Legarda: Free Our Nation From Poverty, Promote Inclusive Growth

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today said that Filipinos should have a shared vision of freeing the nation from poverty as she expressed support for the government’s programs to make the fruits of economic growth be felt by everyone.

Legarda made the statement as the nation celebrates the 115^thAnniversary of Philippine Independence on June 12. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Kalayaan 2013: Ambagan Tungo sa Malawakang Kaunlaran” (Independence Day 2013: Pitching in Towards Inclusive Growth).

“The Philippines’ growth has been surprising economists. In the first quarter of 2013, the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 7.8 percent, even faster than China and its Asian neighbors. But the greater challenge is translating the impressive numbers into more job opportunities, stable employment, equitable access to quality education, health services, and other social services, and safe and disaster-resilient communities for Filipinos,” she said.

Legarda said that investing heavily in the countryside must be included in development initiatives—support for the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises to create more employment opportunities; establishing livelihood training programs; and providing technical and financial support to farmers and fisherfolk.

She added that the conservation of the environment should also be part of growth initiatives, stressing that the decline of ecosystems has been determined as one of the underlying drivers of disaster risks and poverty. Thus, protecting ecosystems—which involves rehabilitating forests, cleaning rivers, and stopping pollution, among other actions, must be done now.

“The government has been instituting reforms that promote inclusive growth and everyone is enjoined to support these initiatives because like our forefathers, who shared the vision of independence and united towards its fulfillment, we can only free our nation from poverty if we all work together to make good use of the opportunities that come with an improving economy,” Legarda concluded.

Anti-bullying bill OK’d on third reading

MANILA-A bill authored by Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV seeking to institutionalize policies against bullying in all primary and secondary schools has been approved on final reading in the Senate.

 

If this becomes a law, schools will be mandated to adopt policies to address all forms of bullying, implement disciplinary actions and establish a system of reporting.

 

“Bullying remains to be a serious and prevalent problem in our schools today,” said Trillanes, principal author of the bill in the Senate. “Studies have shown that aside from the physical harm it may cause, bullying can cause psychological and psychosomatic problems among victims and perpetrators, which could cause greater problems in our society later on.”

 

“With this bill, I hope that bullying will be addressed through the proactive measures and policies which will be adopted by all schools in the country,” Trillanes added.

 

In the approved bill, bullying is defined as the “severe or repeated use by one or more students of a written, verbal or electronic expression, or a physical act or gesture, or any combination thereof, directed at another student that has the effect of actually causing or placing the latter in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm or damage to his property; creating a hostile environment at school for the other student; infringing on the rights of the other student at school; or materially and substantially disrupting the education process or the orderly operation of a school.”

 

The bill likewise directs the Department of Education to include activities that will enhance the knowledge and skills of teachers, school administrators, and employees on preventing and addressing bullying acts in its training programs.

 

“I have been fighting bullies in our government. And I believe that bullying in our society will be eradicated if we start addressing it in our schools, where our children’s values are shaped and where unlikely behaviors may develop as result of such acts. Thus, it must be our collective concern to shield our children from abusive behavior and from the vicious cycle of bullying and violence especially during their formative years,” added Trillanes, who is a father of two school children.

Legarda Prioritizes OFW Welfare in Ushering Approval of 16 Treaties

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda has ushered the Senate’s concurrence in the ratification of sixteen (16) international agreements highlighted by the adoption of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 189 and the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC), both of which strengthen the protection for overseas Filipino workers (OFW).

“In reviewing treaties and sponsoring the same for the Senate’s concurrence, our utmost concern is that these agreements will be beneficial to both the nation and our OFWs. With millions of Filipinos working in foreign nations, it is our duty to ensure that their rights and welfare are protected. The ILO Convention 189 and the Maritime Labour Convention are among the treaties that bring a multitude of benefits to our OFWs, particularly domestic workers and seafarers,” said Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

The ILO Convention 189 Concerning Domestic Workers demands that there should be a contract between the domestic worker and employer that states the employee’s salary, reasonable hours of work, provision for food and shelter, weekly rest and vacation, and other terms and conditions of employment clearly understood by both parties. It also upholds their right to form or join workers’ organization and enter into collective bargaining.

The Convention also ensures that domestic workers, especially those working abroad, are able to keep in their possession their travel and identity documents.

