Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES \\%"" cy,
Constitution Hills, Quezon City Aa

SEVENTEENTH (17™) CONGRESS

First Regular Session

5397

House Bill No.

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE ERIC L. OLIVAREZ

CO
EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines has long been known. for its people’s
proficiency in speaking the English language. In Southeast Asia
alone, we are considered the best English-speaking nation
amongst all other countries.

Slowly but surely too, our ability to speak English fluently is
being more and more recognized and reinforced worldwide. In a
recent study conducted by the GlobalEnglish Corporation, the
Philippines was named the world’s best country in business
English proficiency, even beating the United States for that
matter.

As per Global English’s annual Business English Index (BEI)
for the year 2012, only the Philippines attained a score above 7.0


among the 76 represented countries around the world. Such
rating translates to “high proficiency” which is indicative of the
Filipinos’ ability to take an active role in business discussions
and perform relatively complex tasks.!

It can be deduced from the foregoing that our English
proficiency bridges different cultures and nations and ultimately
contributes to our very own economic growth. Because we have
the ability to speak the language which is widely used around the
world, language barriers never get in the way of tourism, trade,
business and__ profession involving parties of different
nationalities. This gives us a competitive leverage in the global
market against other nations in more ways than one.

First, there is no wonder why there is an outpour of
Overseas Filipino Workers — relating and communicating with
employers have always been easier with a Filipino worker, as
compared to other nationalities. Indeed, aside from other great
characteristics of Filipinos when it comes to their jobs, their
ability to understand and speak English has always been a
primary consideration for hiring them.

Second, our high competency in speaking the English
language enables our business-oriented countrymen to expand
their horizons internationally. Communication is very easy and
dealing with foreign clients, partners and whatnot, prospective or
otherwise, is no problem for us at all.

As the Business Processing Operation (BPO) Industry gains
trend, Filipinos become highly in demand as well mainly because
of our high English Proficiency. In fact, as a country with one-
tenth of the population of India, the Philippines recently overtook
the latter as a hub for call centers. Over 400,000 Filipinos are
now employed in call centers, roughly 50,000 more than those in
India.?



Truly, the impact of having above-average proficiency in
English is too substantial to ignore. It follows then that our skill
in speaking the English Language must not only be maintained,
but also improved so as not to lose our competitive advantage
against other countries especially now that almost every aspect of
business and economy is geared towards globalization.

While recognizing the greater importance of knowing and
loving our very own language - that being Filipino - we cannot,
however, afford to be below the benchmark of what the global
market requires as can be gleaned from the steady decline in the
Filipinos’ ability to speak the language in recent years. Speaking
the English language fluently seems a must nowadays, and the
Philippines, having established a good reputation with respect to
this matter (as discussed above), cannot just forego the benefits
created by this skill to our economy.

We shall therefore adapt a system that will enhance the
English proficiency further in the country. Young minds must be
trained to be fluent in the language being used worldwide as this
will serve as their stepping stone in a guaranteed good career in
the future.

It is for this reason that the approval of this bill is being
sought.

aw ct.
ERIC L. OLIVAREZ



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH (17™) CONGRESS

First Regular Session

House Bill No.

——_-S

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE ERIC L, OLIVAREZ

ee

AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE USE OF THE ENGLISH
LANGUAGE AS MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION IN GRADE
SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE, AND VOCATIONAL
EDUCATION

5397

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the
“English Proficiency Act of 2014”.

SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. The terms, as used in this
Act shall mean as follows:


Grade School - grade school shall pertain to
the elementary level of education which adopts or

follows the Ktol12 system.

High School - pertains to the regular 4 year

intermediate level of education.

College — pertains to the four or more years of
tertiary education, depending on the course or
degree pursued. For purposes of this Act, College

education shall exclude vocational courses.

Vocational Education - pertains to informal
education that prepares people for specific trades,
crafts, and skills.

Student - as used in this Act, students shall
pertain to anyone in grade school, high school

and/or college level, as the case may be.

Learners; Apprentices- for purposes of this
Act and this Act alone, the terms Learners and
Apprentices shall be used interchangeably
depending on the circumstances, so long as both

refer to people enrolled in a vocational course.


