Congress needs to OK more bills in line with PHL Dev't Plan — NEDA

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Ernesto Pernia said Congress needs to pass more laws that are in line with the Philippine Development Plan for 2017 to 2022.

In an interview in GMA News TV's "Bawal ang Pasaway" on Monday, Pernia said the six-year road map laid down by stakeholders requires the enactment of around 100 pieces of legislation.

Only seven out of the 21 bills that are included in the Philippine Development Plan have, so far, been approved by the 17th Congress.

Some urgent measures recommended by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council such as the Security of Tenure Bill; Budget Reform Act; National Land Use Act; and the Rightsizing of the National Government remain pending in the legislative branch.

Further, amendments to the Foreign Investments Act, Public Service Act, and Bank Secrecy law were also among those that have yet to be passed by incumbent lawmakers, according to Pernia.

Pernia said President Rodrigo Duterte's next State of the Nation Address would be a good venue for the administration to steer the direction of the lawmakers towards the passage of priority bills in a bid to achieve national development.

"Ang mabuti siguro we will prioritize... Ang Congress kasi is a separate branch of government so hindi mo sila mauutusan," Pernia said. — Dona Magsino/BAP, GMA News