As a sending country, the Philippines can also engage host countries that are signatories to the Treaty in an agreement that will prevent abuses and fraudulent practices in recruitment, placement, and employment of domestic workers.

Meanwhile, the MLC, considered as the seafarers’ bill of rights, consolidates and updates, in one Convention, 68 international labor standards related to the maritime sector adopted over the last 80 years.

The MLC covers basic rights such as freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining; the elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labor; abolition of child labor; and the elimination of discrimination in employment and occupation.

It also demands employers to provide for seafarer a safe and secure workplace that complies with safety standards; fair terms of employment; decent working and living conditions on board ship; health protection, medical care, welfare measures and other forms of social protection.

This Convention covers not just the crew involved in navigating or operating the ship but also, other workers including cabin and cleaning personnel, bar staff, waiters, entertainers, singers, kitchen staff, casino personnel and estheticians—positions occupied by thousands of Filipinos in foreign vessels.

“We aim to provide better protection for our workers in the country and those working in other nations. We do not want them to be subjected to inhuman or degrading treatment and any form of abuse. In adopting these agreements, the country is making significant strides in protecting Filipino workers,” Legarda stressed.

The Senate in the 15^th Congress also approved the following treaties reported and sponsored by Legarda:

·      The Philippines-Japan Agreement on Technical Cooperation

·      The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC)

·      The Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT)

·      Protocol Additional to the Geneva Convention, Relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts (Protocol I)

·      The Agreement between the Government of the Philippines and the International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management to Establish the Office of the WorldFish Center in the Philippines (ICLARM)

·      Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) between the Philippines and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

·      MLAT between the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China

·      Consular Agreement with the People’s Republic of China

·      Convention on Social Security between the Republic of the Philippines and the Kingdom of Spain

·      Agreement between the Government of the Philippines and the Government of Australia concerning the Status of Visiting Forces of the other State (SOVFA)

·      The Protocol Amending the Agreement between the Philippine Government and the French Republic for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income

·      The Philippines-Kuwait Treaty on the Avoidance of Double Taxation

·      The Philippines-Qatar Treaty on the Avoidance of Double Taxation

·      The Agreement between the Philippine Government and the UNESCO to establish the Southeast Asian Center for Lifelong Learning for Sustainable Development (SEA CLLSD) in the country

Legarda: Awareness Key to Building Disaster-Resilient Communities

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today underscored the importance of heightening community awareness in disaster management to strengthen preparedness against natural hazards.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, said that the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) declared June 10-16 as Disaster Preparedness Week with the goal of achieving “zero casualty”.

“Awareness is key to building disaster-resilient communities. While the government is carrying out disaster preparedness programs, there should be a parallel effort to ensure that citizens are aware of the risks in their areas and how they can prepare for the onslaught of natural hazards like typhoons and earthquakes that frequently occur,” she said.

The DILG will be conducting disaster preparedness activities from the barangay to national levels with more focus on informal settler-families. They will also conduct emergency drills and the review of disaster contingency plans and waste management program of local government units.

“As we observe the Disaster Preparedness Week, I would like to stress on one key lesson: disaster prevention starts long before a typhoon makes landfall, before an earthquake happens or before a volcano erupts,” Legarda said.

“Early warning and early action should be at the very heart of our efforts. We should all understand the risks we face and equip ourselves with preventive measures to lessen the impact of natural hazards,” she added.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change and United Nations Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for Asia-Pacific, Legarda has spearheaded various information and education campaigns on disaster preparedness.

She is set to launch “Ligtas”, an instructional video on disaster preparedness directed by Brillante Mendoza.

She has also produced other films and documentaries on climate change such as “Ulan sa Tag-Araw: Isang Dokyu-drama Ukol sa Pagbabago ng  Klima,” children’s animation movie “Ligtas Likas”, “Now is the Time” (in partnership with UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction), and “Buhos”.

Legarda also collaborated with various government agencies to produce the Disaster Preparedness and First Aid Handbook to educate citizens how to prepare for and respond to both natural and human-induced hazards.

Furthermore, she has led the distribution of geo-hazard maps to LGUs nationwide to inform communities and citizens on the natural dangers in their areas and how to prepare during typhoons and other calamities.

