President Duterte has certified the need for the immediate enactment of three economic measures, a document shared by the country’s finance chief showed.
According to a letter shared by Carlos Dominguez, Department of Finance secretary, in a Viber Message with reporters yesterday, Duterte addressed the letter to Senate President Vicente Sotto, which was also copy-furnished to House Speaker Lord Allan Jay Velasco.
“Pursuant to the provisions of Article VI, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution, I hereby certify to the necessity of the immediate enactment of the following bills,” Duterte said in the letter dated April 12.
These measures are Senate Bill No. 2094 or the Public Service Act, Senate Bill No. 1156 or Foreign Investments Act, and Senate Bill No. 1840 or the Retail Trade Liberalization Act.
Duterte certified the urgent passage of these measures “in order to address the immediate and continuing need foe legislative reforms to provide a more conducive investment climate, increase job opportunities, foster more competition, and further spur the country’s economic growth.”
Meanwhile, business groups yesterday said they will continue to push for priority reforms currently in advanced stages in the 18th Congress: Foreign Investment Act amendments, Public Service Act amendments, the Open Access to Data Transmission Act, and Retail Trade Liberalization Act amendments.
The business groups also called again on Congress to complete legislative approvals of these reforms, among others, including the Creative Industries Act and the e- Vehicle and Charging Stations Act.
In addition, Resolution of Both Houses 2 proposes to approve proposed amendments to the Philippine Constitution to allow Congress in the future to pass laws to allow increased foreign investment in advertising, education, media, and public utilities.
Passage of all of these reforms this year will substantially contribute to recovery from the pandemic and returning the Philippine economy to its high economic growth path. A. Celis and I. Isip
