INTRODUCTION
This has been a very fruitful year of collaboration between the executive and the legislative branches of government. I attach a very special significance to this day for two reasons. One, the Uruguay Round-General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (UR-GATT) Treaty has finally been ratified by the Philippine Senate after lengthy and oftentimes passionate deliberations. Second, we are signing into law three nationally significant bills and several local ones in pursuit of national excellence and international competitiveness.

I take this occasion to personally thank the members of the Senate for ratifying GATT, thereby making us the 48th country to signify membership to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

GATT is neither a quick fix nor a bed of roses. We have anticipated the difficulties of implementing it in the early stages, especially among industries that have survived only through protectionism. Thus, we have provided adjustment measures, special budgetary support, and safety nets, particularly for the most vulnerable sectors. I have already created a cabinet committee to oversee and manage the minimum access quotas that we commit under the GATT, including the establishment of a competitive enhancement fund which is a special safety net.

What should matter most to us is that, in the long run, we are granted more opportunities, through GATT, to catch up with the rest of the world.

In a world of vanishing borders and flexible alliances and where interdependence is recognized as a way of life, we have to link up with the rest of the global community, sharpen our strengths and eliminate our weaknesses. To play by the rules of this new trade order, we must prepare ourselves and temporarily sacrifice, if necessary, to maintain the momentum of our economic recovery and social reform.

GATT’s ratification is by no means the end of the complex processes we must follow to progress. Rather, it is just the beginning of a long march towards global competitiveness, sustained growth and equitably distributed progress.

We are not alone in addressing these difficulties. Within individual nations, there are many winners and some losers under GATT. But from a global point of view, trade — especially among member countries — will be significantly expanded and enhanced, estimated to be from $330 to $500 billion thereby bringing about a win-win situation for all. We will be part of this winning international combination.

The ratification of the GATT affirms the capability of the Filipino people to rise up to great challenges. The period of acrimonious debates is over, but we still have a long hard road ahead.

Therefore, I profusely thank all the senators who voted for the GATT’s ratification under Senate Resolution No. 1083, as well as all the members of both chambers who supported remedial legislation to insure its successful implementation. But as I thank our legislators for such achievements, I invite all those in the public and private sectors who have opposed UR-GATT-WTO to help the nation move positively and synergistically so we can together maximize our opportunities.
THE NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE SHELTER PROGRAM
We also sign into law today RA 7835 or the Comprehensive Shelter Financing Act which will give more muscle to our shelter laws and enable us to respond adequately to the urgent need to provide decent homes for a greater number of homeless Filipinos.

This act increases the allocation for our community mortgage program, from the original budget of p400 million in 1994 to p12.1 billion for 1995 up to the year 2000. The said amount will be raised from various government fund sources such as the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and the social security system (SSS) and from the proceeds of the sale of military real estate in Metro Manila. RA 7835 further increases the effectivity of shelter-related government agencies by increasing their capitalization.

This new law gives new life to the Urban Development and Housing Act (RA 7279), passed two years ago, which suffered from “financing anemia”. Now we are more confident that we can meet our target of 1.2 million additional homes by 1998.

We recognize once more the importance of the shelter industry as a major instrument to pump-prime the economy. For this year alone, housing and real estate registered a contribution of 5.6% to our GNP. Housing and construction have gained new dimensions with the GATT’s ratification because they function also as vital safety nets for the disadvantaged sectors.
TEACHERS’ LICENSURE
Our teachers are at the forefront of human resource development in our pursuit of international competitiveness and national excellence. With the new RA 7836 law, we take another strong step towards ensuring the quality of basic education by weeding out teachers who are technically ill-equipped to teach. By raising standards, teaching becomes more professionalized especially at the basic education level where the foundations of learning are set.

This law creates a five-member professional board for teachers that operates under the professional regulations commission and oversees the conduct of the annual licensing examinations to newly-hired teachers and also mandates a periodic re-certification of teachers.

By helping ensure an improved educational foundation for our children, r.a. 7836 constitutes another important safety net for all of us.
NEW RIGHTS FOR FILIPINO-AMERICAN VETERANS
RA 7837 grants special rights to Filipino veterans who have sought American citizenship under the United States Immigration Act of 1990.

This new law gives to this group of World War II veterans permanent resident status, to include the rights and privileges attendant thereto.

In the twilight of their years, our veterans opted to avail of the benefits that American citizenship brings. We do not begrudge them their right to choose; neither do we withhold from them the rights and privileges due the citizens of the land of their birth — save for voting and holding of public office.
FIVE LOCAL LAWS
Although five other bills that we enact into law today may have local coverage, their collective impact to educate or save the lives of the people within their areas make them equally important vehicles in our march towards people empowerment and national excellence.

These bills provide for the establishment of the Ibajay Polytechnic College in Aklan Province (RA 7838); the Cagayan de Oro (Bugo) School of Arts and Trade in Cagayan de Oro City (RA 7839); the Donsol District Hospital in Sorsogon Province (RA 7840); the Paranaque National High School in Paranaque, Metro Manila (RA 7841); and the Taguig-Pateros District Hospital in Taguig, Metro Manila (RA 7842).

On behalf of our people, I most sincerely thank once more the senate of the Philippines who have made available to our people a GATT-given Christmas gift in this decade of economic take-off and social reform. We also thank both chambers of Congress who have facilitated the passage of these new laws — especially the principal authors/co-authors, the sponsors/co-sponsors, the conferees of the House of Representatives and the Senate. For this basket of Christmas laws, we recognize and acknowledge with our people’s deep gratitude the leadership roles played by Senate President Edgardo Angara and House Speaker Jose de Venecia.

With the sustained and productive cooperation between congress and the executive branch, we continue to sustain our march towards “Philippines 2000!!!” and to win a better future for the Filipino people.

Nakakatiyak akong magiging lalong maligaya ang Pasko at lalong maunlad ang Bagong Taon dahil sa ating pinatitibay na pagkakaisa at pagtutulong-tulong.

Thank you, and a merry bright Christmas and a prosperous new year to all!