Pia files 10 more bills to advance PH development goals, rights and wellbeing of citizens

Senator Pia S. Cayetano on Monday (July 8) filed ten more bills in the Senate to support the Duterte administration's efforts in attaining the country's sustainable development goals.

The returning senator said her second batch of bills reinforces her vision of helping the country meet its targets in line with the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022 and the United Nations' (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In pursuit of Goal 3 of the SDGs, which is to ensure healthy lives and promote the wellbeing for all, Cayetano is pushing for programs to provide better healthcare services and facilities to Filipinos, particularly on reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health.

These include three bills seeking to provide one midwife in every barangay; establish specialty centers in government hospitals and medical centers; and the promotion of Folic Acid food fortification and supplementation.

Furthermore, the senator filed measures aimed at upholding the country's commitment to Goal 13 of the SDGs, which is to implement policies towards climate change mitigation.

Among these is the bill establishing the Department of Disaster Resilience, which will become the country's primary agency in charge of responding to disasters and mitigating its impacts.

Other pro-environmental bills filed by Cayetano include the proposed 'Sustainable Forest Management Act,' which provides for the conservation of the country's forest lands and resources; and the 'Bicycle Act of 2019,' which proposes to recognize bicycles as an alternative and sustainable mode of transportation.

Apart from these, Cayetano is pushing for the 'Tulong Puhunan' bill to institutionalize nationwide microfinance programs for the development of Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs). This is in line with Goal 8 of the SDGs - to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth and decent work for all. The measure is also inspired by the success of the Presyo Trabaho Kita (PTK) program, a brainchild of the senator's brother, Taguig Representative Alan Cayetano, which helps provide seed capital to people's organizations across different sectors nationwide.

"Let this be a testament of our continued commitment to achieve the collective aspirations of Filipinos, as embodied in the government's 'Ambisyon Natin 2040' vision, where every family enjoys 'Matatag, Maginhawa, at Panatag na Buhay,'" the senator stressed.

Cayetano likewise filed pro-youth and -family measures during the second week, including the Magna Carta of Student-Athletes; Increasing the Maximum Value of the Family Home; as well as an Act Instituting Absolute Divorce and Dissolution of Marriage in the Philippines.

"My objective is to keep championing the rights and welfare of every member of the family. This has been my fight ever since. Hopefully, with the help of our colleagues in Congress, our legislative action plans can help us attain our shared vision for a better country," the senator concluded.