JINGGOY BRINGS MORE AID TO BOHOL

MANILA-As promised, Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada returned to the earthquake-hit province of Bohol last Sunday to deliver additional aid and food supplies to the victims.

 

It can be remembered that Sen. Estrada visited Bohol, specifically the municipalities of Sagbayan and Calape last October 20 and pledged to bring more relief to the residents.

 

This time, Sen. Estrada visited the coastal town of Maribojoc, one of the worst hit areas by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake which placed the entire province in a state of calamity. Sen. Estrada was welcomed by Mayor Leoncio Evasco, Jr. and Vice Mayor Fructuoso Redulla, Jr., and was accompanied by Cong. Erico Aumentado.

 

Vice Mayor Redulla says that Sen. Estrada is the first national government official to visit and set foot on their town since the earthquake happened last October 15.

 

A five-member team composed of doctors, a nurse and medical technologists from the Department of Health (DOH) – MIMAROPA which is conducting stress debriefing sessions for the affected families says that seeing national officials on site is a positive development for the morale and overall mental health of the victims.

 

Dr. Mon Martin, a member of the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support team that is providing psychological intervention to those who experienced the tragedy and to those who lost relatives, properties and livelihood, says that the said visit by Estrada uplifts their spirits, signals to the victims that help and assistance are on the way and this gives them hope.

 

Sen. Estrada spent an afternoon in Maribojoc and visited a total of seven barangays, namely Barangays Dipatlong, Poblacion, Anislag, San Vicente, Lincod, San Roque, and Bayacabac.

 

According to the local disaster relief operations, 20,588 individuals from 4,526 families and 22 barangays were affected by the earthquake. Disaster operations report also show that 1,917 houses were totally damaged, while 1,850 houses were partially damaged. The municipality also recorded 17 casualties and 340 injured.

 

Apart from sacks of rice, canned goods and drinking water, Sen. Estrada also brought boxes of vitamins, antibiotics, and other essential medicine.

 

Before proceeding to Maribojoc, Sen. Estrada paid a courtesy call to the provincial capitol and handed over a two-million peso check from the City of Manila to Bohol Governor Edgardo Chatto.

 

The City of Manila led by former President and Mayor Joseph Estrada was represented by his son, Jinggoy, and City Administrator Simeon Garcia, Jr.

 

Administrator Garcia says the financial donation was their way of helping the Boholanos and the local government in its relief operations and immediate rehabilitation.

Village polls in CL generally peaceful says COMELEC

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga-The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has declared the conduct of the 2013 barangay elections in Central Luzon as generally peaceful, honest, and orderly.

 

“We are glad to note that elections pushed through in all 3,102 barangays. There are however reports of minor incidents that occurred such as vote buying and illegal distribution of campaign materials,” COMELEC Regional Election Director Rafael Olano disclosed.

 

The election period will still be in effect until November 12 and winning candidates will officially assume office on November 30.

 

Olaño disclosed that figures from the Philippine National Police show that a total of 91 persons have been arrested for violating the gun ban.

 

Some 24,816 positions were up for grabs last Monday in Central Luzon including 3,102 punong barangays and 21,714 kagawads.

 

The region had 19,050 clustered precincts in 2,817 voting centers.

Six million CL residents eligible to vote in today’s barangay polls

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga-A total of 6,024,929 residents of Central Luzon are eligible to vote in today’s barangay polls- the third highest in the entire archipelago.

 

“Bulacan has the most number of voters with 1,543,058 followed by Nueva Ecija- 1,413,079; Pampanga- 1,284,984; Tarlac- 722,626; Bataan-469,227; Zambales-459,678; and Aurora-132,297,” Commission on Elections Regional Election Director Rafael Olano disclosed.

 

“Central Luzon has 19,050 clustered precincts in 2,817 voting centers of its 3,102 barangays. 57,150 teachers will serve as members of the Board of Tellers or three per precinct,” Olano added.