“We must be ready to face all kinds of hazards—natural and human-induced. We need to build our resilience to disasters today, as well as our resilience to climate change in the future, for a much safer environment for citizens to live in,” Legarda concluded.

Legarda: Implement Stringent Provisions of New Anti-Trafficking Law

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today called for the application of the more stringent penalty provisions of the Expanded Anti-Trafficking Law against the perpetrators of the crime.

Legarda, principal sponsor of the law, called upon the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) to cooperate and work with law enforcers, to ensure that the perpetrators, including those based overseas, would not escape justice.

The Senator noted that a few weeks ago, the National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas raided a house believed to be a cybersex den in Cordova, Cebu and arrested a couple alleged of conducting cyber-pornography involving their own child and other minors.

A CNN documentary also featured prostitution and cybersex as among the common forms of human trafficking acts in the Philippines, with minors being convinced to engage in such trade as they are promised with good income and a better life.

“It is time that the users of trafficking victims are made to answer for their crimes. The Expanded Anti-Trafficking Act provides sanctions against them,” said Legarda.

“Trafficking is symptomatic of the desperate situation the victims are in. If we give them the necessary intervention, both economic and social, we will be able to take away the motivation that makes them easy prey to traffickers,” she added.

The new law expands the enumeration of acts that promote trafficking; covers attempted trafficking and accessory or accomplice liability; creates a permanent Secretariat that will primarily collect comprehensive criminal justice data on trafficking in persons and will train prosecutors and law enforcers; and improves institutional mechanisms and responses to human trafficking by strengthening policies, improving enforcement and enhancing inter-agency coordination both at the local and international levels.

“I challenge the DOJ and the IACAT to prove that with this new law, human traffickers will be deprived of the legal loopholes that have allowed them to escape prosecution and conviction in the past,” Legarda concluded.

Legarda Highlights Urban Planning and Disaster Risk Management Link

Senator Loren Legarda today said that disaster risk management must be part of urban planning and stressed that geohazard mapping and assessment is an indispensable part of housing and property development.

Legarda, the United Nations Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for Asia-Pacific, made the call as authorities have yet to establish the cause for the gas explosion in Serendra, which resulted to the death of three people and serious injury to one.

“Housing and property development are springing out like mushrooms and we must ensure that these have complied with the requisite geohazard mapping and assessment,” she said.

“Without linking the cause of the blast to possible movements in the fault lines, which are believed to cut across sections of Fort Bonifacio, the government needs to exercise vigilance in preventing a far worse disaster from happening in areas that may be vulnerable to disasters. Resiliency starts with good planning and strict enforcement of our laws,” she added.

Legarda also noted that the global report on disaster risk reduction recently released by UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction cites increasing disaster risk in cities due to lack of risk assessment in urban development planning.

“The private sector must model the way to reducing disaster risk with its enormous resources and capacity to invest for the future. I would like to believe that the business sector now is more about ensuring safer and better lives for the Filipino people than merely mustering profit. The challenge to them is to focus on building a sustainable future for the country,” she stressed.

Legarda said that one of her first initiatives in the upcoming Congress would be that of assessing the implementation of the country’s environmental laws, the Climate Change Act, and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act.

Legarda Set to Launch Disaster Preparedness Video

Senator Loren Legarda will lead the launch and special screening of “Ligtas”, an instructional video on disaster preparedness, on June 17 at the Cinema 2 of The Podium.

Ligtas gives valuable instructions and precautionary information to families and communities on how to prepare for and what to do during typhoons, floods, landslides, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis.

The instructional video was produced by Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change and the United Nations Regional Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for Asia-Pacific, and was directed by Brillante Mendoza.

“After explaining the science of climate change and how it affects our everyday lives through Buhos, which was also directed by Direk Brillante, we now educate our citizens on how they can avoid natural hazards from turning into disasters through Ligtas,” the Senator explained.

Legarda said that her team-up with Mendoza is part of her continuing advocacy to educate people on disaster prevention and preparedness and increase their awareness on climate change and the dangers it poses to the community and the need for the public to adapt.

The Senator has produced other films and documentaries on climate change such as “Ulan sa Tag-Araw: Isang Dokyu-drama Ukol sa Pagbabago ng  Klima,” children’s animation movie “Ligtas Likas”, and “Now is the Time” (in partnership with UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction).

