manggagawang Pilipino ay inilipat sa dayuhan at hindi sa kapwang Pilipino. Dapat Filipino first tayo. Iyan ang aking panawagan, Mr. Speaker. Kung kayang gawin dito—‘di naman po tayo kulang sa creativity, talent at genius ng Pinoy. Dapat ang prayoridad natin ay ang Pilipino muna bago ibang bansa. Puso para sa Pilipino, Filipino first. Hindi pa kasama dito ang mga reusable nonmedical-grade face masks na ginagamit ng madlang Pilipino.

May utos na ang ating mahal na Pangulong Duterte na ang bawat Pilipino ay dapat bigyan ng libreng reusable, nonmedical-grade face masks, lalo na ang mga pinakamahirap nating mga kababayan. Certainly, our garment workers can be mobilized, can be put to task to produce these nonmedical-grade face masks needed for immediate distribution. Handa na po silang tumulong.

We have heard through our DOH that there is only around P300 million left over from the allocation from Bayanihan 1 that was allotted for the plan to distribute free face masks, with 20 million free face masks being targeted for distribution. Medyo nakakabahala na 20


million lang ang ating binabalak. Nasa higit na 100 milyon ang populasyon ng Pilipinas ngayon. Sana dagdagan naman natin ito to about 100 million.

Sayang po ang pagkakataon na ito na mas matutulungan ang isang industriya na tila hindi nayu-utilize to its full capacity, how the garment industry can be more than just big manufacturing companies but also how we can help our kabarangays—the single parents, parents, PWDs at mga napabilang sa mga nawalan ng trabaho dulot ng pandemyang ito. This could help serve as their lifeline. Tutal, bawat region naman ay may ospital, health centers, at barangays.

It is disturbing to hear, as the DTI Secretary reported last July 19, that 26 percent of businesses in the Philippines have closed, and only 22.1 percent of businesses are in full operation. Unemployment may now be as high as 45 percent or 27.5 million Filipinos to be exact. Kung mamamatay ang industriyang kinabibilangan ng ating mga mananahi, sastre, weavers and tailors sa Pilipinas, malaki ang kawalan sa ekonomiyang Pilipino. Naghihingalo na sila. Huwag naman natin silang patayin. Tulungan natin sila. If we all work together, I’m sure our collective effort will make a huge difference.

The local manufacturing of garments and textiles is said to rank second in number of workers among manufacturing industries and third in number of establishments among manufacturing industries. They are said to account for over US$1 billion in exports annually. According to the 2017 Annual Survey of Philippine Business and Industry released by the Philippine Statistics Authority, the garment industry, formal and informal, employs close to about one million workers who, in 2017, generated an estimated value output of over P126 billion for those registered in the formal sector. If the garment industry is imperilled, clearly, the loss will be significant to the Philippine economy and to the close to a million workers in the industry. Part of the skills inherent in the garment industry is the genius of adaptation, the ingredient for the innovative spark that will allow the garment industry to revitalize, to thrive even in the midst of the pandemic.

Mr. Speaker, ang ating mga mananahi, sastre, weavers and tailors, nandiyan na po ang talent, perseverance and willingness to work. Hindi sila papayag hangga’t kakayanin na mapabilang sa walang trabaho. Mayroon din naman po diyan na may stock knowledge na about sewing, na puwede din nating i-tap since maaari silang napabilang sa mga nawalan ng trabaho dahil sa pandemya o kaya mayroon din kaya itong aralin at gawin sa kanilang mga tahanan. However, if the opportunities to work, the opportunities to manufacture and to produce do not exist because of the lack of access to necessary capital and resources, then their desire to work will not be put to use in reviving our economy. They are not short on talent. They are short on resources which we, in the government, can help them with and provide.

I hope the agencies concerned can support these Filipino First advocacy. The end of the pandemic will not be in sight until a vaccine arrives. Until then, we in the government will be struggling to meet the moment, not just for ourselves as public servants but for the people whom we serve and the livelihood which sustains them. Since the lockdown happened, there has been a chunk of us in Congress who, even if technically, in the schedule, we are on break, still carried on with the Committee hearings via Zoom. This is where we have been able to gather information by engaging with stakeholders from different sectors and hearing out their concerns.

