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[av_heading heading=’ ABOVE THE LAW ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY AYIN DREAM D. APLASCA
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New landmark laws
I HAVE been checking the latest news on the web and saw a list of new landmark laws that were approved and signed by President Rodrigo Duterte.
These laws are all pro-poor and pro-development. They also showcase one of the best productions of the Duterte administration and one of the maximum actions it can offer to the Filipino people.
First on the list is the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act or Republic Act (RA) 10929. The law compels the government to provide free internet access in public spaces. The law covers national and local government offices, public basic educations institutions, state universities and colleges, as well as Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Institutions, public hospitals, and others.
Second on the list is the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education or RA 10931. Students in public colleges and universities, and technical vocational schools will then be able to enjoy the benefits of the law by the second semester of school year 2017 to 2018. This is a major step the government is finally taking in addressing the need in education.
Last but not the least is the extension from five to 10 years in the validity of regular passports and lengthening the validity of the driver’s license to five years from the current three years.
On the first one, under the amendment, passports will be valid for 10 years except for minors whose travel document will still have a validity of five years.
On the second one, under Section 23 of RA 4136, a driver holding a license with a five-year validity may even be granted a license with a 10-year validity upon renewal if found that he or she has “not committed any violation of RA 4136 and other traffic laws, rules and regulations.”
The current administration has finally come to its senses. It made a laudable move for the benefit of Filipino people. Slow clap.
(Atty. Ayin Dream D. Aplasca practices her profession in Iloilo City. She may be reached thru ayindream.aplasca@gmail.com/PN)
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