Zubiri lauds Senate for high productivity

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri has lauded the Senate for high productivity during the First Regular Session of the 18th Congress despite difficulties brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Senate went on sine die adjournment last Thursday having passed eight laws and two bills. 

 

One bill enacted into law is Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act, which gives President Rodrigo Duterte additional powers to deal with the national COVID-19 emergency.

Other notable bills enacted into law are Republic Act 11466 or the Salary Standardization Law of 2019, which modifies the salary schedule of civilian government personnel, and Republic Act 11467 or the reformed Sin Tax Law, which raises alcohol and tobacco taxes. 

 

The Senate approved another 31 bills on third and final reading and eight on second reading, while another 27 bills are pending approval on second reading. 

 

One of the measures approved on second reading is the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act or Bayanihan II, which extends the validity of the first Bayanihan Act and grants the executive branch necessary powers to manage a possible second wave of widespread COVID-19 infections.

 

The Second Bayanihan Act will also provide economic stimulus packages for sectors hardest hit by the pandemic.

 

Bills that have been approved on third reading include Senate Bill 1318, which amends the Organic Agriculture Act, and Senate Bill 1541, which allows for the President to set the school opening beyond August 31 in times of national emergency.

  

It also adopted a total of 59 resolutions, five of those concurrent with the House of Representatives and two concurring in the ratification of international treaties. 

 

The Senate carried out plenary sessions with some senators participating through video conferencing so they may continue working while following quarantine guidelines.

 

"COVID has really changed the way that we work, but I think we've managed it well," Zubiri, himself a COVID-19 survivor, said.

 

He however admitted to some difficulties under the new arrangement.

 

"It's not been without problems. Sometimes connection can get bad and disrupt the flow of the session. And we've had to figure out and get used to entirely new ways to hold caucuses, to file bills, to arrange committee hearings. But on the whole, I'd like to point to our performance reports as proof that the Senate's shift to a new normal has been pretty successful," he said.