CCoommmmiitttteeee DDaaiillyy BBuulllleettiinn Vol. I No. 47 A publication of the Committee Affairs Department November 27, 2013 ORGANIZATIONAL MEETINGS COMMITTEE SUBJECT MATTER DISCUSSIONS Muslim Affairs Approval of the Committee’s Rules of Procedure The Committee, chaired by Rep. Tupay Loong (1st District, Sulu), approved and adopted its Rules of Procedure for the 16th Congress. During the meeting, the Committee discussed the issue raised by Tawi-Tawi Rep. Ruby Sahali concerning the insufficient P3.8 billion budget earmarked for the rehabilitation of Zamboanga City under the proposed supplemental budget of the national government. Rep. Sahali said that the amount being allocated is extremely inadequate to fully rehabilitate and reconstruct the basic social and economic infrastructures in the four barangays severely damaged when members of the Misuari-led faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) occupied parts of Zamboanga City. She called on the Committee to make representations with the leadership to specifically include additional funds for the purchase of a portion of land known as “Arena Blanco” in Zamboanga City primarily for the benefit of families affected by the armed conflict. The Committee agreed to prepare and submit a manifestation seeking to increase the funds earmarked in the proposed supplemental budget for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Zamboanga City. Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. (4th District, Quezon City) filed HB 34223 which seeks to appropriate P14.6 billion as supplemental appropriations for the FY 2013 to boost funding for the rehabilitation of calamity stricken areas. The said fund will be drawn from the unused Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) for 2013. Population and Approval of the Committee’s Rules of Procedure The Committee, chaired by Biliran Rep. Rogelio Espina, approved Family Relations and adopted its Rules of Procedure for the 16th Congress. Public Works Approval of the Committee’s Rules of Procedure The Committee, chaired by Benguet Rep. Ronald Cosalan, approved and Highways and adopted its Rules of Procedure for the 16th Congress. COMMITTEE MEETINGS MEASURES COMMITTEE PRINCIPAL SUBJECT MATTER ACTION TAKEN/DISCUSSION NO. AUTHOR Appropriations JR 7 Speaker Extending the validity of appropriations The Committee, chaired by Rep. Isidro Ungab Belmonte under the calamity fund and quick (3rd District, Davao City), adopted JR 7 subject response fund, including those sourced to amendments. from savings realigned in the current year, as well as all unreleased/unobligated Department of Budget and Management allotments covering appropriations for (DBM) Assistant Secretary Luz Cantor maintenance and other operating conveyed the DBM’s support for Joint expenses and capital outlays under RA Resolution No. 1. 10352 or the FY 2013 General Appropriations Act until December 31, Defense Undersecretary and National Risk 2014, amending for the purpose section Reduction and Disaster Management Council Continuation… 63 of the general provisions therein (NDRRMC) chair Eduardo del Rosario Appropriations reported to the Committee that, based on the partial post-disaster needs assessment, the budget requirement for the rehabilitation of Zamboanga City amounts to P3.6 billion and for Bohol, P3 billion. The post-disaster needs assessment for the areas affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda is still ongoing; but once completed, the entire rehabilitation package for all affected areas will be forwarded to the Office of the President, Del Rosario added. The Committee requested the submission of a comprehensive post-disaster needs assessment including those for areas hit by other recent calamities as indicated in the joint resolution. Substitute Rep. Teodoro, Strengthening the ladderized interface The Committee approved the appropriation Bill to HBs Majority Leader between technical-vocational education provision of the Substitute Bill to HBs 455, 455, 1058, Gonzales, Reps. and training and higher education 1058, 1506, 2461 and 2686. 1506, 2461 Angara-Castillo, & 2686 Rodriguez (R.) & Piamonte HB 3423 Speaker Appropriating the sum of P14.6 billion as The Committee approved with amendments Belmonte supplemental appropriations for FY 2013 HB 3423, in consolidation with HBs 3229, 3236, 3345, 3360 and 3361; and HRs 385, HBs 3229 & Reps. Yap (A.), Appropriating funds for the aid, relief, 392, 437, 458, and 467. 3236 and Macapagal- rehabilitation, home rebuilding financing HR 385 Arroyo (G.) and subsidy, livelihood and employment Budget Secretary Florencio Abad informed the Atienza services, public infrastructure rebuilding, Committee that the President authorized the and heritage structures and tourism sites use of an additional P38.9 billion for the relief restoration for the areas affected by the and rehabilitation efforts in areas affected by October 15, 2013 earthquake, particularly Super Typhoon Yolanda during a cabinet Bohol and Cebu meeting earlier today. He said the amount was determined by the National Economic and HBs 3345 & Reps. Rivera & Appropriating funds for the aid, relief, Development Authority (NEDA). 