By Jaspearl Emerald G. Tan
The House of Representatives and Senate on Wednesday night separately ratified several bicameral committee reports, including a bill that allows the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. board to raise deposit insurance coverage every three years.
The measure that seeks to amend the PDIC charter transfers supervision of the state-owned deposit insurer to the Philippine central bank from the Finance department.
Under the measure, the PDIC board may increase deposit insurance every three years to adjust for inflation.
Lawmakers also ratified a bill that will give workers at state-owned companies a night differential pay equivalent to more than 20% of their basic hourly rate.
Meanwhile, lawmakers alao ratified a new Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition bill that fixes the validity of a gun license and the permit to carry it outside one’s house and business.
It aims to simplify registration and renewal of guns to cut illegal possession of firearms.
The House likewise ratified bicameral reports on measures that will amend the Public Services Act, require the registration of subscriber identity modules, set up community weighing scales, give health workers emergency benefits and strengthen policies against human trafficking.
Congress will go on a more than three-month recess on Feb. 5 to May 22 for the May 9elections. It will resume sessions on May 23 to June 3 and go on sine die adjournment from June 4 to July 24.