It will be recalled that Legarda has already authored relevant laws to address the issue including the Climate Change Act and People’s Survival Fund Law, and headed various initiatives on disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) including the conduct of regional DRR workshops, the distribution of geo-hazard maps to local government units nationwide, and the massive distribution of the Disaster Preparedness and First Aid Handbook, which she produced in collaboration with various government agencies.

Legarda Reports Accomplishments as Chair of Foreign Relations Committee

Senator Loren Legarda today reported her accomplishments as Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in a span of around two years in the 15^th Congress, highlighted by the approval of sixteen international agreements and the investigation on the dumping of toxic waste in Philippine seawaters.

Legarda headed the joint investigation of the Committees on Foreign Relations and Environment and Natural Resources on the alleged dumping of wastes in seawaters by MT Glenn Guardian, a vessel owned by Glenn Defense Marine Asia Pte Ltd.

The investigation report showed that Glenn Defense clearly violated Philippine laws when it dumped sewage waste in seawaters covered by the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on October 15, 2012. It recommended the conduct of administrative proceedings and criminal proceedings against Glenn Defense and, if warranted, even its blacklisting.

Meanwhile, Legarda has reported 19 out of the 21 treaties referred to the Foreign Relations Committee. The Senate adopted 16 of these international agreements.

The adopted treaties are as follows:

·      The Philippines-Japan Agreement on Technical Cooperation. It promotes technical cooperation initiatives aimed at developing human resources needed in ensuring economic progress and stability.

·      The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The treaty is important because the ICC can step in when countries are unwilling or unable to dispense justice when it comes to the most serious crimes of concern to the international community, namely - genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and aggression. The ratification of this Statute paved the way for Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago’s election as ICC Judge for a term of 9 years.

·      The Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT). It strengthens the protection of persons deprived of their liberty against torture, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment through the institutionalization of a national preventive mechanism that would ensure that the Philippines would meet international standards on confinement and treatment of prisoners.

·      Protocol Additional to the Geneva Convention, Relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts (Protocol I). It will provide better protection for Filipino soldiers when they are deployed abroad for peacekeeping and other military operations in the course of an international armed conflict.

·      The Agreement between the Government of the Philippines and the International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management to Establish the Office of the WorldFish Center in the Philippines (ICLARM). It will support Philippine initiatives in fighting hunger and reducing poverty by improving fisheries and aquaculture.

·      Two (2) Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLAT)—the MLAT between the Philippines and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the MLAT between the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China. These treaties establish a legal framework, which obligates the Contracting Parties to assist in the investigation, prosecution and suppression of criminal offenses and proceedings related to criminal matters.

·      Consular Agreement with the People’s Republic of China. It extends immediate and appropriate protection to our nationals in China who are being detained, arrested or deprived of freedom.

·      Convention on Social Security between the Republic of the Philippines and the Kingdom of Spain. It ensures that Filipinos in Spain are secured upon retirement in the twilight of their years.

·      Agreement between the Government of the Philippines and the Government of Australia concerning the Status of Visiting Forces of the other State. It will enhance cooperation on maritime terrorism and other security threats. It defines the rights as well as the responsibilities between the visiting forces and the host government on such matters as criminal and civil jurisdiction, claims, entry and exit of personnel and property, movement of vessels, aircraft and vehicles and carrying of arms, among others.

·      International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 189, the Convention Concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers. It improves the employment conditions of domestic workers in the Philippines and worldwide by ensuring that domestic workers, like other workers, enjoy the same mantle of basic rights, such as reasonable hours of work, weekly rest, clear information on terms and conditions of employment, and freedom of association.

·      Maritime Labour Convention, 2006. It is the seafarers’ bill of rights. It covers such basic rights as freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining; elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labor; effective abolition of child labor; and elimination of discrimination with respect to employment and occupation.

·      The Protocol Amending the Agreement between the Philippine Government and the French Republic for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income. It broadens the scope of information that may be exchanged relating to tax administration, including bank information.

·      Two (2) treaties on the Avoidance of Double Taxation—the Philippines-Kuwait Tax Treaty and the Philippines-Qatar Tax Treaty. These treaties help the Contracting States to better enforce domestic laws so as to reduce tax evasion, and they likewise promote technology transfer, and international academic, cultural, and sports exchanges.

