The House of Representatives approved on second reading House Bill (HB) 1171 or the proposed “One Town, One Product Philippines Act”.
Under the bill, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with minimum viable products will be provided with an assistance package to fund significant improvements in product quality, product development, design, packaging, standards compliance, marketability, production capability, and brand development, among others.
“They are the engines of economic activity and job creation, especially in the countryside where large-scale companies hardly exist.”
Committee on Trade and Industry Chairperson and Batangas Representative Mario Vittorio Mariño pushed HB 1171 because “MSMEs are the backbone of the Philippine economy. They are the engines of economic activity and job creation, especially in the countryside where large-scale companies hardly exist.”
HB 8009 or the proposed “Expanded Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children (E-VAWC) Act” hurdled second reading.
The bill aims to protect women and children from electronic violence in various forms, including those that involve technological manipulation.
The bill aims to protect women and children from electronic violence in various forms, including those that involve technological manipulation.
It defines electronic or information and communications technology (ICT)-related violence as “any act or omission involving the use or exploitation of data or any form of ICT, which causes or is likely to cause mental, emotional, or psychological distress or suffering to the woman and/or her children.”
Other bills approved on second reading are
1) HB 7600, strengthening the powers and functions of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines;
2) HB 7939, rationalizing the disability pension of veterans; and
3) HB 8008, providing indigent job seekers discounted or waived fees and charges in the issuance of certain pre-employment documents issued by government agencies.
Deputy Speaker Kristine Singson-Meehan presided over the plenary session.
