INTRODUCTION
It is most significant that the very first bills of national importance passed into law by the 10th Congress are those that strengthen our pursuit of social and electoral reforms. Congress’ support for the executive branch’s resolve to intensify the enhancement of social equity is yet another signal of the collaborative effort between these branches in the coming years.

In the cabinet workshop held yesterday, I reiterated to the heads of the executive agencies to intensify the implementation of social reforms so that our masses can enjoy the benefits that development brings. Signing these bills into law today reflects the common agreement between the executive and legislative branches on the urgency of these reforms, which should be put in place in the soonest possible time.
NAMFREL’S CRUSADE AUTHORITY:
CONTINUING ELECTORAL REFORMS
We welcome the passage of RA 8173, an amendatory law which assures all qualified groups, without exception, to be accredited as citizens’ arms of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to conduct an unofficial count and, thereby, be entitled to a copy of the election returns.

What appears to be a simple amendment is actually a major electoral reform law that strengthens our democratic system by ensuring, with the assistance of a non-partisan non-governmental organization, that free and honest elections are duly held.

Under the previous law (RA 7166), all seven copies of the returns are given to government bodies or officials. An amendment made to it mandated the giving of copies to the dominant majority and minority political parties as well as to the COMELEC-accredited citizens’ arm, but with a limitation which has now been removed by this new law.

The seven copies of the returns shall now be distributed to: the city/municipal board of canvassers, to Congress or the COMELEC, the COMELEC or the provincial board of canvassers, the dominant majority party, the dominant minority party, the citizens’ arm as authorized by the COMELEC to conduct an unofficial count, and the seventh to be deposited inside the ballot box.

The sixth copy of the returns serves as the basis for the citizens’ arm’s unofficial count. This copy therefore goes now to the only representative of the citizenry in the electoral process who presumably have no partisan interests to protect. This provides public assurance that the original copies of returns are not tampered with nor switched with spurious documents.
Equally important in this law is the due recognition it gives to the contribution of the national movement for free and honest elections (NAMFREL) and other such previously-accredited citizens’ arms as partners of the COMELEC in ensuring free, clean and honest elections that will serve the genuine interests of the people.
We must, however, stress two basic points. First, that accreditation as a citizens’ arm is neither a matter of right nor is it automatic or permanent. It has to be applied for every election and is granted only after compliance with such basic requirements as proof of non-partisanship. Second, the last NAMFREL quick count, while in general, laudable for its speed and accuracy, could have been more effective had it covered 100 per cent of all precinct election returns instead of just 70%.
The Filipino people should rejoice over this important law which assures us that our democratic rights will not be so easily subservient to the personal and political interests of the unscrupulous.
AN AGRICULTURAL GATT SAFETY MEASURE
Second, we have this joint resolution of the house of representatives and of the senate for the creation of an agricultural commission to review and assess the state of Philippine agriculture, particularly in the light of the ratification of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.

For the short-term, this resolution prepares a fallback position for our agricultural workers who will be affected by the GATT. More importantly, it is a vital component of social justice and equity. Its primary and immediate beneficiaries are small farmers whose development will be the object of the study and recommendations of the commission. But its overall effects will be felt by all Filipinos, inasmuch as it aims to improve agricultural productivity and ensure agricultural development and modernization, which should translate into sufficient and affordable food for everyone.

The powerful commission created by this resolution will be duly organized within thirty days after effectivity of the joint resolution. It will be composed of selected members of both houses of Congress, and co-chaired by the chairpersons of the Committees on Agriculture and Food.

As a study and advisory group, it has the authority to, among others, prescribe and adopt guidelines for a national review and assessment of the agricultural sector, approve the work plan for the review, check on the current performance of the agricultural sector as affected by our membership to the world trade organization, devise ways to achieve efficient incentive and institutional structures, and to submit periodic reports of its findings to the president and to congress.

I view this commission as yet another possible link in achieving better executive-legislative collaboration for agricultural development.
SALT IODIZATION: HEALTH REFORMS FOR FILIPINOS
The third of these laws ensures that only iodized salt will be available and accessible to all Filipinos at affordable prices.

So many people have not recognized how vitamin and mineral deficiency has disabled a significant number of our countrymen. Goiter, an iodine-deficiency disease, does not only bring about a swelling of the throat that is commonly associated to it, but it can also cause irreversible brain damage, permanent loss in intelligence quotient (IQ) points, deaf-mutism, squinting, inability to walk and stand, decreased mental functions, stillbirths and abortions.

Goiter has been so ignored that in the surveys conducted by the Department of Health (DOH) in 1987 and 1993 indicated that about 47 million Filipinos run the risk of developing these disorders due to ignorance or plain indifference.

We have thus made iodine an essential additive in all food grade salt for human and livestock consumption through iodized salt. With this simple mechanism, we have introduced a vital measure that every Filipino can take to improve his health.

With RA 8172, we not only prolong and save lives but also provide our people, especially the young ones, with a better future. We also implement on a mass-scale a major part of our Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) for 1992-1998 as well as fulfill the Philippines’ commitment to various international fora — such as the 1989 World Summit for Children, the 1991 Ending Hidden Hunger Conference and the 1992 International Conference on Nutrition — towards the eradication of iodine deficiency diseases in the country.

As this law is signed, we expect the department of health and the national nutrition council which jointly spearheaded the passage of this law, to double their efforts to implement it especially at the grassroots level. I also enjoin local government units, the Salt Iodization Advisory Board, other government agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the food industry sector, to enforce the law comprehensively.
CLOSING
We are gratified that congress continues to manifest support for our social and electoral reforms initiated under our common legislative-executive agenda. We therefore commend and thank the principal authors, the sponsors and all those who supported these first fruits of the efforts of the 10th congress.

I look forward to more frequent signing ceremonies of laws of national significance — for every such law that is passed brings us one more step closer to winning the future.

The Filipino people have three new reasons to look forward to a brighter new year: social equity through better health, added insurance that honest, orderly and peaceful elections (HOPE) will be undertaken, and improved agricultural productivity and food security for our masses.

I hope to see most of you again before the year ends to participate in more signings.

Maraming salamat at maligayang Pasko at maunlad na Bagong Taon sa inyong lahat.