Senate pushes Sugar Cane Industry Development bill in preparation for ASEAN integration

MANILA-The Senate today passed on third and final reading a bill which seeks to help sugar industry players become more competitive when imported sugar starts flooding the local market with the integration of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Community next year.

            Senator Cynthia Villar, chair of the Committee on Agriculture and Food and sponsor of Senate Bill No. 2400, otherwise known as the Sugar Cane Industry Development Act of 2014, said the proposed legislation would put in place programs to promote and support the competitiveness of the Philippine sugar industry.

            “The fear among sugar farmers is that they will not be able to compete with cheaper and government-subsidized sugar from abroad and this will directly impact their livelihood,” Villar said.

            “As it stands, we are self-sufficient in sugar but we are anticipating stiffer competition with cheaper sugar from abroad, particularly Thailand, which is the largest sugar producer among ASEAN countries with the Philippines coming in second,” she added.

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon agreed, noting that the agricultural measure will greatly complement “the set of economic reform measures currently being pushed in the Senate to secure the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals and fiscal sustainability, in preparation for the ASEAN Economic Community’s (AEC) launch next year.”

            Once the bill is passed into law, Villar says the sugar workers will be granted more assistance to boost their competitiveness through the Block Farm Program, Farm Support Program and a scholarship program.

            The Block Farm Program is a consolidation of small farms, around five hectares or less, into a large farm.

            “Admittedly, small players will have difficulties competing with bigger players. This practice will take advantage of the economies of scale in the production of sugar cane. This will result in operational advantages because activities in the small farms are aligned and the efficient use of farm machineries and equipment, deployment of workers, volume purchase of inputs, and financing, are ensured,” Villar explained.

Meanwhile, owners of farms with around nine hectares or less can avail of the Farm Support Program wherein they will be granted access to socialized credit through the Land Bank of the Philippines for the acquisition of production inputs, farm machineries, and implements necessary for the continuous production of sugar cane.

            Another provision of the bill is the availability of a Scholarship Program for the underprivileged college and post graduate students who are taking up courses in agriculture, agricultural engineering and mechanics, chemical engineering/sugar technology in state colleges and universities as well as vocational courses for farmers and farm technicians and skilled workers in sugar mills, sugar refineries, distilleries and biomass power plants.

            Once the bill is passed into law, capability trainings will be conducted as well as attendance to local or international trainings including seminars by farmers and workers on the latest technologies related to sugar cane farming, manufacture or production and other products derived from sugar cane, according to Villar.

            She said the program would be sourced from the Sugar Cane Industry Development Fund, which would receive 15 percent of the Value Added Tax on local and imported sugar and tariff collected from the importation of sugar.

            “The bill aims to generate funds to strengthen the competitiveness and boost diversification efforts of the sugarcane industry, especially when tariff on imported sugar drops to a mere five percent by 2015 under the AEC,” Villar said.

            Currently, the Philippines sugarcane industry provides employment to at least 600,000 workers and contributes P76 billion annually to the country’s economy.

            “The biggest opportunity is that it has turned our region and our market into a very promising and viable market. We need to equip Filipino businesses and industries, including the sugarcane industry, with adequate support to get a sizable chunk of that market or to seize those opportunities. The key is preparedness and enhanced competitiveness,” Villar said. (Apple Buenaventura)

Legarda: PHL Gov’t Must Prepare MSMEs for ASEAN Economic Integration

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today said that as ASEAN member-countries anticipate the emergence of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by December 2015, the Philippine government must ensure that the country’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are ready to be part it.

Legarda said that, in pursuit of an AEC, ASEAN operates on the assumption that with open borders and free trade, more investments will come in and therefore improve the region’s competitiveness.

“It is believed that the AEC will allow the region to gain greater influence in the global economic and political stage. But we take note that the ASEAN region is dominated by MSMEs, which continue to operate as subsistence-based enterprises. If left unprepared or if they remain uncompetitive, our MSMEs will find little benefit from an AEC,” said Legarda, noting that MSMEs account for 98 percent of all enterprises and about 85 percent of total employment in the region.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported that as of 2010, duties have been eliminated on 99.2 percent of tariff lines for the ASEAN-6 Member States, including Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.  In the case of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam, tariff has been reduced to 0 to 5 percent on 97.52 percent of tariff lines.  This is partly the reason why there is a significant level of goods from other ASEAN countries in the Philippine market today.

