Congress leaders push stronger, better coordination to ensure speedy passage of priority bills

MANILA-Congressional leaders have agreed to bolster coordination between the House of Representatives and the Senate in order to expedite the passage of a wide range of priority legislation and boost overall legislative performance, according to Senate President Franklin M. Drilon.

Drilon said he, together with Senate Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile, and Sen. Vicente Sotto, met with their counterparts in the House of Representatives led by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales, and Minority Leader Ronaldo Zamora on Thursday to discuss legislative goals of the 16th Congress.

At the meeting, the top solons also discussed ways to ensure the faster passage of bill throughout the rest of 16th Congress, as well as how to better resolve possible differences and incongruencies in the legislative process, which impede the prompt passage of crucial measures.

“Both chambers are aware of several pending measures that need urgent legislative action, and the failure of Congress to enact them promptly would be detrimental to the cause being advocated by the government and to the welfare and overall development of the nation and the Filipino people, who would primarily benefit from these measures,” said Drilon.

“Of particular importance to us is the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law. If we can have the administration bill by May, we aim to pass it by the end of this year so that we can submit it for ratification in early 2015,” Drilon added.

The Senate chief said that current legislative priorities can be grouped broadly into anti-corruption and pro-good governance measures, and legislation aimed at boosting the country’s socio-economic condition.

“We have a lot of promising pieces of legislation, which once passed, would promote heightened transparency and accountability in public office, and implement long-sought reforms in the delivery of justice,” said Drilon.

Among these, he said, are the amendments to the Sandiganbayan law, the Freedom of Information Act, Whistle Blowers Protection Act, and amendments to the Witness Protection Act.

“At the same time, we are looking at several measures aimed at ensuring better macroeconomic and fiscal sustainability, and at improving the country’s overall competitiveness and business climate,” he added.

These measures include, among others, the fiscal incentives rationalization, amendments to the Cabotage Law and Land Use Policy, amendments to the EPIRA, the consumer protection act, the promotion of micro-enterprise development institutions, and the Marina bill.

“We will also prioritize bills that will foster development of the nation’s status on social protection, education and health,” Drilon further said. Among such measures are bills on 13th month tax exemption, the implementation of a national student loan program, and required picture-based health warnings on cigarette products.

The Senate leader said the passage of these bills will be ensured by a “coordinated and synchronized legislative strategy” to be implemented by both chambers.

“We are determined to move fast towards the realization of our long-standing legislative commitments, and we are aware that this requires that legislative productivity be maximized,” pointed out Drilon.

“In my more than 15 years in this chamber, I am witness to plenty of occasions where a certain bill passes or receives greater legislative attention in one chamber, but languishes in obscurity or in deadlock within the other chamber. These must be now dutifully avoided, and both houses have pledged to do so,” he stressed.

Drilon said it would require tremendous coordination between the two chambers to ensure the speedy passage of bills and keep track of legislative activities at both houses, and to avoid unnecessary deadlock from occurring, the congressional leaders have agreed to meet regularly every month “to synchronize and integrate their legislative activities.”

He added that both houses “have agreed to allot the most judicious amount of time and resources for each important measure, so that every exerted effort is spent towards the bill’s passage.” 

PNoy appoints 7ID head as new Commanding General of Phl Army

FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija-President Benigno Aquino III has appointed 7^th Infantry Division head Major General Hernando Delfin Carmelo Iriberri as the 56th Commanding General of the 80,000-strong Philippine Army.

 

He replaces Lieutenant General Noel Coballes who retires from service today.

 

A member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1983, Iriberri is a recipient of five Distinguished Service Stars, two Gold Cross Medals, one Long Service Medal, numerous Military Merit and Commendation Medals, Campaign Medals, and various other citations, badges, and awards both from military and civilian organizations.

 

Iriberri also served as Senior Military Assistant to Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Chief of the Unified Command Staff of the Southern Luzon Command. 

Drilon urges speedy resolution of rice smuggling cases

MANILA-Senate President Franklin M. Drilon today echoed Malacañang’s plea to judicial authorities to speed up the resolution of rice smuggling cases, saying that slow resolution of these cases is an injustice to the Filipino farmers.

Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. has earlier called on the judiciary to act faster on 157 cases of alleged rice smuggling filed in the Court of Appeals since 2010.

“The slow disposition of smuggling related cases only results in smugglers being more brazen in carrying out their illegal activities. The speedy prosecution and resolution of smuggling cases will be the most potent warning against those who seek to violate our laws,” the Senate leader said.