 

Some 24,816 positions will be up for grabs consisting of 3,102 punong barangays and 21,714 kagawads.

 

Philippine National Police (PNP) earlier placed 25 villages in Central Luzon under its “1^st priority” watch list.

 

The province of Nueva Ecija topped the list with 10 followed by Bulacan with 9, Tarlac- 3, Pampanga-2, and Aurora-1.

 

“We have considered a lot of things in placing certain barangays under our 1^st priority. This included intense political rivalry, election-related violent incidents in 2007 and 2010, degree of affection relative to the insurgency problem, presence of criminal gangs and gun-for-hire groups in the area, number of loose and not renewed firearms, and presence of partisan armed groups,” PNP Deputy Regional Director for Operations PSSUPT. Manuel Gaerlan.

 

546 villages are under their 2^nd priority while the remaining 2,531 are under their 3^rd priority.

 

“We have formed mediation groups to diffuse any conflict among contending candidates. It is composed of members from religious sectors, academe and informal leaders in the locality,” Gaerlan disclosed.

Meanwhile, Philippine Army has deployed 1,311 troops in Central Luzon to aid around 5,000 police forces in ensuring peaceful village elections.

 

“Since the start of the election period last September 28, we had been supporting PNP in manning over 24,321 checkpoints region wide,” 7th Infantry Division (7ID) Chief Operations Officer Col. Ernesto Torres disclosed.

 

7ID has established a Division Election Monitoring Assistant Center (DEMAC), which is chaired by newly installed chief of staff Colonel Ronald Villanueva, in its headquarters in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija to supervise the preparations and conduct of security operations by the tasked units. (Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu)

Legarda: Increase Preparedness, Reduce Disasters

Senator Loren Legarda today reiterated the need to shift from reactive efforts to proactive strategies in strengthening the country’s defenses against disasters and climate change.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committees on Climate Change and on Environment and Natural Resources, reiterated her call for greater focus on disaster prevention following an article by Joe America titled, “The Philippines: The Most Dangerous Land on the Planet”, which was posted on news websites.

“Calamities will happen whether we like it or not, but we can certainly reduce its impacts if we are better prepared. Preparation, not reaction, is the name of the game,” Legarda said.

“The climate change impacts alone have resulted in disasters of unprecedented proportions, causing multiple losses—economic, social, political and even cultural. For the year 2012 alone, the Philippines recorded the highest number of disaster-related deaths in the world with 2,360 deaths; while disaster losses have increased about 18-fold since the 1970s,” the Senator added.

The Senator acknowledged that while the distribution of goods and rehabilitation efforts are vital elements of calamity relief efforts, one cannot diminish the fact that preventing the loss of lives and properties is far more important and strategic.

“We can no longer dismiss the interconnection among the issues of climate change, disasters and poverty. We cannot just build houses for the poor.  We need to make sure they are built in areas that will keep our people away from harm. We cannot just build bridges and roads. We need to build strong and resilient infrastructure in the right place and for the right reasons,” the Senator said. 

Illustrating her point further, the Senator said, “We cannot just coat a leaking pipe with a sealant when what is actually needed is a new and more durable rust-proof pipe that could withstand the next surge of water.”

The Senator stressed that both the national government and local government units (LGUs) must think long-term and do more for improved urban planning and disaster reduction. “For one, let us look at the enforcement of building standards.  Disaster resilience requires good building standards and effective enforcement.  A land use policy needs to be adopted to improve resiliency of infrastructure and communities. This Congress needs to prioritize these measures,” the Senator said.

She explained that the quality of scientific data available to government agencies and LGUs for predicting and forecasting disasters also requires urgent improvement.

Furthermore, local governments must confront the worsening floods. To do this, LGUs must update their data on flood hazards and vulnerabilities, develop their information base on flood losses, invest in flood protection and mitigation, identify safe land for families to live in and implement the solid waste management law at full speed.

