Photo: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte leads the ceremonial signing of the Revised Corporation Code and the Universal Health Care Act at the Malacañan Palace on February 20, 2019.
“My solid commitment to directly and decisively address our nation’s collective challenges remains. It has not wavered. In truth, it has even gotten stronger through adversity and the desire to give the people the most we can, within my term in this government,”
DUBAI: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has signed 20 laws in five days, a move unprecedented in Philippine history.
Indeed, the month of February ends in a high note for the future of the country and the Filipino people as Duterte heads towards addressing important issues for the long term such as health, pension and benefits, maternity leaves, world class sporting facilities and cancer control among others.
The working president: A fulfillment of promises
Duterte, in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last year, assured the Filipino people that his strong will and determination to bring forth a better life for all Filipinos hasn’t faltered.
“My solid commitment to directly and decisively address our nation’s collective challenges remains. It has not wavered. In truth, it has even gotten stronger through adversity and the desire to give the people the most we can, within my term in this government,” said Duterte.
Here are the some of the new laws that Duterte has signed:
Universal Health Care (RA 11223):
The Universal Health Care (UHC) law will enable all Filipinos to have access to more affordable health care. The law aims for a total inclusion of all Filipinos in the National Health Insurance Program that will be created as part of the measure.
From multitudes of segments, the new law now simplifies the groups to contributory or those who pay contributions via their payroll, and non-contributory (those who are enrolled in the program, fully subsidized from tax collections). It also clarifies the roles and responsibilities that the Department of Health, PhilHealth, and the local government units in the organizing, financing and delivering health care services
SSS Law (RA 11199):
For the first time in years, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will be required to make regular payments to the Philippine Social Security. The Social Security Act of 2019 will serve as a guiding post to enhance the services provided by the Social Security System (SSS) as well as replenish its funds.
The SSS, as its name implies, is a security blanket against contingencies that cause huge financial burdens including disability, sickness, maternity, old age and death, among others.
Cancer Control (RA 11215):
In the country’s continuous efforts to battle the crippling effects of cancer to the patient and their loved ones, the National Integrated Cancer Control Act will be the catalyst to implement a countrywide framework towards fighting cancer.
The new law “shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which includes the strengthening of integrative, multidisciplinary, patient- and family-centered cancer control policies, programs, systems, interventions and services at all levels of the existing health care delivery system.”
Another objective of the new measure will be to launch the National Integrated Cancer Control Program aimed at preventing deaths caused by cancer by giving patients “affordable and accessible” medical treatment wherever available.
Expanded maternity leave (RA 11210):
The Expanded Maternity law grants 105 days of paid maternity leave to all working mothers in government and private sector with an option to extend their leaves for another 30 days without pay. Meanwhile, female workers qualified as solo parents will also get additional 15 days of leave.
Prior to the signing of the law, the Philippines was one of the ASEAN countries that have the shortest maternity leave duration aside from Malaysia.
Establishment of Philippine Sports Training Center (PTSC) (RA 11214):
In line with the government’s policy “to promote and develop sports in the country,” PTSC will be instrumental for the Philippines to show the world its capabilities in the field of sport. It aims “to achieve excellence in international sports competitions, to ensure success in the country’s quest to achieve competitiveness in the Olympic Games and to promote international amity among nations.”
The proposed PSTC will have a budget of Php3.5 billion for the construction of the sports training center which will serve as “official home and primary venue” of the national teams and its correspondent training pools.
Permanent Cellphone Numbers (RA 11202):
Telecommunications companies in the Philippines will soon allow “qualified subscribers” to keep their mobile number should the subscriber choose to change their service provider as part of the new Mobile Number Portability Act.
In addition, the new measure also enables the subscriber to shift their subscription plans from prepaid to postpaid and/or vice-versa. The implementing rules and regulations will be created by the National Telecommunications Commission, Department of Information and Communications Technology, National Privacy Commission, Philippine Competition Commission and other concerned agencies.
Career Guidance for High School Students (RA 11206):
High school students, no matter if they’re coming from a private or a public institution, will now gain access to career guidance counselling as a means to prepare them not just for their tertiary education, but to steer them towards making educated career decisions as they’re exposed to relevant labor markets.
The new law will implement the creation of a National Secondary School Career Guidance and Counselling Program (CGCP) that will be spearheaded by the Department of Education (DepEd) which will begin by Grade 7. The program will culminate with the National Career Assessment Examination which will be a tool to evaluate the students’ aptitude at a particular occupational field.