“We must show that the wheels of justice are moving vigorously against smugglers."

“Smuggling is hurting our economy and it is hurting severely the livelihood of our poor rural farmers, who spend their entire days toiling under the sun to ensure that we would have food on our table, only to be thwarted by those who engage in rice smuggling," lamented Drilon.

The Senate chief emphasized that it is important that the three branches of government work hand-in-hand in dealing with the problem of smuggling in the country, and that each of them must be able to move at the same fast pace in order to effectively arrest smuggling and provide justice to the farmers, who are the very victims of these unscrupulous activities.

“The government needs to show that the full force of its powers are working against those who would conduct smuggling of rice and other commodities, and that rigorous investigations and full prosecution under the law await anyone involved in this illegal trade,” said Drilon, a former justice secretary who also served as executive secretary and labor secretary during past administrations.

“Let us go after these hoodlums by strengthening our laws, by providing assistance to our law enforcers, and by addressing the backlog of cases in our courts and ensuring a speedy delivery of justice,” he stressed.

The Senate chief reassured the public that the Congress will be relentless in its resolve “to go to the bottom of the issue” in order to craft legislature and policies that would aid the government in strengthening its fight against those who seek to destroy our economy with their brazen disregard of the laws.

Combat Leader’s Knife Formally Handed-over to Deserving NCOs of 7ID

FORT RAMON MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija – The 7^th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division headed by MGEN HERNANDO DCA IRIBERRI AFP formally bestowed the Combat Leaders Knife (CLK) to deserving Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) of 7ID during the Monday flag raising, today (February 03, 2014).

            Being the backbone of the Philippine Army, capacitating and empowering the NCOs to handle the daily grind of their respective units of offices administrative and operational functions has been among the ARMYs top priorities.   The Combat Leader’s Knife (CLK) is an emblematic symbol of an NCO carrying exemplary leadership qualities with attitude to seek, absorb and accept responsibility to make his/her unit in the frontline more effective and more efficient.

            The NCO Empowerment System is the process by which the organization enhances the capacity of the individual soldier or unit in decision-making and transforming these decision-making outputs into desired actions or outcomes. Its primary objectives are to empower and encourage NCOs to take a more proactive role in running their unit’s affairs and to develop their job competences by making them understand and internalize their leadership roles, especially in the Philippine Army major units.

            Recipients of the much coveted Combat Leader’s Knife were Chief Master Sergeant Elpidio V. Calugay, Command Sergeant Major; and other Sergeant Major on line units namely; Master Sergeant Antonio F. Cura of 3^rd Infantry Battalion; Master Sergeant Dionisio C Cameros of 24^th IB; Master Sergeant Usodan M. Benasing of 48IB; Master Sergeant Joselito S Sotomil of 56^th IB; Master Sergeant Rolando L. Cortez of 70IB; and Master Sergent Henry G. Claudio of 81IB.

           

            Besides the handing-over of CLKs, the Command also honored Master Sergeants Nilo A Trucilla of 70^th IB, who is retiring compulsory on February 16, 2014 after almost 35 years of active service. He was given a Command Plaque in recognition of his utmost dedication and invaluable service rendered to the Armed Forces of the Philippines since April 1, 1979.

            “To the awardees of Combat Leaders Knife, you should wear it with pride; because not all NCOs have the chance to wear it. That Combat Leader’s Knife is not only an accessory in your uniform, but a symbol of your exemplary performance. May you continue to excel and seek perfection in your chosen field and continue to bring pride to your respective units and the AFP.” The Commander said.

“To the retiring Enlisted Personnel, Master Sergeant Nilo A. Triculla who had served the country for almost 35 years, I am wishing you good luck in facing another chapter of your life. I admire you, for despite of the hardships and challenges of being a soldier, you still able to effectively perform your role as a responsible husband and father to your wife and children.  May you continue to bring inspiration to others as you’ve been an inspiration to all of us present here today. Thank you for your utmost dedication, patriotism and services rendered to Army, to the AFP and to our country,” the Commander ended in his remarks.

SBMA posts new profit record of P1.2-billion

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT-Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has shattered its 2012 net profit record of P824 million when based on preliminary reports, it posted last year a net profit of P1.2 billion, the agency’s highest in its entire 21-year history. 

 

SBMA 2013 gross revenues of P2.09 billion and EBITDA of P992 million likewise posted the highest levels in the Agency's history.

