“A universal health coverage is still a work in progress.

Two years under the Duterte administration and the House of Representatives has approved bills and enacted them into laws that previous administrations had difficulty passing.

It was expected that the House would be swift in its stride in effecting changes President Rodrigo Duterte wanted to see. He had an ally through House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.

The two years are an accomplishment in themselves given the many issues and controversies have hounded the body as large and as colorful as the House.

Indeed, when he became the Speaker, Alvarez had his work cut out for him. There was a dark shadow of a reputation hanging over the House that he had sworn to lead, and he vowed to make changes as soon as possible.

Head Executive Assistant to the Speaker and Deputy Secretary General Darren M. de Jesus, acknowledged these issues that surround the House.

“This question is of the assumption that the House of Representatives is perceived negatively by the public, which I do not deny. In fact, it is very easy for the public and media to put our House members in a bad light. The Speaker understands this. In order to address such, he decided that the best way to change such perception is, simply, to work hard. At the end of the day, no one can question the efficiency of the House and the quality of House bills it has passed in this 17th Congress,” de Jesus said.

He added that the Speaker and Majority Floor Leader Rodolfo Fariñas imposed strict rules that resulted in quorums achieved and hearings beginning on time.

And worked he and his colleagues did amid schisms and political noises especially in this age of social media.

In the two years that the House under his leadership have been in session, a total of 121 measures have been enacted into law out of 2,929.

On top of these is the passing of Republic Act (RA) 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act on 3 August 2017.

Education has long been regarded as the key to a better life. Filipinos have always seen it as a great feat if their family members are degree holders. Obtaining a tertiary education, however, have proven to be an uphill battle even if there are state universities and colleges (SUC). With the passing of the said law, students from financially challenged households and who are enrolled in SUC will be able to avail of free tuition and miscellaneous fees. This also extends to those who are taking up vocational-technical courses in institutions such as the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

The other laws the House has enacted also target other sectors whose concerns are legitimate, but have had difficulty addressing their pressing needs.

The Free Irrigation Services Act (RA 10969) frees owners of small farmlands from added financial obligations. Signed on 2 February 2018, farm owners of eight hectares and below are exempt from payment of irrigation fees to the National Irrigation Authority and other state agencies and irrigators’ associations.

Basic health care has always been a point of contention for most Filipinos. In times of need and emergency, many would hesitate to consult a physician or let themselves be admitted for fear of rejection for hospital admission.

Numerous reports have painted a picture of a health care sector that does not care for the plight of Filipinos in need. The root of the problem always lies in the lack of deposit money for hospitalization or non-ownership of medical insurance.

With the passing of RA 10932 or the Anti Hospital Deposit Law on 3 August 2017, emergency cases can now be attended to by the hospital. Penalties will be meted out to hospitals or clinics who refuse to treat emergency patients or serious cases. Those who refuse will be fined from P100,00 to P300,000 or be imprisoned for six months and one day to two years and four months or suffer both as ruled by the court.

A universal health coverage is still a work in progress. The House approved during the third and final reading of HB 5784 or the Universal Health Coverage Act on 6 September 2017. Once approved by the Senate, it will be known as the National Health Security Program, which will provide health insurance coverage for all Filipinos.

Other landmark laws successfully passed are RA 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business, which sets a uniform guideline for processing of business documents, cutting the risk of red tape and corruption; RA 10928 or Act of Extending Validity of Philippine Passports, which now runs valid for 10 years from the previous five-year validity; and RA 10930 or the Extending Validity Period of Drivers’ Licenses, which now gives a five-year validation for Drivers’ Licenses from the previous three-year validity.

The most recent and deemed historic measure is HB 6475, also known as the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), which Speaker Alvarez authored.

The bicameral conference committee intends to ratify the measure when Congress convenes today 23 July for the Third Regular Session.

These accomplishments are geared towards including all Filipinos, taking into consideration their concerns that have been piled up over years of inaction.

“It has to be the establishment of a culture of discipline when it comes to legislation like never before. This culture has become contagious, and House Members are ready to take on any legislative measure that would require their expertise and attention. Credit belongs to the Speaker and the Majority Leader,” answered de Jesus when asked about the House’s biggest accomplishment.

Apart from providing solutions, the House also recognizes the vital role of the youth in forging its way towards the future. It has tapped the creative, questioning minds of the youth in some of its programs.

The One House Internship Program is an initiative of the Office of the Speaker. It entices undergraduate students to complete 200 hours of internship from 16 July 2018 to 27 September 2018. The program aims to be an avenue for the youth to develop workplace skills, cultivate nationalism and encourage public service.

This year, the program has 29 interns from premier universities in Metro Manila such as the University of the Philippines, Ateneo De Manila University, University of Santo Tomas, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Pamantasan ng Lungod ng Maynila, University of Caloocan City, Kalayaan College, La Consolacion College-Novaliches, AMA Computer University and Bulacan State University.

Another youth-targeted measure is the Bill Drafting Contest, now on its second year. It was first opened in July 2017 as an initiative by the Office of the House Speaker. Last year’s winner was the group of University of San Carlos students who drafted a bill to protect whale sharks.

This year, participants gathered at the Rolando Andaya Hall in Batasang Pambansa Complex to attend lectures on how to properly make bills. A Facebook livestream was set up for those who could not attend the event. The top five teams will battle it out for the finals as they will present their bills in October in time for the House of Representatives Month.

Under Speaker Alvarez, the House of Representatives has made great strides away from the shadows of the past, infused with fresh energy as it widens its reach, welcoming all Filipinos, including the new generation, under its roof.

The latest is the second installation to the Liyab Leadership Forum Series held last 14 June, which aims to awaken the youth participants’ sense of community, purpose and identity.

“The House has been more active in communicating our work through social media campaigns (i.e. inforgraphics, videos, livestreams), with the objective of informing the public about legislation. Engaging the youth brings the legislature closer to the people and tells them that they’re part of nation-building, too,” de Jesus said.

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