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18th Congress A publication of the Committee Affairs Department Vol. I No. 137 First Regular Session Department July 22, 2020

SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING ON HOUSE MEASURES MEASURES COMMITTEE PRINCIPAL SUBJECT MATTER ACTION TAKEN/DISCUSSION NO. AUTHOR Labor Draft Rep. Ong (R.), Protection of the health and welfare The Subcommittee, co-chaired by Rep. Raymond Standards Substitute Deputy of workers in the audio-visual and Democrito Mendoza (Party-List, TUCP) and Rep. (Labor and Bill to HBs Speaker entertainment industry Christopher de Venecia (4th District, Pangasinan), Employment) 81, 181, Romero, Rep. terminated its discussion on the draft substitute bill 1019, 1766, Castelo, and agreed to conduct a roundtable discussion with 4875, 5596, Deputy stakeholders from the performing arts sector prior to 6157 & 6549 Speaker the presentation of the draft substitute bill to the Villafuerte, mother Committee. Reps. Rodriguez, Rep. Ferdinand Gaite (Party-List, BAYAN MUNA), Nieto, De author of HB 6549, and Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (2nd Venecia, and District, City), author of HB 4875, Gaite expressed their gratitude to the Subcommittee chairpersons, the Committee secretariat, and all others who helped craft the substitute bill, also referred to as the “Eddie Garcia Bill.”

Resource persons from the performing arts sector commented that some of the provisions of the proposed law may not apply to the peculiar needs of the sector. They said that performing arts is different from the television and film industry particularly in the nature of work and the diverse working arrangements. Performing arts involves the conduct of live shows like theaters, operas, concerts, and circuses.

Likewise, the representatives from ABS-CBN Corporation and the Philippine Motion Picture Producers Association (PMPPA) suggested that the minimum standards for occupational safety and health be based on the peculiar needs of the different sub-sectors under the audio-visual and entertainment industry.

Rep. Mendoza pointed out the need to come up with

a law that is encompassing and compliant with the

labor standards set by the International Labor

Organization (ILO). According to the ILO, the

performing arts sector and the audio-visual and

entertainment sector are under one umbrella

considered as the media and culture sector which

includes musicians, actors, dancers, journalists,

screenwriters, technicians and creators of audio-

visual and live performances, and visual artists.

Department of Labor and Employment’s Bureau of Working Conditions Medical Officer Marco Antonio Valeros agreed that the proposed law should be inclusive of all other related sectors. Rep. Rodriguez suggested two options, one is to amend the draft substitute bill by including provisions that will cater to the peculiar needs of the performing arts sector, and two is to proceed with the passage of the substitute bill and come up with a separate bill for the performing arts sector.

Continuation… Rep. Enrico Pineda (Party-List, 1-PACMAN), Chair of Labor Standards the Committee on Labor and Employment, said that (Labor and a roundtable discussion with stakeholders from the Employment) performing arts sector is necessary in order to thresh out their issues and concerns.

DISCUSSION WITH AGENCIES/ENTITIES

COMMITTEE SUBJECT MATTER DISCUSSIONS

Economic Affairs jt. Discussion with concerned government The Joint Committee, chaired by Rep. Sharon Garin (Party-List, w/ Transportation agencies and transport groups on the topic AAMBIS-OWA), Chair of the Committee on Economic Affairs, and Rep. “Build Back Better: Economic Resilience After Edgar Mary Sarmiento (1st District, Western Samar), Chair of the COVID-19,” focusing on issues and concerns Committee on Transportation, held a meeting with concerned affecting the transportation sector amidst the government agencies and transport groups on the topic “Build Back COVID-19 pandemic Better: Economic Resilience After COVID-19,” particularly on issues and concerns affecting the transportation sector amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Saying that transportation is interconnected with all businesses, Rep. Garin said that today’s meeting will discuss the current problems being faced by the transportation sector in order to know what more can Congress do to help the sector. Rep. Garin said that at this time of pandemic, she finds that transportation has become a constraint to reopening the economy. She opined that even if businesses are allowed to operate fully, this will not be viable if workers cannot go to work due to the shortage of transportation, more so if jeepneys are not allowed to operate in Metro Manila. She added that if the airline industry’s operation is still limited, then the impact of the pandemic on tourism will worsen.

Rep. Sarmiento mentioned the difficulties that millions of commuters throughout the country endure due to the inefficient transport system, which worsened due to the pandemic. To build back better post COVID- 19, he underscored the importance of having a reliable public transportation to help revive the economy.

Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion agreed that the country’s economy is hit hard by the pandemic and that public transportation issues are hindering its recovery. He said that commuting is still a challenge in Metro Manila as only buses are allowed to operate in the area.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade said that the Department adopts a gradual, calibrated, and partial approach that will strike a balance between reviving the economy and ensuring the health and safety of the public.