 

Comparatively, the gross revenue of P2.1 billion that the agency generated in 2013 was 26.6 percent higher than the gross revenue of P1.6 billion in 2012.  The growth in revenue came mainly from Seaport operations of P588 million an increase of 46% over 2013 and Regulatory operations of PP404 million which increased by a hefty 82% over the previous year.

 

While net income was buoyed by favorable exchange rates, Chairman Roberto Garcia noted that SBMA’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) increased significantly by 52.2 percent from P652 million in 2012 to P992 million in 2013.  This is the true test of the Agency's effective strategic initiatives and the efficiency in the execution of such initiatives.

 

“This has made 2013 another banner year in succession for SBMA, and we are pleased to report that our financial performance continues to improve substantially while investments also significantly exceeded the 2012 level,” Garcia said.  Approved investments in 2012 of P3 billion spurted to P24.7 billion in 2013 or an increase of 723%.  This will provide over 10,000 jobs over the next few years as these projects get implemented.

  

Through the continuing austerity program and effective cost control measures, the Agency was also able to minimize the rise in operating expenses to 10%, thereby increasing its net income substantially.

 

To cap off 2013, SBMA was able to secure final approval of its USD27 million loan refinancing package.  Garcia said that this will strengthen SBMA's balance sheet and will allow the Agency to invest in much needed capital expenditures to improve security and vital Freeport infrastructure.  To this end, SBMA has programmed P617 million in capital spending for 2014.

 

Garcia is set to deliver his State of the Freeport Address before the Freeport community and the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce Inc. on February 27 at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center. (SBMA)

703rd “Agila” Brigade conducts Medical Mission and Job Fair in Mabalacat

FORT RAMON MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija – Armed with the true spirit of “Bayanihan” 703^rd Brigade, Brig Gen Henry G Sabarre AFP led the delivery of basic services to our less fortunate “Kabalens” from Brgy Mabiga, Mabalacat, Pampanga and its neighboring barangays last 24 January 2014. Outreach programs such as Medical, Dental, Veterinary Civic Action Program were held at Mabiga Elementary School of said town with more than 3,000 beneficiaries.

            The outreach program participated in by the military doctors of Fort Magsaysay Army Station Hospital (FMASH), 703^rd Medical Team, Mabalacat Doctors Hospital, Pampanga Provincial Veterinary Office, Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and Local Government Units (LGUs) of Mabalacat. The people who took advantage of the program benefited from medical consultation and treatment, dental service, ECG, anti-rabies vaccination, eye check-up, free haircut and feeding program.

            Aside from the free medical services, a job fair which deliberated 157 local applicants was also held as an added attraction and public service in partnership and collaboration with SM Hypermarket , SRI Services, Faith in God,  Horizon Powder Coating, Romac Services, Lifetime Kuisines, Mirof, Starboard Manpower, Quarah and NCO Clark.

            Honorable Mariano “Boking” Morales, the Town Mayor expressed his gratitude and lauded the initiative of the military giving special mention to Captain Alwin M Malate, the Company Commander of Delta Company of the 70^th Infantry Battalion who laid the ground works and preparation for the successful conduct of the civic action program.

Drilon commends passage of Marina bill on second reading

MANILA-The Senate passed on second reading Senate Bill No. 2043 which proposes to create a single maritime administration to oversee the training and certification of about 400,000 Filipino seafarers across the globe.

“The passage of this bill demonstrate a serious effort on the part of the Philippine government to overhaul its policies concerning our seafarers and make them aligned with the international standards,” said Senate President Franklin M. Drilon, author of the bill.

Drilon hailed his colleagues for acting swiftly on the proposed measure which he described as “a very urgent measure” to evade a looming blacklist from the European Union (EU) due to the country’s continued failure to demonstrate compliance with the 1978 International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, as amended (STCW Convention).

"Let us not wait for the impending ban to commence, which will cost our country even more in terms of resources and efforts," Drilon stressed.

The Senate chief said the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA)’s latest audit report that will determine if the Philippines is taking steps to align its policies governing administration of seafarers with the STCW Convention is due to be released anytime soon.

The Senator warned that aside from debilitating socio-economic damages, the potential blacklisting by foreign entities will be "a shameful smear to our country's pride and reputation that we must dutifully strive to avoid."

"The country will lose billions of pesos from sea-based workers’ remittances which have aided the economy by fueling domestic consumption and preventing foreign exchange instability," he said. In 2012, seafarers’ remittances reached nearly $5 billion in 2012, he noted.

