Recto seeks bicam panels for family care, fuel vehicle incentives bills

Senator Ralph Recto. INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Ralph G. Recto demanded an immediate caucus of bicameral panels on Senate Bill 2855 also known as the “Family Care Act” and Senate Bill 2856 or the Alternative Fuel Vehicles Incentives Act on Wednesday.

In a statement, Recto said that the Senate foresaw the naming of counterparts of these bills from the lower house to the bicameral conference committee to settle its conflicting provisions.

Recto appealed to the leadership of the House of Representatives to name their panels so that both contingents could buckle down to work as early as Monday next week and shepherd its enactment into law with four session days left before election break.

The House has passed its version of the bills while the Senate approved theirs Monday.

Senate Bill 2855 provides reprieve to taxpayers by expanding their list of qualified dependents including unemployed parents, and disabled persons.

Meanwhile, Senate Bill 2856 aims to deliver tax breaks to manufacturers and sellers of alternative fuel vehicles which will lower prices and widen access to such environment friendly vehicles.

Recto also said that it would be a waste of energy and taxpayers’ money if these less controversial bills would not be acted upon.  John Daryl Dimalanta