Legarda also called on the conduct of a nationwide structural evaluation of all schools and hospitals and the retrofitting of these structures to allow them to withstand strong temblors. Funding, for these retrofitting efforts, will need to be provided.

“A JICA 2004 study suggested that a 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Metro Manila will claim more than 50,000 lives. What have our agencies, who had access to that information nearly 10 years ago, done to pro-actively address the grim scenario pictured by that study, “ Legarda asked. 

She said that Congress needs to direct full support and funding for disaster reduction and resilience efforts.

“We have seen enough tragedies. Nobody can say we have not been warned.  It is time disaster reduction and resilience efforts are given a fair share of the national budget and serious attention by our government,” Legarda concluded.

Legarda: Build On the Gains of PHL’s Gender Equality Policies

Senator Loren Legarda today said that the country must build on the gains of its gender equality laws by ensuring that both men and women are able to reach their full potential.

Legarda made the statement following the release of the 2013 Global Gender Gap Report by the World Economic Forum (WEF), which showed that the Philippines ranked fifth in the world and first in Asia Pacific in a survey of nations’ ability to close gender gap.

The WEF measured 136 countries’ gender gap in the areas of economic equality, political participation, health and survival, and educational attainment.

“The results of this report indicate that we have crafted effective laws on gender equality and women empowerment, and the implementation of these policies are improving through the years. We were rank 9 in 2010, 8 in 2011 and 2012, and now we’re number 5 in the Global Gender Gap Index,” said Legarda.

“We must build on our gains and continue to provide equal support to men and women in reaching their full potential as individuals and as citizens participating in nation building,” she added.

Legarda also said that the government must continue to ensure the faithful implementation of Republic Act 9710, the Magna Carta of Women, a law she co-authored, which ensures women are protected from violence and other crisis situations, represented and given role in community decision-making, given equal access to education and employment, and provided with access to comprehensive health services, among other provisions.

“As we strive to empower women, we must likewise encourage them to engage in disaster resilience and climate adaptation efforts as these are among the world’s most pressing concerns today,” she stressed.

  

“We must provide women the needed support to have the confidence to lead and be at the forefront of efforts to improve Filipino communities and take initiatives that will contribute to the nation’s progress,” said Legarda.

Cojuanco Family Give Tribute to AFP

Camp Aquino, Tarlac City - The Cojuanco family base in Tarlac City has invited the joint forces from Armed Forces of The Philippines and Philippine National Police for Thanks Giving Dinner yesterday, October 25, 2013 at Las Hacienda De Luisita, Hacienda Luisita Tarlac City.

The Dinner initiated by Cojuanco family was a tribute to the joint efforts of AFP and PNP during the clearing operations of typhoon "Santi" in different affected areas including the access road going to Subic-Tarlac Express Way and the Luisita commercial complex.

The dinner was organized with the Jose Cojuanco and Sons Organization; Central Azucarera De Tarlac; Luisita Realty Corp; and Luisita Golf and Country Club represented by the former Tarlac Governor, Margarita "ting-ting" Cojuanco, Josephine Guingona Cojuanco, Atty Fernando Cojuanco, Jaime Cojuanco Lopa and Celda Teopaco.

The Commander Northern Luzon Command, Maj Gen Gregorio Pio P Catapang Jr, AFP; commander, 7th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, Brig Gen Irrebire; and Police Provincial Director, PSSupt Alfred Corpuz with almost 250 military and police troops were present during the event.

Maj Gen Catapang said, "Global climate change is the strongest enemy that threatened us, however, the AFP has nothing to do with, but the individual preparation has a big contribution in order to limit the effect of calamities.  in other side, I am proud to see that different forces were hand-in-hand extending support to our affected communities".

NE suffers P2.3-B damage due to Santi -- PDRRMC

CABANATUAN CITY – The province of Nueva Ecija, considered the country’s rice granary, lost a total of P2.3 billion worth of crops, infrastructure and flood control systems in the wake of typhoon Santi with the damage expected to breach the P3-billion mark because of the devastation on properties.

