MANILA – The Marcos administration is actively engaging with Congress to ensure the passage of “game-changing” tax laws aimed at driving economic growth, according to Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan on Thursday (04 April 2024).

“In 2024, the economic team will vigorously advocate for the enactment of essential next-generation reforms to further facilitate the transformation of our economy and ensure sustained inclusive growth,” Balisacan stated during a Palace press briefing.

Balisacan emphasized that the current administration is committed to pushing for comprehensive tax administration reforms designed to modernize and streamline the Philippine tax system.

He highlighted ample opportunities for enhancing tax administration efficiency within the country.

“We need to be pragmatic in identifying the necessary tax measures to accelerate Philippine economic growth. Improving tax administration and identifying readily implementable tax measures are key priorities,” Balisacan remarked. “Moreover, addressing our debt concerns becomes feasible with robust economic growth.”

Balisacan underscored the close collaboration between the Executive branch and Congress to enhance economic efficiency and effectiveness through the enactment of new fiscal measures.

He noted the joint efforts of the Legislative-Executive Development Council to prioritize debt and fiscal measures.

“We are diligently collaborating with our counterparts in Congress to pass pivotal legislation spanning various sectors, fulfilling our commitment to advancing the Executive and Legislative’s Common Legislative Agenda,” Balisacan affirmed.

“We will supplement these efforts by working closely with Congress to enact priority tax reform measures, refining revenue mobilization strategies to better align with the country’s fiscal needs and prevailing domestic circumstances,” he added.

In a separate statement, the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) highlighted the potential of enhanced tax administration reforms to enhance the government’s revenue performance by modernizing and enhancing the efficiency of the Philippine tax system.

The DBCC outlined several reforms, including the value-added tax on non-resident digital service providers, the excise tax on single-use plastics, Package 4 of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program, rationalization of the mining fiscal regime, and reform of the motor vehicle user charge.

(By El Amigo/MNM)

MANILA — In a bid to enhance urban mobility and promote sustainable transportation, Congress has approved an increase in funding for bicycle lanes.

Quezon City Representative Marvin Rillo announced that the budget for the Active Transport and Safe Pathways Program (ATSPP) has been raised to P1 billion in the 2024 General Appropriations Law.

Rillo, who serves as the vice chairperson of the House committee on Metro Manila development, emphasized the need to expedite the development of protected bicycle lanes.

The increased budget is specifically allocated for lanes with durable physical separation from mixed traffic lanes, aiming to provide safer and more efficient routes for cyclists.

Notably, the approved amount of P1 billion is double the initial request of P500 million made by the Department of Budget and Management during the budget submission for congressional approval.

Rillo, a member of the House appropriations committee, expressed satisfaction with the decision to allocate additional funds, underscoring the importance of prioritizing active transportation initiatives.

The P1 billion funding for the ATSPP is included in the 2024 budget of the Department of Transportation (DOTr). This new allocation supplements the amounts allocated in previous years, with P705 million and P2 billion earmarked for the program in 2023 and 2022, respectively.

The move to bolster funding for bicycle lanes reflects a growing recognition of the significance of sustainable and eco-friendly transportation solutions.

As cities worldwide grapple with traffic congestion and environmental concerns, investing in infrastructure that supports active transport is seen as a crucial step towards creating more livable and resilient urban spaces.

This latest development is expected to contribute to the ongoing efforts to encourage cycling as a viable mode of transportation, promoting healthier lifestyles and reducing the carbon footprint associated with traditional vehicular traffic.

(IAmigo/MNM)

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Good news for the country’s citizens!

Senior Citizens party-list Representative Rodolfo “Ompong” Ordanes has disclosed that Congress has approved a bill granting P100,000 to every senior citizen who reaches 100 years old.

Aside from this, Ordanes who chairs the House Committee on Senior Citizens Affairs on Thursday (December 7) further bared that the bicameral conference committee also agreed to set at P10,000 the cash gift to be given to Filipino seniors within one year from when they turn 80, 85, 90, and 95.

He expressed hope that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will immediately sign the bill into law

“With the work on the reconciled bill done, the next steps would be ratification by both chambers and then sending the bill to Malacañang for [President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s] signature,” Ordanes noted.

The Senior Citizens party-list solon explained that lawmakers have agreed on the need for the Senate-proposed Elderly Data Management System.

He promised that the House of Representatives and Senate will also look for ways to make sure the funding source is identified “to ensure its implementation.”

Diskarteng Pinoy lauds Congress

The Diskarteng Pinoy regional party in Region 7 also lauded Congress for the bill passage that gives more benefits to senior citizens.

“This approval of Congress for this initiative would redound to more benefits to our countrymen most especially the senior population, who, for us at Diskarteng Pinoy,  deserves this kind of appreciation for the service that they have given to the homeland,”  Pepe Sollano, Diskarteng Pinoy spokesman, said.

“It is laudable for Congress to have this kind of a measure which for us would also merit the approval of the Upper Chamber and finally, President Bongbong Marcos.”

Diskarteng Pinoy is a newly-formed labor and livelihood-oriented political organization based in Cebu boasting a huge regional membership.

(ai/mnm)

By Liza Soriano

MANILA — Senator Loren Legarda expressed her strong appreciation for Japan’s commitment to safeguarding the territorial integrity of the Philippines through collaboration and partnership.

“We aim to enhance the training and upskilling of our armed forces by building a closer partnership with the Japanese Self-Defense Forces,” the senator stated, echoing the sentiments of Japan’s Prime Minister, Kishida Fumio.

Legarda also expressed confidence in the deepening cooperation between the Philippines and Japan.

“Today, I am honored to join my colleagues in the Philippine Congress in extending a warm welcome to His Excellency Kishida Fumio, the Prime Minister of Japan, as he graced us with his presence in the Joint Session,” Legarda said.

“Our people-to-people connections and cultural exchanges have laid the foundation for a strong bond between our nations, fostering mutual respect and understanding. We are grateful for Japan’s unwavering support and friendship, and we look forward to a brighter and more prosperous future together,” she added.

During Prime Minister Kishida’s speech at the Joint Session of the Congress at the House of Representatives, he reiterated his determination to defend a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), a commitment he made during his visit to the United States in January.

Kishida was the first Japanese head of state to speak at the Philippine Congress.

The Philippines and Japan celebrated the 67th anniversary of normalizing their diplomatic relations in July.

(ai/mnm)

Opening of the Malolos Congress on September 15, 1898, Image Courtesy of Kahimyang.com

On September 29, 1898, the Malolos Congress ratified the June 12, 1898 Act of the Declaration of Independence proclaimed in Kawit, Cavite.

The Declaration of Independence of the Philippines was attended by only one foreigner, an American colonel of artillery, Mr. L. M. Johnson. The Philippine independence was not recognized by any other country.

It all began on September 15, 1898, when the revolutionary congress convened in Barasoain Church in Malolos which also decided to draft a constitution. This constitution would become the Malolos Constitution of 1899.

The new constitution was approved by the Revolutionary Congress on January 20, 1899, and sanctioned by President Emilio Aguinaldo on January 21, 1899.

Source: Philippines News Agency, Pambansang Komisyong Pangkasaysayan

(Filed by Jr Amigo/ai/mnm)