“Given their significant contributions to keep our economy afloat, our country's maritime workers deserve proactive government action,” noted Drilon.  

Earlier, Drilon called for the swift passage of the bill “in order to avert impending ban on 80,000 Filipino seafarers by the European Union.”

Aside from aligning our maritime system with the international standards and addressing inefficiencies in the current system, the passage of the bill would also assure that the skills and competitiveness of Filipino seafarers are harnessed, he concluded.

Drilon: Thousands of seafarers to lose jobs without MARINA bill

MANILA-At least 80,000 Filipino seafarers are at risk of losing their jobs if loopholes and inefficiencies in the current system governing the country’s administration of maritime workers are not addressed, Senate President Franklin M. Drilon said today.

Drilon, who sponsored Senate Bill No. 2043 which seeks to introduce major structural changes to the maritime regulatory system, reiterated the urgency of the bill “in order to avert an impending ban on Filipino seafarers by the European Union” due chiefly to the country’s continuous failure to demonstrate its compliance with the 1978 International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, as amended (STCW Convention).    

The Senate chief said the Congress has to act fast before the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) completes its latest audit report that will determine if the Philippines is indeed in conformity to the STCW Convention.

SB No. 2043 specifically seeks to establish a single maritime administration, which will be the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), that will be tasked with overseeing the training and certification of Filipino seafarers, and ensuring that these follow international standards based on the STCW Convention.

The Senate leader said that SBN 2043 “requires immediate legislative attention” so that the country may “fully avoid the socio-economic consequences of a blacklist by the European Union to our maritime workers.”

The European Union (EU) has earlier expressed its inclination to ban Filipino seafarers from EU-flagged vessels, blaming the country's unsatisfactory and incomplete compliance to the STCW Convention.

“I am informed that around 80,000 Filipino workers will eventually lose their jobs if such a ban is implemented by the European Union,” Drilon explained.

"Worse, if other countries follow the EU's move, at least 300,000 more workers around the globe –and their families– would lose their precious livelihood," Drilon warned.

He added that the damages won’t be felt by the seafarers and their families alone.

"The country will lose billions of pesos from sea-based workers remittances which have aided the economy by fueling domestic consumption and preventing foreign exchange instability," said Drilon. He noted that seafarers’ remittances reached nearly $5 billion in 2012.

Aside from aligning our maritime system with the international standards and addressing inefficiencies in the current system, Drilon said that the passage of the bill will also "bring improvement in the skills and competitiveness of Filipino seafarers."

"It is high time that we protect the welfare of the thousands of Filipino seafarers around the world. Our seafarers have better skills, character and education than many workers from other nations. We have to make sure that our policies match their excellence, in order to harness their full potential,” he concluded. 

Insecticide use worsens rice pests attack--PhilRice

SCIENCE CITY OF MUÑOZ, Nueva Ecija – Farmers should reduce their use of insecticide to repel rice black bugs, as it could in fact instigate more attack by the rice pests.

          This was the warning issued by experts from the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) which stated that use of insecticides has done little to ward of rice black bugs, which had reportedly attacked some rice fields in Central Luzon. The pest attack, when not properly controlled, can reportedly cause losses of up to 35 percent involving 10 adult rice black bugs per hill.

The first reported incidence of rice black bug attack was in Bonobono, Bataraza, in Southern Palawan in 1979. A major outbreak occurred in 1982, spreading towards Central up to Northern Palawan. However, massive and intensive insecticide applications failed to control the damages that covered 4,500 ha of rice fields.

          Entomologists Gertrudo Arida and Dr. Hoai Xuan Truong of the PhilRice’s crop protection division based at its central experiment station here, observed that up to now, insecticides are ineffective against rice black bugs because they kill known enemies of the rice black bugs.

“Insecticides should be used to a minimum so as not to kill the natural enemies of rice black bugs,” they said, citing these include wasps, ground and coccinellid beetle, wolf, lynx, and long-jawed spider, red ant and damsel bug.

Arida and Truong said damage brought by rice black bug can be prevented at the start of the planting season if farmers plant rice varieties with same maturity within a month of the barangay’s regular planting season. This scheme is effective since it breaks the pests’ life cycle.

          Instead of more insecticide, the PhilRice experts recommended the use of light as traps since the bugs are strongly attracted to high intensity light.

          Light trapping, according to them, should start five days before and after the full moon. The light used should have 2,000 to 3,000 watts during outbreaks which is set up every night to obtain the most number of bugs.

