Trillanes lauds new law on environmental planning

Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV has lauded the signing of the law regulating the environmental planning profession, saying this will lay the groundwork for sustainable development in the country.

President Benigno S. Aquino III signed on May 27, 2013 the Environmental Planning Act of 2013 or Republic Act 10587, which replaces the 34-year-old Presidential Decree No. 1308 that will regulate the practice of this discipline in the country.

“We are thankful to the President for signing this law. It will not only modernize the profession of environmental planning in the country, but it will also lay the groundwork for the country’s sustainable development,” said Trillanes, principal sponsor of the Senate version.

RA 10587 provides for a more comprehensive definition of the practice of environmental planning, which now refers to the “multi-disciplinary art and science of analyzing, specifying, clarifying, harmonizing, managing and regulating the use and development of land and water resources, in relation to their environs, for the development of sustainable communities and ecosystems.”

The new law also updates the regulation on the registration, licensing and practice of the profession in order to “promote and maintain technically competent and responsible professional environmental planners whose standards of practice and service are globally competitive,” Trillanes added.

The law also imposes mandatory continuing professional education for environmental planners to ensure that practitioners remain globally competitive and abreast with recent developments in the field.

Legarda: Enough of the destruction of our coral reefs

Senator Loren Legarda today reiterated her call on the Philippine Coast Guard to be more vigilant in guarding Philippine waters following another incident of a foreign vessel running aground a coral reef within the country’s waters.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that the MV Unicorn Lodger, with 18 Vietnamese crew onboard, ran aground in the area of Sambauan Island, Maripipi, Biliran on Thursday night.

Further investigation on the incident is being conducted, but a news report quoting an officer of the municipal government indicated that about 270 square meters of coral reef in the area was destroyed.

“Early in the year, the Tubbataha Reef, a World Heritage Site, was damaged after the USS Guardian of the US Navy and a Chinese fishing vessel ran aground.  Barely have our reefs recovered from that incident and here comes another foreign vessel, inflicting damages on our coral reefs in Maripipi.  Conducting investigations, one after another, and deporting the culprits is not the solution to the problem," Legarda said in frustration over the seeming helplessness of our Coast Guard in protecting our maritime zones.  

She lamented that while the world's marine resources should be safer in view of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea,  a legal instrument that binds countries to principles and a framework to address issues of marine conservation, many of the world's marine resources, including the Philippines', continue to suffer from the irresponsible ways of those who own and operate maritime vessels.

"It is lamentable that we have another incident of coral reef destruction caused by a foreign vessel. Beyond investigation and the imposition of penalties, we need to start focusing our efforts on preventive measures.  No amount of penalties can immediately bring back the damaged corals that took decades to mature. Without corals, our food security will be threatened. If need be, let us call the attention of the concerned parties to the UNCLOS, using the appropriate channels, to seek their cooperation and support toward putting a stop to these destructive incidents," Legarda said.

“We may not be able to guard every inch of the entire coast and Philippine territorial waters, but we have to find ways to strengthen our capacities to guard and protect our marine environment.  In the meantime, this incident needs to be resolved in ways that the responsible parties will be made to answer for the destruction they have caused.  Enough of the "slap on the hand" approach.  We need more grit and teeth in the enforcement of both local and international laws," Legarda said.

Drilon addresses Filipino community in US, urges them to help in nation building

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Legarda Calls for Constant Vigilance Amid Rainy Season

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today called for constant vigilance among government authorities, communities and citizens as the rainy season has already started and especially with the southwest monsoon bringing heavy rains in several parts of the country.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, said that everyone should be on heightened alert because with continuous and heavy rains, floodwaters rise swiftly and landslides are more likely to occur.

“As a country prone to typhoons, we are already aware which areas are at high risk to floods. The heavy rains on Thursday brought by the southwest monsoon or habagat flooded many parts of Metro Manila including major thoroughfares, several roads were impassable, and many students and employees were stranded. We cannot just get used to this kind of scenario, we have to do something and we have to act now because heavy and excessive rainfall is part of the ‘new norm’,” Legarda stressed.

“The continuous implementation and strengthening of flood control projects is very much needed. The Department of Public Works and Highways’ drainage protection works along national roads and bridges, relocation of informal settlers living along riverbanks and esteros, and drainage improvement and watershed projects in selected locations, as well as the Metro Manila Development Authority’s estero clean-up drive to allow floodwater to subside easily, are some of the programs that communities and citizens should support with their own efforts to prevent flooding particularly through waste segregation and clean-up of waterways in their barangays,” she added.

Legarda said that everyone should be involved in the effort to make the whole nation prepared against natural hazards because the government alone won’t be able to shoulder all the responsibility.

She also urged citizens to be on full alert for heavy rains and severe floods and cooperate with national and local authorities by heeding warnings.

