Legislative Agenda


Committee Memberships of Hon. FERDINAND MARTIN G. ROMUALDEZ
Representative, First District, Province of Leyte



COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE SECRETARY
Banks & Financial Intermediaries Vice-Chairman Hon. Jaime C. Lopez Atty. Ramon R. Federizon
Ecology Member Hon. Belma A. Cabilao Atty. Dilbert N. Quetulio
Economic Affairs Member Hon. Ramon H. Durano VI Ma. Luisa I. Beringuela (Acting)
Energy Deputized Member Hon. Juan Miguel M. Arroyo Efren T. Cortez
Higher & Technical Education Member Hon. Cynthia A. Villar Zenaida B. Cenido
Justice Member Hon. Matias V. Defensor Atty. Narcisa H. Guevarra
Oversight Vice-Chairman Hon. Danilo E. Suarez Portia P. Silang (Acting)
Revision of Laws Member Hon. Pablo P. Garcia David Clarence M. Cosalan
Social Services Member Hon. Faysah R.P.M.Dumarpa Ma. Victoria R. Manrique
Suffrage & Electoral Reforms Member Hon. Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. Debbie Anne F. Soriano-Garcia
Ways & Means Member Hon. Exequiel B. Javier Mauricio R. Pulhin



SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILLS & RESOLUTIONS FILED BY
HON. FERDINAND MARTIN G. ROMUALDEZ

Principal Author of H.B. = 10 (Local = 7; National = 3)
Co-author of H.B. = 19
Co-author of H.R. = 12
TOTAL = 41




Date Filed

H.B./H.R. No.

TITLE

SCOPE

REMARKS

Status

1.

16 Jul 07

H.B. No. 1140

An Act to Exempt from Taxation the Income of Minimum Wage Earners in the Philippines and for Other Purposes

National

Co-authored with Congs. Luis R. Villafuerte & Diosdado M. Arroyo

To the Committee on Ways & Means

2.

16 Jul 07

H.B. No. 1141

An Act to Include Single Parent, Widow or Widower in the Categories Entitled for Allowance or Personal Exemption for Individual Taxpayer Amending Sec. 35(A) of Republic Act 8424, Otherwise Known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as Amended

National

Co-authored with Congs. Luis R. Villafuerte & Diosdado M. Arroyo

To the Committee on Ways & Means

3.

16 Jul 07

H.B. No. 1142

An Act Prohibiting the Importation, Domestic Sale or Use of Goods, the Manufacture, Sale or Use of Which is Banned in the Country of Origin

National

Co-authored with Congs. Luis R. Villafuerte & Diosdado M. Arroyo

To the Committee on Trade & Industry

4.

16 Jul 07

H.R. No. 40

A Resolution Directing the Committee on Trade and Industry of the House of Representatives to Inquire Into, Review and Evaluate, In Aid of Legislation the Current Statutory and Regulatory Framework that Governs the Licensing, Granting and Operation of Business Franchises in Order to Ensure that Franchise Scams are Deterred and Altogether Avoided and Thereby Preserve and Enhance the Integrity, Reputation and Goodwill of Franchises of Specific Brands, Products and Services as Viable Enterprise Opportunities and After Due Hearing of the Committee on Trade and Industry to Recommend Specific Remedial Measures and Adopt Fair Franchising Standards that Promote Responsible Franchising and Thereby Prevent Unscrupulous Practices

Internal

Co-authored with Congs. Luis R. Villafuerte & Diosdado M. Arroyo

To the Committee on Rules

5.

16 Jul 07

H.R. No. 41

A Resolution Directing the Committee on Health and the Committee on Trade and Industry of the House of Representatives to Inquire Into and to Investigate, In Aid of Legislation, the Alleged Ill Effects and Hazards to Health of Phthalate Esters and Artificial or Synthetic Musks, Which are Allegedly Toxic Materials Contained In Various Popular Perfumes Which are Commercially Sold and Traded in the Philippine Market Today, and to Require in Connection with Such Inquiry and Investigation, the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD), an Attached Agency of the Department of Health, and the Bureau of Trade Regulations and Consumer Protection, an Attached Agency of the Department of Trade and Industry, to Submit their Respective Evaluations and Recommendations on Whether or Not Products Containing Such Alleged Toxic Chemicals Should be Allowed to be Sold and Marketed to Consumers in the Philippines or Altogether Banned from the Local Market, Subject to Such Penalties and Sanctions that may be Provided by Law

Internal

Co-authored with Congs. Luis R. Villafuerte & Diosdado M. Arroyo

To the Committee on Rules

6.

