The House Committee on Foreign Affairs chaired by Pangasinan Representative Ma. Rachel Arenas adopted a resolution urging the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to establish regional consular offices in preferred areas of lawmakers.
The resolution was proposed by Arenas after informing the members that in practice, the Committee on Foreign Affairs would report out bills of this nature with resolutions.
The lady legislator said this is already part of the mandate of the DFA under Section 3 of Executive Order 45 series of 2007.
The resolution substituted House Bill 2772 filed by Negros Occidental Representative Mercedes Alvarez; HB 3440 by Bohol Representative Maria Vanessa Aumentado; HB 3714 by Oriental Mindoro Representative Alfonso Umali Jr.; and HB 3899 by Leyte Representative Richard Gomez.
“It is difficult for Filipinos to avail of basic government services since they can be far too expensive and time consuming.”
In her opening remarks, Arenas said it is difficult for Filipinos to avail of basic government services since they can be far too expensive and time consuming.
“The aim of these measures is to bring the DFA’s frontline services closer to the people,” the lawmaker remarked.
Meanwhile, the panel approved the creation of a technical working group (TWG) to further discuss the bills which would adjust the monthly pension and disability benefits of DFA retirees.
These are HB 4826 by Cagayan de Oro City Representative Rufus Rodriguez; HB 4916 and 4925 by 1-PACMAN Party-list Representative Michael Romero, Ph.D.; HB 4960 by Pasig City Representative Roman Romulo; HB 5033 by Aklan Representative Teodorico Haresco Jr.; HB 5047 by Arenas; HB 5054 by Iloilo City Representative Julienne Baronda; HB 5210 by Representative Joseph Gilbert Violago; HB 5284 by Representative Gloria Labadlabad; HB 5320 by Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez; HB 5502 by Representative Bienvenido Abante; HB 5548 by Representative Ma. Cynthia Chan; HB 5679 by Bohol Representative Edgar Chatto; HB 5930 by Representative James Ang, Jr.; HB 5947 by Representative Antonio Albano; and HB 6108 by Negros Occidental Representative Jose Francisco Benitez.
Arenas said the measures aim to better compensate retired Philippine Foreign Service Officers and personnel for their valiant service as the country’s primary agents in advancing Philippine national interests, improving relations with other countries, most importantly protecting our countrymen living and working overseas.
“Often their duties involve risking their life and limb, so as our way of showing our gratitude towards our diplomats and other DFA personnel, we will closely review and consider this measure.”
“Often their duties involve risking their life and limb, so as our way of showing our gratitude towards our diplomats and other DFA personnel, we will closely review and consider this measure,” Arenas stressed.
Committee on Foreign Affairs Vice Chair and Rizal Representative Emigdio Tanjuatco III was designated as the chairman of the TWG.