The economic affairs, led by our Obi-Wan Kenobi, our very own Sharon Garin, Joey Salceda and Stella Quimbo, who have been instrumental in mentoring me and, of course, Toff De Venecia, who has inspired me with these creative industries and live events, and his passion and the creation of the Arts and Culture Bloc—ang mga meeting po na ito ay nagbubunga naman po ng mga magagandang ideas. One of the silver linings of this pandemic has been to place everyone on work mode and to embody the bayanihan spirit: we heal as one and we work as one.

In the case of garment workers, the opportunities offered by the heightened demand for PPEs cannot be put to waste. In the midst of crisis, our garment workers have


a chance to pull through, but they need our help if they are to succeed and we must not fail them. We know the problem and now, we can all be part of the solution. First, our garment workers will face greater security if the government in this time of crisis surely adheres to our Buy Filipino policy when it comes to fabrics, apparel and others that can be locally made. The concept of Buy Filipino, popularized decades ago by President Carlos P. Garcia, finds its spiritual heir in the present-day concept of Bayanihan. We help each other, nagdadamayan tayo.

For the local industries, there is no better way to help them than for us consumers to buy from our own. But just as charity begins at home, the practice of buying Filipino should start with us. It is a heartening sign that in the recent Bayanihan 2 Act that this Congress has ratified and which our beloved President will be signing soon, there is an allotment of P3 billion for the purchase of PPEs and face masks, preferably to be purchased here to support and buy local. Our mananahi, sastre, weavers and tailors will be expecting to make those PPEs and face masks. Whether medical grade or nonmedical grade, we cannot disappoint them. Dapat nating ipangako, lalo na para sa kabutihan ng ating mananahi, ating mga sastre, weavers and tailors na naghihikahos sa panahon ng pandemya, na sila at hindi mga dayuhan ang gagawa ng ating mga PPEs na binibili ng ating gobyerno.

This Buy Filipino spirit should extend not just to the PPEs purchased by our government. Ang daming mga pangangailangan ng pamahalaan na ang ating mananahi ang makakapagbigay. Bilang tulong sa laban sa pandemya, makakatahi sila ng mga bedsheets, pillowcases and other beddings, at iba pang mga kagamitan na kinakailangan ng mga hospital at health centers. Ang mga uniform ng ating mga sundalo, mga pulis, mga guro, estudyante at frontliners, mga kawani ng pamahalaan, dapat sa Pilipinas manggaling ang tela. Dapat mga Pilipino ang magyari nito. Malaki ang papel na maaring gampanan ng DTI para siguraduhin na ang mga matataas na uri ng telang Pilipino ay makakarating sa ating mga mananahing Pilipino upang

makamit ng pamahalaan ang kinakailangang mga uniforms.

Malaki ang papel na maaaring gampanan ng TESDA para i-train ang mga walang trabaho at mga nangangailangan ng karagdagang kita na handang matutong manahi. Kailangan ng plano, kailangan ng sapat na pondo para makasilbi nang husto ang DTI, TESDA, at ang iba pang mga ahensya ng pamahalaan na nasa posisyon na makalikha ng mga pagkakataon para sa ating manggagawang mananahi. Second, we need to institute and rationalize our government structure for the garment industry. We have multiple government agencies that are involved in crafting polices, in promoting innovations and imposing standards and requirements that affect the supply and demand in the garment industry. For example, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts has 19 national committees covering different components of the creative sector such as architecture, cinema, visual arts and the like. There isn’t a national committee on fashion. Nabanggit nga sa amin noong nakipagpulong ang ACCIB na may tatlong popular arts ang hindi naisali sa NCCA—ang food, furniture, and fashion. If such a committee existed, there would have been a national government forum for issues concerning the fashion and garment industry to be raised in. This is indicative of the lack of coordination and communication that is detrimental to the best interest of the garment industry.

I am happy and proud to note that somehow, that gap has been filled by this august Chamber through the ACCIB or the Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Bloc. Indeed, during this time of pandemic, this bloc has ensured that the needs of the creative industry are protected through such committed legislators in the bloc. The efforts of the ACCIB will help ensure that such a crucial segment of our economy will not be ignored by affording different stakeholders in the government and the private sector the chance to sit down together and to communicate with one another.

