By Alec Go
President Rodrigo Duterte signed on Monday (March 21) the measure amending the Public Service Act (PSA) that “will aid the country in leading the path towards economic recovery amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The law will allow complete foreign ownership in telecommunications, airlines, and railways.
During the ceremonial signing at the Rizal Hall in Malacañan Palace, Duterte also led the presentation of enacted laws, including Republic Act No. 11647 or the amendment to Foreign Investments Act.
In his speech, he said the new policy is “timely,” which eases foreign policy restrictions “to attract more foreign investors, modernize sectors of public service, and improve the delivery of essential services.”
“Indeed, the enactment of this amended law, as well as the amended Foreign Investments Act, shall help stimulate the economy especially for local businesses,” he said.
“It is also expected to generate more jobs for Filipinos to improve basic services for Filipino consumers, and allow for the exchange of skills and technology with the country’s foreign partners,” he added.
NOW: President Duterte signs measure amending the Public Service Act in a ceremony at the Rizal Hall in Malacañang, March 21, 2022.https://t.co/SpCjlUYhsj pic.twitter.com/IwzfygUCOb
— PTVph (@PTVph) March 21, 2022
Education, age of sexual consent
Duterte, along with his Cabinet and other government officials, also presented Republic Act No. 11650 or “Instituting a Policy of Inclusion and Services for Learners with Disabilities in Support of Inclusive Education Act.”
The Chief Executive commended the law’s passage, saying that it is a testament to the current government’s “commitment to provide inclusive, accessible, and quality education in the country.”
“The establishment of the formal school system including the implementation of alternative delivery modes, at least one inclusive learning resource center in all cities and municipalities will surely make learning fun and accessible to the differently abled,” he said.
On March 4 this year, the bill raising the age of sexual consent from 12 to 16 or the age for determination of statutory rape was signed into law.
Duterte said its “timely” enactment into law “demonstrates the administration’s dedication in building safer communities for its people by providing for the children, among others.”
With only a few months left in his term, he called on officials and civil servants to ensure that the laws are fully and effectively implemented and that the rule of law is upheld. -rir