A senator described on Tuesday President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s “wish list” for Congress during his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) as “not that complicated and doable” as well.

In a news release, Senator Sonny Angara lauded the President for delivering a very comprehensive SONA which covered all the important issues that the country currently faces and in the coming years.

Among the 12 priority measures enumerated by Marcos was the “Tatak Pinoy” (Proudly Filipino) bill which Angara has been pushing for in the Senate.

“Tatak Pinoy has been an advocacy of ours since 2019 and we have been working non-stop in the past year to craft the current bill, which we are now in the process of hearing in preparation for its deliberation in plenary,” Angara said.

Chaired by Angara, the Committee on Finance has conducted three hearings on the Tatak Pinoy bill and is set to hold its fourth hearing on Wednesday (July 26).

“We hope to sponsor the bill in plenary before we begin deliberations on the 2024 national budget. Now with the backing of the President, we are optimistic that this measure will receive the support of both our colleagues in the Senate and the House of Representatives,” the lawmaker said.

Tatak Pinoy calls for close collaboration between the government and the private sector to achieve a common goal of equipping and enabling Filipino industries and services to become more productive and competitive, produce more complex and higher quality goods, becoming an integral part of the global supply chain, providing high-paying, quality jobs for Filipinos and making the economy more vibrant.

Tatak Pinoy also aligns with the Philippine Economic Development Plan 2023 to 2028 and the new Philippine Export Development Plan, which Angara said are the building blocks to achieve strong economic growth.

The senator also noted the key points raised by the President in his SONA about the importance of science, technology and innovation in driving the quality and competitiveness of the country’s workforce, as well as the manufacturing, export, creative and service industries.

“These along with what the President mentioned about the need for continuous reskilling and upskilling training programs are key components of Tatak Pinoy and will ensure that our workforce will have stronger chances in securing quality jobs,” he said.

The senator also cited the initiatives being undertaken by the administration to bring in more investors, including expediting business processes, ensuring the digitalization of all government offices, and instituting a progressive and rationalized system of taxation.

Angara, who authored with former Senator Richard Gordon the Republic Act 11712 or the Public Health Emergency Benefits and Allowances for Health Workers Act, also thanked President Marcos for the release of the Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) emergency allowances for qualified health workers.

The plans of the President for the education sector, including the hiring of more teachers and the recalibration of the curriculum for schools also stood out in the SONA for Angara who is also a Commissioner of the Second Congressional Commission on Education. (PNA)