The ACCIB is able to allow the full ventilation of issues that allow us, legislators, to be responsive when we take action. This


is the kind of coordination that we should further ensure with the ranks of the Executive branch. It is with greater coordination, for example, that the whole of government will be alerted to the urgent concerns within the garment industry that have remained unaddressed. The implementation of the Design Competitiveness Act which was passed way back in 2013 remains sorely wanting, with the Design Center of the Philippines unable to fully exercise its mandate.

The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions, which is the export promotion arm of the DTI, should be fully empowered with resources as they necessarily have to pivot towards digital content creation so that local brands can connect to foreign markets even as overseas travel and trade events remain on pause during the pandemic.

At this juncture, Deputy Speaker Estrella relinquished the Chair to Deputy Speaker Michael L. Romero, PhD.

There is also a need for further oversight on the implementation of the Tropical Fabrics Law or Republic Act No. 9242 which requires that uniforms of government officials and employees, and for other government purposes, shall be made using Philippine tropical fabrics which shall be purchased from local sources. Kaya’t pinasasalamatan natin ang aming kapwa miyembro ng ACCIB na si Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda na siyang maghahain ng resolusyon para imbestigahan ito. Strict compliance with this law will boost our textile industry and our local weavers.

Third, we need to support our garment workers, ang mga mananahi, sastre, weavers and tailors, and expand the industry by enhancing government support and training, and supplying them with the necessary tools such as sewing machines. Nasabi ko na kanina, sa panahon ngayon na maraming nawalan ng trabaho, marami sa mga kababayan natin ang naghahanap ng pagkakataon na kumita. Ang TESDA ay matagal nang nag-aalok ng mga kursong dressmaking para sa mga gustong maging mananahi o sastre. In this time of pandemic, I call on TESDA to study how to

make the course more widely available and accessible to would-be garment workers. I call on TESDA to develop modules for shorter versions and activate all training centers to allow for speedier training for the unemployed who want to learn to manufacture smaller items such as face masks that are necessary for the times. Maybe TESDA, the DILG or the DTI, and LGUs can undertake joint programs to extend livelihoods at the barangay level.

Charity begins at home. However, in the Philippines, where access to credit or start-up capital is limited to the very few, teaching or training by the government is not enough. We should increase public investment so that our mananahi workers trained by TESDA will also have the means after learning the skills to start enhancing their new craft. Bigyan natin sila ng mga sewing kits, ng mga sewing machines para may pag-asa silang magsimula nang husto. Ang investment na ilang libong piso para sa kada manggagawa ay hindi aksaya dahil tao ang pinakamahalagang yaman ng ating lipunan. Sabi nga ni Cong. Sharon Garin, “Our greatest asset is our people.”

Fourth, we need more funding and support for research and development to expand the opportunities for our garment workers. Dito tayo traditionally nagkukulang, sa research and development. Kung sa ibang bansa one percent ng kanilang kabuuang budget ay nakalaan sa R&D, sa atin, parang kulang. However, with recent enactments such as the Philippine Innovation Act of 2018, there is greater recognition now of the importance of fostering and funding research and development as keys to our economic growth.

You will be pleased to know, Mr. Speaker, that within the Department of Science and Technology, efforts are being undertaken through its Forest Products Research and Development Institute for research and development on creating bulletproof vests and other requirements of our armed forces that can possibly be locally manufactured by our garment makers. The Philippine Textile Research Institute, also of the DOST, is already at the forefront of cutting-edge research through its Innovation Center for Yarns and Textiles, a premier facility that converts natural


and indigenous raw materials into blended spun yarns for the production of fabrics for diverse textile applications. These institutes, if not the DOST, should be further empowered to establish stronger linkages with the DTI and the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority so that the innovations it develops are fully explored not just by the big players in the garment industry but also the individual garment workers.

We hope that the spirit of innovation extends to our government exploring new ways to foster the growth of globally competitive names in the industry. We must recognize that the return of investment will not be immediate but this should not deter the government indeed. We should be more proactive. The government should be more aggressive in exploring venture capitalism or business matching, perhaps expanding the Go Negosyo Program so we can invest in our local talent. Such innovative thinking will greatly benefit the small-scale garment industry which needs all the advantages the government could extend to be competitive in the market.

