Editorial

education, the president said the K-10 program is being “recalibrated” and the jobs-skills mismatch is being rectified. Science and technology and “a culture of innovation” are being given priority.

He warned that the days of agricultural smugglers and hoarders “are numbered,” and he would accept the resignation of rogue police officers, as he stressed that “we cannot tolerate corruption and incompetence in government.” Addressing concerns about his pet project, the Maharlika Investment Fund, the president vowed transparency and accountability in its management.

Renewing the commitment that no Filipino will be left behind in terms of

He then enumerated 17 priority measures that he wants Congress to pass during its second regular session. These include the controversial reforms in the pension system of military and other uniformed personnel as well as new or higher taxes on single-use plastics and digital services.

The president also wants to rationalize the mining fiscal regime and create a water resources management agency. He wants amendments in the road user’s tax, the Cooperative Code, the Fisheries Code and the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act. He wants a new government procurement law, Government Auditing Code and Philippine Immigration Act, and a law on “Tatak Pinoy” and the blue economy.

Other priorities are income classification of local government units as well as laws to ease tax payments and fight financial accounts scams.

That’s a long to-do list, for both the president and the legislature. At the start of the second regular session of the 19th Congress, everyone should hit the ground running. (Philstar.com)