The 26th day of the Second Regular Session of the Third Pyithu Hluttaw was held yesterday at the Pyithu Hluttaw meeting hall in Nay Pyi Taw, attended by Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker U Khin Yi, Deputy Speaker U Maung Maung Ohn and parliament members.
During the session, lawmakers raised and answered 10 questions concerning road and bridge repairs, riverbank protection, waterway dredging, dam construction and school upgrades. One proposal was discussed and approved, while one bill was submitted.
Deputy Minister for Transport U Tun Lu responded to questions on riverbank erosion affecting villages west of Pakokku Township, saying that protective measures were being carried out along the Ayeyawady River, including the use of sandbags, geo-bags and steel wire embankments. He said a 200-foot-long steel wire river protection structure was completed between Kyunnyogyi, Mayogon and Myinkyun villages with a budget of K215 million in the 2025-2026 financial year. Similar protection projects will continue in the coming years.
Regarding the dredging of Sarkyin Creek in Labutta Township, the deputy minister said detailed surveys and assessments of costs and benefits must be carried out before dredging work begins, as silting could return due to tidal conditions.
He also explained that riverbank erosion prevention measures in Waingmaw Township, Kachin State, would be implemented gradually through future budgets, including retaining walls and river control structures.
Deputy Minister for Education U Nay Myo Hlaing said requests to upgrade several basic education schools in Bago and Mandalay regions could not yet be approved because they did not meet requirements such as student numbers, school land ownership and distance from higher-level schools. However, they would be reconsidered when the required conditions are fulfilled.
The meeting also discussed the upgrading of rural roads in Bago and Ayeyawady regions. The Union Minister for Construction said several road improvement projects would be carried out through regional government budgets, depending on available funding.
Regarding the damaged Tangar Bridge in Madaya Township, Union Minister for Construction U Myo Thant said the bridge had been damaged by terrorist groups in October 2025. A temporary bailey bridge has been installed to maintain transport links, and reconstruction work on the damaged sections is underway, with completion expected by the end of 2026.
The Hluttaw also discussed a proposal submitted by Dr Shwe Pyi Soe from the Dagon Myothit (Seikkan) Constituency calling for a digital taxpayer card system using barcodes and modern electronic payment methods to improve tax collection.
Lawmakers said a digital tax system could increase transparency, reduce tax evasion, improve revenue collection and make tax payments easier for citizens. They also suggested lowering taxes on essential goods while increasing taxes on luxury and harmful products.
Deputy Minister for Finance and Revenue U Han Win Aung said electronic tax payment systems have already been introduced, including online taxpayer registration and e-payment services for domestic taxes and customs duties. He added that taxpayer identification numbers (TINs) can now be applied for online through the Internal Revenue Department’s electronic registration system.
The Hluttaw agreed to record the digital tax proposal and continue monitoring its implementation. It also received the “Seventh Amendment to the Pyithu Hluttaw Election Bill” submitted by a member of the Union Election Commission.
The 26th-day session was concluded, and the 27th-day session will be held on 22 July.
MNA/ST
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