Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri on Monday, August 28 lauded President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for signing into law four significant measures that will have a positive impact on Filipinos socially, economically and culturally.
Zubiri is referring to An Act Rationalizing the Disability Pension of Veterans (Republic Act No. 11958; One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines Act (RA 11960); An Act Strengthening the Conservation and Protection of Philippine Cultural Heritage (RA 11961); and the Regional Specialty Centers Act (RA 11959).
“The People’s Senate is very pleased with the enactment of four measures we believe will positively impact the lives of Filipinos socially, economically and culturally,” Zubiri said in a statement.
“Naniniwala kami na magdudulot ang mga ito ng kaginhawaan at kaunlaran para sa marami nating kababayan (We believe that they will bring comfort and prosperity to many of our countrymen),” he said.
“These laws have been exhaustively deliberated in the halls of the 19th Congress to meet the increasing demands of the changing times and enhance public service to Filipino citizens,” Zubiri said.
At the same time, Zubiri thanked President Marcos for signing these measures and commended his colleagues for pursuing the passage of these bills into law.
“Rest assured that the People’s Senate is committed to passing more legislation that will benefit the Filipino people,” the Senate leader said.
Zubiri said he is certain that upgrading the benefits of veterans with disabilities under RA 11958 will be a huge impact to the lives of the country’s veterans whose disability pension rates remained unchanged over the years and has become inadequate to meet their personal needs, including medicines.
Meanwhile, the OTOP Philippines Act will empower and support local industries, especially in rural areas, by encouraging entrepreneurship and promoting local products as a means of economic growth.
On the other hand, RA 11961 will strengthen the protection and conservation of the country’s cultural heritage through cultural mapping, amending Republic Act No. 10066 or the “National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009.”
According to the new law, cultural mapping refers to the identification, recording and use of cultural resources of communities.
The salient point of this measure, Zubiri said, is the creation of a Philippine Registry of Heritage, where all cultural properties and natural properties of cultural significance of the country shall be registered.
The Senate leader also said the establishment of Regional Specialty Centers in government hospitals in every region all over the country will help decongest national specialty centers located in Metro Manila and bring these specialty centers closer to the people.