“We need not live with recurrent flooding that put lives at risk and disrupt our social and economic activities. Prevention is always better than cure. We must learn from our past experiences, practice enhanced disaster preparedness and response, and be proactive in reducing the risk of disasters,” Legarda concluded.

Legarda: We Can and We Must End Child Labor

MANILA-Alarmed over the high number of children working as domestic workers, Senator Loren Legarda today said that the government, in close coordination with concerned non-governmental organizations, must eliminate child labor, stressing that the nation already has the laws in place to do so.

Legarda made the statement following the release of a report from the International Labour Organization, which revealed that about 10.5 million children around the world work as domestic workers and 6.5 million of which are aged between five and 14 years.

“It is lamentable that there are children who are forced into domestic work, doing household chores in their employer’s home instead of going to school. It is a sad fact there are children who are forced to work to support their families and are deprived of their childhood and their right to education,” she said.

The Senator said that in the Philippines, child labor should be addressed with the help of several laws such as the Anti-Child Labor Law (Republic Act 9231), the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act  (Republic Act 10364), and the Domestic Workers Act (Republic Act 10361).

The Anti-Child Labor Law, which Legarda authored, protects children from being engaged into work outside the protection of their parents or guardian, and that which might endanger their life, safety and development.

The Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, which the Senator sponsored, protects children from being trafficked through its strengthened provisions which also covers attempted trafficking and accessory or accomplice liability.

Meanwhile, the Domestic Workers Act, which Legarda co-authored and co-sponsored, deems it unlawful to employ children below 15 years of age as domestic worker or kasambahay, while those who are 15 years old but below 18 years of age, are considered as working children and are protected under the Anti-Child Labor Act.

“We must strictly implement these laws and give back to these working children the happy and normal childhood they deserve. The time will come when they must work, but for as long as they our children, they must be protected, cared for, and assured their rights as children,” Legarda concluded.

Drilon: Have faith in God, government, ourselves

CAVITE-In celebrating the Philippine’s 115^th Independence from colonizers, Senator Franklin M. Drilon encouraged Filipinos to keep on trusting God, the government and themselves.

“We need to strengthen our faith in God, in our government and in ourselves. We must be united in order to pursue our dream of a progressive and a peaceful country,” said Drilon, who led today/June 12 the flag-raising ceremony at the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite to commemorate the 115^th anniversary of Philippine Independence.

“Ang mabuting pamamahala at matatag na pamumuno – ito ang bumubuo sa pangarap ng matibay na pundasyong politikal ng ating mga mamamayan.  Hindi binitiwan ng mga Pilipino ang layuning ito kahit pa may mga nagsasabing hindi kailanman makakamit ng ating bansa ang kasaganaan dahil sa bulok na sistemang politikal at kultura,” said Drilon in a speech.

He said that the result of the recently-held elections was a reflection of Filipino’s unwavering desire to achieve good governance.

“Our people have shown in the recently-held elections that they are one with us in the pursuit of ‘daang matuwid’. They are tired of the kind of governance that is driven by personal interests and ambitions. They want genuine and meaningful reforms,” emphasized Drilon.

Drilon said the reforms put forward by President Aquino have started to make a positive impact on the lives of the Filipino people, especially the poor and marginalized.

He lauded the unprecedented 7.8 percent first quarter growth rate making Philippine economy the fastest growing in Asia.

Citing the conditional cash transfer program with a budget of over P40 billion in 2013, he said the government was able to assist 3.9 million poorest families who are given a monthly stipend of P1,400 a month.

Drilon also said the government’s enhanced Philhealth insurance program now benefits more than five million families who cannot afford to seek even basic medical care.

The government, according to Drilon, is now constructing more than 60,000 classrooms to finally address the backlogs.

While Drilon said much has been achieved, much remains to be done in order to better the lives of the people.

“However, I submit that much needs to be done. These programs would be more meaningful if the people in the grassroots level, the men and women on the street, would feel a remarkable improvement in their lives,” said Drilon. “Ang pinakamalaking hamon ngayon ay kung paano isalin ang tagumpay na ito tungo sa magandang kinabukasan ng ating mga mamamayan.”

 Drilon also celebrated the Filipinos’ unyielding faith in democracy, saying that the “people’s will and zealousness to preserve our democratic gains prevailed over national security threats, political trials and daunting economic and social debacles. The Filipino’s indomitable spirit triumphed over all imaginable odds.”

He reminded the people about the sacrifices and heroism of their forefathers which led to a free and democratic country.

Drilon said the best way to honor their legacy is by contributing substantially to nation building. “Hard work, honesty, little acts of kindness and heroism will make a huge difference.”

“Every day, we are faced with different choices. Let us choose the road that will bring us to our dream of lasting peace and prosperity for our country and that road is no other than the “daang matuwid,” ended Drilon.

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.