SECTION 3. Mandatory English Aptitude Test. Every start or
school year, and of every semester, a mandatory aptitude test
measuring the general English Proficiency of students shall be
conducted. Based on the results of which, the lesson plan of
teachers assigned to handle English courses such as Grammar,
Reading Comprehension, Literature, Technical Writing, Research
and the like shall adjust their lesson plans and tailor fit the same
to address the key weaknesses of students in different Areas of

English courses.

SECTION 4. Mandatory English Post-Diagnostic Test. At the
end of every school year, or of every semester as the case may be,
a mandatory test covering the same topics as that of the
previously given Aptitude Test, as mentioned in the preceding
paragraph, shall be conducted to measure the improvement of
the students in English over the year or the semester.

SECTION 5. Preparation of Mandatory Aptitude and Post-
Diagnostic Tests. The tests as mentioned in Sections 3 and 4 of
this Act shall be prepared by the Department of Education
(DepEd) for the grade school and high school level, the
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for the college level
and TESDA for the vocational education.


SECTION 6. Report of the Results of the Mandatory and Post-
Diagnostic Tests. It shall be the duty of each school, college,
university or any other educational institution including those
that cater to vocational education to submit a summarized report
of the results of the Mandatory and Post-Diagnostic tests to the

respective departments which they are under.

SECTION 7. Evaluation by DepEd, CHED and/or TESDA.
These agencies shall have the duty to evaluate and analyze the
reports submitted to them by the schools and/or universities
under them and identify the core weaknesses of the students, or
the learners/apprentices as the case may be. Based on these
data, these agencies shall update, improve and/or revise their

prescribed curriculum to address these general weaknesses.

SECTION 8. English Language as Medium of Instruction. In
all levels of education, the English language shall be the standard
medium of instruction in conducting classes, in oral and written
examinations, home works, projects and the like in all the
subjects except in Filipino subject and Philippine History.

SECTION 9. Acceptable Use of Other Languages or Dialects.
To ensure that students have a better understanding of the
English Language, a teacher should exert extra effort to explain


key concepts of the lesson to a struggling student in Filipino, or
in any other language or dialect that will be easily understood by
the latter. After doing so, the teacher may proceed to conduct the
class using the English Language as medium of instruction again.

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION

SECTION 10. Mandatory English Lessons for Vocational
Courses. Every vocational course offered in the country shall
incorporate basic English lessons for the learners and
apprentices. The English component shall cover at least 30% of

the entire vocational course.

SECTION 11. Joint Sessions to Complete the English
Component. Alternatively, at the option of the institution offering
different vocational courses, public or private, the English
component as required in Section 10 of this Act may be
conducted in a joint session for all enrollees in the said

institution.


TEACHERS AND INSTRUCTORS

SECTION 12. Seminars Required. Teachers and Instructors
of any English-related course or subject shall undergo regular
trainings and seminars to improve their skills and knowledge of
the subject they teach. Also, the seminars shall also cover ways to
enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of imparting knowledge
to their students and to educate said educators themselves of the
trends and novel concepts being developed world wide with
respect to their specific fields they teach including but not limited
to Grammar, Reading Comprehension, Technical Writing,
Research and Business/ Professional English and other branches
of the subject.

SECTION 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The
Department of Education (DepEd) for grade school and high
school, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for college,
and TESDA the vocational education, shall respectively
promulgate their own Implementing Rules and Regulations to
carry out the provisions of this Act taking into consideration the
peculiarities and specific needs of each educational level under
their supervision. Such rules and regulations shall separately
take effect upon their publication in three (3) newspapers of

general circulation.


SECTION 14. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential
decrees, letters of instructions, executive orders, rules and
regulations insofar as they are inconsistent with this Act, are

hereby repealed or amended as the case may be.

SECTION 15. Separability Clause. —- In the event that any
provision of this Act or any portion thereof is declared
unconstitutional by a competent court, the other provisions shall
not be affected thereby and shall remain valid and enforceable.

SECTION 16. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect
after its complete publication in at least three (3) newspapers of

general circulation.

APPROVED.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTAT!
Constitution Hills, Quezon Ci

(mean
” RECEWVED

SEVENTEENTH (17%) CONG!
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 5398

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE ERIC L. OLIVAREZ

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Fundamental in our Constitution is the State's policy of providing quality
education among Filipino youth. Thus, Article XIV Section 1 and 2.1, provide:

Section 1. The State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality
education at all levels and take appropriate steps to make such education
accessible to all.