“For the consumers, this can mean wider choices, lower product costs, and exposure to ASEAN brands.  For Philippine MSMEs that are not able to bring their production costs down and compete against well-supported MSMEs of other countries, this development can spell the end,” the Senator warned.

Legarda said that while MSMEs are the backbone of the ASEAN economies, contributing to about 30 to 50 percent to GDP and accounting for 19 to 31 percent of their economies’ exports, they are clearly susceptible to greater competition given that they have limited access to finance and technologies, as well as markets. 

“MSMEs have limited capacities for compliance with standards and certification.  Under this scenario, MSMEs are likely to lose out in deeper competition that will be ushered by AEC. Clearly, innovation and creativity play a significant role in transforming small businesses into competitive components of the ASEAN value chain.  We need to develop industries that will be innovators, rather than consumers, of technology,” she explained.

“If played out wisely, ASEAN’s bold vision of achieving the free flow of goods, services, investment, and skilled labor in the region may help us achieve higher productivity and economic diversification; but we have to play our cards well. The road for an AEC has been paved. We just need to make sure that the path we take will indeed bring us to the goal of a better life for all the people in the region,” Legarda concluded.

Drilon: Senate to pass bill to prevent ban on PHL marine products

MANILA-In order to avert a possible ban by the European Union on Philippine marine and fisheries products, the Senate will approve on third reading tomorrow Monday a bill that will give more teeth to the country’s marine and fisheries laws and ensure our compliance with international conventions and standards.

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon said that Senate Bill No. 2414, which amends the Fisheries Code, must be enacted into law by the yearend in order to help advance the country’s fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Drilon said that the country’s present laws, rules and regulations lack sufficient disincentives and sanctions against IUU fishing and is among the major issues raised by the European Union through its Directorate-General Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG-MARE) on its 2012 audit report on the Philippines.

Drilon added that we only have until the end of the year to address the “yellow tag” warning issued by the EU.

“Failure to act on the yellow tag and the observations made by the EU on its 2012 audit report on the Philippines may result in the blacklisting of all Philippine marine and fisheries products in the European Union market,” said Drilon.

“We must pass our amendments to the Fisheries Code before the EU puts us under ‘red flag’ which would categorize us as a non-cooperating country by failing to discharge our commitment to eliminate IUU fishing,” explained Drilon.

He said the ban will affect the fishing industry and the country’s economic growth.

“We need to strengthen our laws in order to preserve our marine and aquatic resources and protect the livelihood of our fisher folks,” Drilon stressed, noting that a 2012 study by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) shows that the local fishing industry represents 2.1% of the nation’s entire gross domestic product (GDP).

The Senate leader lauded Sen. Cynthia Villar, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, for her prompt action on the measure that will increase fines and provide a wide array of administrative penalties against IUU fishing. “The quick action taken by Sen. Villar and the Committee on Agriculture on SBN 2414 would strengthen our legal and regulatory framework against IUU fishing and would help ensure our compliance with international conventions for the conservation and management of living marine resources,” Drilon stressed.

Drilon said that intensified punitive actions against serious violations on Philippine aquatic resources will ensure that “sanctions are dissuasive and have deterrent effect.”

Under the proposed measure, a hefty fine of P2.5 million to P10 million, or twice the value of the catch, whichever is higher, will be imposed on large-scale commercial IUU fishing. For medium-scale and small-scale commercial IUU fishing, the fines will range from P250 thousand to P2 million and P50 thousand to P200 thousand, respectively.

The existing Philippine Fisheries Code only imposes fines ranging from P100 thousand to P500 thousand.

The Senate leader said that the SBN 2414 will also bolster government efforts to safeguard the local fishing industry from encroachment by foreign elements, especially intrusions by foreign poachers preying on local waters and fish supply.

