Maharlika fund, 9 other bills on fast track to approval by June 2

by Xave GreGorio Philstar.com

MANILA — Malacañang and legislative leaders on Monday, February 13 identified 10 priority bills that Congress should aim to pass before it adjourns sine die on June 2, including the controversial measure that seeks to create the Maharlika Investment Fund.

The Maharlika fund, which the House of Representatives approved just 17 days after it was filed, was selected as one of the priority measures during the meeting of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council in Malacañang.

The proposal to create a sovereign wealth fund, which is typically capitalized with excess state revenue that the Philippines does not have, is currently pending before the Senate banks panel chaired by Sen. Mark Villar.

The committee of Villar, one of the authors of the bills in the Senate alongside Sen. Raffy Tulfo, is set to resume hearings on the measure on Wednesday, February 15.

While the LEDAC has identified the Maharlika fund as a priority which may grease the legislative mill and hasten its passage in the Senate, it is not a guarantee that it will be swiftly approved.

During the committee’s first hearing on the measure two weeks ago, senators raised concerns about investment gains and the proposed fund’s governance structure.

It also faces stiff opposition from the two-member Senate minority bloc, whose leader Sen. Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III vowed to block passage.

But the potency of the minority is in question given their lack of numbers in the chamber dominated by allies of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

This was seen when they tried and failed to pry the Maharlika fund from Villar’s panel and send it to the government corporations committee chaired by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano. CDC, VIP, mandatory ROTC

Another measure identified during the LEDAC meeting as a priority is the bill that seeks to create the Philippine Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) and the complementary proposal to establish the Virology Institute of the Philippines (VIP).

The bill creating the CDC, a technical authority on forecasting, analysis, strategy, and standards development for the prevention and control of all diseases of public health importance and health security events, reached the Senate plenary on Monday as Sen. Pia Cayetano sponsored the measure.

Bills establishing the VIP remain pending at the committee level in the Senate, while a similar proposal and the CDC bill has been passed by the House in December 2022 .

The LEDAC also identified the proposal to make the Reserve Officers Training Corps program mandatory again as a priority.

Like the VIP bills, mandatory ROTC is pending at the committee level, although the panel chaired by Sen. Ronald dela Rosa which is handling it is preparing to send it for plenary deliberations.

The House approved a bill making ROTC mandatory again in December 2022.

Other bills identified as LEDAC priorities are amendments to the Build-Operate-Transfer law, the creation of the Medical Reserve Corps and the condonation of unpaid amortization and interests of loans of agrarian reform beneficiaries.

Also identified as priorities are the Internet Transactions Act, amendments to the law that fixed terms for Armed Forces officers and the Salt Industry Development Bill. g

MANILA – A group of health advocates urged Filipinos on Valentine’s Day to show extra love for their hearts by keeping them in shape this heart month.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Healthy Philippines Alliance (HPA) emphasized that cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains to be the leading cause of death nationwide and worldwide.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority shows ischemic heart disease or coronary heart disease, caused by narrowed arteries, was the top cause of death in the country from January to September 2022. It claimed the lives of more than 77,000 or 18.5 percent of total deaths.

Meanwhile, CVD is the leading cause of death globally killing over 18 million people each year or 33 percent of total deaths in the world.

The HPA noted that the risk factors are diverse which include poor diet, lack of physical activity, smoking, and excessive alcohol usage.

Persons with pre-existing conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure are at higher risk.

Meanwhile, Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations President Karen Villanueva said there is no cure for heart disease and only the factors that contribute to it can be treated.

“That's why some patients struggle with adjusting to a new normal lifestyle after their diagnosis. So as early as now, change your unhealthy habits and don't wait for a heart scare before putting your heart health first," she said.

"Prevention is always better than cure and it is our responsibility to help manage our heart condition in partnership with our health provider."

In line with this, the HPA encouraged everyone to destroy years of unhealthy eating and commit to more wholesome nutrition by knowing which foods to eat more or limit to prevent CVDs.

"Diet matters when it comes to heart health. It is best to choose home-cooked meals versus fast food or junk food which is high in unhealthy fat,” HPA technical adviser Maria Fatima Villena said.

“Incorporate more fiber like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. This can help combat plaque build-up that can clog the arteries,” she said.

The HPA is a network of noncommunicable diseases (NCD) prevention and control organizations. (PNA)