STATEMENT OF SENATE PRESIDENT FRANKLIN M. DRILON ON THE SIGNING OF THE POWER-SHARING ANNEX BETWEEN THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT AND THE MILF

MANILA-Peace is the perfect gift to our brothers and sisters in Mindanao this season. I laud the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for their efforts to make peace and harmony and prosperity – elusive for so many generations – become a reality in our lifetime.

The signing of the power-sharing annex is an affirmation of how substantive discussions based on genuine desire for peace, justice and equality for both sides can overcome even the most difficult and polarizing of obstacles.

The Senate fully supports the completion of all endeavors towards the completion of the peace process in Mindanao, and with these recent successes, remains hopeful to finally be able to end the conflicts which have delayed economic and human developments in the region.

We look forward to seeing and finally scrutinizing the proposed law that will institute the necessary reforms called for in the Agreement. Absolutely, the passage of the Bangsamoro basic law will be given utmost priority in the Senate next year. 

Recto seeks higher tax exemption ceiling for 13th month pay, Christmas bonuses

MANILA-Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph G. Recto has filed a measure seeking to increase the cap imposed by law on the amount of 13^th Month Pay, Christmas bonus and other benefits exempted from income tax.

Present laws exclude the mandated 13th Month Pay and the Christmas bonus from the coverage of income taxes, but only up to the extent of P30,000. Any amount in excess forms part of an individual’s gross income and therefore subject to the operation of the National Internal Revenue Code.

In filing Senate Bill No. 256, Recto wants the exclusion raised to P75,000, explaining that the present ceiling was set by a law enacted almost 20 years ago.

“We owe it to the people to amend laws that tend to be more repressive rather than be beneficial to the people. In this bill, we intend to breathe life again to the spirit of the law that, during the time of its passage, intended to allow the people to enjoy more of their hard-earned money,” the senator said.

Recto said his proposal is premised on the fact that the prevailing conditions in 1994 – the year Republic Act No. 7833 or the statute that imposed the P30,000 cap was enacted – no longer apply to present circumstances.

“At that time, the lowest monthly basic salary for government employees (Salary Grade 1, Step 1) was P2,800 and that of the President of the Philippines (Salary Grade 33) was at P25,000,” he said.

At present, he added, the basic salaries have been adjusted such that SG-1 Step 1 now stands at P9,000 and SG-33 is at P120,000.

To bolster his position, Recto said that the National Tax Research Center (NTRC) and National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) peg the exemption ceiling estimates as of 2011 at P72,000 and P75,000, respectively, if adjustments for inflation were reckoned from 1994.

Furthermore, the measure also provides that the ceiling of P75,000 shall be adjusted to its present value using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as published by the National Statistics Office (NSO) three years after the measure’s enactment and every three years thereafter.

If passed into law, Recto said the increase in the tax exemption ceiling would translate to a higher take home pay for employees in the private and government sectors alike, particularly during the Christmas season, when the 13^th Month Pay and other bonuses are usually released.

“It is of paramount importance that our laws be responsive to the needs of the people. An increase in the ceiling of the 13^th Month Pay and other benefits to be exempted from income tax is one of the reliefs the people need during these hard times,” the senator said.

CPLA Integration Finally Reached Its Closure

GAMU, Isabela–Today, the last batch of the CPLA integrees marches on their graduation ceremony  that signifies the closure of the integration component of the CPLA peace process. These one hundred fifty-eight (158) strong CPLA sons and daughters completed their training and had pledged allegiance to the AFP in service of the Filipino people. With the collaboration of the different government agencies- Office of the Presidential Adviser for Peace Process, AFP and PNP and with the support of all stakeholders in the government and civilian sectors, the Integration component of the peace process for the CPLA has finally come to an end.  The beneficiaries of the integration program surrendered 152 firearms of different calibers as part of the DDR process.

