Solon bares ‘wish list’ for Duterte’s 3rd SONA

Bagong Henerasyon Partylist Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy expressed hope that Duterte on July 23 would give “special emphasis” on these important bills, some of which are nearing enactment. (PNA photo)

MANILA — As President Rodrigo Duterte’s third State of the Nation Address (SONA) nears, a lawmaker at the House of Representatives on Wednesday laid down a list of eight bills that could be expedited with a certification of urgency from the President.

Bagong Henerasyon Partylist Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy expressed hope that Duterte on July 23 would give “special emphasis” on these important bills, some of which are nearing enactment.

Herrera-Dy endorsed the following measures needing the certification of urgency on her wish list:

House Bill No. 4982, or the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression Equality (SOGIE) bill, which aims to protect the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. It prohibits discriminatory acts against members of the LGBT. It was approved by the House in September 2017 and was transmitted to the Senate the following month;

House Bill 6550, which seeks to establish a Magna Carta of Day Care Workers. The bill provides for the creation of at least one Day Care Worker I and one Day Care Worker II plantilla positions — entitled to Salary Grades 6 and 8, respectively — in all day care centers nationwide. It was approved in November last year at the lower chamber, while it remains pending at the upper chamber;

House Bill 5784, which seeks to provide universal health care (UHC) for all Filipinos. It was approved on third reading in September last year and has been transmitted to the Senate for its consideration. The UHC bill, however, has already been certified as urgent by the President last July 10;

House Bill 4113, which seeks to increase the maternity leave period to 100 days for female workers in the government service and in the private sector, while granting an option to extend for an additional 30 days without pay. It is on the period of sponsorship at the House, while the Senate already gave its final approval in March last year;

House Bill 7896, which proposes the transfer of selected national government agencies and government-owned and -controlled corporations to New Clark City in Pampanga in a bid to decongest Metro Manila. It is newly-filed and is pending first reading at the House;

House Bill 4813, which seeks to establish rehabilitation centers for children and youth with disabilities nationwide. It has been transmitted to the House committee on ways and means for deliberation;

House Bill 6056, which aims to uphold and protect the rights of air passengers. The Air Passenger Bill of Rights remains pending at the House committee on transportation;

and House Bill 7513, or the proposed Unsafe Hours for Children Act, a measure seeking to protect children from the risk of being wrongly apprehended by policemen. It declares the time between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. as unsafe hours. It prohibits the loitering, roaming around, sleeping, or meandering of children in public places during these hours. The bill is pending with the House committee on rules.