3361 Macapagal- rehabilitation and livelihood services, Arroyo (G.) infrastructure support and rehabilitation of The P14.6-billion supplemental budget being power and transmission lines for the areas proposed under HB 3423 will be one of the affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda on funding sources for the P38.9-billion November 08, 2013 rehabilitation program, said Abad. HB 3360 Rep. Alejano Appropriating the sum of P50 billion for the Rep. Antonio Tinio (Party-List, ACT creation of a national calamity recovery, TEACHERS) expressed his concern that rehabilitation and reconstruction fund without any concrete rehabilitation plan and an expenditure program, Congress might be HR 392 Rep. Suansing Urging the executive department to giving the President too much discretion in immediately allocate funds to be handling the lump sum amount of P14.6 billion. channeled to the appropriate government agencies such as the Department of Abad said a list of general expenditure items Public Works and Highways (DPWH), may be submitted to the House, adding that Department of Social Welfare and the proposed supplemental budget is just a Development (DSWD), and Department of fraction of the total cost of rehabilitation. Education (DepEd) for the rehabilitation of the Province of Nueva Ecija due to the House Members seeking assistance for their destruction brought by Typhoon Santi districts which were affected by the earthquake in Bohol and Cebu, insurgency in Zamboanga HR 437 Rep. Yap (A.) Requesting President Benigno C. Aquino City, and recent typhoons in some parts of III to certify HB 3229 entitled “Bakod Northern Mindanao, Central Luzon and Central Visayas Bill” and HB 3236 entitled Eastern Visayas were assured by the Budget “Visayas Earthquake Assistance and Secretary that funds from the proposed P14.6 Development Fund Bill” as urgent and billion supplemental budget will be allotted to calling a special session for this purpose the said areas. 2 Continuation… HR 458 Rep. Bichara Urging the President of the Philippines and Appropriations the DBM to release the remaining 2013 Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) for rescue and relief operations, rehabilitation, and reconstruction in calamity-stricken areas HR 467 Rep. Romualdez Authorizing the use of the amount of P30 billion from the unspent portion of the P267 billion Special Purpose Fund and, as may be determined, from the P117 billion unprogrammed funds appropriated under the 2013 General Appropriations Act, for the relief operations, rehabilitation, reconstruction and other services in areas affected by natural calamities Economic HBs. 15, Reps. Singson Establishing special economic and The Joint Committee, presided by Rep. Affairs jt. w/ 192, 1237, (R.), Yap (A.), freeport zones in various parts of the Enrique Cojuangco (1st District, Tarlac), Chair Trade and 1564, 2527 Acharon, country of the Committee on Economic Affairs, and Industry & 2688 Marcos, Rep. Anthony del Rosario (1st District Davao Rodriguez (R.) & del Norte), Vice Chair of the Committee on Abueg Trade and Industry, approved HBs 15, 192, 1237, 1564, 2527 and 2688 subject to style and amendments. Lilia de Lima, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General and Undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), expressed support for the bills. She maintained the position that the private sector must be tapped to develop, maintain and operate economic zones, instead of the PEZA or the government, to reduce the strain on public funds. Lawyer Richard Palma of the Commission on Audit (COA) recommended the removal of the audit clause in all the bills since as government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), these special economic and freeport zones/authorities are under the COA’s audit jurisdiction. Health HB 398 Rep. Yap (S.) Providing for the mandatory pregnancy The Committee, chaired by Rep. Eufranio testing of all women of childbearing age “Franny” Eriguel (2nd District, La Union), who will undergo cosmetic surgery, approved the bill. providing penalties for violations thereof HBs 402 & Reps. Yap (S.) Institutionalizing a pre-hospital emergency The Committee agreed to consolidate the two 1489 & Mercado- medical care system, providing for the bills and approved the same. Revilla establishment, supervision and regulation of the pre-hospital emergency care profession HBs 403 & Rep. Yap (S.) & Requiring all government-issued The Committee agreed to