The peace process started when then President Corazon Aquino and FrCondradoBalweg, representing the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army, respectively, signed the peace agreementor the “Sipat”. Stalled for more than two decades, the “Sipat” has been experiencing rough processesfor about 27 years. However, today, through the over all supervision  of Sec Deles of OPAPP and the initiatives of  the AFP, specifically the 5ID, and with strong support from the PNP and other stakeholders, the integration component of the peace process finally ended. This yielded a  successful disarmament, demobilization and rehabilitation (DDR) process for the former members of the CPLA. For a period of less than a year, 403 firearms were already surrendered by our CPLA brothers to the 5^th Infantry Division under the leadership of MGEN JOEL P IBANEZ. Moreover, since 2002, the AFP had already accepted a total of 668 integrees from CPLA, 448 of which were integrated only this year - a very important accomplishment for the Division in its efforts to finally close the integration process.

GEN EMMANUEL T BAUTISTA  AFP, the CSAFP, is the guest of honor and speaker during the final rites of the integration process. He encouraged the new soldiers to uphold the institution and help in attaining peace and unity in the Cordillera. Likewise, Atty. Maria Cleofe Gettie C Sandoval, the Undersecretary for Programs of OPAPP, one of the inspirational speakers,also gave the graduates some advises for peace, progress and prosperity.

As new soldiers of the Philippine Army, these graduates will serve as catalyst for change in order to sustain  peace in the Cordillera region. This will help the government insulate the cordilleran communities from groups that will threaten the peace and progress in the area. In this memorable ceremony witnessed by the CPLA elders, local officials and parents of the new soldiers, one parent could not hold her feelings and said, “I finally saw my son proudly marching in the tune of the cordilleran native song played by the 5ID Band, and I am speechless and overjoyed- I am now assured of a bright future for these young men and women- thank you 5 Infantry Division”.

Development and progress in the Cordillera will soon be realized if every Cordilleran learns to fight for the real cause – peace, progress and  prosperity. The 5^th Infantry Division promised to sustain the gains of peace. This accomplishment will add another laurel to the “Daang Matuwid” of President Benigno Aquino-the realization of his peace program for the CPLA.

A commander’s legacy: To bolster NOLCOM’s thrust

TARLAC CITY-To be remembered, one shall act upon something worth remembering – a living legacy.

Five months after assuming his post as the new chief of the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Lt. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. has put the unified command’s thrust in his top priorities.

Giving emphasis to NOLCOM’s adherence, Catapang has continuously strengthened its battle cry, “Kawal ay disiplinado. Bawal Abusado. Dapat asintado” to cement his term’s legacy.

This statement, noted Catapang, shall serve as a guide of the armed forces on how shall they behave, deliver and grow in the military profession.

“This guidance was disseminated down to our lower Air Force, Army, and Naval units. This simple, clear and concise statement has deeper meaning, which greatly affects the entire profession of men and women in uniform,” he said.

Anchored on the genuine purpose of military service, the conception of Disiplinado, Abusado and Asintado is significant in realizing NOLCOM’s mission and vision.

“Disiplinado” refers to traits and characters that must be depicted by the troops inside and outside the camp.

This means that a responsible military man and woman shall be disciplined, initiative-driven, service-oriented, intelligent, progressive, likeable, innovative, nature friendly, agile, dedicated and obedient.

Moreover, “Abusado” summarizes schemes on how the armed forces can effectively execute their functions during operations.

As instructed, they are to avoid indiscriminate firing, suppress enemy fires, identify priority targets, negate distraction and maintain focus, trade speed for accuracy, apply fire and maneuver, deliver maximum effect and ensure a “one shot-one casualty” action.

“Asintado”, on the other hand, pertains to wrongdoings armed forces shall stay away from.

These include being drunkards, womanizers and arrogant; use of prohibited drugs; and involvement in gambling, extrajudicial killings and human rights violations. (Lorie Gene C. Cruz)

Ailing, aging NE bachelor gets wish for medical treatment after 3 years

PALAYAN CITY, Nueva Ecija–After three long and agonizing years, 55-year-old bachelor Juanito Esteban finally got his wish for medical treatment for a still undisclosed illness.

          Esteban, of Barangay Caimito, will soon undergo surgery for a lump which grew in his left hip, through the assistance of Mayor Adrianne Mae Cuevas and the Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center (CGHMC).