·      The Agreement between the Philippine Government and the UNESCO to establish the Southeast Asian Center for Lifelong Learning for Sustainable Development (SEA CLLSD) in the country. The establishment of the SEA CLLSD envisions the creation of an educational framework that works for sustainable development. It seeks to develop and provide appropriate learning programs, which aim to benefit the marginalized, the disadvantaged, and the underserved members of the population, including our indigenous peoples, our out-of-school youth and our non-literate adults.

“I am glad to report that Senate Committee on Foreign Relations was able to accomplish this much. These treaties are vital both to the country and to Filipinos in other countries. These significant developments in the area of international relations will ultimately redound to the benefit of Filipinos,” Legarda concluded.

Legarda Urges Increased Involvement of Business Sector in Disaster Risk Reduction

Senator Loren Legarda today encouraged the business sector to increase its participation in the country’s disaster risk reduction efforts.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, made the call following the release of the 2103 Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction titled “From Shared Risk to Shared Value: the Business Case for Disaster Risk Reduction”.

The report revealed that the economic gains of the Philippines is at high risk to disasters, particularly typhoons and earthquakes. It can suffer losses worth more than US$9 billion due to a strong earthquake.

It further noted that losses to disasters could even exceed the country’s revenue. The Philippines has been experiencing budget deficits due to disasters, from more than Php100 billion in 2000 to Php300 billion in 2009, resulting to increased foreign borrowings.

In line with this, Legarda, the United Nations Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for Asia-Pacific, said that the GAR 2013 stresses the need for the government and the business sector to work in tandem to ensure that amid threats of natural hazards and extreme weather events, development goals are still within reach.

“Amid the continuing efforts of the government, both in the national and local level, to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events, the heightened engagement of the business sector in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation efforts is crucial in preventing substantial business losses and economic development setbacks resulting from disasters of unprecedented scale,” she stressed.

The Senator said that aside from coming up with their business continuity plans that will show how prepared they are to face disasters and be back in business as soon as possible, the private sector is encouraged to work with the government in constructing homes, schools, hospitals, and buildings that are safe and secure amidst natural hazards, and in designing and constructing roads, bridges and other infrastructure that help spur economic growth with disaster risk reduction in mind.

“The business sector is also encouraged to conduct and share risk assessments of their companies, establish effective and efficient early warning systems and disaster plans in their respective corporations, and engage in worthwhile advocacies that will protect our ecosystems, among other actions,” she added.

“We urge an increased participation from the business sector in building a more productive and resilient economy and in ensuring that in the natural hazards to come, we will have zero or less casualties and damages. After all, the higher value of corporate business is not found in the monetary profit it brings neither in the wealth it creates, but in the nobility of purpose - to improve the quality of life of the people and to build a sustainable and resilient human society,” Legarda concluded.

CARPER, walang silbi sa magsasakang apektado ng APECO nina Angara at Aquino

Sa pagmarka ng ika-25 taon ng pagpapatupad ng Republic Act 6657 o Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), ang mga magsasaka sa ilalim ng Panlalawigang Alyansa ng Magbubukid ng Aurora, Inc (Pamana), Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luson (Amgl) at Anakpawis Partylist- Gitnang Luzon ay nananawagan ng pagbasura ng ekstensyon nitong Republic Act 9700 o CARP Extension with “Reforms” (CARPer).  Ayon sa kanila,  ang programang ito ay walang silbi sa mga magsasakang apektado ng Republic Act 10083 o Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Act (APECO) sa mga bayan ng Casiguran, Dinalungan at Dilasag, sa probinsya ng Aurora.  Samantalang ang APECO ay instrumento ito ng pamilyang Angara upang kamkamin ang mahigit 13,000 ektarya sa hilagang Aurora, ang CARPer naman ay nagsisilbing instrumento ng mga malalaking panginoong maylupa upang panatilihin ang kontrol sa malalawak na lupa at balewalain ang karapatan ng maraming magsasaka.  Sa kawalang silbi ang CARP sa mga magsasaka, ang APECO ay kasalukuyang nagpapalayas sa mga magsasaka, katutubo at mangingisda sa mga naturang bayan.  Bilang bahagi ng panawagang pagbasura sa CARPer at APECO, maglulunsad ng  pagkilos ang Pamana sa bayan ng Maria Aurora sa probinsya ng Aurora, gayundin ang Amgl sa Angeles City, Pampanga darating na Hunyo 9 hanggang 10, 2013.  Ito ay dadaluhan ng mga magsasaka mula sa iba’t ibang probinsya at susuportahan ng iba’t ibang sektor.