18 Jul 07

H.B. No. 1208

An Act Establishing a Specialized National School for the Physically Handicapped in the City of Tacloban in the Province of Leyte to be Known as the Tacloban Integrated School for Special Children

Local

Principal Author

To the Special Committee on Education & Welfare of Special Persons

7.

18 Jul 07

H.B. No. 1209

An Act Establishing a Drug Rehabilitation Center in the Municipality of Palo, in the Province of Leyte, to be Known as the Palo Drug Rehabilitation Center and Allocating Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes

Local

Principal Author

To the Committee on Dangerous Drugs & the Committee on Appropriations

8.

24 Jul 07

H.B. No. 1276

An Act Amending Republic Act Numbered Seventy One Sixty Six Entitled “Synchronized National and Local Elections and for Electoral Reforms” and for Other Purpose

National

Co-authored with Congs. Luis R. Villafuerte & Diosdado M. Arroyo

To the Committee on Suffrage & Electoral Reforms

9.

24 Jul 07

H.B. No. 1277

An Act to Prohibit the Assignment or Continuance in an Assignment of Certain Officials of the Commission on Elections in Jurisdictions Where They Are Related by Consanguinity or Affinity, Within the Fourth Civil Degree, to any Incumbent Elective Public Official or any Candidate for a Public Office and for Other Purposes

National

Co-authored with Congs. Luis R. Villafuerte & Diosdado M. Arroyo

To the Committee on Suffrage & Electoral Reforms

10.

24 Jul 07

H.B. No. 1278

An Act Amending Section 235 and Section 272 of Republic Act No. 7160 Otherwise Known as the Local Government Code of 1991 for the Purpose of Augmenting, Expanding and Diversifying the Uses of the Special Education Fund and for Other Purposes

National

Co-authored with Congs. Luis R. Villafuerte & Diosdado M. Arroyo

To the Committee on Local Government

11.

24 Jul 07

H.B. No. 1279

An Act Prescribing that Provinces Appropriate and Set Aside Annually, According to their Respective Classifications, a Specific Sum for the Acquisition of Law Books, Law Journals and Periodicals, in Print or Encoded in Digital or Other Electronic Formats, that shall Form Part of Provincial Public Law Libraries in their Respective Jurisdictions for the Use of Law Students, Lawyers, Judges and Court Personnel

National

Co-authored with Congs. Luis R. Villafuerte & Diosdado M. Arroyo

To the Committee on Local Government

12.

24 Jul 07

H.R. No. 52

A Resolution Directing the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Science and Technology and their Respective Attached Agencies as Appropriate, In Aid of Legislation, to Submit to the Committee on Agriculture and Food and the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives, Within a Period of Ninety (90) Days, a Review of the Situation of the Muscovado Sugar Industry with Recommendations for the Expansion of the Sugarcane Plantations, Particularly Organically Grown Sugarcane, that will be Devoted to the Production of Muscovado Sugar, the Rehabilitation and Upgrading of Existing Muscovado Mills and/or the introduction of New and Modern Processing and Packaging Technologies that will Meet International Standards Including Recommendations for Technical Assistance, Credit Support, Market Research and Export Promotion Assistance to Local Producers and Traders of Muscovado Sugar Engaged in or Proposing to Engage in Export of Muscovado Sugar and Its Byproducts

Internal

Co-authored with Congs. Luis R. Villafuerte & Diosdado M. Arroyo

To the Committee on Rules

13.

24 Jul 07

H.R. No. 53

A Resolution Directing the Committee on Trade and Industry, to Inquire Into, Review and Evaluate, In Aid of Legislation, the Current Regulatory Framework and the Guiding Statutory Principles that Govern the Structure and Operations of Multi-Level Marketing Enterprises and to Delineate the Essential Differences and Distinctions that Divide Permissible Multi-Level Marketing Plans from Prohibited Pyramiding Sales Schemes

Internal

Co-authored with Congs. Luis R. Villafuerte & Diosdado M. Arroyo

To the Committee on Rules

14.

25 Jul 07

H.B. No. 1363

An Act Creating the Department of Information and Communications Technology, Defining Its Powers and Functions, Appropriating Funds Therefore, and for Other Purposes

National

Co-authored with Congs. Luis R. Villafuerte, Diosdado M. Arroyo, Roberto C. Cajes, Jose Solis, Pablo John Garcia, Juan Edgardo Angara, Paul Daza, Jeci Lapus. Sharee Ann Tan, & Glenn Ang Chong

To the Committee on Government Reorganization & the Committee on Information Communications Technology

15.

