2016 was a good year to us, as we transitioned into a new administration. It was a year that brought about “change” in our country in many aspects. Came year 2017, we continued to adapt to these changes. It was a year filled with unexpected events that challenged our nation, such as the Maute terror attack, which led to the loss of many lives, displacement of many residents, damage to property, and the President’s declaration of Martial Law to the whole of Mindanao.
Despite these challenges, we stood as one nation and were able to end the year on a good note. The first package of the tax reform, also known as the “Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN),” and the 2018 national budget were finally signed by the President into law.
Many of us are wondering—how would our 2018 be? No one can really tell our nation’s fate right now; but at least we have good things to look forward to this year. With the implementation of TRAIN, workers earning P250,000 and below are exempted from paying personal income tax; hence, minimum wage earners can now enjoy their full earnings. The increased excise taxes on automobiles, tobacco, coal, and sugar-sweetened beverages will generate more revenue for the government to finance its “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure development program. The Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs were also given higher collection targets this year.
We also look forward to an improved collection efficiency of these agencies, as Department of Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez promised to strictly implement RA 9335, or the Lateral Attrition Law.
Similarly, we look forward to the Duterte administration’s Build, Build, Build infrastructure program. Starting this year, we would have to endure heavier traffic jams due to the construction of several roads and railways; but this is the bullet we have to bite if we want to harvest long-term results. We expect the completion of the construction of the MRT 7 and the MRT Common Station by 2019; so this year, we will have to be more patient about the less tolerable metro traffic condition.
Before 2017 came to a close, the House Committee on Public Works and Highways approved two of my most important bills, which aim to improve road systems in the provinces to improve trade, and to provide the Filipino people better access to good paying jobs, and to provide for faster delivery of basic social services. House Bill 599, or “An Act Mandating the Construction of the Quezon-Bicol Expressway,” will connect the South Luzon Expressway from Quezon to Sorsogon. I am hopeful that the Department of Public Works and Highways will be able to make significant progress on this project starting this year. I am also excited about the construction of the “Pacific Corridor,” as all Committee members agreed to co-sponsor my bill, House Bill 3883 or, “An Act Providing of the Construction of the Pacific Palisades Superhighway Connecting the Provinces of Bicol, Quezon, Aurora, Quirino, Isabela, and Cagayan.” The planning and execution of such an ambitious project is not easy, so I do not expect immediate results; but I hope the agency will soon take significant steps for the progress of this project.
The past two years of the Duterte government were also focused on the intensified campaign against illegal drugs. While we have seen significant improvement in the eradication of illegal drugs in the country, illegal drugs continued to proliferate. Hence, with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) leading this campaign, we expect that they would go after the big drug lords and dealers, and get to the real roots of this illegal drug problem.
We are also looking forward to the rehabilitation of the battle-scarred Marawi City, which according to Task Force Bangon Marawi Chairperson Eduardo del Rosario, will start by the second semester of 2018.
Before 2017 ended, Congress voted for the extension of the implementation of Martial Law to the whole of Mindanao for the entire year of 2018. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said that, “remnants of (terror) groups continue to rebuild through recruitment, training and fundraising.” Furthermore, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea stated: “There is still a state of rebellion ready to explode anew at any time.” The Martial Law extension is aimed at ensuring the safety and security of the Filipino people.
The government should learn from its mistakes from the previous years. This 2018, it should cease its perpetual mistake of underspending, most especially because it was given a higher budget this year. I hope that the government agencies, as promised during the budget deliberations, will ensure the full utilization of their respective allocated budgets.
The government cannot do everything on its own. We too have a responsibility to fulfill. As Filipino people, let us help the government in reaching its goals for the benefit of our entire nation. Together, let’s move towards a better Philippines. Happy New Year!
Despite these challenges, we stood as one nation and were able to end the year on a good note. The first package of the tax reform, also known as the “Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN),” and the 2018 national budget were finally signed by the President into law.
Many of us are wondering—how would our 2018 be? No one can really tell our nation’s fate right now; but at least we have good things to look forward to this year. With the implementation of TRAIN, workers earning P250,000 and below are exempted from paying personal income tax; hence, minimum wage earners can now enjoy their full earnings. The increased excise taxes on automobiles, tobacco, coal, and sugar-sweetened beverages will generate more revenue for the government to finance its “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure development program. The Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs were also given higher collection targets this year.
We also look forward to an improved collection efficiency of these agencies, as Department of Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez promised to strictly implement RA 9335, or the Lateral Attrition Law.
Similarly, we look forward to the Duterte administration’s Build, Build, Build infrastructure program. Starting this year, we would have to endure heavier traffic jams due to the construction of several roads and railways; but this is the bullet we have to bite if we want to harvest long-term results. We expect the completion of the construction of the MRT 7 and the MRT Common Station by 2019; so this year, we will have to be more patient about the less tolerable metro traffic condition.
Before 2017 came to a close, the House Committee on Public Works and Highways approved two of my most important bills, which aim to improve road systems in the provinces to improve trade, and to provide the Filipino people better access to good paying jobs, and to provide for faster delivery of basic social services. House Bill 599, or “An Act Mandating the Construction of the Quezon-Bicol Expressway,” will connect the South Luzon Expressway from Quezon to Sorsogon. I am hopeful that the Department of Public Works and Highways will be able to make significant progress on this project starting this year. I am also excited about the construction of the “Pacific Corridor,” as all Committee members agreed to co-sponsor my bill, House Bill 3883 or, “An Act Providing of the Construction of the Pacific Palisades Superhighway Connecting the Provinces of Bicol, Quezon, Aurora, Quirino, Isabela, and Cagayan.” The planning and execution of such an ambitious project is not easy, so I do not expect immediate results; but I hope the agency will soon take significant steps for the progress of this project.
The past two years of the Duterte government were also focused on the intensified campaign against illegal drugs. While we have seen significant improvement in the eradication of illegal drugs in the country, illegal drugs continued to proliferate. Hence, with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) leading this campaign, we expect that they would go after the big drug lords and dealers, and get to the real roots of this illegal drug problem.
We are also looking forward to the rehabilitation of the battle-scarred Marawi City, which according to Task Force Bangon Marawi Chairperson Eduardo del Rosario, will start by the second semester of 2018.
Before 2017 ended, Congress voted for the extension of the implementation of Martial Law to the whole of Mindanao for the entire year of 2018. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said that, “remnants of (terror) groups continue to rebuild through recruitment, training and fundraising.” Furthermore, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea stated: “There is still a state of rebellion ready to explode anew at any time.” The Martial Law extension is aimed at ensuring the safety and security of the Filipino people.
The government should learn from its mistakes from the previous years. This 2018, it should cease its perpetual mistake of underspending, most especially because it was given a higher budget this year. I hope that the government agencies, as promised during the budget deliberations, will ensure the full utilization of their respective allocated budgets.
The government cannot do everything on its own. We too have a responsibility to fulfill. As Filipino people, let us help the government in reaching its goals for the benefit of our entire nation. Together, let’s move towards a better Philippines. Happy New Year!
