A LAWMAKER on Wednesday pushed for the passage of the Philippine Centers for Disease Prevention and Control Act, while another congressman sought discounted fees and subsidies for poor PUV (Public Utility Vehicle) drivers applying for professional driver’s licenses.

Quezon City 5th District Representative PM Vargas, a stalwart of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) sought the immediate passage into law the creation of the Philippine Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (PCDPC), emphasizing the lurking threat of Covid strains and other human viruses.

Vargas, who has been very active in extending help since day one of COVID-19, said, “Together with my brother, former Congressman Alfred Vargas, we serve as witnesses to the pain and suffering of our people during the height of the pandemic. Filipinos will really find it hard to afford yet another wave of incalculable impacts on our health systems and economies. We cannot be caught off guard this time and better be prepared to protect our communities against communicable and non-communicable diseases.”

As one of the principal authors of the proposed measure, he joins his colleagues in the Lower House in calling their Senate counterparts to “adopt an integrated, comprehensive, and evidence-informed approach consistent with the direction enunciated under the Universal Health Care (Republic Act [RA] No. 11223).”

The House version (House Bill [HB] No. 6522) states the need to “adopt a framework that shall foster a whole-of-system, whole-of-government, and whole-of-society approach, ensuring [a] clear delineation of tasks between existing agencies and maximizing current mandates.”

It also highlights that the State shall “allot the necessary support and institutional resources to provide for effective disease prevention and control through a high-level public institution imbued with the capacity, competence, and authority to confront global and local public health risks.”

The bill was approved on third reading and was transmitted to Senate on December 14, 2022. The Senate version is currently on its second reading as of April 2023.

Meanwhile, Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte and two other lawmakers have proposed the grant of an “across-the-board” 20% discount to indigent public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers on the payment of fees and other requirements needed in securing a professional driver’s license.

In filing HB 8070, Duterte, Benguet Rep. Eric Yap, and ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Edvic Yap said the discount applies to, among others, examination fees, certificates, clearances, and enrollment in accredited driving schools.

On top of the implementation of the PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP), Duterte said the numerous requirements imposed by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in applying for a professional driver’s license would add to “the financial woes of PUV drivers, especially those living in poverty.”

Under LTO Memorandum Circular 2021-2284, applying for a professional driver’s license would require an applicant to be at least 18 years old, a non-professional driver’s license holder for at least one year, and able to pass a written exam and practical driving test.

The applicant must also submit a medical certificate, secure a clearance from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) or the Philippine National Police (PNP) and complete a minimum of eight-hour practical driving lessons from any driving school accredited by the LTO or the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

“While the intention of the memorandum is to promote road safety and proper motorist behavior, such requirements would add to the burden of the PUV drivers who are now even tasked to buy modernized and climate-friendly vehicles under the PUV Modernization Program,” the bill’s authors said.

Citing data from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), they pointed out that some 430,000 PUV drivers would be affected by the new requirements set by the LTO for getting a professional driver’s license.

Through HB 8070, Duterte and his fellow authors proposed that indigent PUV drivers applying for professional driver’s licenses be given a 20 percent discount on the payment of the following: 1) a certified true copy of the birth certificate from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA); 2) a medical certificate from an LTO-accredited clinic or physician; 3) NBI clearance; 4) PNP clearance; 5) enrollment fees for the theoretical and practical driving courses given by LTO- and TESDA-accredited driving schools; 6) examination fees; and 7) other government-issued documents and fees required by the LTO.

Without the discount, estimates place the total cost of these requirements between P4,000 to P7,000.

Indigent PUV driver-applicants will also receive a fixed daily allowance for expenses that they will incur in commuting to and from their chosen driving schools as provided in the measure.

The bill also states that the LTO “shall reduce the requirement that Professional Driver’s License applicants should be holders of valid Non-Professional Driver’s License for one (1) year before application down to three (3) months” for indigent PUV drivers.

Under the measure, indigent PUV drivers are also given priority in enrolling in accredited driving schools where the courses are free.

Public officers or employees refusing to provide the benefits granted under the measure will be subject to fines ranging from P5,000 to P20,000.