          In a final damage assessment report by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, a copy of which was obtained by The STAR Friday, the total damage was placed at P2,388,900,715.34.

          Dr. Abraham Pascua, PDRRMC co-chairman, said the figure was arrived at after validating the field reports submitted by local government units in the five cities and 27 municipalities in the province. “This damage assessment report is final, official and validated,” Pascua said.

          The figure was considerably lower than estimates based on initial ocular inspection.           Earlier, Gov. Aurelio Umali, PDRRMC chairman, said initial assessment placed the damage at P2.7 billion.

          But disaster officials said the actual damage could shoot up to P3 billion if damage to properties would be included as 75,914 houses were damaged in the entire province, which has been declared a calamity area.

          Pascua said they could not possibly quantify yet the damage on properties.

          Based on PDRRMC figures, the fourth congressional district comprising Gapan City and the towns of Cabiao, Gen. Tinio, Jaen, Penaranda, San Antonio, San Isidro and San Leonardo accounts for the biggest crop damage of P741.8 million representing 33 percent of the province-wide total.

          This was followed by the third congressional district covering the cities of Cabanatuan and Palayan and the towns of Bongabon, Gabaldon, Gen. Natividad, Laur and Sta. Rosa which suffered P549.57 million in crop damage and the first congressional district (Aliaga, Cuyapo, Guimba, Licab, Nampicuan, Quezon, Sto. Domingo, Talavera and Zaragoza) which sustained P549.52 million in crop damage.

The second congressional district (Munoz City, San Jose City, Carranglan, Llanera, Lupao, Pantabangan, Rizal and Talugtug) registered the lowest crop damage at P385 million.

Crops cover rice, corn, vegetables, high-value crops and livestock.

In term of rice, the province lost P1.9 billion, P3.7 million worth of corn, P141.2 million worth of vegetables, P160.9 million worth of high-value crops and P241 million worth of livestock.

Two cities and four towns lost at least P100 million worth of palay each. Cabanatuan was the hardest-hit, losing P149.3 million worth of palay, followed by Sta. Rosa (P129.4 million), Guimba (P128.5 million), San Antonio (P127.6 million), Gapan City (P109.8 million) and Cabiao (P102.7 million).

In terms of infrastructure, damage was placed at P162.9 million involving P134.6 million worth of road networks and P28.3 million in flood control systems. Of the road networks, P84 million (62%) involve municipal roads and P50.5 million (38%) involve provincial roads.

Pascua said of the 75,914 damaged houses, some 15,930 were totally damaged while 59,984 partially damaged. This affected 111,915 families or 513,159 persons.

Jaen recorded the most number of damaged houses with 11,649 followed by Cabanatuan (8,656) and Zaragoza (8,371).

Cabanatuan registered the most number of affected families with 32,897 or 161,896 persons followed by Aliaga (13,165 families or 72,324 persons), Jaen (11,649 families or 46,596 persons) and Zaragoza (10,689 families or 28,087 persons).

The provincial government has been distributing roofing sheets to the affected families. – Manny Galvez     

Senate Labor Committee to push passage of administration’s priority measures

MANILA-Labor Committee Chairman Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada expressed commitment today to readily act on and push for the passage of the priority measures of the administration as identified by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

 

During the organizational meeting of the Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development, the DOLE named the Apprenticeship Bill, Bill Strengthening the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), and the proposed Magna Carta for Seafarers as their top three priority measures for the 16^th Congress.

 

Senate Bill 136 (proposed Act Reforming the National Apprenticeship Program and Providing Standards for the Training and Employment of Apprentices) and Senate Bill 21 (An Act Instituting Magna Carta for Seafarers) also form part of Sen. Estrada’s priority measures filed last July.