25 Jul 07

H.B. No. 1366

An Act Changing the Appointment of the Environment and Natural Resources Officer from Optional to Mandatory Amending for the Purpose Section 484 of Republic Act No. 7160 Otherwise Known as the Local Government Code of 1991

National

Co-authored with Congs. Luis R. Villafuerte & Diosdado M. Arroyo

To the Committee on Local Government

16.

25 Jul 07

H.B. No. 1385

An Act Separating the Tolosa National High School-Tolosa School of Fisheries in Barangay Tanghas, Municipality of Tolosa, Province of Leyte, from the Tolosa National High School, Converting It Into an Independent National High School to be Known as the Daniel Z. Romualdez State Comprehensive School of Fisheries, and Appropriating Funds Therefor

Local

Principal Author

To the Committee on Basic Education & Culture & the Committee on Appropriations

17.

25 Jul 07

H.B. No. 1386

An Act Expanding the Coverage of and the Conduit Network for Agri-Agra Credits, Prescribing a Fixed Percentage of the Funds for Lending to Small Farmers and Fisherfolk, and for Other Purposes Thereby Amending Presidential Decree No. 717 Otherwise Known as the Agri-Agra Law

National

Principal Author

To the Committee on Banks & Financial Intermediaries

18.

25 Jul 07

H.B. No. 1387

An Act Creating the Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office in Every Province, City and Municipality, Amending Section 40 of Republic Act No. 7277 Otherwise Known as “An Act Providing for the Rehabilitation, Self-Development and Self-Reliance of Disabled Persons and Their Integration Into the Mainstream of Society and for Other Purposes”

National

Principal Author

To the Committee on Social Services

19.

30 Jul 07

H.B. No. 1517

An Act to Extend the Utilization Period of the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, Amending Section 8 of Republic Act No. 8178, Entitled “An Act Replacing Quantitative Import Restriction on Agricultural Product, Except Rice, with Tariffs, Creating the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, and for Other Purposes

National

Co-authored with Congs. Luis R. Villafuerte & Diosdado M. Arroyo

To the Committee on Agriculture & Food

20.

30 Jul 07

H.R. No. 67

A Resolution Directing the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI), an Attached Agency of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), in Cooperation with the Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA), an Attached Agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA), to Submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives a Comprehensive Philippine Tropical Fabrics Industry Development Plan, as Basis for Its Consideration, Inquiry and Evaluation, in Aid of Legislation, to Enhance the Comparative Advantage and Competitive Edge of the Philippine Tropical Fabric Industry

Internal

Co-authored with Congs. Luis R. Villafuerte & Diosdado M. Arroyo

To the Committee on Agriculture & Food

21.

31 Jul 07

H.B. No. 1640

An Act Establishing a Community Orchard in Every City or Municipality of Every Province of the Philippines, Allocating Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes

National

Co-authored with Congs. Luis R. Villafuerte & Diosdado M. Arroyo

To the Committee on Natural Resources & the Committee on Appropriations

22.

31 Jul 07

H.B. No. 1641

An Act to Increase the Penalty for Theft or Robbery Committed Within the Premises of Churches, Temples, and Museums

National

Co-authored with Congs. Luis R. Villafuerte & Diosdado M. Arroyo

To the Committee on Revision of Laws

23.

31 Jul 07

H.B. No. 1642

An Act to Prescribe, as a Priority Program, the Scientific Propagation, Culture and Development of Indigenous Raw Materials for Homecrafts and Other Industries and for Other Related Purposes

National

Co-authored with Congs. Luis R. Villafuerte & Diosdado M. Arroyo

To the Committee on Natural Resources

24.

31 Jul 07

H.B. No. 1643

An Act Making Donations or Contributions in Cash or in Kind for Victims of Typhoons, Floods, Landslides, Earthquakes, Storm Surges, Tidal Waves or Other Natural Calamities, Deductible from Taxable Income Within Prescribed Limits

National

Co-authored with Congs. Luis R. Villafuerte & Diosdado M. Arroyo

To the Committee on Ways & Means

25.

31 Jul 07

H.B. No. 1644

An Act Establishing a Floriculture Garden in Every Municipality of the Province of Leyte, Allocating Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes

Local

Principal Author

To the Committee on Natural Resources & the Committee on Appropriations

26.

31 Jul 07

H.B. No. 1650

An Act Instituting Reforms in Land Administration

National

Principal Author

To the Committee on Government Reorganization & the Committee on Natural Resources

27.

31 Jul 07

H.B. No. 1651

An Act Increasing the Bed Capacity of Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center in Tacloban City from Two Hundred Fifty (250) to Seven Hundred (700), Upgrading Its Service and Facilities and Professional Health Care, Authorizing the Increase of Its Medical Personnel, and Appropriating Funds Therefor

Local

Principal Author

To the Committee on Health & the Committee on Appropriations

28.