“Malinaw na walang silbi ang CARP sa mga magsasakang apektado ngayon ng APECO, dahil kung may silbi ito, bakit ngayon ay pinapalayas ang mga magsasaka sa bayan ng Casiguran at mga katabi nito? Ang layunin ng proyektong APECO na ikumbert ang mga produktibong lupang agrikutural ay nakapaloob din sa mga probisyon ng CARP kung kaya ito ang ginagamit ng mga malalaking panginoong maylupa upang palayasin ang mga magsasaka,” sabi ni Joseph Canlas, tagapangulo ng Amgl.

“Basura ang CARP nang isabatas ang APECO dahil wala itong ilusyong ipagtanggol ang mga magsasaka na manatili sa lupa dahil pareho lamang ito ng huli.  Ang mga magsasakang may hawak ng certificate of land ownership award, certificate of stewardship contract ay pawang pinapalayas ngayon,” sabi ni Elmer Dayson,  Panglawang Tagapangulo ng Pamana.

Ayon sa mga grupo, nagpapatuloy ang konstruksyon ng mga bahagi ng programang APECO na sumasagasa sa karapatan ng mga magsasaka sa lupa.  Ang administration building ng APECO sa Brgy. Esteves ay itinayo sa lupang inagaw sa magsasaka.  Ang mga magsasaka sa tinuturing na “rice granary” ng hilagang Aurora sa Brgy. Esteves at Dibet ay nagpetisyon nang mapasakanila ang lupa mula pa noong dekada 60 sa Bureau of Lands pero walang nangyari hanggang sa ngayon ay inabutan na ng pagsasabatas ng APECO.  Ang ilan namang may hawak ng original certificate of title ay pinapalayas din mismo.

“Ang mga magsasaka ng Brgy. Esteves at Dibet ang mismong nagpakahirap sa lupa dahil ito ay dating kagubatan.  Tinransporma nila ito bilang mga produktibong lupang agrikultural, pero ngayon sila ay pinapalayas at sinaklaw ng APECO ang lupa, na malinaw namang ang pamilyang Angara lamang ang makikinabang,” ani Dayson.

Ayon sa Pamana, mula nang isabatas ang CARP noong 1988, hindi nito pinaboran ang mga kahilingan ng mga magsasaka sa Casiguran.  Iilan lamang ang naisyuhan mga certificate of land ownership award (CLOA) na ngayon ay nanganganib na makansela dahil sa pagsasabatas ng APECO.

“Ang mahigit 1,000 ektaryang agrikultural na lupain na napailalim sa CARP ay awtomatikong makukumbert at mapapalayas ang 675 benepisyaryo na umaasa sa lupa para mabuhay ang naghihirap na pamilya. Isa sa mga halimbawa dito ang Brgy. Cozo na saklaw ng CARP ang 42 ektaryang lupain na may labinwalaong magsasaka na may Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA),’’ dagdag ni Dayson.

“Naniniwala kami na ang proyektong APECO ay magdudulot ng kahirapan at kagutuman hindi lamang sa bayan ng Casiguran, Dilasag at Dinalungan kundi sa buong probinsya ng Aurora dahil ang interes ng pamilyang Angara ay gawing economic zone ang hilagang bahagi ng probinsya at commercial at eco-tourism zone ang Central Aurora. Kung kaya’t malaki ang papel ng huwad na batas na CARPer para sa malawakang pangangamkam ng lupa at pagpapalayas sa mga magsasaka ng pamilyang Angara,’’ banggit ni Dayson. 

Ang APECO ay bahagi ng mas masaklaw na Aurora Medium Term Development Plan na nakapaloob sa proyektong North Luzon Urban Beltway na magbibigay daan sa mga lokal at dayuhang mamumuhunan para huthutin ang mayamang likas na yaman ng Aurora. 