          Esteban, accompanied by his elder sister Corazon Deregla, went to the Caimito Elementary School gymnasium here yesterday morning for the medical and dental mission jointly sponsored by the city government, the CGHMC and the Philippine Chinese Charitable Association (PCCA), Inc.

          The half-day medical activity benefited 1,000 residents from 19 barangays in this city.

          Esteban, who was lying in a stretcher, said he first noticed the lump in 2010 which caused him severe pain. It gradually grew, growing the size of a baseball. Because of the ailment, he could no longer walk.

          Deregla said his brother, the third in a brood of eight, sleeps by his side, in pain. “He eats and sleeps in excruciating pain always,” she said.

          Johnson Dy, director of the CGHMC observed that Esteban’s feet have turned yellow, indicating that blood is no longer circulating in his body.

          Dy and Maria Gracia Jiongco, CGHMC deputy administrator, told Cuevas they would have Esteban examined and operated at the CGHMC.

Cuevas and her husband, businessman Vince, will assist in shouldering the operation. I’ll support you all the way. I won’t neglect you,” Cuevas told Esteban.

          The 33-man medical and dental team led by Jiongco and Dy consist of four pediatricians, five physicians, four dentists, four nurses and a crew of 14.     The group also distributed assorted medicines to local folk.

          Jiongco said their group has already conducted at least 30 medical and dental missions in various parts of the country this year. From November 25-27, they went to Tacloban to provide assistance to 1,300 victims of typhoon Yolanda. 

          The PCCA, headed by its president, Dr. James Dy, is an active organization serving as umbrella of various organizations that include the CGHMC and involved in several socio-civic activities providing aid in areas where people underwent tragedies brought by natural calamities.

          For several years, PCCA organizations also got involved in relief operations in far-flung areas such as Bohol, Davao, Northern Samar and Tuguegarao.                  

          Aside from Jiongco and Dy, the medical team here include director Robert Yang, Dr. Jose Mari de Jesus, Dr. Leila Karen Nagal, Dr. Charles Erwin Cabus, Dr. Leighnette Geronimo, Dr. Maria Aloiza Hadloc, Dr. Dara Diana Relleve, Dr. Nico Ong, Dr. Jomar Silvestre and Dr. Roger Tiangco; dentists Eloisa Ferrer, Linda Corpuz, Olga Francia and Malu Calano, nurses Cherry May Almarez, Shane Mendoza, Lariza Javier and Olivia Leonardo and staffmembers Cocoi Hombrebuano, Melicia Barroga, Armine Navarette, Vilma Dy, Reymund Petrocinio, Shynee Calahat, Roberto Pangilinan, Mary Ann Pacheco, Beth Ngo, Jerry Dy, Zsha Tabirao,  Ony Bago Jimhar Kallong, Leonilo Agus, Linda Alvarez and Rubilyn Argonido.

Among the medicines given out were analgesic/antipyretic, anti-asthma, antibiotics, mucolytic, anti-diabetic, nasal decongestants, anti-histamine, pain reliever, anti-helmintic, anti-diarrheal, hematinic, eye irritation, anti-spasmodic, anti-coagulant, anti-hypertensive, cough and cold remedies, ear antiseptic, electrolyte replenisher, vertigo, anti-tubercular, topical preparation and vitamins. (Manny Galvez)      

Legarda Pays Tribute to Mandela

MANILA-“The world grieves over the death of the man whose courage inspired the dawning of a new South Africa and empowered victims of social injustice in other parts of the world,” said Senator Loren Legarda as she paid tribute to former President Nelson Mandela of South Africa.

Mandela died late Thursday (Friday, PHL time) at his home in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Legarda recalls the time she met Mandela when she was still a journalist. It was during the South African President’s state visit to the Philippines in 1997.

“It was a great honor to have met President Nelson Mandela. He was a leader who earned your respect with his presence alone because even with his power and influence, he remained kindly and unassuming. His humility was his true greatness,” said Legarda.

“He was a humble leader who gave credit to the effort of the people around him. He never gave the impression that the leadership was all about him, but that he was a man who was tasked to execute the ideals and ideas of his organization. He even told me during my interview that he did not see the need to run for reelection because he believed in the tradition of collective leadership,” she added.