Effective light trapping is from 8 to 12 pm, the experts said.

          Other schemes to prevent pest infestation is through flooding, herding of ducks in the field, and sanitation also prevent pest infestation.

          Farmers should flood the field to submerge egg masses. Eggs that are submerged for more than 24 hours will no longer hatch. Ducks also feed on the bugs. However, herd the duck in the field a month after transplanting or when the plants are established. Farmers must also clean their field by removing the weeds as these serve as alternate hosts of the rice black bugs,” the PhilRice explained. (Manny Galvez)

Drilon: Congress will play a vital role in sustaining economic momentum, making growth felt by the poor

MANILA-Senate President Franklin M. Drilon today said the Congress is committed to act promptly on measures that will strengthen the country’s capacity to sustain a robust economic performance.   

The Senate leader’s statement came following the release of the country’s 2013 growth domestic product (GDP) recorded at 7.2 percent, surpassing government’s target of 6-7 percent and making the Philippine one of the fastest growing economies in Asia second only to China.

Drilon welcomed the report as a “continuing sign of the country’s improved economic policies under the Aquino administration,” but said that the highly impressive figure “needs to be sustained and be utilized to bring forth positive changes to the life of the common Filipino.”

“While we recognize the efficient management of the current administration and its fiscal managers has produced rewards for our economy in fiscal and monetary terms, the report overall would be better seen as another opportunity for the government to craft long-term solutions that will finally capacitate the socio-economic growth and overall improvement of our countrymen’s welfare,” he emphasized.  

“There is much work to do, especially in making our country much more competitive in terms of foreign investments, while at the same time making local industries stronger and better suited to participate in competition even against international rivals,” the senator added. 

   

“But more than that, we need to make sure that our rise in economic standing also delivers our nation’s poorest constituents to a better status in living, as the country’s wellbeing is the ultimate goal of public service,” Drilon pointed out.

The Senate chief acknowledged that the Congress will play a key role in ensuring that the improved economic growth will be sustained throughout the succeeding years, and vowed to work on legislation and policies that will encourage investments in agriculture, tourism, services and manufacturing constructions, thereby promoting further growth.

“The challenge is upon the Senate, along with other leading institutions, to pass legislation which will further fuel the economy, and more importantly, ensure that development is felt in all corners – and that means more jobs, better basic services, improved public infrastructures, among others,” Drilon said.”

Among the measures the Senate is highly considering are the rationalization of fiscal incentives to certain industries, the rationalization of the mining industry's fiscal regime, the amendment of the cabotage law, and amendments to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) charter, and measures to attract more foreign direct investments.

“We have to help the government sustain this economic momentum that was elusive for so many years, for this is the kind of growth that will eventually present us an array of opportunities in the years to come,” Drilon concluded. 

GDP number must be transformed into calories - Recto

MANILA-The 7.2 percent economic growth last year is all the more impressive as it was achieved despite a domino of calamities dragging it down.

This is not to say that the economy is fully typhoon-proof or completely earthquake-resistant because misfortunes did dent the final outcome.

Thankfully, other growth drivers made up for the sluggishness of other sectors.

The 2013 economic numbers showed the wisdom of robust government spending and the frailty of hoarding public funds.  

Hopefully, this same mentality will characterize public expenditure management this year. Spending, like leadership, is by example. Government cannot  prod the private sector to spend fast and more if it is spending slow and less.

Good news is that manufacturing is up.  Are these the green shoots of a manufacturing renaissance? Hopefully it is and government should direct both smart money and right policies to industry.

As to agriculture’s feeble 1.1 percent growth, government should make sure that the P92 billion earmarked for agriculture this year would indeed fertilize a sector manifesting early signs of stunting. Smuggled rice should not be our bumper crop.

The newly-issued GDP numbers measure growth but do not gauge how the increment was spread out.  GDP accounting captures the addition of wealth, but not its distribution.

A rising tide must rise all ships.  Sadly, big vessels are not as buoyant as small ones.  And millions of our people with their heads barely out of water cling to thrown lifelines.

By all means, let us congratulate ourselves for a job well done but conscious of the job still to be done and aware of the clouds behind the silver lining, like our people’s hunger for food and jobs.

The last labor survey pegged the unemployment rate at 6.5 percent and underemployment at 17.9 percent.  Self-rated hunger as measured last December was at a disturbing 18.1 percent.

