Another circus show opening?

It’s going to be a big day for our newly elected public officials on Monday, 23 July 2007, as government cranks anew the ignition key that officially starts the journey of the Republic’s 14th Congress. The question is will this be just another circus show opening? Let’s just hope that, after the collective preening before the television cameras, our lawmakers realize that there’s serious work to be done – and that they should do it with at least the same zeal as they devoted to getting our votes. While a number of bills covering significant national interest were made into law during the 13th Congress, an equal number had been left to languish or simply ignored. Either because of the presence of strong lobby or simply because of lack of focus. If serious work is in the minds of the new members of Congress, then below are some bills that deserve attention and action.

National interest

 On the macro level, the Responsible Parenthood and Population Management Act should be regarded with more urgency. The bill aims to draw up a national policy on family planning, making sure there is enough and sustained information and funding on reproductive health and family planning methods. The uncontrolled growth of the country’s population, estimated to breach the 90-million mark, undermines efforts by local and national governments to jumpstart the economy. The National Tourism Act, which would declare a national policy for tourism as the primary engine of investment, employment, growth and national development, and subsequently reorganize the Department of Tourism and its attached agencies to effectively and efficiently implement that policy, needs to be passed.

The proposed law sets the stage for providing the necessary incentives that should encourage investment in a truly revitalized tourism industry, as well as improving the level of competitiveness of tourist facilities and services through a system of accreditation, standard-setting, and classification. Perhaps, it is time also to seriously consider passing into law the proposed Land Use Act. It has been re-introduced and reincarnated in several past Congresses but up till today been largely ignored. The code, if passed into law, would rationalize land use among and within regions, provinces, cities and municipalities and would be a useful guide to how and where infrastructure and human capital should be prioritized. Another important bill is the Renewable Energy Act which proposes to promote the development, utilization and commercialization of renewable sources of energy. The bill also seeks to set up a framework for the granting of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to all renewable energy activities and to create the National Renewable Energy Board (NREB).

Concern for the individual

There are other bills that will offer a huge degree of relief towards alleviating the sufferings of the individual Filipino. One example is the cheap medicines bill. Sadly, though, the proposed law has dragged on for far too long. An example, most probably, of the effect of lobby pressure exerted by interested groups in the pharmaceutical sector. The prohibitive cost of health care is already pushing many of our countrymen to take vital medicines at half dose, or to try non-therapeutic, often lethal substitutes, or not to take medicines at all. Our ageing population also needs some level of protection in their old age. This is why the Personal Equity Retirement Account (PERA) Act should be acted on swiftly. The bill seeks to create a tax-free individual retirement program similar to the US Internal Revenue Agency.

Battling corruption

One of the biggest problems of government, both on the legislative and executive branches, is the perceived corruption permeating at all levels. The political system has become so perverse that many feel only a radical solution will bring positive change. Still, there are some proposed measures that could influence step-by-step reforms in the bureaucracy. Foremost is the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill that aims to discourage political families. The challenge, of course, is to awaken the conscience of our lawmakers, 99 percent of whom are expected to be affected by the passage of such a bill. There are smaller battles that could prove to be more surmountable. One of these is the Customs Brokers Amendment Act, a bill which seeks to streamline and make more efficient and effective transactions between exporters, importers and Customs Bureau. More efficient collection system will ease the burden of the public who feels overtaxed.

Protection against incompetent lawmakers

One government official had remarked that a legislative member’s life is to be greatly envied: even if they do not attend sessions, they get paid and are guaranteed their “pork barrel” allocation. Perhaps it is time to change the scheme of things. If we can have laws that protect consumers from defective products that they buy, shouldn’t we consider similar schemes that shield us from incompetent lawmakers?

Multi-level poker satellites

To give more local poker tournament enthusiasts more opportunities to join the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) PokerStar event (with prize pot of approximately P25 million), Philippine Poker Tour (PPT), the leading proponent of poker skills tournament in the country, is conducting multi-level satellites. This is in line with PPT’s objective of providing local poker talents the chance to join major international poker competitions.

Under the unique PPT tournament structure, a player can win the PokerStar seat worth $2,500 (about P120,000) with as little as P150 in tournament fee. The complete write-up of the competition is posted in the official website of Philippine Poker Tour, www.PhilippinePokerTour.com. Those interested may join the daily qualifying satellites being held at the PPT clubhouse, THE PLAYER’S DEN, located at 1786 A. Mabini, Malate, Manila. For more details, call the PPT Secretariat at 812-0153, 0926-6452956, or 0920-9218891.

Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 25th Floor, 139 Corporate Center, Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Or e-mail me at [email protected].