Section 2. The State shall:

Estabish, maintain , and support a complete adequate, and integrated
system of education relevant to the needs of the people ad society;

Currently, both the labor sector and the educational sector are suffering
from interruptions in the productive hours brought about by torrential rains and
the consequent floodings during the rainy season due to climate change. These
interruptions not only substantially lessen the school days and hours spent by
children within the academi cyear, they likewise adversely affect the productivity
of our workforce due to difficulty in going to and from work. Hence, it is essential
that the state take preventive measures in this decline in productivity by
adjusting the Philippine Standard Time (PST) by one hour during the dry season.
The accumulated extra hour f classes and work hours shall then be accumulated
to compensate for the interruptions during the rainy season.

By the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly prayed for.

ew c. or,

ERIC L. OLIVAREZ


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH (17) CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 539 8

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE ERIC L, OLIVAREZ

-e

AN ACT ALLOWINGTHE PRESIDENT TO DECLARE THE ADOPTION OF
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME (DST) IN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representative of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title.- This Act shall be known as the "Daylight Saving
Time Act of 2013".

Section 2. Declaration of Policy.- The State recognizes the vital role of the
ino youth in nation building. Moreover, it is the policy of the state to
establish, maintain, and support a complete adequate and integrated system of
education relevant to the needs of the people and society. Furthermore, the state
recognizes its commitment to expand productivity as the key to raising the quality
of life for all, especially the underprivileged. Lastly, the State recognizes the
effects of global warming and climate change on the weather systems of the
Philippines and the higher frequency of storms and tropical depressions that
beset the country and the consequent flooding due to torrential rains during the
rainy season which substantially interrupt the students’ schooling as well as the
workers' productive hours.

Section 3. Adoption of the Daylight Saving Time.- Beginning January 1 of
each calendar year the President is allowed to adjust the Philippine Standard
Time (PST) by one (1) hour at exactly 12:00 midnight, until June 1 of the same
time and year in order to take advantage of the clear sunny weather during
Philippine's dry season. The extra hours of school time or work time shall be
devoted to off-set the interruptions in school days or work hours suffered by
students and workers during the rainy season, thus obviating the decreased
productivity of our educational institutions as well as the workforce.


Section 4. Appropriations.- The sums necessary for the implementation of
this Act shall be appropriate and shall be included in the Annual General
Appropriation Act.

Section 5. Implementing Rules.- The Secretary of Science and Technology
shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to carry into effect the purpose of
this Act.

Section 6, Effectivity.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
publication in the Official Gazette or newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

a Y
fy ReCeIVED
opie: PROD 2017
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH (17™) CONGRESS

First Regular Session

House Bill No. 0399

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE ERIC L. OLIVAREZ
=

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Our world is rapidly transforming itself into a more
modernized society. Alongside this technological advancement,
people now tend to favor transactions that prove to be easier and
more efficiently conducted. Particularly, conducting business
nowadays especially those involving the outflow of earnings, is
benefiting from the modernization we are undergoing. Gone are
the days where people have to have cash ready and available
whenever they need to pay for something. Oftentimes, the very
important needs of an individual such as hospital bills,
medicines, tuition, and other emergency expenses are not being
met by any service or goods provider because of the former’s lack
of cash.

In this day and age, carrying money in our pockets have
more often been regarded as disadvantageous, if not totally
unnecessary. With the birth of credit cards and/or debit cards,

Page | 1


there is now a safer way of paying almost anything we need. Such
mode of payment has slowly but surely been considered as a
normal and acceptable mode of payment. From its flimsy origins
dating back from 1920s, we have witnessed how the credit card
market boomed and thrived over the years.

Indeed, credit cards have revolutionized the financial habits
and ways of people and have made a significant change in the
world of business as well as in every country’s economy.

There are some basic advantages offered by the use of credit
cards or debit cards as alternative for money. For one, credit or
debit cards cannot be stolen or robbed. Secondly, it is easily
replaceable. Also, the system of credit card payment provides for
a great method for tracking one’s expenses for budgeting’s sake.

Furthermore, banks are required to exercise greater caution
and diligence in their transactions considering that the nature of
their business is imbued with public interest. Hence, banks
provide the cardholder a certain degree of safeguard and
protection on their purchases and possibly even reward points or
cashback when they use their card.

