• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez wants to be a member of the House Committee on Creative Industries.
At the opening of the 20th Congress July 28, Benitez said he has submitted as top priority membership to the Creative Industries, and had spoken to former committee chair Christopher de Venecia on this.
“Depende na kung mahatag sa aton. But we’re hoping that we can also push for arts, culture…the creative industries,” the neophyte solon said.
Benitez, former mayor of Victorias City, said the industry has a huge potential not only in the country but in Negros as well.
The committee has jurisdiction over all matters directly or principally relating to industries generated by individual creativity, skill and talent that produce cultural, artistic and innovative products such as but not limited to design, music, book publishing, gastronomy, film and video, crafts, visual arts, fashion, TV and radio, literature, print and digital media, software and game development, animation, live events, and the performing arts, per the House website.
Benitez said he also sought membership with the Committee on Rules to be more knowledgeable about procedures on hearings and sessions.
He assured that despite being a novice legislator, he will work hard and push for the many bills that he’s advocating for.
Benitez already filed 44 bills, as of the latest House briefer, with focus on education, health, innovation, digitalization, and agriculture, among others.
He said that while he is planning to author and file many more bills, he will also ensure the quality to make sure that these are what his constituents need.
All the bills we file we are committed to fight for and defend, he added. “The first 100 days, we will be pushing for quality bills, (especially) on education, health, jobs, and housing.”
PBBM SONA
Benitez also said that what he’s advocating for in the 3rd District were also highlighted by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his 4th State of the Nation Address yesterday afternoon, particularly on education and health.
“At the end of the day, ang SONA ni Presidente makita kag mabatyahan sang mga tawo,” he said, adding he is satisfied with it. | CGC
