Legarda at LMP General Assembly

Senator Loren Legarda presents the Redefining Development book, Message of Our Times book, the Disaster Preparedness and First Aid Handbook, and a tree seedling to Paombong, Bulacan Mayor Donato Marcos, National President of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), after her speech at the LMP General Assembly at the Manila Hotel.

Senator Loren Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, talks about the effects of Typhoon Pablo during the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) General Assembly at the Manila Hotel. She stressed that Typhoon Pablo, like Sendong, Ondoy, and many other natural hazards, test the country's resilience and compel everyone, especially those in government, to implement our laws better in order to alleviate the suffering of the people.

Legarda at PCL National Board Meeting

Senator Loren Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, imparts her message on effective legislation and good governance in the face of natural hazards at the 4th Quarterly National Executive Officers and National Board Meeting of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL).

Senator Loren Legarda presents the Redefining Development book, Message of Our Times book, the Disaster Preparedness and First Aid Handbook, and a tree seedling to Tagum City Councilor Alan Zulueta (right), National Chairman of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL), and to Quezon City Councilor Bong Suntay, National Vice Chairman of PCL, during the 4th Quarterly National Executive Officers and National Board Meeting of the PCL.

On the approval of the Sin Tax bill in the Bicameral Conference Committee of Congress

MANILA, December 10, 2012-With the approval of the bicameral conference committee, Congress has taken a very important step in approving a reconciled version of the Sin Tax Bill. The reconciled version adheres closely to the administration sponsored bill as it contains only two-tiers for taxes on cigarettes and reflects current prices instead of 1997 rates.

This is a significant reform that raises revenues for government’s healthcare programs which will expand and strengthen social safety nets for millions of Filipinos. It also levels the playing field for the tobacco industry by providing a more equitable taxation regime for all industry players.

We commend the leadership of Senator Franklin M. Drilon, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., Majority Floor Leader Neptali Gonzales II, and Representative Isidro Ungab, for their unwavering leadership on this bill. Their commitment to the passage of this crucial reform was strengthened by the constant support of the President who certified the bill as urgent, as well as the countless advocates in the bureaucracy and civil society.

We look forward to the ratification of this bill, which the President is gladly looking forward to sign into law.

Legarda Hails Approval on Final Reading of Bill Seeking Funds for Nat'l TV

MANILA, December 10, 2012-Senator Loren Legarda hailed the approval on third reading of Senate Bill 3316 or the proposed "Act Revitalizing the People's Television Network, Incorporated" which will amend the People's Television (PTV) Charter.

Legarda, a former broadcast journalist, said that there is a dire need to amend the charter because the PTV4 has no allocation from the government and is not allowed to receive commercial revenues.

"We need to resuscitate our national television because it has a great potential, not for propaganda, but for information dissemination of the advocacies of our various departments of government. They have a ten-year-old charter which would not allow them to sell commercial spots for revenues and they are presently seeking the amendment of that charter to allow them to sell commercial spots for their viability," she said.

Senate Bill No. 3316 seeks to amend the PTV Charter to allow the network to generate funds from advertising and airtime sales and the same shall be utilized by PTV solely for its operations and capital expenditure. The network shall also be allowed to adopt other measures that will help restore the viability of the network operations.

"The passage of this measure is very important as it addresses the urgent need to regenerate and improve the information mechanisms of government," Legarda concluded.

Legarda Hails Approval on Final Reading of Bill Seeking Funds for Nat'l TV

MANILA, December 10, 2012-Senator Loren Legarda hailed the approval on third reading of Senate Bill 3316 or the proposed "Act Revitalizing the People's Television Network, Incorporated" which will amend the People's Television (PTV) Charter.

Legarda, a former broadcast journalist, said that there is a dire need to amend the charter because the PTV4 has no allocation from the government and is not allowed to receive commercial revenues.

"We need to resuscitate our national television because it has a great potential, not for propaganda, but for information dissemination of the advocacies of our various departments of government. They have a ten-year-old charter which would not allow them to sell commercial spots for revenues and they are presently seeking the amendment of that charter to allow them to sell commercial spots for their viability," she said.

Senate Bill No. 3316 seeks to amend the PTV Charter to allow the network to generate funds from advertising and airtime sales and the same shall be utilized by PTV solely for its operations and capital expenditure. The network shall also be allowed to adopt other measures that will help restore the viability of the network operations.

"The passage of this measure is very important as it addresses the urgent need to regenerate and improve the information mechanisms of government," Legarda concluded.

On the call for private helicopters to aid relief operations in Mindanao

MANILA, December 10, 2012-General Jorge Segovia of the Eastern Mindanao Command has been tasked by the President to be Ground Commander of the Search and Rescue operations in the hardest-hit areas in the wake of Typhoon Pablo. Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development is taking the lead for relief operations. As such, Secretary of National Defense Voltaire Gazmin asks the private sector to augment government efforts in delivering relief to these provinces. In keeping with the tradition of private sector involvement in humanitarian efforts following calamities, we call on companies and individuals to coordinate with the Eastern Mindanao Command for the use of private helicopters to transport much-needed relief goods and resources to afflicted provinces at the soonest possible time. The Eastern Mindanao Command may be contacted via 09176201980.