A lawyer by profession, Mandela joined the African National Congress in 1944 to fight the apartheid policy of the South African government. He was sentenced to life imprisonment for sabotage and treason in 1962, which gained him international attention as a symbol of resistance against social injustice. In 1994, Mandela became the first black President of the Republic of South Africa, ending generations of apartheid.

International school to rise in Palayan City

PALAYAN CITY, Nueva Ecija–An international college - which has campuses in the United States and three other foreign countries and with a student population of at least 15,000 - is setting up a satellite campus in this city to bring 21^st century e-learning as well as international students in this Nueva Ecija capital.

          Mayor Adrianne Mae Cuevas told reporters that the city government has forged a partnership with Concordia International College-Philippines (CICP) for the establishment of its first campus in the province in 2014.

          “This partnership will help bring computer education to the grassroots and afford the people of Palayan the opportunity to avail of world-class  education. It will thus put our city in the international map insofar as computer education is concerned,” Cuevas said.

          Cuevas signed a memorandum of agreement with  officials of CICP led by its president Violeta Jerusalem and David Kang, chief executive officer of its international partner Concordia International University, for the planned campus here which will initially operate at the Palayan City Industrial Technology (PCIT) school.

          Kang, a Canadian-Korean, is deeply involved in research and development projects on organic products such as oil extracts from moringa and oregano. He is planning to put up a pilot research facility in the city which has vast hectares of lands for agricultural production.

          Jerusalem said CIC has a global student population of 15,000, some 7,000 of whom are in its Canada campus which started operating in 2001. In the country, CICP, which started operating in 2011, has 5,000 students.

          Jerusalem said the plan to put up a campus in this city was conceived when she and Kang were invited by Cuevas and her husband, businessman Vince Cuevas to visit the city and explore the possibility of expanding further their institution’s reach.

          After the visit, she said they approved the proposal after noting the city’s potentials. “Palayan has very strong potentials that’s why we considered it in our expansion plans,” she said.

          Jerusalem said the Cuevas couple has very strong commitment to push forward the development of the city.

“Mayor Cuevas, for one, is a very committed person. But she has noticed that the community is not that involved. She wants it involved in education,” she said, adding they share the vision of the Cuevas administration to help the community in delivering e-learning.

Jerusalem said that the college - which has satellite campuses in Metro Manila, Pampanga and Baguio City - will bring to the city a mix of traditional classroom instruction and distance learning.

CICP, Jerusalem said, has academic partners abroad and could bring in international students. Aside from the US and Canada, it also operates in Australia and South Korea.

          Jerusalem said in this city, CICP will be constructing world-class facilities, including dormitories.

          Cuevas said facilities similar to those set up at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) central experiment station in the Science City of Muñoz are being eyed in the site. She said they are eyeing at least 2,000 square meters of land for the campus and the research complex.

Jerusalem added that they will train qualified teachers in Palayan to become part of their team. “We believe in the capability of the Filipino human resource and together with our overseas faculty, we will support the dream of CICP and Mayor Cuevas in delivering 21^st century e-learning,” she stressed.

          The city government and CICP are eyeing to offer community scholarships for main course offerings, such as English proficiency, hotel and tourism, translation and interpretation and technical and vocational courses for culinary and hospitality business.

          Initially, 10 scholarship slots had been allocated for the school next year.

          Graduates of international courses will be issued certificates and accreditation for jobs in Canada.

The establishment of a CICP campus is expected to further enhance this city’s gradual transformation into an education center in the province next to Cabanatuan City, the center of trade and commerce.

Linked to other regions by a well-paved road network, this city, located 132 kilometers northeast of Manila, plays hosts to other institutions of higher learning such as a branch of the Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology and the Eduardo L. Joson College.

          The city government operates its own school, the PCIT, which was accredited by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. (Manny Galvez) 

STATEMENT OF EDGARDO J. ANGARA ON THE PASSING OF NELSON MANDELA

MANILA-I join the world in mourning the passing of Nelson Mandela, a true icon of peace and freedom.  