 

Labor Undersecretary Rebecca Chato also acknowledged Sen. Estrada’s leadership as Chairman of the Labor Committee for the “productive partnership” between the DOLE and the Senate, and for the “impressive accomplishment” and passage of essential labor laws during the previous 15^th Congress, including the Batas Kasambahay, Tripartism Act, lifting the nightwork prohibition, and the law strengthening mandatory conciliation and mediation as labor dispute mechanisms.

 

USec. Chato hopes to double the output of this inter-branch cooperation, as he presented to the committee a total of 12 legislative measures concerning employment, rights at work and social dialogue for the Congress’ consideration.

 

Apart from the three, the DOLE is pushing for the enactment of the following legislation for the current Congress:

·         Amending Labor Code Provisions on Alien Employment Permit

·         Establishing Productivity and Performance Incentives and Gainsharing Program

·         Strengthening Labor Law Compliance System

·         Strengthening Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards

·         Institutionalizing Occupational Safety and Health Standards in the Construction Industry

·         Strengthening Workers’ Right to Self-Organization

·         Defining the Power of Assumption or Certification of Labor Disputes by the Secretary of Labor and Employment to Undertakings which Involve Essential Services

·         Strengthening Voluntary Arbitration as a Preferential Mode of Labor Dispute Settlement

·         Providing for the Appeal of the Decisions of the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC)

 

Sen. Estrada also urged the DOLE to coordinate and seek the support of the House of Representatives through the Chairman of the House Committee on Labor and Employment Davao City 1^st District Cong. Karlo Nograles to ensure immediate approval of the said bills.

Legarda Highlights Indigenous Culture in Celebration of National IP Month

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities, today highlighted the country’s cultural richness in celebration of the National Indigenous Peoples Month.

“The month of October is celebrated in the Philippines as the National IP Month and this year, we are invited by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) for a Collective Celebration of the Culture of Indigenous Cultural Communities,” said Legarda.

In her privilege speech, Legarda narrated several traditional knowledge and practices of IP communities that showcase their excellence—a trait attributed by National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Chairperson Felipe de Leon, Jr. to Filipino IPs because their works are incomparable and of the highest standards.

The Senator cited the importance of weaving, embroidery, beadwork and belt-making for the T’bolis of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato to keep their tradition alive because every item they make is an important part of their life.

She also said that in Paracelis, Mountain Province, Ga’dang elders strive to pass on the traditional Ga’dang cloth weaving to their children to unleash the creativity of the youth while incorporating in them the values of hard work, patience and love of culture.

“The Panay Bukidnon community in Calinog, Iloilo employs intricate handiwork and a unique dyeing system in the creation of their traditional wear; while the Hanunuo Mangyan community in Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro continues to practice burunganto produce thread from cotton, which they use to weave ramit that they wear as skirt. These traditional practices are but a few of the many weaving traditions around the country and weaving is just one part of a very rich culture,” she narrated.

Legarda said that to preserve and promote these weaving traditions as well as Philippine tropical fabrics, she supported the expansion of the Hibla ng Lahing Filipino: The Artistry of Philippine Textiles, the country’s first permanent textile gallery; and created the the Baybayin Gallery, which showcases the ancient and traditional scripts of the Philippines, both at the National Museum.

She also said that many other museums have featured Philippine indigenous items. The Ethnological Museum in Berlin, Germany has kept Dr. Jose Rizal’s textile collection; while the Quai Branly Museum in Paris, France featured Philippine pre-colonial artwork and artifacts through the exhibition “Philippines: An Archipelago of Exchange”from April 9 to July 14, 2013.

“Similar exhibitions in our communities would be beautiful. It is in this light that I filed Senate Bill No. 105, which seeks to preserve the country’s traditional folk arts through the regional museums of the National Museum,” Legarda said.

The regional museums will display traditional folk arts collection, archeological finds, objects of art, and other local cultural treasures as part of efforts on conservation, preservation and promotion of the cultural heritage of the schools of living traditions (SLTs) found within their localities.

