Ifugao solon pushes freedom of info bill 1st day in Congress

By Aiza P. Namingit 

Rep. Teddy Brawner Baguilat Jr. (Lone District, Ifugao) filed five bills of national significance on the first working day of the 16th Congress.

 Foremost among the bills filed by Baguilatwas revival of the proposed Freedom of Information (FOI) law.

The FOI bill failed to hurdle third reading during the last Congress, and so it has to be re-filed at this next Congress.

Baguilat also filed the Forest Resources Bill, which redefines the framework for forest management and looks at forests not as sources of raw materials to be exploited, but as resources that should be wisely managed to benefit all stakeholders.

The proposed Maritime Code meanwhile seeks to protect the rights of Filipino seafarers. The Philippines is one of the top providers of highly qualified seafarers in the world. “It’s about time that a law is passed to protect this source of Filipino pride and dignity,” Baguilat said.

Baguilat also filed bills for the conduct of a nationwide census of indigenous peoples (IP) and for scholarships for IPs. “These bills build on the small successes that the last Congress achieved through the Committee on National Cultural Communities which I chaired,” Baguilat said.

“Of course these won’t be the only bills I will be filing,” Baguilat said. “I continue to talk to my constituents and various stakeholders to identify concerns that can be addressed through legislation.”

 With a strong showing on the first day of Congress, Baguilat looks to be active throughout his second term.