00:00The cavernous hall of the House of Representatives was a flurry of activity as lawmakers rushed
00:05to finish the legislative business of the day before they go on extended break for the
00:09midterm polls in May.
00:11From a proposed law seeking to amend the Universal Health Care Act, to outlawing certain actions
00:16by nuisance candidates, to reinforcing the Bureau of Animal Industry Office, to immortalizing
00:21sports icons and legends with internment at the Libingan Amabiani, all these plus more
00:26cleared third and final reading as Armella Lesmoras reports.
00:32With 193 members voting in the affirmative, four in the negative and zero abstentions.
00:37A few days before the House of Representatives goes on recess, lawmakers are working tirelessly
00:43to pass several vital bills.
00:45Like House Bill Number 11357, seeking to amend the Universal Health Care Act, which is now
00:51approved on third and final reading.
00:54Under the bill, the premium contribution rates at PhilHealth will be lowered and benefits
00:59will be expanded, especially for OFWs.
01:02For its part, the Department of Health welcomed this move.
01:05According to DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, this can be considered as a major development
01:11and they are now looking forward to the progress of the bill at the Bicameral Conference Committee.
01:16Also, the House of Representatives has approved on final reading the bill seeking to classify
01:22actions of nuisance candidates as election offenses.
01:25The bill pushing to strengthen the Bureau of Animal Industry and the creation of an
01:29Animal Competitiveness Enhancement Fund.
01:31The bill seeking to allow the internment of Filipino sports heroes at the Libingan Amabiani
01:37and two proposals pushing to enhance the tax measures for tobacco products in the country.
01:42Meanwhile, good news for Filipino workers.
01:45After its passage in the committee level last Thursday, House Bill Number 11376, pushing
01:51to provide for a P200 daily wage increase for minimum wage workers in the private sector,
01:57has also passed on second reading.
01:59Several labor groups welcomed this, like the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, which
02:04also renewed its call for the chief executive to certify the proposed wage hike as urgent.
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