In most countries nowadays, the use of credit cards is now
the mainstream, and this is apparently justified by the benefits
enumerated about. It is about time that we abandon the outdated
method of one very important transaction every citizen in our
own country makes, or is bound to make- the payment of taxes.

Through this bill, the use of credit cards or debit cards will
become an acceptable way to pay taxes particularly imposed by
the local government units. Using credit cards or debit cards
provides a convenient way to pay one’s taxes due. On the other
hand, the State will also benefit from the fact that it may now
collect from banks issuing such cards which have sufficient
funds and a better capacity of paying.

In a way, allowing the use of credit cards or debit cards for
the payment of taxes will also encourage more individuals to pay

Page | 2


their tax obligations properly. Evasion thereof will be avoided if
people know that they do have an alternative to doling out cold
cash, that is - delayed and staggered payment secured by and
made possible through the credit card system. In such a
scenario, the State will have no problem collecting from every
taxable individual what is due of them as it can directly collect
from his or her issuing bank or financial institution.

am 6.0,

ERIC L. OLIVAREZ

Page | 3


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH (17™) CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 5399

—
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE ERIC L. OLIVAREZ

—— ss

AN ACT ALLOWING THE USE OF CREDIT CARDS OR DEBIT
CARDS FOR THE PAYMENT OF REAL PROPERTY TAXES AND
OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENT-IMPOSED TAXES, CHARGES
AND FEES IN THE PHILIPPINES

Section 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the
Credit or Debit Card Payment for LGU Taxes of 2014.

Section 2. Credit or Debit Cards as Commercially
Acceptable Means of Payment of Taxes. The use of credit
cards or debit cards shall now be considered commercially
acceptable means of paying real property taxes and any kind of
taxes imposed upon a person by the State through the local
government units to the extent and under the conditions
provided in the implementing rules and regulations prescribed by
the respective local government unit involved.

Section 3, Limitation. The taxpayer may not use or utilize
the credit cards or debit cards issued under the name of a person

Page | 4


other than himself or herself, for the payment of his or her own
taxes due.

Section 4. Authorization by the Bureau. The local
government unit may authorize select companies to process
credit and debit cards on its behalf, and these companies may
charge taxpayers a reasonably and regulated amount of
processing fee.

Section 5. Confidentiality. No person may use or disclose
any information relating to credit or debit card transactions
obtained pursuant to this Act other than for purposes directly
related to the processing of such tax related transactions, or the
billing or collection of amounts charged or debited pursuant
thereto.

Section 6. Exceptions to the Confidentiality Rule.
Section 3 of this Act may admit of certain exceptions, to wit:

(A) Debit or credit card issuers or others acting on behalf of
such issuers may also use and disclose such information for
purposes directly related to servicing an issuer’s accounts.

(B) Debit or credit card issuers or others directly involved in
the processing of credit or debit card transactions or the billing or
collection of amounts charged or debited thereto may also use
and disclose such information for purposes directly related to—

(1) statistical risk and profitability assessment;

(2) transferring receivables, accounts, or interest
therein;

(3) auditing the account information; and

(4) complying with the laws of the Philippines or
any valid court order pursuant to a criminal
investigation.

Page | 5


Provided, that the use and disclosure of information under
this paragraph shall be made only to the extent authorized by
written procedures, rules and regulations promulgated by the
local government unit involved.

Section 7. Ultimate Solidary Liability of Tax Payer and
Issuing Bank. When for any reason the use of credit cards or
debit cards in the payment of the real property and other local
government-imposed taxes proved to (1) have been done
fraudulently or in contravention or circumvention of any law
especially to evade tax obligations, the taxpayer shall be solidarily
liable with the bank which issued the credit card for the actual
and complete payment of taxes due, without prejudice to the
filing by the local government unit of civil, criminal and/or
administrative charges against any person or persons conniving
for the purpose of evading taxes due. On this note, an
individual’s bankruptcy would not discharge credit card debt
incurred from taxes.

