Belmonte says FOI bill to pass before 16th Congress ends

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. on Monday said the freedom of information (FOI) bill would pass before the 16th Congress ends.

In his speech at the opening of the third regular session, Belmonte enumerated the following pieces of legislation that he vowed would see the light of day before the 16th Congress ends.

•         THE 2016 NATIONAL BUDGET·         THE CREATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY·         STRENGTHENING THE BUILD-OPERATE-TRANSFER LAW

  ·         THE MODERNIZATION OF PAG-ASA

  ·         THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

  ·         THE TAX INCENTIVES MANAGEMENT AND TRANSPARENCY BILL

  ·         THE CUSTOMS MODERNIZATION AND TARIFF ACT

  ·         THE NATIONAL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM

  ·         THE PREPAID SIM CARD REGISTRATION

  ·         THE BARANGAY OFFICIALS WELFARE AND INCENTIVES ACT

  ·         THE PHILIPPINE IMMIGRATION ACT OF 2015

  ·         THE LAW ADJUSTING THE AMOUNT INVOLVED, VALUE OF PROPERTY OR DAMAGE ON WHICH A PENALTY IS BASED AND THE FINES UNDER THE REVISED PENAL CODE

  ·         THE HEALTHCARE SERVICES PRICE DISCLOSURE ACT

  ·         AND THE LAW THAT WILL ENSURE THAT EACH SCHOOL DIVISION HAS A SPED CENTER FOR OUR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

•         LAND ADMINISTRATION REFORM·         THE LAND USE POLICY BILL·         THE DELINEATION OF FOREST BOUNDARIES

“It is therefore my hope and abiding trust that this Congress shall pass the following additional priority measures before its term ends,” Belmonte said.

The FOI seeks to ensure transparency in government transactions.

“Next year, we will see a transfer of power. But today, we must recognize that there remains a last window of opportunity, to make a greater difference in the lives of our people. Let us therefore get to work as we near the end of our three-year mandate,” Belmonte said.

President Aquino is set to deliver his last State of the Nation Address at 4 p.m. today.