“The bill will also protect local fishers from the unlawful competition presented by the wanton entry of foreign poachers who take advantage of our abundant aquatic resources,” Drilon  said, noting  the "alarming recurrence" of high-profile illegal fishing committed by fishermen from neighboring countries within the recent years.

In June of 2014, 12 Vietnamese nationals were sentenced by a Philippine court for illegal fishing near Palawan, while in 2011, 122 Vietnamese fishermen were arrested near Palawan, the biggest illegal fishing bust in recent memory. 

Legarda: Patadyong Weavers from Antique Showcase Their Craft at National Museum

MANILA-Weavers of the colorful patadyong from Antique will show how the age-old art is done in a two-day demonstration at the National Museum, said Senator Loren Legarda.

Legarda, patron of the country’s first permanent textile gallery, Hibla ng Lahing Filipino, said that weavers from Bagtason Loom Weavers Association in Bugasong, Antique are the featured craftsmen at the gallery on October 25-26, from 1:00-5:00 p.m.

“Antique is famous for its handwoven patadyong, which we usually see as a traditional costume paired with a kimona. Many might be curious how this brightly hued fabric is made. The weaving demonstration at the National Museum will show us how,” Legarda, a daughter of Antique, said. 

Patadyongs can be plain or designed with embroidery. These are usually worn as skirts, but they can also be made into shawls, handkerchiefs, scarves, table runners and many others.

“I invite Filipinos to see how our patadyong weavers from Bugasong do their craft so we can better appreciate not only the effort and skill of the weavers but also our culture and heritage,” said Legarda.

The National Museum has organized weekly weaving demonstrations at the Hiblagallery, from September to November 2014, as part of efforts to raise awareness on the culture of weaving and to ensure its continuity.

Weavers from the Cordillera Region showcased their craft last September, while weavers from Panay Island are featured in the weekends of October. Mindanao weavers will demonstrate their weaving traditions in November.

The weaving demonstrations can be viewed from 1:00-5:00 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, at the Hibla gallery, located at the 4th Floor of the Museum of the Filipino People, Finance Road, Manila.

“These weaving demonstrations reveal a part of our culture and we have many other weaving traditions as we see the various kinds of weaving patterns and designs in the textiles and items at the Hibla gallery. We hope that these efforts will contribute in heightening the awareness and renewing the interest of Filipinos about our culture so that we can all work together to preserve our heritage,” said Legarda.*

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Legarda: Patadyong Weavers from Antique Showcase Their Craft at National Museum

MANILA-Weavers of the colorful patadyong from Antique will show how the age-old art is done in a two-day demonstration at the National Museum, said Senator Loren Legarda.

Legarda, patron of the country’s first permanent textile gallery, Hibla ng Lahing Filipino, said that weavers from Bagtason Loom Weavers Association in Bugasong, Antique are the featured craftsmen at the gallery on October 25-26, from 1:00-5:00 p.m.

“Antique is famous for its handwoven patadyong, which we usually see as a traditional costume paired with a kimona. Many might be curious how this brightly hued fabric is made. The weaving demonstration at the National Museum will show us how,” Legarda, a daughter of Antique, said. 

Patadyongs can be plain or designed with embroidery. These are usually worn as skirts, but they can also be made into shawls, handkerchiefs, scarves, table runners and many others.

“I invite Filipinos to see how our patadyong weavers from Bugasong do their craft so we can better appreciate not only the effort and skill of the weavers but also our culture and heritage,” said Legarda.

The National Museum has organized weekly weaving demonstrations at the Hiblagallery, from September to November 2014, as part of efforts to raise awareness on the culture of weaving and to ensure its continuity.

Weavers from the Cordillera Region showcased their craft last September, while weavers from Panay Island are featured in the weekends of October. Mindanao weavers will demonstrate their weaving traditions in November.

The weaving demonstrations can be viewed from 1:00-5:00 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, at the Hibla gallery, located at the 4th Floor of the Museum of the Filipino People, Finance Road, Manila.

“These weaving demonstrations reveal a part of our culture and we have many other weaving traditions as we see the various kinds of weaving patterns and designs in the textiles and items at the Hibla gallery. We hope that these efforts will contribute in heightening the awareness and renewing the interest of Filipinos about our culture so that we can all work together to preserve our heritage,” said Legarda.