Although faced with adversity, Mandela personified temperance and compassion, the same virtues that would propel him to become the father of modern South Africa.  

Even behind bars, he sought to see his people freed from the fetters not just of racism, but also of poverty, unemployment, and social discord, the other trappings of apartheid.     

As South Africa’s first black President, Mandela ensured that reconciliation, not retribution, was the tone of the reparation efforts, a path littered with significant challenges.  

Mandela once said, “There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountain tops of our desires.”

His life exemplifies how patience, hard work and unwavering commitment are essential to achieving one’s utmost vision.

This is the greatest legacy he leaves the world, a lesson which our newly elected officials must imbibe into their public service.   

Mandela's death marks a truly sad moment in the history of the world, one definitely made better because of his example.

Legarda Pays Tribute to Mandela

MANILA-“The world grieves over the death of the man whose courage inspired the dawning of a new South Africa and empowered victims of social injustice in other parts of the world,” said Senator Loren Legarda as she paid tribute to former President Nelson Mandela of South Africa.

Mandela died late Thursday (Friday, PHL time) at his home in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Legarda recalls the time she met Mandela when she was still a journalist. It was during the South African President’s state visit to the Philippines in 1997.

“It was a great honor to have met President Nelson Mandela. He was a leader who earned your respect with his presence alone because even with his power and influence, he remained kindly and unassuming. His humility was his true greatness,” said Legarda.

“He was a humble leader who gave credit to the effort of the people around him. He never gave the impression that the leadership was all about him, but that he was a man who was tasked to execute the ideals and ideas of his organization. He even told me during my interview that he did not see the need to run for reelection because he believed in the tradition of collective leadership,” she added.

A lawyer by profession, Mandela joined the African National Congress in 1944 to fight the apartheid policy of the South African government. He was sentenced to life imprisonment for sabotage and treason in 1962, which gained him international attention as a symbol of resistance against social injustice. In 1994, Mandela became the first black President of the Republic of South Africa, ending generations of apartheid.

Five Steps to Prevent Disasters and Save Lives

MANILA-Twenty-five typhoons have already visited the country this year, with the strongest, Typhoon Yolanda, revealing the gravity of disaster risk that Philippine communities are facing.

Senator Loren Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committees on Climate Change and Environment and Natural Resources, said that Yolanda is the new benchmark for disaster prevention and preparedness, stressing that “like all natural hazards, Yolanda was inevitable but its disastrous effects could have been prevented or mitigated if we were more prepared.”

As UN Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for Asia-Pacific, Legarda shares wise pointers on making communities resilient, drawn in five steps to save lives and prevent massive destruction of property.

1. Manage risks rather than manage disasters

In the lingo of disaster reduction experts, this is simply called “risk governance.” Local government units (LGUs) must determine if certain risks are prevalent in a community making it vulnerable to the effects of a landslide, flooding, tsunami, storm surge or earthquake.

Local disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) plans must be crafted to address these threats and funds should be sufficiently allocated to effectively carry out these plans.

The World Bank estimates that for every dollar invested in disaster reduction measures saves seven to ten dollars in losses from natural disasters.

A good example is Barangay Cunsad in the Municipality of Alimodian, Province of Iloilo. In July 2012, when the heavy rains of Typhoon Gener triggered major landslides in Cunsad, they recorded zero casualty. This is because, when the natural signs of impending landslide showed up in the populated barangay of Cunsad, the municipal government immediately sought the help of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for risk assessment and heeded the advice of geologists to relocate the residents.

2. Make every Filipino 'disaster-literate'

Sound policies and political will to implement do not complete the formula for effective disaster prevention because there needs to be cooperation from the public. Early and mandatory evacuation would be useless if the people do not understand the need for such efforts.

Raising public awareness should be made to resonate loudly and as far deep into the communities as possible. If some of our people do not yet see how the issues could affect them, still it is our responsibility to draw them in. The government can conduct training for building the resilience of families covered by the Conditional Cash Transfer Program, together with the DSWD and the League of Barangays.