He clarified that jeepneys are now allowed to operate in Metro Manila provided that they are roadworthy and have installed barriers in observance of the minimum health protocols set by the Department of Health and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

Tugade suggested that aside from increasing the number of public utility vehicles (PUVs) on the road, the DOTr is also pushing for the adoption of alternative work schemes by the public and private sectors and provision of employees’ shuttle service by private companies, among others, to alleviate the problems of workers in commuting to and from work.

Rep. Gabriel Bordado Jr. (3rd District, Camarines Sur) acknowledges the fact that a clear-cut approach cannot be made while there still a pandemic, agreeing that the health and safety of the people should be of paramount concern.

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Continuation… Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda (2nd District, Albay) asked about the status of Economic Affairs jt. w/ implementation of the government’s Build, Build, Build projects. Tugade Transportation said that a catch-up plan was recommended to the IATF-EID to enable the DOTr to continue the implementation of railway and airport projects. Tugade admitted that there will be a two to three months delay in implementation but the DOTr will try to undertake measures to enable them to catch-up with the projects’ deadline.

On the aviation sector, Air Carriers Association of the (ACAP) Vice President and Executive Director Roberto Lim suggested that local airline carriers should be given preference in the allocation of international flights to help the industry recover its losses. He further said that the national government and the local government units should have a uniform policy in allowing domestic flights in the provinces.

Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) Executive Director Carmelo Arcilla explained that the quota for international flights is based on the air service agreements between countries. Such agreement provides the basis for the airlines of the countries involved to provide international air services for passengers, cargo, and mail. Nevertheless, he assured that local airline carriers are given just share in the allocation of flights.

Tugade added that the number of arriving passengers that will be accommodated in airports will vary depending on the health situation in the area and the testing capacity at the airport. He believes that opening other primary gateways like Subic and will help accommodate the expected huge number of returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to the country.

Rep. Teodorico Haresco Jr. (2nd District, Aklan) requested to accelerate the opening up of domestic travel to help both the local tourist destinations and local airline carriers. Tugade said that there are efforts along this line but these are subject to certain conditions set by the Department of Tourism and the LGUs concerned.

With regard to issues pertaining to crew change as raised by Rep. Macnell Lusotan (Party-List, MARINO), Tugade said that the DOTr together with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and other concerned government agencies signed a joint circular for the implementation of the Philippine Green Lane. The green lane provides safe and swift disembarkation of seafarers and crew change during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is in response to the call of the International Maritime Industry (IMO) to address the plight of thousands of seafarers who have been stranded at sea and have served at an extended period because they cannot be immediately replaced by new crew members due to the restrictions related to the pandemic.

To facilitate the COVID-19 testing of disembarking crew, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) Vice Chair and General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago said that the PPA constructed a molecular laboratory which can test approximately 2,000 persons daily at the Port of Manila. The Port of Capinpin in Bataan will serve as a holding area for seafarers who disembarked from ships in the area. Santiago added that discussions with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) are underway to include Subic Port as crew change hub.

DOTr Assistant Secretary for Legal Affairs Mark Steven Pastor presented the Department’s proposed programs and projects which were included in the economic stimulus package initiated by the House of Representatives.

Pastor said that the DOTr proposes an amount of P5.58 billion for the implementation of its service contracting scheme that will benefit drivers and operators in Metro Manila. Pastor explained that operators shall be paid based on the distance (km-run) travelled by the PUVs not on the number of passengers served. This will ensure continuous and efficient transportation operation, strict compliance with safety protocols, and financial viability for operators. 3 of 5

Continuation… On the proposed fuel subsidy for PUVs, the DOTr needs P6.95 billion for Economic Affairs jt. w/ the daily reimbursement of 36 liters of fuel for each bus and 12 liters of Transportation fuel per jeepney, minibus, and UV express.

DOTr Assistant Secretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Richmund de Leon added that the Department is also proposing the extension of loans to transport cooperatives and PUV operators in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Land Bank of the Philippines.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chair Martin Delgra III reported that all modes of transportation which are route based are already plying the roads of Metro Manila although limited in number. On the other hand, the LTFRB is having difficulty in opening provincial bus routes because not all LGUs are willing to open up their borders.

Meanwhile, DILG Undersecretary Ricojudge Echiverri mentioned that the DILG issued several circulars to address the challenges brought about by the pandemic, which include matters concerning the transportation sector.

Representatives from the transport groups aired their concerns and presented their recommendations to address issues besetting the transportation sector.

Rep. Garin assured the stakeholders that the Joint Committee will recommend to the IATF-EID measures that will ease the present situation of the sector. She stressed the need for the government, the private sector, and the general public to work together to address the public transport problems.