Legarda Wants Modernization of Agricultural Engineering in PHL

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda has called for the approval of the measure that will strengthen and modernize the practice of Agricultural Engineering in the country, stressing that the profession is vital in achieving food security and gearing towards sustainable development.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, said that globally, the Agricultural Engineering profession has evolved into Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, thus there is a need to align the profession in the country to internationally recognized practice.

“I note that it is imperative to strengthen, modernize and benchmark to international standards the practice of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering in the country to ensure its long-term competitiveness,” she said in her co-sponsorship speech for Senate Bill No. 2434, Philippine Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Act.

“As we seek to achieve food security and safety while at the same time raising incomes among our farmers and fisherfolks, our Agricultural and Biosystems engineers will become our crucial partners in this important development objective. They have a significant role in generating livelihoods and raising productivity in the countryside,” she added as she noted statistics showing that poverty incidence for the country’s nine basic sectors remained the highest among fisherfolks and farmers at 39.2% and 38.3%, respectively.

Legarda also said, “Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers are our partners in ensuring that our protected areas are well maintained and managed, and in improving our environment protection and climate change mitigation programs.”

The proposed measure defines Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering as the application of engineering science and designs to the processes and systems involved in the sustainable production, post production and processing of safe food, feed, fiber, timber and other agricultural and biological materials and the efficient utilization, conservation and management of natural and renewable resources in order to enhance human health in harmony with the environment.**

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Raise the tax exemption on 13th month pay

MANILA-No tax law is chiseled in stone.  Revenue laws get amended or changed overtime.

Economic developments trigger revisions in our tax code. So does technological advancement.

For tax laws to be relevant, they must respond to, not resist, the changing social landscape. 

The only two constants are that citizens obey them. And for lawmakers whom they elected, to change these laws when these become obsolete.

Because if our tax code were a fossilized document, then we would still be collecting taxes on opium.

A hundred years ago an opium addict, upon paying the Commissioner of Internal Revenue a fee as little as one peso, can secure a license, issued in quadruplicate, allowing him to smoke, chew, swallow or inject opium.

In 1914, there was also a specific tax on matches. Our first internal revenue code, Act 1189, written under American tutelage, slapped a tax of 40 centavos per 120 sticks.

It was also when carabaos were still taxed. So when an addict went to an opium den for his regular fix, then he paid a tax on his drug, on the match he used for lighting the pipe, and, if he was chauffeured there in a carabao-drawn carromata, on his ride.

Looking back, we may dismiss those levies as novelties. Today the mere thought of a tax on a match is already incendiary. But at that time, those who wrote those laws saw wisdom in them and the common good they serve.

It is the same wisdom that led subsequent legislatures to prune our thicket of revenue laws of dead parts.

The Senate, for one, is a huge paper-shredder of antiquated tax laws – and even tax proposals.

Always it has followed the “elevator rule” in taxation. Rates can go up – or down.  The power to tax is not exclusive to raising tax rates; it includes lowering them, not just to impose taxes on goods and income, but to exempt certain ones.

And if taxation is compulsion, then compassion lies in the exceptions to the rule.

Exemptions and deductions are what distinguish taxation from taxidermy.

Taxation is the art of plucking the most amount of feathers from the goose with the least hissing. Taxidermy leaves only the skin.

In 1994, those in this chamber  - Senator Tito is a member of Class ’92 -  pondered long and hard on how much of the 13th month pay and other bonuses shall be kept outside the reach of the taxman.

Republic Act 7833 which they passed that year placed P30,000 as the no-tax zone. Ibig sabihin lahat ng ito pwedeng iregalo sa inaanak. Ano mang lampas, may kaltas na ang BIR.

We combed through the debate records to learn how they arrived at that figure. We found out that there were no esoteric econometric models behind the amount.

The raison d ‘ etre was simple : Because the salary of the President then was P25,000 a month, then P30,000 was presumed to be enough to cover all civil servants.

The buffer of P5,000 was installed in the event that the public sector pay will be increased.

