I am honored to be invited as Keynote Speaker in today’s Opening Ceremonies for the 29th Library and Information Services, or LIS, Month. During the session break of Congress, I went to Germany along with officials from the National Book Development Board to lead the Philippine contingent in this year’s Frankfurt Book Fair, the world’s largest and most important trade fair for the book publishing industry. An average of more than 7,000 exhibitors and 200,000 visitors visit the annual five-day trade fair. Fortunately for us, and through our hard work and sheer determination, the Philippines made its debut in 2015 after a 15-year absence from the book fair.
Deputy Speaker Loren hailed the House of Representatives’ approval on third reading of the Joint Resolution Extending the Availability of the 2019 Appropriations for Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) and Capital Outlay (CO) until December 31, 2020, which took place in today’s resumption of session.
Legarda, principal author of House Joint Resolution No. 19, expressed optimism that the approval of the Joint Resolution extending the availability of the 2019 national budget will help respond to the needs of the people, especially those affected by calamities and recent outbreaks of diseases.
In light of the recent earthquakes that jolted the Mindanao area, Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda said that the structural integrity of public infrastructure is vital in preventing an earthquake from turning into a major disaster.
Through the initiative of Deputy Speaker and Antique Congresswoman Loren Legarda, the only remaining “bahay na bato” in Antique will now be restored.
As the former Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Legarda allocated a Php 5 million budget under the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) for the year 2018 for the restoration of the Gella Azurin House located along Gobierno Street, in the capital town of San Jose de Buenavista.
In observance of Indigenous People’s month this October, Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda stressed the importance of giving a fitting recognition to our IPs who gave meaning to our identity as Filipinos.
“As we celebrate this year’s Indigenous People’s month, it is an opportune time for us to honor the bearers of our cultural diversity, our IPs and their overwhelming contributions to our history, culture and heritage,” said Legarda.