“Nitong nakaraang buwan, banggit ni Sec. Leila De Lima, maglalabas sila ng desisyon kaugnay sa 105 ektaryang lupain na paglilipatan ng mga apektadong mamamayan ng APECO. Malinaw na ito lamang ang tanging sagot ni  Aquino sa matagal nang sigaw ng pagtutol ng mga magsasaka, katutubo at mangingisda. Ibig sabihin, ang nais ng mga apektadong magsasaka at mamamayan ng APECO ay kilalanin ang karapatan sa lupa lalupa’t noong dekada ’60 pa unang binungkal at dinebelop ang kanilang sakahan, “ ayon kay Joseph Canlas, Tagapangulo, AMGL at Regional Coordinator ng Anakpawis Partylist-GL.

“Bunga rin ng kawalang silbi ng CARP, ginagamit ng pamilyang Angara ang militar at pinanatili ang mga sundalo mula sa 48th Infantry Battalion ng Philippine Army sa buong Aurora upang bantayan ang pagpapatupad ng APECO at takutin ang mga magsasakang kumokontra rito.  Malinaw na sila ang instrumento din sa pagpapalayas, panghaharas, at iba pang tipo ng paglabag sa karapatang pantao sa lugar,’’ banggit ni Canlas. 

“Ang APECO ay klasikong modelo ng isang ‘legislated program’ na nagsisilbi sa interes ng malalaking panginoong maylupa, lokal at dayuhang mamumuhunan kagaya ng pamilyang Angara na sumisira sa kabuhayan ng mga magsasaka, mangingisda at mga katutubo ng Casiguran, Aurora kung kaya’t marapat lang talaga na tutulan ito,’’ ayon kay Canlas.

“Sa pagmarka ng 25 taon ng huwad na CARP,  ang protestang magbubukid ng Gitnang Luson ay isang pagpapakita na ang CARP/ CARPer at APECO ay patuloy na tutulan sapagkat ito ay pagkakait ng karapatan sa lupa, kabuhayan at akses sa kalikasan ng mamamayan hindi lamang ng Aurora kundi buong rehiyon. Muli, kami ay nananawagan sa mga taong simbahan, propesyunal, kabataan at iba pang sektor na suportahan kami sa pakikibaka para sa pagsasabatas ng HB 374 o Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill (GARB) at tunay na repormang agraryo.

Legarda Urges Increased Involvement of Business Sector in Disaster Risk Reduction

Senator Loren Legarda today encouraged the business sector to increase its participation in the country’s disaster risk reduction efforts.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, made the call following the release of the 2103 Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction titled “From Shared Risk to Shared Value: the Business Case for Disaster Risk Reduction”.

The report revealed that the economic gains of the Philippines is at high risk to disasters, particularly typhoons and earthquakes. It can suffer losses worth more than US$9 billion due to a strong earthquake.

It further noted that losses to disasters could even exceed the country’s revenue. The Philippines has been experiencing budget deficits due to disasters, from more than Php100 billion in 2000 to Php300 billion in 2009, resulting to increased foreign borrowings.

In line with this, Legarda, the United Nations Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for Asia-Pacific, said that the GAR 2013 stresses the need for the government and the business sector to work in tandem to ensure that amid threats of natural hazards and extreme weather events, development goals are still within reach.

“Amid the continuing efforts of the government, both in the national and local level, to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events, the heightened engagement of the business sector in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation efforts is crucial in preventing substantial business losses and economic development setbacks resulting from disasters of unprecedented scale,” she stressed.

The Senator said that aside from coming up with their business continuity plans that will show how prepared they are to face disasters and be back in business as soon as possible, the private sector is encouraged to work with the government in constructing homes, schools, hospitals, and buildings that are safe and secure amidst natural hazards, and in designing and constructing roads, bridges and other infrastructure that help spur economic growth with disaster risk reduction in mind.

“The business sector is also encouraged to conduct and share risk assessments of their companies, establish effective and efficient early warning systems and disaster plans in their respective corporations, and engage in worthwhile advocacies that will protect our ecosystems, among other actions,” she added.

“We urge an increased participation from the business sector in building a more productive and resilient economy and in ensuring that in the natural hazards to come, we will have zero or less casualties and damages. After all, the higher value of corporate business is not found in the monetary profit it brings neither in the wealth it creates, but in the nobility of purpose - to improve the quality of life of the people and to build a sustainable and resilient human society,” Legarda concluded.