“To all of us who have gained so much from this ingenuity, perhaps, it would not be too much to give the fitting recognition long overdue to our IPs and to allow them to benefit from the very knowledge that had rooted from their communities. Let our common vision and values weave us together as we seek to empower those who have given meaning to our being Filipino,” Legarda concluded.

Statement of Senate President Franklin M. Drilon on the latest Pulse Asia Survey

I am not surprised by the drop in my approval rating in the latest Pulse Asia Survey since I have been the subject of a vicious media vilification campaign in the past weeks by people intent to muddle the issues behind this pork barrel scandal and divert the public anger from the real culprits of the case.

However, I am confident that after our justice system takes its course; when after a speedy and impartial trial the guilty is punished and imprisoned and the innocent is acquitted, the Senate as an institution will emerge stronger and more credible in the eyes of the Filipino people.

As I have said, this pork barrel controversy is a painful cleansing process for both chambers of Congress and we, in the Senate, intend to go through this process in earnest.  Reforms in the Senate will start with the immediate and unconditional abolition of the pork barrel system.

I said it before and I say it again: the pork barrel scam is a great injustice to the Filipino people and I will not stop until the truth will come out in the Senate investigation and those responsible for corrupt practices will be held accountable for their actions.

Gov’t land distribution empowers 26,000 farmers in CL

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga­­-More than 26,000 landless farmers in Central Luzon received their land titles under the “Handog Titulo” program of the government as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) intensifies its land distribution effort this year.

 

Maximo Dichoso, DENR Regional Executive Director, confirmed that a total of 5,392 land titles covering 1,947 hectares of public lands were given away to marginalized farmers in the region this year.

 

Of these, a total of 2,694 land titles covering 1,763 hectares of public lands were distributed under the regular land distribution program of the DENR, and another 1,139 titles covering 84 hectares under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

 

“Only when farmers are assured of land security are they motivated to develop their lands. The first step, therefore, to achieving agricultural and countryside development is by providing our farmers with land titles,” he explained.

 

Tirso Parian, deputy DENR director for land management, reported that another 1,559 land titles were also distributed to farmers under Republic Act 10023, or the New Residential Free Patent Act (RFPA). 

 

Qualified Filipino citizens who are actual occupants of a residential land for at least 10 years are given free patent titles under the RFPA.

 

DENR records showed that the government land distribution program benefited a total of 77,245 landless farmers in Central Luzon since 1999.

 

As this developed, the DENR completed 21 cadastral survey projects covering 332, 616 hectares in Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija and Zambales.

 

Cadastral survey projects involved surveying extensive tracts of previously unsurveyed or incompletely surveyed lands in towns, cities, and provinces to expedite land registration and promote land valuation and taxation efforts of local governments.

 

To facilitate land administration and management, the DENR entered into a memorandum of partnership agreement (Mopa) with nine local government units (LGU) in four provinces in Central Luzon under the LGU-led land titling program of the DENR.

 

Parian said the towns of Llanera, Carranglan, Laur, Gen. Tinio, and Penaranda in Nueva Ecija; San Marcelino and Olongapo City in Zambales;Minalin in Pampanga; and Mayantoc in Tarlac already committed to partner with the DENR in expediting land titling activities in these areas.

 

Under the LGU-led land-titling program of the DENR, municipal assessors shall be deputized as Public Land Investigators to assist the DENR in land distribution efforts.

 

The partnership agreements are expected to improve the LGU’s tax collection efforts, increase land-based market activities, provide clean titles and greater access to credit facilities, and reduce land conflict cases and boundary disputes. (DENR-RPAO 3)

Senate Labor Committee to push passage of administration’s priority measures

MANILA-Labor Committee Chairman Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada expressed commitment today to readily act on and push for the passage of the priority measures of the administration as identified by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

 

During the organizational meeting of the Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development, the DOLE named the Apprenticeship Bill, Bill Strengthening the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), and the proposed Magna Carta for Seafarers as their top three priority measures for the 16^th Congress.

