House passes total of 374 bills

The House of Representatives has passed a total of 374 bills on final reading since the 11th Congress began, Speaker Manuel Villar reported yesterday. "Not too many people are aware that we've passed this much bills which aims to help improve the lives of Filipinos," Villar said.

Of the 374 bills, 72 are of national interest while the rest are local bills.

Several of these measures were already enacted such as the much celebrated Clean Air Act.

Other bills that were approved included the Countervailing Duties and Anti-Dumping Duties Act, Retail Trade Liberalization Act and a bill increasing the capitalization of the Home Insurance Guaranty Corp. to P50 billion.

Local bills included measures to build school buildings, roads, bridges and provide agricultural support facilities in the countryside.

Also included among the approved bills were measures to aid neglected sectors such as the elderly, persons with disability, war veterans, women and children.

"We'll continue to pass needed legislation to respond to the needs of as much sectors as possible in order to improve the quality of life of Filipinos," Villar said.

He commended his colleagues "for their hard work and dedication to work as a team to advance the welfare of Filipinos."