THE Senate yesterday ended the second regular session of the 18th Congress with the passage of landmark measures needed in the fight against the pandemic.
In his speech for the sine die adjournment beginning June 5, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said the Senate will continuously craft much-needed measures for the government to properly face the challenges brought about by the pandemic.
“As Senate President, I give you a simple promise: We in the Senate will do our best,” Sotto said.
Topping the list of priority measures passed by the upper chamber was the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act or Bayanihan 1 and the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or Bayanihan 2.
Senators also extended the validity of the 2021 General Appropriations Act to give the government ample time to obligate the funds allotted in the national budget.
The Senate also approved the budget of P72.5 billion for the government to purchase COVID-19 vaccines.
Congress resumes on July 26 when President Duterte delivers his last State of the Nation Address.
The Senate was also able to pass the Financial Strategic Transfer (FIST) Act, and the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, and are still discussing amendments to the Retail Trade Liberalization Law, and the Public Service Act.
Senators also passed the Doktor Para sa Bayan Act or the Medical Scholarship Act, which grants medical scholarships to deserving students.