 

Senate Bill 136 (proposed Act Reforming the National Apprenticeship Program and Providing Standards for the Training and Employment of Apprentices) and Senate Bill 21 (An Act Instituting Magna Carta for Seafarers) also form part of Sen. Estrada’s priority measures filed last July.

 

Labor Undersecretary Rebecca Chato also acknowledged Sen. Estrada’s leadership as Chairman of the Labor Committee for the “productive partnership” between the DOLE and the Senate, and for the “impressive accomplishment” and passage of essential labor laws during the previous 15^th Congress, including the Batas Kasambahay, Tripartism Act, lifting the nightwork prohibition, and the law strengthening mandatory conciliation and mediation as labor dispute mechanisms.

 

USec. Chato hopes to double the output of this inter-branch cooperation, as he presented to the committee a total of 12 legislative measures concerning employment, rights at work and social dialogue for the Congress’ consideration.

 

Apart from the three, the DOLE is pushing for the enactment of the following legislation for the current Congress:

·         Amending Labor Code Provisions on Alien Employment Permit

·         Establishing Productivity and Performance Incentives and Gainsharing Program

·         Strengthening Labor Law Compliance System

·         Strengthening Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards

·         Institutionalizing Occupational Safety and Health Standards in the Construction Industry

·         Strengthening Workers’ Right to Self-Organization

·         Defining the Power of Assumption or Certification of Labor Disputes by the Secretary of Labor and Employment to Undertakings which Involve Essential Services

·         Strengthening Voluntary Arbitration as a Preferential Mode of Labor Dispute Settlement

·         Providing for the Appeal of the Decisions of the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC)

 

Sen. Estrada also urged the DOLE to coordinate and seek the support of the House of Representatives through the Chairman of the House Committee on Labor and Employment Davao City 1^st District Cong. Karlo Nograles to ensure immediate approval of the said bills.

Senators formally give up 2013 PDAF; pass resolution urging PNoy to augment calamity fund

MANILA-In an effort to help victims of calamity-stricken areas, the Senate has decided to abandon the remaining Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) allotted to senators for 2013.

On Tuesday, the Senate passed a resolution which urges the President to use the savings which will be created by the senators’ abandonment of their PDAF allocation to augment the calamity fund in order for the government to respond effectively to the needs of the victims of various calamities that hit the country recently.

“We adopted Senate Resolution No. 14 wherein the senators have waived and abandoned their PDAF for 2013. With that abandonment of their PDAF entitlement, it has created savings which the President may use as calamity fund for areas affected by the typhoons ‘Labuyo’ and ‘Santi,’ by the earthquake in Visayas, and the man-made disaster in Zamboanga,” stressed Drilon, primary author of said resolution.

“We urged the President to use these savings to support ongoing recovery activities for victims of these disasters,” he added.

“We have to respond and assist the government in disaster relief, speedy post-disaster recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of provinces affected by these recent calamities that hit our country,” said Drilon.   

“These disasters have brought pain and suffering to our people, disrupted the functioning communities, caused mass casualties, damaged cultural heritage, and caused widespread human, material, economic and environmental losses,” the Senate Chief added.

Drilon said the realignment of the PDAF is authorized under the Constitution, specifically Section 25 (5) of Article VI of the 1987 Constitution.

The President may, by law, be authorized to augment any item in the General Appropriations Act from savings in any other items in the executive department, he noted.

He likewise cited Section 52 of the 2013 GAA authorizing the President to use savings to augment actual deficiencies incurred for the current year in any item of his appropriation.

The Office of the President declared that only P1.37 billion of the P7.5 billion calamity fund remains, it added.

According the Department of Budget and Management website, the unreleased PDAF for senators for 2013 amounts to P3.18 billion.