New Department for the Homeless (RA 11201):
A new department has been created to ensure that the underprivileged and homeless citizens will have an access to a habitable and affordable home. The new department, which will be known as the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development will be instrumental in providing for decent, affordable housing and basic services at urban centers and resettlement areas.
Improving Rice Trade (RA 11203):
The new statute on rice tariffs will loosen the regulations on the importation and exportation of rice in the country efforts to raise sustainable investments in the rice industry particularly on the rice support infrastructure, as well as to improve the efficiency and profitability of small rice farmers.
New Central Bank Law (RA 11211):
The new Central Bank law empowers Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to cover other non-bank financial institutions like credit-granting businesses, money services as well as payment system operators. The law also grants additional powers for the Central Bank to impose administrative and criminal sanctions and now also has the capacity to forfeit profits from unauthorized financial transactions.
Tax Amnesty (RA 11213):
Duterte signed the Tax Amnesty Act to go alongside the ongoing controversial Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN law as a means to raise revenues for their programs but has vetoed several points, saying that an “overgenerous, general amnesty” might create an avenue for tax evasion cases in the future.
Revised Corporation Code (RA 11232):
The administration has also spearheaded the creation of a law that aims to attract new investors to the country by updating the 38-year-old Corporation Code. Included in the newly amended and updated law is the provision to allow a single person to form a corporation, the removal of the requirement of minimum capitalization, allowing permission to file reportorial requirements electronically, and more.
Next steps
Following the signing of President Duterte, the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) should be done by the assigned parties for each law within a period of 90-180 days, unless otherwise stated. The act shall also take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.
Quick Overview of Philippines’ other new laws in place
Apart from the sweeping reforms in health care, SSS, sports, and other general matters, the President also signed laws specific to fields that will likewise cater to the needs of the Filipino people. Here’s a short rundown of the following new laws to be implemented.
Increased capacity for Rizal Medical Center (RA 11208): The Rizal Medical Center located at Pasig will soon see increased capacity after a new law has stated that it will allot funds to allow an upgrade from 300 beds at present to 500 beds within a period of not more than 3 years from the approval of the act.
Southern Leyte Law (RA 11198): The province of Southern Leyte will soon be reapportioned to two legislative districts. The first legislative district covers the City of Maasin together with the municipalities of Macrohon, Padre Burgos, Limasawa, Malitbog, Tomas Oppus and Bontic. The second legislative district will be composed of the municipalities of Sogod, Libagon, Liloan, San Francisco, Pintuan, San Ricardo, Saint Bernard, Anahawan, San Juan, Hinundayan, Hinunangan, and Silago.
Police Ranks Amendment Law (RA 11200): The rank classification of the uniformed personnel of PNP has been restructured in its efforts to ensure clarity of command and responsibility. The ranks from top to bottom are as follows: Police General, Police Lieutenant General, Police Major General, Police Major General, Police Brigadier General. Police Colonel, Police Lieutenant Colonel, Police Major, Police Captain, Police Lieutenant, Police Executive Master Sergeant, Police Chief Master Sergeant, Police Senior Master Sergeant, Police Master Sergeant, Police Staff Sergeant. Police Corporal, Patrolman/Patrolwoman.
September 3 = Special Working Public Holiday (RA 11216): With the new law, September 3 now serves as a day to commemorate the surrender of the Japanese military forces in Baguio. The commemoration day however, will still see regular office and school days since it’s not a non-working holiday.
January 17 = Special Nonworking Holiday for Olongapo and Subic (RA 11217): Olongapo and Subic Bay Freeport Zone will soon enjoy another nonworking holiday every January 17 as the “James Leonard Tagle Gordon Day” The new law to be implemented recognizes the achievements, contributions and heroism of James Leonard Tagle Gordon in the service of the Filipino people.
The rest of the laws include extension of a radio communications systems franchise for 25 years for Ermita Electronics Incorporated (RA 11204), a 25-year franchise for radio and TV operations for Deus Amor Est Broadcasting Inc, (RA 11205), reasonable rates for political ads (RA 11207), renaming the Lupon School of Fisheries to Davao Oriental Polytechnic Institute (RA 11209), electric power distribution franchise for MORE Electric and Power Corporation in IloIlo (RA 11212), the recognition of British School Manila as an Educational Institution of International Character (RA 11218), as well as a 25-year franchise extension for private telecommunications or electronic communications services of Iglesia ni Cristo (RA 11219).
