Senatorial candidate Herbert “Bistek” Bautista on Monday said the first measure that he would file once he secures a seat in the Senate in the upcoming May 2022 elections would be the proposed National Emergency Industries Act.

The bill, Bautista said, seeks to address urgent health care needs during times of pandemic and other health crisis.

The former Quezon City mayor said the proposal is similar to the national emergencies law in the United States and Europe.

“What this means is during a national emergency, we have an industry that we can mobilize...We should be prepared,” Bautista said.

“For example in the health industry didn’t we run short of medicine but we have the capability to manufacture world-class medicines?” he pointed out.

For instance, Philippine industries can secure World Health Organization (WHO) accreditation for health-related manufacturing.

“Number two, let’s make not only medicines but also face masks,” said Bautista. “Why do we have to import face masks when we can make those?” he said.

“We have local producers. Let’s give them incentives and if we already have a surplus of face masks for our people, if these are more than enough, let’s start to export,” Bautista added.

“If we’re able to export, dollars will come in,” he pointed out.

If Philippine industries are able to produce health products continuously, he said the country would not have to scrounge for these products when a pandemic or health emergency strikes.

“If we’re able to do it for six years, or 10 years, you have a development program in which they won’t do anything but continue producing what we need, then if we have a national emergency, like a pandemic or an invasion, we would be ready,’ said Bautista.

“We don’t have to grope in the dark,” he emphasized.