General Segovia and the troops under his command have tirelessly worked for the betterment of our countrymen in Mindanao in the wake of this calamity. Theirs is an example of heroism that we call on others to emulate. The work continues and hope remains strong as we relieve, rebuild, and restore stricken communities in the south. With the civilian and uniformed services of the government and the private sector working together as one, we shall overcome.

On the DOTC and DILG response in the wake of Typhoon Pablo

MANILA, December 10, 2012-Two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels have been deployed to conduct search and rescue as well as relief operations in the province of Davao Oriental. The SARV-3504 has successfully completed its second trip which transported relief goods and response personnel to the Municipality of Banganga and ferried 42 residents of the Municipality of Banganga to Mati City, the provincial capital. It is now on standby for a third trip. Another vessel, the SARV-003, is now moored at Sasa Wharf in Davao City. It will be deployed to augment SARV-3504 after refueling.

Meanwhile, three patrol boats of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources manned by PCG personnel have been organized as a Task Force for the search and rescue of fishermen at sea. The MCS-3009 is already conducting operations in the area while two more vessels (MCS-2004 and MCS-3005) will be dispatched from the port of Mati tonight to augment the effort. According to a report by Transportation and Communications Secretary Jun Abaya, 20 fishermen have been rescued, five bodies were recovered, and 310 remain unaccounted for.

In support of the DOTC-PCG efforts, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has been continuously assessing the situation in Regions 11, 13 and 7 to facilitate the delivery of national government assistance. Upon the directive of Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Mar Roxas, the local government unit (LGU) of Mati is facilitating the release of its calamity fund for the hiring of all available large, local fishing boats for the immediate transfer of goods from Mati City to affected areas in Davao Oriental.

The Philippine National Police regional offices in Mindanao are also on full alert status and its investigation units have been mobilized to assist LGUs and the Department of Trade and Industry to monitor market conditions for price control violations and unfair trade practices.

It will also be remembered that as early as December 2, the DILG had already ordered the reactivation of Local Disaster Risk Response and Management Councils in preparation for the impact of Typhoon Pablo particularly in the following regions: NCR, 4A, 4B, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and ARMM.

To further complement relief operations, the Department of Social Welfare and Development will construct today 63 bunkhouses in the hardest hit Municipalities of Banganga, Boston, and Cateel in Davao Oriental and New Bataan in Compostela Valley. Each bunkhouse will provide shelter for 10 families as rehabilitation efforts begin in their towns.

In addition, we welcome the efforts of TV5 and Mr. Pangilinan for a telethon this evening to raise 100 million pesos for the victims of Typhoon Pablo. Likewise, we urge the public to support the private sector initiatives of ABS-CBN’s Sagip Kapamilya and GMA’s Kapuso Foundation.

Both the national government and the private sector are at the forefront of humanitarian efforts in areas affected by this recent calamity. We call on all Filipinos to continue being of service to our countrymen most in need, knowing fully well that together we will persist and we shall overcome these difficult times.

“AT LEAST A DECADE OF 6-8 PERCENT GROWTH” NEEDED TO ERADICATE POVERTY -- KIKO

MANILA, December 10, 2012-Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan says that as the government continues to rally support for its good governance and fiscal measures, buoyed by the news of 7.1% growth in the third quarter of 2012, it must address the need for "inclusive and sustainable" growth.

“While there is cause for us to be thankful for the 7.1% growth experienced in the third quarter, we must be mindful that we have been there before. More than simply reaching such growth rates from time to time is the question of sustaining it.”

The Philippine government recently celebrated news that the Philippine economy was the second-fastest growing in Asia next only to China, which grew by 7.7% in the third quarter of 2012. Growth was fueled by “the robust performances of transport, storage and communication, financial intermediation and real estate.” The business process outsourcing (BPO), manufacturing, construction, and agriculture industries also contributed largely to this growth, coupled with higher remittances from overseas Filipinos and increased domestic consumption.

Pangilinan points out that the country needs “at least a decade of six to eight percent growth to truly eradicate poverty.”

“To do this we must create jobs here at home and increase incomes of the poorest of the poor in key sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and infrastructure. Only then can we ensure growth that is both inclusive and sustainable,” the lawmaker stresses.

Pangilinan is the chairman of the Senate Committees on Agriculture and Food, and Social Justice, Welfare, and Development, and has been advocating for increased investments in agriculture and social safety nets for farmers, fisherfolk, and marginalized workers in order to increase incomes and improve the overall quality of life for millions of Filipinos.