By Katrina Gracia Consebido
President Rodrigo Duterte has signed on May 6 several legislative measures which will give the Filipino people better lives and to revamp measures in strengthening the country.
Among the newly signed laws are for the protection of consumers, validity extension of firearm holders, promoting rights and protection of abandoned children, and institutionalizing reforms for youth councils.
The following are among the new laws shared to the public on Tuesday:
Republic Act (RA) 11765: Financial Products and Services Consumer Protection Act
The law provides appropriate mechanisms to provide more protection to consumers of financial products and services under the conditions of transparency, as well as fair and sound market conduct.
This will also ensure the fair, reasonable, and effective handling of financial consumer disputes aligned with global best practices.
The signing of RA 11765 is in bid of reinforcing confidence in the Philippine financial market and stability of the country’s financial system.
RA 11766: Act fixing the validity period firearm license, registration
The new law amends several sections of Republic Act No. 10591 to extend the validity period of firearm licenses, registration, and permit to carry for five to 10 years “at the option of the licensee.”
Previously, the renewal for license to possess is two years, while firearm registration is every four years.
Exempted from the requirement of threat assessment certificate are lawyers, accountants, media practitioners, cashiers and bank tellers, priests, ministers, rabbi, imams, physicians and nurses, engineers, businessmen who are exposed to high risk of being targets of criminal elements, elected incumbent and former officials; and active and retired soldiers and policemen.
RA 11767: Foundling Recognition and Protection Act
The newly approved measure aims to further promote the rights and provide greater protection to deserted or abandoned children with unknown parents.
RA 11767 states that the state “ shall protect any child with unknown parents by ensuring a natural-born citizen status” consistent with the Philippine Constitution and “generally accepted” international law principles.
“The state shall also adopt measures to ensure that support services are provided to foundslings, and acts inimical to their welfare are penalized,” it read.
RA 11768: Act strengthening the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), youth participation
This amends several portions of the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015, granting SK members, together with the secretary and treasurer, their monthly honorarium chargeable against the SK funds.
“The monthly honorarium shall not exceed the monthly compensation received by their Sangguniang Kabataan Chairperson,” the law read, adding that not more than 25% of SK funds “shall be allocated to personal services.”
The appointed treasurer and secretary must be 18 to 30 years old, with the treasurer having a background in business administration, finance, accountancy, economics, or bookkeeping.
If the requirements are not met, the appointee shall undergo bookkeeping training and be certified by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) before office assumption. – ag
