House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez praised President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for enacting three landmark laws that address educational equity, passport services, and the salt industry, underscoring the administration’s commitment to driving positive change across sectors.
These laws are Republic Act (RA) 11983, or the New Philippine Passport Act; RA 11984, or the No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act; and RA 11985, or the Philippine Salt Industry Act.
Romualdez hailed the enactment of RA 11984, which prohibits the “no permit, no exam” policy in all educational institutions, as “a crucial milestone in our journey towards educational equity.”
“By abolishing the ‘no permit, no exam’ rule, we are breaking down barriers and ensuring that every student, regardless of their financial background, has equal access to education,” he stressed.
The leader of the 300 plus-strong House of Representatives cited the significance of providing equal opportunities for all students to pursue their academic aspirations.
“Education is a fundamental right, and it is our duty to create an environment where every student can thrive,” Romualdez said in a press release April 4.
All public and private basic (K to 12) institutions, higher educational institutions, and technical-vocational institutions offering long-term courses exceeding one year are covered by RA 11984.
Romualdez also said the New Philippine Passport Act signifies a major overhaul of the passport application process in the country, aimed at streamlining procedures and ensuring accessibility for all citizens.
RA 11983 repealed RA 8239, or the Philippine Passport Act of 1996, and introduces several key reforms to the passport application system. It ensures that the application process for regular passports is easily accessible, particularly for specific groups, such as senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and overseas Filipino workers.
RA 11985, or the Philippine Salt Industry Development Act, meanwhile, aims to revitalize and modernize the salt sector, positioning it for sustainable growth and international competitiveness.
It introduces the Salt Roadmap, aiming to enhance the industry’s development, management, and modernization for sustainable production, potentially leading to salt exportation.
“The ultimate goal is to facilitate sustainable production that could potentially lead to salt exportation, contributing to the country’s economic growth,” Romualdez said. ||