North Luzon Growth Consultative meeting with the Department of The Committee, chaired by Rep. Ramon Guico III (5th District, Quadrangle Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Pangasinan), listened to the presentation of the DSWD on its fund (Special Committee) its fund utilization for the current year, and utilization for the current year, and proposed FY 2021 budget and plans proposed FY 2021 budget and plans and and programs for Regions I & II and CAR. programs for Regions I & II and the Cordillera Administrative Region DSWD Assistant Secretary Joyce Niwane said that the DSWD is mandated to take the lead in the formulation, implementation, and coordination of social welfare development policies for the poor and the vulnerable sectors of society. Toward this end, the DSWD is implementing 29 key programs, including the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), Supplementary Feeding Program, and the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).

For 2020, Niwane said that because of the Department of Budget and Management’s (DBM) National Budget Circular 580, the allocations for several programs have been adjusted such as those for disaster response, social pension, and centenarian’s benefits. The Circular also has a significant effect on DWSD’s big ticket programs such as the 4Ps, SLP, and Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services National Community-Driven Development Program (KC-NCDDP).

National Budget Circular 580 provides, among others, that 35% of programmed appropriations under the FY 2020 General Appropriations Act shall no longer be made available for release effective April 1, 2020 to generate much needed funds for the implementation of programs addressing the COVID-19 pandemic.

For Region I, Niwane reported that the budget for the Disaster Response Program decreased from P178.73 million to P139.14 million. As of June 30, the amount utilized so far out of the remaining budget was P39.49 million.

In contrast, Region II’s allocation for 4Ps increased from P107.77 million to P175 million or a 62.62% increase. As of June 30, the amount utilized 4 of 5

Continuation… out of the budget allocation stands at P64.96 million. On the other hand, North Luzon Growth no allocation was given for the implementation of KC-NCDDP because Quadrangle the region does not fall under areas identified as having a poverty (Special Committee) incidence above the national average of 36.5%.

As for the CAR, the budget for 4Ps was used to augment the government’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP) which provides cash subsidy to low-income families severely affected by the pandemic. There was also an increase in the funding for AICS which benefitted 4,377 individuals. However, there was a significant decrease in the SLP in CAR from P112.82 million to P46.89 million. Niwane said that this was due to DBM’s withholding of the SLP’s regular fund requirement of P2.45 billion.

On the disbursement of SAP, Niwane reported that the local government units in CAR, and Regions I and II have fully released the subsidy under the first tranche of SAP to the beneficiaries. For the second tranche, the DSWD intends to attain 80% pay out by July 30.

Among the challenges the DSWD faces in the implementation of the SAP are the limited workforce, lack of financial support for capital outlay, poor internet connectivity, limited mobility of personnel, and difficulty reaching geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.

Moving forward, Niwane pushed for the passage of the Social Welfare and Development Agencies Bill, Public Solicitation Bill, Community- Driven Development Institutionalization Bill, Domestic Administrative Adoption Bill, and Anti-Elder Abuse Bill.

Rep. Kristine Singson-Meehan (2nd District, Ilocos Sur) asked how the DSWD intends to distribute the second tranche of the SAP during this time of pandemic when travel restrictions are still in place and gatherings are restricted. DSWD Undersecretary Danilo Pamonag replied that other modes of distribution, such as digital payments, are being utilized to address the matter.

On the disbursement of social pension, DSWD’s Program Management Bureau Director Wilma Naviamos said that the Department plans to use cash card in the National Capital Region for those with access to the Land Bank of the Philippines. She added that digital distribution of the social pension will most likely be adopted to reach geographically challenged areas and those under armed conflict. Nevertheless, DSWD field offices will still be conducting direct payouts if deemed necessary.

Deputy Speaker Deogracias Victor "DV" Savellano (1st District, Ilocos Sur) and Ifugao Rep. Solomon Chungalao underscored the importance of providing sustainable livelihood to the people which would be more beneficial in the long run rather than granting social ameliorations.

Rep. Christopher de Venecia (4th District, Pangasinan) suggested to reward the honesty of SAP beneficiaries who returned their SAP subsidy because they already received a similar form of cash assistance from the government and so that the money can be used to help others in similar dire situation.

The DSWD was requested to submit to the Committee a list of these honest beneficiaries so that they can be given due recognition.

Comments, suggestions and requests for copies may be sent to the Committee Publication Staff, Committee Management Support Service I, 3rd Floor, Ramon V. Mitra, Jr. Bldg., House of Representatives, Constitution Hills, , through [email protected] or at tel. nos. 8932-6118/8931-5001 local 7122. Also available at http://www.congress.gov.ph

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