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By Efren L. Danao, Senior Reporter
Senate President Manuel Villar expressed
confidence Tuesday that the Senate would be most productive in the
Second Regular Session which convenes next week, and that pending
priority measures would be passed before the House transmits to the
Senate the proposed 2009 national budget.
In an exclusive interview with The Manila Times,
Villar said the Senate would give top priority to the bills on
renewable energy, the amendment of the Electric Power Industry
Reform Act (Epira), the delineation of the country’s baselines,
global warming, Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA),
and measures to achieve food self-sufficiency.
The measures on renewable energy and the Epira
amendment are still being debated on the floor. The delineation of
the country’s baselines is still with the Committee on Rules,
which still has to decide on the appropriate committee to handle
it. The JPEPA is still awaiting the results of the side agreement
between Japan and the Philippines that would clarify constitutional
concerns.
Villar, one of the principal authors of the
Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act, lamented that this law
had not been given the appropriate funding by the Department of
Budget and Management.
“Maybe, it was because they considered
agriculture a sunset industry, what with low prices of agricultural
products. That is why farmers were getting old and many young men
were going abroad rather than work in the farm. But the situation
now is different. We should put proper emphasis to food
production,” he stressed.
Addressing food security
He said that food is an issue that is now deeply
felt by the masses and it is the duty of legislators to alleviate
this.
“I have asked my staff to study all proposals
to enhance agricultural production and prepare a needed bill,” he
said.
He added that he would press for the increase in
the repatriation fund for overseas workers in distress to P3
billion. He had spent his personal money for the repatriation of
some overseas workers in distress after noting the inadequate
government funding for the purpose. He also vowed to double the
P10-billion calamity fund to assure the faster rehabilitation of
regions lashed by Typhoon Frank, particularly Western Visayas.
“Once the House transmits the 2009 budget to
us, we can no longer consider other measures, but we don’t expect
the budget within the first two months. We will be as productive as
possible during this period,” he said.
He said that most of the politicians will be in
an election mood in the Third Regular Session so the Second Regular
Session gives the best opportunity for legislative production.
He had expressed satisfaction with the output of
the Senate in the First Regular Session with eight laws, 78
committee reports and 30 bills approved on third and final reading.
He is confident that the Senate would be more productive in the
Second Regular Session, especially on measures that would alleviate
the burdens of the people.
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