After enlarging the economic pie, the challenge now is how to make sure that everybody will be able to taste it.  Economic growth must be transformed into calories which those who need them more can actually consume.

On this matter, the budget, if properly used, can be a tool for inclusive growth. 

Drilon: Senate funding meant for public service, not personal profit

MANILA-Senate President Franklin M. Drilon assured today that the Senate is not letting a day pass in making the budget of the Senate as transparent as it can be, saying that measures have already been put in place to ensure that the funds allotted to each member of the Senate are used “judiciously” and executed solely for “their legitimate and fully intended purposes.”

“It is our responsibility to ensure that every peso spent by the Senate during this Congress will be done so in the service of the Filipino people, which the public must be empowered to see for themselves,” emphasized Drilon.

Drilon explained that each office of the senator is allotted a monthly budget of P1.45 million to cover for the salary, allowances and office operating expenses such as payment for supplies, communication expense, and local travels, among others.

“But these funds are not meant to end up in personal purses of the senators because they are used to keep their offices running to say the least. The amount is there to finance the full operations of their offices in pursuit of their legislative commitments,” pointed out Drilon.

He stressed that the Senate ensures that everybody strictly follows budgeting and accounting procedures, and that all senate expenditures pass through COA audit.   

Drilon said that they acknowledge the people’s demand for transparency regarding the use of public funds, especially as the Senate’s reputation “had been adversely affected by various controversies in the past.”    

“The only way we can rebuild the public’s trust is through our decisive and clearcut action – that this time, the taxpayer’s money is rightfully spent in a judicious, pragmatic and an accountable manner.” 

Drilon stressed that the fund undergoes liquidation processes and the expenses are supported by receipts and other documents evidencing the disbursements.

However, there are certain instances that the expenditure is, by its nature, confidential, and only during these circumstance that a certification by the concerned senator is allowed, in lieu of receipts.

These expenditures fall under items extraordinary and miscellaneous expenses (EME) and other maintenance and operating expenses (OMOE) which have a total monthly allocation of P280,000.

The said amount is used “to cover for expenses necessary and incidental to the performance of the official functions of the senator or in aid of legislation which includes, but not limited to, gathering data relative to a legislative inquiry or to a concern or advocacy being advanced by the senator.”

These also cover expenses incurred to ensure the safety and security of the conduct of legislative inquiries and investigators and of those persons invited to become witnesses are also chargeable to this account.

In addition, Drilon said “reforms are already in order to improve budget utilization and accountability in the way the Senate spends its budget.”

He said the Senate has decided to make the funding for regular and oversight committees uniform to save on budget and to avoid unnecessary increases in the annual budget of the Senate. The Senate has a budget of P3.294 billion in 2013 and P3.3444 billion in 2014.

“The public needs to see how their money is being spent. They have the right to probe and pose questions, and we would try to welcome them accordingly,” he said. 

7ID and ABS-CBN Conduct MEDCAP in Calumpit, Bulacan

FORT RAMON MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija - The 7^th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division under the leadership of Maj Gen Hernando DCA Iriberri AFP in partnership with ABS-CBN “Sagip Kapamilya” Foundation Inc., conducted a joint Medical and Dental Civic Action Program (MEDCAP) at Brgy Frances, Calumpit, Bulacan last January 25, 2014.

            A total of 723 beneficiaries, mostly residents of Barangay Frances and its neighboring barangays, availed of the free medical and dental check-up and treatment; while several others also ventured on and sport a new hairstyle from our soldier-barbers during the activity. The MEDCAP was made possible through the effort of the 48th Infantry Battalion, under Lt Col Alexei Musñgi, in collaboration and coordination with the stakeholders in the Municipality of Calumpit.

            Brig Gen R Demosthenes C Santillan, 7ID Assistant Division Commander, graced the said activity. 7ID and ABS-CBN “Sagip Kapamilya” Foundation Inc. organized and conducted the medical and dental mission to bring the basic medical and dental services to the less fortunate people in the said area.

Barangay Captain Epitacio G Cruz, in behalf of the Barangay Council, expressed his gratitude to 7ID, especially the Fort Magsaysay Army Station Hospital (FMASH) medical and dental team, and the ABS-CBN for the free medical and dental treatment provided to his constituents, and the organizers and the soldiers, who made the activity a success.

            Meanwhile, a film showing of the peace and development effort by the AFP was also conducted by the 48^th Infantry Battalion to entertain patients, while waiting for the free medical and dental treatment,