In fact, in anticipation of this, the 10th Congress included a provision in RA 8424 which states that the Secretary of Finance may raise the threshold.

As we all know, in legal construction, there is a whale of a difference between “shall” and “may”. The former is mandatory, the latter optional. Often, the synonym of “may” is “never”.

When it came to the P30,000 threshold, the provision to raise it based on inflation was never invoked. 

Who would have thought that the DoF would love the word “may” when “shall” is a favorite word in the BIR vocabulary as its demand letters are peppered by “shall pay,” “shall remit”,  “shall comply”?

For its inaction, we are stuck with a threshold, carbon-dated to 1 generation, 20 years and 3 presidents ago.

The peso has lost 2/3rds of its value over the past 20 years. One peso in 1994 is worth 36 centavos today.

Adjusted to inflation, the P30,000 then should be P82,300 today.

But instead of retracing the Consumer Price Index back to the era when the Senate was still squatting in the National Museum, when express mail to senators was called telegram, when they were summoned to meetings through SMS in their pagers, it would be better to recite grocery receipts than to show how much the peso has lost value.

When the 17-year-old Bam Aquino sipped his first beer in 1994, Pale Pilsen cost P8.50 a bottle. If he rode a jeepney from Katipunan to the Cubao beer garden, he paid P1.50. 

Of course, Sonny Angara, on vacation from his London studies, wouldn’t be caught taking public transpo. If he borrowed one of his dad’s cars, he would have paid P8.50 for a liter of gasoline.

When the other Sonny was an Upperclassman in PMA, a kilo of rice in the Baguio market was P13, bread at Star Cafe can be had at P7 a loaf.

When Alan was a first-term 23-year-old councilor in Taguig his lakeshore constituents were selling tilapia at P64 a kilo, bangus at P69, and duck eggs at P2.70 each.

At kung nag-go-grocery si Nancy sa Cash and Carry noon, ang kilo ng baboy ay P86, ang isang litro ng mantika ay P25, ang kalahating kilo ng oatmeal ay P55, isang kilo ng longganisa ay P85, ang kilo ng mangga ay P34, at ang sardinas ay P6 isang lata.

Sa Batangas, naalala ko pa na 20 years ago, pwede kang bumarik ng gin na may kasamang isang platitong mani sa halagang P10.

Ito yung presyo ng mga bilihin sa panahong itinakda na P30,000 ang 13th month pay at iba pang benepisyong di na bubuwisan. Ang trenta mil noon, P10,800 na lang ang halaga ngayon.

May ilang nagbabala na P42 billion daw ang malulugi sa pamahalaan kung maipapasa ang panukalang batas na ito na naglalayong itaas sa P75,000 ang 13th month pay na di na bubuwisan.

Wala pong basehan ang ganung pangamba. Una, ang binayad na income tax sa buong Pilipinas noon 2013 ay P214 bilyon.

Kung paniniwalaan natin ang ganung haka-haka, ibig sabihin po ba na one-fifth ng sweldo o kita ng mga taxpayers sa bansang ito ay galing sa 13^th month pay at Christmas bonus or binibigay kung malapit na ang Pasko? Mahirap naman yatang paniwalaan ‘yon.  

Sapagkat numero ang pinagbabasehan sa pagbubuwis, mas kapani-paniwala siguro ang estimate ng foregone revenues na binigay ng PIDS at ni Dr. Stella Quimbo ng UP School of Economics.

Tinataya ng PIDS na P2.6 bilyon lamang ang kabawasan sa taunang koleksyon at ayon naman sa komputasyon ni Dr. Quimbo, na hindi basta namitas ng numero sa ere at sa halip ay ipinakita ang kanyang formula, sagad na ang P5.6 bilyon bilang revenue loss.

But whatever is the revenue loss for the government is actually income gained for the workingman. And even if his 13th month pay is tax exempt upon receipt, it will be taxable when spent, so tax not withheld at source will later be captured in the form of sales tax at points of sale.

This is the season of rising prices of commodities.  

‘Yung pork pata na pwedeng pang-Noche Buena na P63 a kilo noong 1994 ay P170 na ngayon. ‘Yung bigas na tig-trese pesos noon, P42 na ngayon.

