MANILA: Two significant bills were approved by the Senate on Monday with both garnering 19 affirmative votes, zero negative, and zero abstentions.
A priority measure of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Senate Bill (SB) No. 2587, or the Enterprise-based Education and Training (EBET) Framework Act, aims to ensure ease of implementation of training initiatives by enterprises, and access to training by individuals who intend to develop and upgrade their skills in a technologically changing world.
Senator Joel Villanueva, principal author and sponsor of the bill, thanked President Marcos and his colleagues for their full support in its passage.
“Isa po ito sa mga prayoridad ng ating administrasyon kaya nagpapasalamat din po tayo kay Pangulong Bongbong Marcos sa pakikipag-usap sa atin noon at pagtalaga sa atin para pangunahan itong napakahalagang panukalang batas (This is one of the priorities of our administration, so we are also grateful to President Bongbong Marcos for talking to us earlier and appointing u
s to lead the push for this very important bill),” Villanueva said in his manifestation.
Senator Loren Legarda said SB 2587 addresses the diverse competencies required for specific job qualifications, allowing for a more tailored and effective approach to training.
“By addressing the unique needs and skills demanded by different industries, it ensures that training programs are not just generalized but are strategically aligned with specific requirements by various sectors,” Legarda said.
She said the measure will be a powerful tool for driving national progress and ensuring long-term economic sustainability in a rapidly evolving market.
Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros said she was pleased to know that the bill upholds the protection of trainees through the creation of a grievance committee in every enterprise implementing the EBET program, and promotes equal protection and safe spaces in EBET programs.
“I sincerely hope that this bill generates greater attraction for both enterprises and t
echnical vocational students to join the EBET program because of its promising benefits for trainees to learn the skills and knowledge required by their chosen fields, and for companies to benefit from the significant contribution of trainees to their companies,” Hontiveros said.
On the other hand, Senate Bill No. 2558 aims to bolster current government structures supporting the livestock, poultry, and dairy (LPD) industry.
It seeks to enact responsive policies and programs to promote the comprehensive development of the industry’s value chain, enhance the cost-effectiveness of animal disease prevention and control regulations, and ensure the enforcement of food safety and quality standards for produce and processed products, all while minimizing disruptions to trade and value.
“In behalf of the Livestock, Poultry, and Dairy Industry, we thank all the senators who supported this bill and all the staff of the Senate who made the passing of this bill possible,” Senator Cynthia Villar, who sponsored the bill,
said.
Meanwhile, Legarda said the measure is a testament to the government’s proactive approach in prioritizing investments that directly contribute to the development and improvement of farmers’ livelihoods, especially smallholder farmers who are the backbone of the agriculture sector.
“By focusing on sustained growth in local food production, this measure not only aims to boost productivity, but also seeks to ensure that our agricultural practices are sustainable and capable of meeting the needs of future generations,” she said.
Senator Robinhood Padilla also stressed the importance of the measure to the country’s food security.
“Nakikita naman po natin ang sitwasyon sa buong mundo sa ngayon. Mahirap po na wala tayo talagang food security. Ito po ang pinaka pangunahin natin dapat inaatupag at ito ay pinalalakas po natin. Ang pinaka-importante sa lahat, meron po tayong pagkain na dito nagmumula sa ating bayan (We can see the situation all over the world right now. It’s hard to not have food security. Thi
s should be prioritized and we have strengthened it. The most important thing is that we have food that comes from our country),” Padilla said.
Apart from the two measures, the Senate also approved six measures that seek to upgrade hospitals in Ilocos Norte, Guimaras, Bohol, Bulacan, and Negros Occidental.
Source: Philippines News Agency