At this juncture, Deputy Speaker Estrella relinquished the Chair to Deputy Speaker Michael L. Romero, PhD.

Mr. Speaker, muli, nananawagan ako na sana pakinggan natin ang hinaing na ipinaaabot sa atin ng mga sastre at tailors, at nang mabigyan ito ng angkop at mabilis na solusyon. Uulitin ko: Tangkilikin natin ang sariling atin. Sa kanila na natin ipagawa ang mga PPEs at face masks, at iba pang kaya ng talentong Pinoy gawin. Let us use this crisis to spark the momentum. Let us use this to promote local products. Team Pilipinas muna bago iba. Let us gear towards strengthening this industry at palakasin natin ngayon ang mga kapitbahay nating mga sastre, mananahi, weavers, tailors, lalo na sa panahon ng pandemya. Maging sensitive tayo. Pinoy muna.

Iyon lang po, maraming, maraming salamat.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Romero). Thank you very much, Rep. Cristal Bagatsing.

Majority Leader.

REP. MACAPAGAL ARROYO. Mr. Speaker, the first to give her manifestation is the honorable Deputy Speaker Rosemarie “Baby” Arenas. Mr. Speaker, I move that we recognize the gentle Deputy Speaker from the Third District of Pangasinan.


THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Romero). Deputy Speaker Tita Baby Arenas is now hereby recognized.

Tita Baby, go ahead.

REP. ARENAS. Naka-mute.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Romero). Please proceed.

MANIFESTATION OF REP. ARENAS

REP. ARENAS. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Although no industry was immune to the

effects of the coronavirus outbreak, we can say that the fashion industry indeed, which was generating $2.5 trillion in global annual revenues before the pandemic, is one of the hardest hit. They suffered on every imaginable level, resulting in mass layoffs, factory closures and demand plummeting.

In fact, the fashion industry is facing an existential crisis. The Philippine fashion industry has not been spared and is still reeling from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is therefore important and timely that Cong. Cristal Bagatsing delivered the speech to raise our awareness on this crisis and mobilize us all to help reinvent the industry under the new normal. I believe that the future of the fashion industry, at least in our country, rests in supporting our local artisans and local fabrics into creating fashion that is natural, sustainable and operates with strong ethical environmental policies.

As a testament to awareness of the plight of our local fashion industry and a commitment to move forward in the new normal, the Association of Women Legislators, during the last State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, through the initiatives of Cong. Stella Quimbo and Cong. Sharon Garin, supported the local fashion council


by allowing them to provide our outfits for the SONA using local fabrics and accessories for the said event. As you can see from the official portrait of the AWLFI during the last SONA, shown on your screen, the Ladies are wearing our brooch featuring the rays of the sun, a product made of local materials by local artists. If we can multiply this effect, then we will be able to see our fashion industry rise again.

Maraming salamat po.Mabuhay kayo.Thank you po.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Romero). Majority Leader.

REP. MACAPAGAL ARROYO. Mr. Speaker, considering the fact that we are now 55 minutes into the Privilege Hour, in consultation with the distinguished Acting Minority Leader on the floor, Kit Belmonte, I move that we extend the Privilege Hour by another 20 minutes.


THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Romero). Is there any objection? (Silence) Hearing none, the Privilege Hour is extended by 20 more minutes.

Majority Leader.

REP. MACAPAGAL ARROYO. Mr. Speaker, I move that we recognize the honorable Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda from the Lone District of Antique for her manifestation.


THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Romero). Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda is hereby recognized, and good afternoon.

MANIFESTATION OF REP. LEGARDA

REP. LEGARDA. Good afternoon and thank you very much to my dear colleagues and the Majority Leader.

I would like to associate myself with our dear, young, brilliant colleague, Congresswoman from the Fifth District of Manila, Cristal

Bagatsing, for her very comprehensive, passionate and soulful rendition of the ails and the problems of, as well as the possible solutions to, not only the garments industr

Documents

Congressional Record2020/09/01 · 2 Congressional Record • 18th Congress 2RS v.1 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2020Lahat ng papuri, pagdakila at pagsamba, ibinabalik namin sa Iyo. Amen