Binay to create new departments for better service
Vice President Jejomar Binay yesterday revealed plans to split various executive departments in the effort to improve management of government services if elected president.
Binay told the convention of Chinese Filipino Business Club at Manila Hotel that he would push for the creation of a Department of Housing and Urban Development ( DHUD).
He said he would also split the Department of Environment and Natural Resources ( DENR) and the Department of Transportation and Communications ( DOTC) to enable the agencies to effectively address problems in their respective sectors.
A former housing czar of President Aquino, Binay criticized the current administration for supposedly blocking the bid to create the DHUD.
He said the new agency would not be a problem, as it will only merge existing housing agencies such as the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board and the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council.
With the rising challenges brought about by climate change, Binay said he plans to split DENR into two agencies to enable the proposed Department of Environment to focus on climate change mitigation and other environmentrelated projects.
The Department of Natural Resources ( DNR), meanwhile, will take over concerns on the country’s natural resources, such as mining and minerals management.
The proposed DNR will also take over some agencies currently under the Department of Agriculture, according to Binay, who is running for president under the opposition United Nationalist Alliance ( UNA).
Binay also told the ChineseFilipino businessmen that he would immediately replace Bureau of Internal Revenue ( BIR) commissioner Kim Henares if he wins in the upcoming elections.
“Within 30 minutes after I take the oath, you will have a new BIR commissioner,” Binay said.
The Vice President did not elaborate on his issues with regard to Henares, who is known for her tough stance in running after tax evaders.
Binay, however, repeatedly stressed what he called the low revenue collection of the Aquino administration, which he promised to improve upon assuming office.
In his speech, the Vice President presented his plans to support businesses, particularly small, micro and medium enterprises.
He mentioned high corporate taxes, saying the country needs to align the country’s tax system with the rest of the region.
Other proposals of Binay include enhancing peace and order, standardization of national procedures in applying for licenses, addressing the high cost of power and removal of “informal costs” caused by corruption.
Binay s a id he woul d ensure his administration would come up with policies that would foster the relationship of businesses and government.
Citing Makati City as an example, the Vice President said improving business would result in higher revenue for the government, which would then be used for social services for the poor.
In a separate statement, UNA spokesman Mon Ilagan said Binay would ensure that calamity rehabilitation projects are immediately implemented.
“A Binay administration will see to it that funds for rehab projects are ready even before disasters strike so that these can be immediately released after the calamity has passed,” Ilagan said.