During the onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda, all 500 houses in the island of Tulang Diyot (Municipality of San Francisco, Cebu Province) were destroyed but the entire population was saved because of prompt evacuation led by former Mayor of San Francisco, Cebu Province, Alfredo Arquillano, a UNISDR Champion. Arquillano said that “when it was clear how bad the typhoon would be, we decided to evacuate all 1,000 people. Because we’ve done so much work on disaster risk everyone fully understood the need to move to safety.”

3. Let the science work for you

Adequately preparing for a disaster means knowing it fully well and the dangers it brings. Having experts gather and validate scientific data allows the accurate prediction of events, which could then be matched with the best practical solutions. When and where a typhoon will strike, and how, are critical knowledge that will allow the community to timely seek safer ground and fully protect their homes and properties.

With high reliability of disaster data, it is expected that the private sector will be more confident to enter into risk financing schemes without fear of massive losses.

4. Protect the environment

Building on good risk reduction practices means going back to the very basics: protecting our ecosystems and natural buffers such as mangrove forests to mitigate floods, storm surges and other hazards.

Our environment and its ecosystem support human life and provide the basic materials for our economy, such as food, fuel and clean water. The ecosystem also sequesters carbon emissions, regulates erosion and landslides, and reduces floods.

In Montalban, Rizal, a group of women farmers started to practice agroforestry to adapt to the prolonged wet season; while in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, a group of women fisherfolk reforested over a hundred hectares of mangrove areas to protect their settlements from storm surges and secure additional source of food for their families.

5.  Preparation is half the battle won

While disaster prevention should be the greater focus of our efforts, response preparedness is likewise important to prevent further casualties.

Contingency plans are crucial in times of disasters. Communities must draw and test regularly their response plan way ahead of any disaster event and improve constantly on early warning systems and emergency management capacities.

LGUs must have the political will to implement forced evacuation when called for.  Shelters for evacuees should be well designed, built strong, and prepared ahead of time with emergency supplies of food, water, medicine, shelter, and toiletries, while government agencies are ready to augment the basic needs of evacuees.

Local disaster and risk reduction management officers should be alert. Quick communication, particularly real-time updates, is also vital in ensuring effective disaster response with first responders and search and rescue teams ready for dispatch anytime.

A good example is the Purok System in the Municipality of San Francisco, Camotes Island, Cebu Province, which won the 2011 UN Sasakawa Award for Disaster Reduction. The Purok System allows the immediate self-organization within villages and focuses on addressing the vulnerability of every barangay in the municipality by mobilizing local resources in creating local and practical solutions based on the unique needs of every community.

For Legarda, these five steps are achievable with smooth coordination among agencies of government, all sectors of society, and the citizens.

“The key is to work together, as one community, as one nation. We must rebuild communities aware of the lessons of Yolanda, Sendong, Pablo, the Bohol quake and all other major disasters that have brought us to our feet. We must not rebuild the risks. We must rebuild stronger, wiser and smarter,” said Legarda.

Drilon eyes US practice as model for country’s disaster response

MANILA-Senate President Franklin M. Drilon said today that the country’s experience during the past disastrous events should pave the way for needed reforms in the country’s disaster response ability, before the next calamity on the scale of super typhoon “Yolanda” hits the country once more.

Drilon voiced out his proposals during today’s joint press conference, hosted during the courtesy call made by the new United States Ambassador Philip Goldberg.

The US envoy had earlier talked with Drilon regarding future developments and issues on Philippine security and foreign policy.    

Drilon emphasized that government should improve its capability to prepare for and handle the threat of large-scale natural and man-made calamities. 

“The country would do well to look at international practices, especially by advanced countries like the United States regarding disaster preparedness, coordination and response to beef up its own disaster strategy, which was extremely challenged and found wanting during the rampage of  super typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan),” said Drilon.

“We’re looking at that to see the best practices we can adopt here so we’ll be able to respond effectively to disasters that will visit us in the future. No question about that,” he stressed. 

Drilon notes the developments and advances made by the United States with its Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a federal agency which was responsible for the country’s response when its southern parts were hit by Hurricane Katrina, and when Hurricane Sandy struck the US eastern seaboard.

