Seven measures still up for Duterte’s signature

Seven proposed measures are still pending for President Rodrigo Duterte's approval, a list from the Senate showed on Monday.

According to the list, which indicated the performance of the Senate during the second regular session of the 18th Congress, the seven measures waiting for Duterte's signature are:

• S. No. 1563 - 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
• S. No. 2027 Granting The President of the Philippines the Power to Defer the Increases in Contributions of the Social Security System for A Limited Period of Six Months Which May Be Extended to Another Six Months in Times of a Declared National Emergency or State of Calamity, Amending Section 4(A)(9) Of Republic Act No. 11199, Also Known as The “Social Security Act of 2018
• S. No. 1513 Integrating Labor Education in the Tertiary Education Curriculum 
• S. No. 1741 Declaring the City of Davao as the Chocolate Capital of the Philippines and the entire Region XI (Davao Region) as the Cacao Capital of the Philippines
• S. No. 1877 Extending and Enhancing the Implementation of the Lifeline Rate, amending for the purpose Section 73 of Republic Act 9136, otherwise known as The Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, as amended by Republic Act 10150
• H. No. 5744 Establishing a Separate Schools Division Office in the City of Canlaon, Province of Negros Oriental, Amending for the Purpose Section 86 of Republic Act 3445, entitled 'An Act Creating the City of Canlaon
• H. No. 6598 Converting the Municipality of Calaca in the Province of Batangas into a Component City to be known as The City of Calaca

The Senate and the House of Representatives had ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the bill seeking to lower the height requirement for applicants to the PNP, BFP, BJMP, and the BuCor last month.

The reconciled bill provides that the minimum height limit for males to be appointed as officers or members of the PNP, BFP, BJMP and BuCor is 1.57 meters or 5 feet 2 inches and 1.52 meters or 5 feet for females.

The two chambers also ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the proposed measure seeking to suspend the hikes in contribution rates of the Social Security System during national emergencies in March.

The bill seeks to amend the Social Security Act of 2018 which allows the gradual increases in the monthly premium contributions of SSS members.

Meanwhile, a total of 55 measures have been signed into law, mostly granting of franchises to broadcasting systems and corporations and increasing bed capacities of some hospitals in provinces.

The important measures which became law include Republic Act No. 11525 or An Act Establishing the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Expediting the Vaccine Procurement and Administration Process, Providing Funds Therefor, And for Other Purposes.

This became a law last February 26.

Republic Act No. 11524 or An Act Creating the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund, Providing For Its Management And Utilization, Reconstituting

For The Purpose The Philippine Coconut Authority Board, And For Other Purposes was also signed into law February.

The law will establish a trust fund for coconut farmers from coco levy assets sequestered by the government.

In March, Duterte also signed Republic Act 11534 or An Act Reforming The Corporate Income Tax And Incentives System, Amending For The Purpose Sections 20, 22, 25, 27, 28, 29, 34, 40, 57, 109, 116, 204 And 290 Of The National Internal Revenue Code Of 1997, As Amended, And Creating Therein New Title Xiii, And For Other Purposes.

The law will reduce corporate income tax from 30% to 25% corporations, and 20% for micro, small and medium enterprises.

On the other hand, four measures are pending before the conference committee. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News