Congress to pass FOI bill — Belmonte

Pres. Benigno Aquino III’s last State of the Nation Address, July 27, 2015 (Malacanang Photo Bureau)

MANILA — Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. on Monday said that the Congress will pass the freedom of information (FOI) bill.

He also enumerated other bills that he vowed to be passed before the 16th Congress ends.

Among the bills specified by Belmonte in his speech at the opening of the third regular session are:

– THE 2016 NATIONAL BUDGET

– THE CREATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY

– STRENGTHENING THE BUILD-OPERATE-TRANSFER LAW

– THE MODERNIZATION OF PAG-ASA

– THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

– THE TAX INCENTIVES MANAGEMENT AND TRANSPARENCY BILL

– THE CUSTOMS MODERNIZATION AND TARIFF ACT

– THE NATIONAL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM

– THE PREPAID SIM CARD REGISTRATION

– THE BARANGAY OFFICIALS WELFARE AND INCENTIVES ACT

– THE PHILIPPINE IMMIGRATION ACT OF 2015

– THE LAW ADJUSTING THE AMOUNT INVOLVED, VALUE OF PROPERTY OR DAMAGE ON WHICH A PENALTY IS BASED AND THE FINES UNDER THE REVISED PENAL CODE

– THE HEALTHCARE SERVICES PRICE DISCLOSURE ACT

–  THE LAW THAT WILL ENSURE THAT EACH SCHOOL DIVISION HAS A SPED CENTER FOR OUR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

– LAND ADMINISTRATION REFORM

– THE LAND USE POLICY BILL

– THE DELINEATION OF FOREST BOUNDARIES

“Next year, we will see a transfer of power. But today, we must recognize that there remains a last window of opportunity, to make a greater difference in the lives of our people. Let us therefore get to work as we near the end of our three-year mandate,” Belmonte said.