Section 8. Liability of Guaranteeing Banks. If the credit
card and/or debit card which has been guaranteed expressly bya
bank or any financial institution, is not duly paid, the State shall,
in addition to its right to exact payment from the party originally
indebted therefor, have a lien for the guaranteed amount of the
transaction upon all the assets of the institution making such
guarantee, and such amount shall be paid out of such assets in
preference to any other claims whatsoever against such
guaranteeing financial institution.

Section 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The
Department of Finance and the Department of Interior and Local
Government in coordination with the local government units shall
promulgate the Implementing Rules and Regulations to carry out
the provisions of this Act. Such rules and regulations shall take
effect upon their publication in three (3) newspapers of general
circulation.

Page | 6


Section 10. Repealing Clause.- All laws, presidential
decrees, letters of instructions, executive orders, rules and
regulations insofar as they are inconsistent with this Act, are
hereby repealed or amended as the case may be.

Section 11. Separability Clause. - In the event that any
provision of this Act or any portion thereof is declared
unconstitutional by a competent court, the other provisions shall
not be affected thereby and shall remain valid and enforceable.

Section 12. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect
after its complete publication in at least three (3) newspapers of
general circulation.

APPROVED.

Page | 7


nePneg
Republic of the Philippines Sa

%
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES S” RECEIV
: iS ED ”
Quezon City are: -APR 03
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL No. 5400

Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING

EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Bill seeks to prohibit lane splitting.

It is the policy of the State to protect the welfare and safety of the commuting public and all
road users. The State ensures that the safety of all road users, particularly the motorcyclists,
are fully integrated into the operation of the country’s transportation system.

Department of Transportation Administrative Order No. AHS-2008-015, defines lane splitting
as using or sharing a lane already occupied by one vehicle by another vehicle such as a
motorcycle or scooter in a road or highway.

As posted online in "Splitting Lanes” by Speed Spec, dated May 3, 2014, lane splitting is
considered generally legal in most countries. Lane splitting is largely ignored or tolerated in
most parts of the world, including ours. Here in the Philippines, motorcycles are certainly in
far greater numbers than in the United States or United Kingdom. It is a popular choice for
people who do not want to commute but shy away from the cost of buying a car.

Advocates of lane splitting say that it helps reduce congestion by giving motorcyclists the
choice to exclude themselves from the crawl. This sounds like common sense, as this means
that motorcyclists can keep on going, instead of having to queue up along with the other
vehicles on the road. Advocates also say that splitting lanes keeps our roads safer, keeping
motorcyclists from being rear-ended in traffic.

Section 40 of Republic Act No. 4136, otherwise known as the “Land Transportation and Traffic
Code,” gives lane splitting implied legality:

“SECTION 40. Driver to give way to overtaking vehicle. - The driver of a vehicle
about to be overtaken and passed by another vehicle approaching from the rear shall
give way to the overtaking vehicle on suitable and audible signal being by the driver of
the overtaking vehicle, and shall not increase the speed of his vehicle until completely
passed by the overtaking vehicle.”

By prohibiting lane splitting, our people will have safe, convenient and serviceable public
streets which they rightly deserved. It is therefore necessary to prohibit lane splitting for the
well-being of travellers and the motorcyclists.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 5400

Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING

AN ACT
PROHIBITING LANE SPLITTING BY ANY MOTOR BIKE RIDER AND PROVIDING
PENALTIES THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Prohibited Acts, Fines and Penalties. — Notwithstanding Sections 39 and 40
of Republic Act No. 4136, otherwise known as the “Land Transportation and Traffic Code," any
motor bike rider who lane splits at a speed exceeding forty (40) kilometers per hour shall be
imposed the following fines and penalties without prejudice to any criminal action that may be
filed against the motor bike rider under existing laws as a result of lane splitting:

a) Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) for the first (1%) offense;

b) Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) for the second (2™) offense and thirty-day
‘suspension of license; and

c) Fifteen thousand pesos (P15,000.00) for the third (3™) offense and revocation of
license.

SECTION 2. For purposes of this Act, /ane splitting means:

a. Riding a motorcycle between lanes or rows of slow moving or stopped traffic moving in
‘the same direction; or

b. Cycling between two lanes of cars while still staying within the confines of one lane,
effectively travelling in road space that would otherwise go unused.

SECTION 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days from the
date of effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall issue the necessary rules
and regulations to implement the provision of this Act.

SECTION 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, and other
issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed or amended accordingly.

SECTION 5. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,