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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Villafuerte sounds off on significance of 2 House-passed Marcos priority bills

Villafuerte sounds off on significance of 2 House-passed Marcos priority bills

Published May 31, 2023 01:11 am
Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte (Facebook)


Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte has underscored the significance of the House of Representatives' passage of two more Marcos administration priority bills before the sine die adjournment of the first regular session. These are House Bill (HB) Nos. 8203 and 8278, which are the proposed Bureau of Immigration (BI) Modernization Act and the proposed Philippine Salt Industry Development Act, respectively. Both were unanimously approved during plenary session Monday, May 29. Villafuerte said HB No.8203 aims “to modernize the BI by broadening its organizational structure, upskilling its personnel through career advancement programs, doing away with red tape by improving data gathering and analysis, and  boosting employee morale by way of a better, more competitive salary structure". He said it seeks to amend Commonwealth Act 613 or the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, "which is one of our antiquated laws that need a makeover" in order to "respond to the changing times and be true to the Constitutional mandate of serving and protecting the people". He noted that in recent years, many aliens in the Philippines have been involved in such international crimes as drug and human trafficking, prostitution, terrorism, illegal recruitment, and even financial crimes. “Hence, Commonwealth Act 613 needs to be amended to meet the new challenges of immigration and migration,” Villafuerte said. Meanwhile, Villafuerte said HB No.8278 proposes the creation of an interagency Philippine Salt Industry Development Council (PSIDC), which will craft a five-year masterplan to expand areas devoted to salt-making, boost domestic salt output, promote investments in the sector and market Philippine products made from the essential nutrient, among others. “Considering the expansive coastlines of the Philippines, it truly baffles us why our archipelago was reported in 2021 to be producing only 7 percent of the national salt requirement and importing the other 93 percent equivalent to around 550,000 metric tons (MT)," he said. “We are hoping that new legislation would enable our moribund salt industry to become competitive once more in both the domestic and international markets," added the Bicolano. Villafuerte served as a co-author of the two bills, which were part of the 33 priority measures of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. that the House has approved on third and final reading in the first regular session.

Related Tags

Bureau of Immigration MOdernization Act salt Rep. LRay Villafuerte PHilippine Salt Industry Development and Revitalization Act
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