Press Release
June 29, 2016

FOI, PRO-CHILD BILLS TOP POE'S PRIORITIES

Sen. Grace Poe is determined to work for the approval of key bills that will unleash the power of the citizenry in sustaining inclusive economic development.

The senator is set to refile the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill which advocates a clean government by institutionalizing transparency and accountability in all transactions and operations of the bureaucracy.

Under the measure, citizens will have the right to request and be granted access to government records or information, subject to reasonable exceptions. Greater access to information will empower citizens to participate in government matters and hold public officials accountable.

"A strong FOI is paramount to stamp out corruption," Poe said. "Nagbibigay ito ng armas sa ating mga kababayan para mabusisi ang mga dokumento ng gobyerno," stressed the senator, primary sponsor of the FOI bill in the Senate during the 16th Congress.

Poe will also pitch for the swift approval of the "Libreng Pananghalian sa Pampublikong Paaralan," which seeks to institutionalize a free nutri-meals program for children enrolled in the K-12 public schools to improve their health, attendance and academic performance.

Alongside Poe's nutri-meals program is the "First 1,000 Days" bill that aims to protect children from malnutrition beginning conception up to two years old by establishing the "First 1,000 Days" maternal and child heath care program in every barangay. The program shall include nutrition and family counselling, breastfeeding of children, treatment support for pregnant and nursing mothers, treatment for malnourished children, and other timely interventions.

"Hindi matututo at tatalino ang mga bata kung sila ay nagugutom," Poe emphasized, "It is crucial to fight off hunger in the classroom to promote a child's proper learning and development."

"Dapat siguruhing malusog ang bawat bata magmula sa sinapupunan hangang sa kanilang pag-aaral upang maging matalino at kapaki-pakinabang dahil sila ang aasahan sa kinabukasan ng ating bayan," the senator emphasized.

Poe is also set to file the following bills: National Transportation Safety Board Act of 2016, Anti-Discrimination Act of 2016, Philippine Film and Television Tourism Act of 2016, Philippine Independent Film Incentives Act of 2016, Barangay Health Workers and Services Reform Act of 2016, Overseas Filipino Workers Credit Assistance Act of 2016, and Protection of Watersheds Supporting the National Irrigation System.

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