Press Release
November 8, 2017

ASEAN meet moves resumption of Senate session to Nov. 16

The Senate has rescheduled the resumption of its session from November 13, 2017 to November 16, 2017, in light of the upcoming 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.

However, Senate Secretary Lutgardo Barbo said the Senate would have regular work today November 8, 2017. Earlier, Malacañang issued Memorandum Circular 32 suspending work in government offices within the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) Complex, Pasay City, from November 8 to 15.

The move, Barbo said, was in compliance "with the security measures to be enforced during the conduct of the 31st ASEAN Summit." "I am concerned about the workload of the Senate as a legislative body. Its functions on investigations and public hearings are necessary in the law making process. May importanteng proposals pa na dapat tapusin," Barbo explained.

He said the Senate would resume plenary deliberations on the proposed 2018 General Appropriations Act on Thursday and Friday next week, November 16 and 17, 2017. The Senate Finance Committee had allotted P10 billion for the rehabilitation of Marawi City next year which was sourced from the 2018 budget of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management's (NDRRM). The amount is on top of the P5 billion given this year for the Marawi rehabilitation.

Aside from the 2018 budget and the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) bills, senators would also tackle other priority bills including Senate Bill No. (SBN) 1183 or the proposed Balik Scientist Act, SBN 679 or the proposed Magna Carta for Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and other Science and Technology Personnel in the Philippines, SBN 1317 or the proposed Occupational Safety and Health Standards Act, SBN 98 or the proposed bill increasing the Quarters Allowance of Officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, SBN 13 or the proposed Salary Standardization Law of 2016, SBN 136 or the First 1,000 Days Act, SBN 986 or the proposed amendment to the Motor Vehicle User's Charge Act, SBN 1058 or the Allowable Systems Loss Act of 2016, and SBN 1597 or the proposed Student Fare Discount Act, among others.

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