SENATE President Juan Miguel Zubiri yesterday said the recent signing of four important measures into law by President Marcos “will positively impact the lives of Filipinos socially, economically, and culturally.”
Zubiri was referring to RA 11958 or the law rationalizing the disability pension of veterans, RA 11960 or the One Town, One Product Philippines (OTOP) Act, RA 11961 or the law strengthening the conservation and protection of Philippine cultural heritage, and RA 11959 or the Regional Specialty Centers Act.
The four measures were signed into law by President Marcos Jr. Thursday last week.
“The People’s Senate is very pleased with the enactment of four measures we believe will positively impact the lives of Filipinos socially, economically, and culturally. Naniniwala kami na magdudulot ang mga ito ng kaginhawaan at kaunlaran para sa marami nating kababayan (We believe that these will bring progress to many of our countrymen),” Zubiri said in a statement.
“We thank the President for signing these measures into law and I commend our senators for doing a good job in deliberating these measures and making sure the intended benefits indeed favor their target beneficiaries,” he added.
Zubiri said adjustments in the disability pension of veterans is very timely, noting the measly P1,000 monthly pension they have been getting.
Under the new law, the rates were adjusted as follows: from P1,000 to P4,500 a month if the disability is rated from 10 percent to 30 percent; from P1,100 to P5,300 a month if the disability is rated from 31 percent to 40 percent; from P1,200 to P6,100 a month if the disability if rated 41 percent to 50 percent; and from P1,300 to P6,900 if the disability is rated from 51 percent to 60 percent.
The law likewise mandated that rates be adjusted from P1,400 to P7,700 a month if the disability is rated from 61 percent to 70 percent; from P1,500 to P8,500 if the disability is rated from 71 percent to 80 percent; from P1,600 to P9,300 if it is rated from 81 percent to 90 percent; from P1,700 to P10,000 a month if it is rated from 91 percent to 100 percent.
Pensioners will also get P1,000 for their spouse and each unmarried minor child. The old rate was at only P500 a month.
If the veteran reaches the age of 70 and has not been granted benefits from the law, he will be deemed disabled and will get a monthly pension of P1,700.
RA 11960 or the OTOP Philippines Act aims to empower and support local industries, especially in rural areas, by encouraging entrepreneurship and promoting local products as a means of economic growth.
It mandates the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to craft a six-year, national OTOP strategic development plan within a year. The government is also mandated to provide product promotion and market access for OTOP beneficiaries.
RA 11961, on the other hand, seeks to strengthen the protection and conservation of the country’s cultural heritage through cultural mapping, amending Republic Act No. 10066 or the “National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009.”
According to the new law, cultural mapping refers to the identification, recording and use of cultural resources of communities.
Among the salient points of the measure is the creation of a Philippine Registry of Heritage, where all cultural properties and natural properties of cultural significance of the country shall be registered.
The new RA 11959 seeks to establish specialty centers in government hospitals in every region all over the country to decongest national specialty centers located in Metro Manila and bring these specialty centers closer to the people.