06 Aug 07

H.R. No. 88

A Resolution Directing the Committee on Higher and Technical Education of the House of Representatives to Inquire Into and Investigate, in Aid of Legislation, the Existing Statutory and Administrative Policy Frameworks Governing the Regulation of Distance Education in its Various Methods and Applications, Be They Through Radio, Television, Mail Correspondence, Internet, or Other E-Learning Devices, With a View to Instituting Reforms in Qualification or Accreditation Standards for Vendors of Distance Education Courses or Programs Including Curriculum Design, Subject Content for Degree and Non-Degree Courses, Prescribed Teaching and Learning Methodologies, Operational Infrastructure for Program Delivery and Student Response, and Testing and Assessment Requirements

Internal

Co-authored with Congs. Luis R. Villafuerte, Pablo John Garcia, Ann K. Hofer, Carlo Oliver D. Diasnes, Francisco T. Matugas, Guillermo A. Romarate, Jr., Arturo B. Robes, & Paul R. Daza

To the Committee on Rules

29.

06 Aug 07

H.R. No. 89

A Resolution Directing the Department of Health (DOH), Through the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC) and its Bureau of Food and Drug (BFAD), in Cooperation with the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD), an Attached Agency of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), an Attached Agency of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), to Formulate a Strategic National Program to Develop and Promote Priority Medicinal Plants, Products and Byproducts that have Socio-Economic Impact and Health Benefits, that Includes a Proposed Program for the Commercial Cultivation of Such Medicinal Plants and the Establishment of Pilot Demonstration Projects for the Propagation and Processing of Such Medicinal Plants to be Run by a National Government Agency and Supported by a Network of Small and Medium Scale Plantations operated by the Private Sector, and to Submit Such Strategic National Program to the Appropriate Committees of the House of Representatives, in Aid of Legislative Measures that Shall be Drafted and Enacted in Support of the Development of the Medicinal Plants Industry

Internal

Co-authored with Congs. Luis R. Villafuerte, Danilo Suarez, Paul R. Daza, Guillermo A. Romarate, Jr., Francisco T. Matugas, Carlo Oliver D. Diasnes, Pablo John Garcia, Edgar S. San Luis, Arturo B. Robes, & Ann K. Hofer

To the Committee on Health & the Committee on Higher & Technical Education

30.

06 Aug 07

H.R. No. 91

A Resolution Directing the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to Identify Areas for Pilot Plantations of Not Less Than One Hundred Hectares Each, in Appropriate Regions of the Country, Which can be Done Either in Alienable and Disposable Public Lands or Logged-over Areas in Denuded Forest Lands, in Order to Establish Experimental Stations that will Propagate Such Plants with Potential Essential Oils Extracts as Ilang-Ilang, Sampaguita, Pandan (“Screw Pine”), Tanglad (“Lemongrass”), Patchouli, Citronella or Vetiver, and to Submit to the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives the Report on the Identified Areas as Aforestated, in Order for the House of Representatives to Conduct Hearings to Determine Appropriate Legislative Measures that May Be Enacted to Ensure that the Development of the Essential Oils Industry in the Philippines shall be Supported and Aided Both as an Import-Substitution and Export-Oriented Industry

Internal

Co-authored with Congs. Luis R. Villafuerte & Diosdado M. Arroyo

To the Committee on Agriculture & Food

31.

19 Sept 07

H.B. No. 2625

An Act Reducing the Rate of Amusement Tax on Gross Receipts from Admission Fees of Theaters and Cinemas, Concert Halls, Circuses and Other Places of Amusement Amending for the Purpose Section 140 of Republic Act No. 7160, Otherwise Known as the Local Government Code of 1991, and for Other Purposes

National

Co-authored with Congs. Luis R. Villafuerte, Jose G. Solis, & Amado S. Bagatsing

To the Committee on Local Government

32.

05 Nov 07

H.R. No. 293

A Resolution Mandating the Review of the Statutory Framework and Regulatory Operating Procedures Governing Non-Bank Remittance Companies to Ensure Transparency, Accountability and Increased Protection to Customers and to Establish Fair Competition Between Banks and Non-Bank Cash Transfer Agencies

Internal

Co-authored with Congs. Luis R. Villafuerte & Amado S. Bagatsing


33.

