- CHERYL G. CRUZ
The House of Representatives unanimously approved on third and final reading early today, Nov. 14, House Bill 5 which seeks to establish an on-site, in-city, near-city, or off-city local government resettlement program for informal settler families (ISFs).
The bill is principally authored and sponsored by Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez, who said that it aims to uphold the rights of the urban poor in the city, save ISFs from being relocated to faraway relocation sites, and empower them to design for themselves the development of their community through the people’s plan.
The measure received 254 affirmative votes, a statement from the House said, adding that when signed into law, it would mandate local government units and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development to provide necessary basic services and livelihood components to ensure the sustainability of resettlement projects for ISFs.
HB 5 is the consolidated version of at least seven House bills pushing for an on-site or near-city resettlement program for ISFs.
Benitez, who is the chairperson of the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development, defended the proposed measure during the period of interpellations at the House Nov. 9, before its final approval Monday.
Also hurdling third and final reading was HB 4102, or the proposed Plastic Bags Tax Act, that secured 255 affirmative votes, three negative votes, and zero abstentions.
The bill encourages the utilization of environmentally-friendly alternatives to plastic bags, and seeks to impose an excise tax of P20 for every kilo of plastic bag removed from the place of production, or released from the custody of the Bureau of Customs.
Other measures approved on third and final reading are HB 4339, amending certain provisions of Republic Act 8424, or the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, to simplify the taxation of the financial sector, with a 258-3 votes; and HB 4122, imposing value-added tax on digital transactions in the Philippines, with a 253-4-1 votes, the HRep said./CGC