“I understand a lot of improvements were adopted by FEMA after Hurricane Katrina, which definitely helped during Hurricance Sandy.  We can learn from the bureaucratic management at the federal level of the US government on how they respond to disasters,” Drilon explained.

Drilon then suggested that a similar approach could be taken with the Philippines, and that the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), currently the country’s main disaster strategy body, could be revamped into a permanent and completely independent government entity.

“In our case, we still have an ad hoc council that handles long-term relief and rehabilitation. We should look at the possibility of having a permanent government structure instead of what we have today, to make it more bureaucratically dynamic,” he said.       

Still, Drilon emphasized that executive initiatives to improve coordination of the country’s response to damages from calamities are already ongoing, even as legislative proposals are “still under thorough discussion.”

“Because of the current lack of a permanent structure, the President found the need to appoint a rehabilitation czar in the person of former Senator Lacson,” Drilon noted.

During the courtesy call, the Senate President also thanked Ambassador Goldberg and the US government, for “the quick and valuable assistance that the US extended to the Philippines, by committing nearly $52 million worth of assistance on the relief operations for recent calamities.”  

Senate Labor Committee tackles OFW welfare bills in Overseas Filipinos Month

MANILA-Coinciding with the observance of the Overseas Filipinos Month, the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development tackled various legislative measures promoting the welfare of migrant workers.

 

Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, Chairman of the Senate Labor Committee, presided last Tuesday the committee hearing which discussed separate pending bills seeking to create a charter of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and Magna Carta for Seafarers.

 

The body took up the proposed Magna Carta for Seafarers which will give flesh to the minimum labor standards on employment, recruitment and job placement of seafarers, and welfare mechanisms set forth by the Maritime Labor Convention, 2006. It also provides compulsory benefits and defines fundamental rights of the sea-based workers.

 

The so-called “Seafarers’ Bill of Rights” is one of Sen. Estrada’s priority measures for the 16^th Congress and is included in the list of twelve priority measures identified by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

 

“With Filipino seafarers comprising more than a quarter of the 1.2 million seafarers around the globe, the enactment of this bill is indeed imperative. I really hope we can pass this bill which guarantees our seafarers their right to humane working conditions and just compensation at the soonest time possible,” Sen. Estrada said in his opening statement.

 

The stakeholders, including the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, United Filipino Seafarers, Associated Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines, expressed full support to the proposed legislation. Nonetheless, a technical working group meeting is scheduled on Tuesday, December 10.

 

The Labor Committee also discussed the proposed OWWA Charter, which shall lay the formal legislative foundation for the defined functions and powers of the OWWA.

 

Sen. Estrada noted that the OWWA is a creation of different issuances of the executive over the years.

 

Meanwhile, the Migrant Workers Act, as amended, provides that the OWWA shall undertake the repatriation of workers in cases of war, epidemic, disasters or calamities, among others. It shall likewise formulate and implement welfare programs for overseas Filipino workers and their families while they are abroad and upon their return.

 

“As said by Administrator Carmelita Dimzon during the hearing, ‘What are we really? The Commission on Audit applies the same auditing rules for government-owned and –controlled corporations and financial institutions, while we treat our office as a national government agency.’ It appears that there is confusion on what OWWA is and the proposed charter seeks to remedy this situation,” Jinggoy noted.

 

Sen. Estrada added that this problem manifests on sluggish response by the agency on rescuing, repatriating and assisting distressed and runaway overseas Filipino workers.

 

Under Senate Bill 24, the proposed OWWA Act of 2013 principally authored by Sen. Estrada, defines the nature, scope and functions of OWWA; membership, contribution and collection; OWWA board of trustees, secretariat and other personnel; guiding principles on the benefits and services for OFWs; and fiscal management, budget policy and administration of its funds.

 

The country is observing the Overseas Filipinos Month, following the declaration made by the late President Cory Aquino through Proclamation 276. The decree which declares the month of December as Overseas Filipinos Month recognizes and honors overseas Filipinos who “contribute to building up the Philippine economy through their taxes and remittances.”