Press Release
July 3, 2007

Ed Angara's Priority Bills Series
ANGARA PUSHES FOR REFORMS IN THE 14TH CONGRESS

For the 14th Congress, reelected Senator Edgardo J. Angara has lined up policy reforms and agenda that are aimed at making lives better for Filipinos.

Last Saturday, the newly elected and reelectionist Senators filed their top 20 priority bills. Senator Angara identified his areas of concern as social welfare, political and administrative reform, fiscal and financial reform, environment and the Philippine cultural heritage.

"We have to undertake reforms in these areas if we are to maintain our economic momentum and enhance political stability," he explained.

Under social welfare provision, Angara emphasized that the Senate should look into ways of making the Philippines competitive through educational emphasis on Science, Math and Engineering, and how to expand health insurance to cover children, senior citizen and the indigents.

"We need to put together an affirmative action program for them, especially in education, health and livelihood."

He is pushing for the passage of the Expanded Senior Citizens Law, Children's Health Insurance Program, Expanded Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education, Creation of the Center for Leading-Edge Educational Technologies, An act upgrading the minimum salary grade level of teachers, Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, Act rationalizing the compensation benefits for members of the National Prosecution Service, the expanded retirement law for prosecutors in the National Prosecution Service and the Personal Equity and Retirement Account Act geared towards providing a secured future for our OFW.

He likewise underscored the need to focus on development programs for the upland which houses 20% of the country's population. With this, he filed for the Creation of the Mindanao Railways Corporation, and the Creation of the Quezon Canal Zone Authority.

"The immediate passage of these bills cannot be overemphasized," said Angara of the bills.

On fiscal reform, Angara stressed that it should include the rationalization of the incentive schemes and review of the tax waivers and tax breaks that the government give away every year. He added that the country is losing a quarter of billion pesos from tax waivers and breaks.

On financial reforms, Angara said he would refile his bills that were left pending when the 13th Congress adjourned sine die. These bills pertain to the creation of a Credit Information System, Corporate Recovery and Insolvency Act, Pre-need Code and Real Estate Investment Trust Act.

His main proposal for political and administrative reforms focuses on strengthening the political parties through the Political Party Development Act.

"It is time that we have genuine political parties. What we have are mere groupings of politicians, not political parties," he added.

Land Administration Reform Act and Amendments to the Agricultural and Fisheries and Modernization Act completes the Senator's Political and Administrative reform agenda.

Two more subjects close to the Senator's heart are the preservation of the Philippine national cultural heritage and environment which are covered in the National Heritage Act and the Renewable Energy Resources Act.

"Checking our statistics, we see a growing economy. It will be a pity if we go back to our traditional bickering and constant fighting. We need to move forward and continue with development."

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