12 Nov 07

H.R. No. 316

A Resolution In Aid of Legislation, To Conduct a Comprehensive Evaluation on Various Critical Factors Affecting the Local Outsourcing Industry and to Provide Clear-Cut Guidelines Towards Public Policy Redirection that will Propel the Philippines as a Major Innovative Global Outsourcing Location

Internal

Co-authored with Congs. Luis R. Villafuerte, Diosdado Macapagal-Arroyo, Amado S. Bagatsing, & Pablo P. Garcia


34.

14 Nov 07

H.R. No. 325

A Resolution Mandating, In Aid of Legislation, the Review and In-Depth Analysis of Coconut Sugar as a Natural and Healthy Sweetener and Urging the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) under the Department of Agriculture, the Food and Nutrition Institute of the Philippines (FNRI) under the Department of Science and Technology and the Bureau of Food and Drug (BFAD) under the Department of Health to Subject the Coconut Sugar to Two (2) International Testing as Follows: (1) Low Glycemic In-Vivo Human Clinical Study (for Diabetics); (2) Low Glycemic In-Vivo Human Clinical Study (for Non-Diabetics) with the Glycemic Research Laboratory based in the USA, the only Official Glycemic Testing Facility that is Approved by the US Federal Government and Endorsed by both the Canadian and UK Governments to Validate the Philippine-based Studies showing Coconut Sugar as a Low Glycemic Natural Sweetener

Internal

Co-authored with Congs. Luis R. Villafuerte, Jose G. Solis, Amado S. Bagatsing, & Elpidio F. Barzaga, Jr.


35.

14 Nov. 07

H.R. No. 326

A Resolution Mandating, In Aid of Legislation, the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) of the Department of Health of the Philippines to Review and Analyse the Various Test Results and Testimonials on the Multi-Potential Carcinogenic and Toxic Properties of Several Artificial and Synthetic Sweeteners Proliferating in the Market Such as: Aspartame, Sucralose, Saccharin and Sugar Alcohols that if Indeed Proven Toxic Should Lead to Stricter Regulation, restriction or Call for a Ban on Said Products to Protect Public Health from the Adverse Effects of Said Artificial Chemical Sweeteners in our Food and Beverages

Internal

Co-authored with Congs. Luis R. Villafuerte, Jose G. Solis, Amado S. Bagatsing, & Elpidio F. Barzaga, Jr.


36.

29 Nov. 07

H.B. No. 3182

An Act Providing for the Compulsory Disclosure of Fire Safety Standards and Measures in Campus Buildings

National

Co-authored with Congs. Diosdado Macapagal Arroyo, Arnulfo F. Go, Aurelio D. Gonzales, Jr., Roberto V. Puno, & Wilfrido Mark M. Enverga


37.

29 Nov. 07

H.B. No. 3183

An Act Granting All Qualified Senior Citizens Twenty Percent (20%) Discount on Gasoline, Kerosene, Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) and other Petroleum Products, Amending for the Purpose Section 4 of Republic Act No. 7432, Otherwise Known as “An Act to Maximize the Contribution of Senior Citizens to Nation Building, Grant Benefits and Special Privileges and for Other Purposes”, and for Other Purposes

National

Co-authored with Congs. Diosdado Macapagal Arroyo, Arnulfo F. Go, Aurelio D. Gonzales, Jr., Roberto V. Puno, & Wilfrido Mark M. Enverga


38.

29 Nov. 07

H.B. No. 3184

An Act Creating a Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Providing for its Powers and Functions, and for Other Purposes

National

Co-authored with Congs. Diosdado Macapagal Arroyo, Arnulfo F. Go, Aurelio D. Gonzales, Jr., Roberto V. Puno, & Wilfrido Mark M. Enverga


39.

29 Nov. 07

H.B. No. 3185

An Act to Prescribe, as a Priority Program, the Scientific Propagation, Culture, Processing and Utilization of Rattan, Creating for this Purpose the Philippine Rattan Development Office, Allocating Funds Therefor and For Other Purposes

National

Co-authored with Congs. Diosdado Macapagal Arroyo, Arnulfo F. Go, Aurelio D. Gonzales, Jr., Roberto V. Puno, & Wilfrido Mark M. Enverga


40.

13 Dec. 07

H.B. No. 3294

An Act Creating Additional Two (2) Branches of the Municipal Trail Court in Cities (MTCC) in the City of Tacloban, Amending for the Purpose Section 29 of Batas Pambansa Bilang 129, Otherwise Known as the Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980, as amended, and Appropriating Funds Therefor

Local

Principal Author


41.

13 Dec. 07

H.B. No. 3295

An Act Creating the Position of Barangay Nutrition Worker in Every Barangay, Providing Incentives Thereto, Appropriating Funds Therefor, Amending for the Purpose Presidential Decree No. 1569

Local

Principal Author