We can’t pass a law prohibiting food inflation as much as we can’t repeal the law of supply and demand.

Lower price tags can’t be legislated.  

But there’s something else we can do to ease the plight of our consumers, and perhaps add a little cheer to their Christmas, and that is to pass this law.

In its enrolled form, this bill can be our Christmas card to them.

On IP Month, Legarda Opens ASEAN Textile Exhibit, Sponsors Ethnic Origin Bill

MANILA-In celebration of the Indigenous Peoples Month this October, Senator Loren Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities, has set up an exhibit on ASEAN textiles and will sponsor the proposed Ethnic Origin Act.

Legarda, in partnership with the Office of Senate President Franklin Drilon and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), will launch today the exhibit titled, Woven Identities: Clothing Traditions of ASEAN, displayed at the Second Floor Hallway of the Senate.

“This exhibit showcases traditional garments from ASEAN member-countries and aims not only to reveal the remarkable artistry and unique culture of each nation but also to show what we have in common, to find unity amidst diversity,” said Legarda.

Exhibit curator, Charisse Aquino-Tugade, explained that a wrap-around skirt is a common garment among Southeast Asians, but the way the fabric is knotted or folded could reveal the wearer’s origin or beliefs. It could be knotted into a malong in the Philippines, twisted into a pantaloon or Sampot in Cambodia, or folded into a Sarong in Indonesia.

The ASEAN textile exhibit is displayed beside another exhibit of Tugade, Philippine Indigenous Patterns and Forms, which presents several weaving techniques used by traditional weavers in the modern setting.

Meanwhile, Legarda will also sponsor today the proposed Ethnic Origin Act, which defines ethnicity and indigenous peoples or indigenous cultural communities (ICCs). The definition under the measure shall be the basis for gathering data on ethnic origin.

“The opportunities, privileges and rights embodied in the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) and in other legal instruments, have yet to be fully accorded to our IPs several years after the law was enacted. To be able to carry out our commitments to them, our government must have an adequate understanding of our IPs and ICCs and be sensitive and responsive to their needs. An entry point to this is having a good grasp of population data based on ethnicity,” she explained.

“The population data on ICCs and IPs vary depending on the group handling the research or using the data. The Episcopal Commission on Tribal Filipinos (ECTF) estimates our IP/ICC population to be between 6.5 and 7.5 million, while the International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates it to between 12 and 15 million. This reality compels us even more to obtain the accurate data,” she added.

Legarda also said that apart from having data on ICCs and IPs population, there is a need to have a system or set of relational database to come up with timely, accurate and useful statistics on the ICCs and IPs. Such information will contribute to the effective implementation of the IPRA.

Under the Ethnic Origin Act, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), in coordination with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), will employ enumerators or deploy NCIP employees in gathering data on Ethnic Origin during the conduct of the national survey and national census.

The NCIP will ensure that these enumerators will have adequate knowledge of the different IPs and ICCs in their area and should also know the proper manner of asking culturally-sensitive questions.

“Being counted gives one an opportunity to be heard. Being counted with one’s cultural community, gives our indigenous peoples not only the opportunity to be heard but also paves the way towards development—one that ensures that they are included in the process, their rights are respected, and they are responsible as well. With these considerations, I hope the Senate will soon approve the Ethnic Origin Bill,” Legarda concluded.

Drilon: Senate to raise tax exemption limit on Christmas perks, other bonuses before yearend

MANILA-A bill that will increase the take-home pay of public and private employees is among the measures that will be passed before the year ends, said Senate President Franklin M. Drilon.

"In the meeting we had with the House leadership, we have resolved that the tax exemption limit on 13th month pay and other benefits should have the Congress' approval before the year ends. This bill has already the lawmakers' thumbs up, so it's possible that we can pass it this year,” said Drilon.

Drilon said the Senate Committee on Ways and Means is already finished with its committee report and it will be brought to plenary debates this week.

“Once it is laid on the floor, we will immediately calendar it for debates. I am sure we can come up with the solutions on how to address the concerns regarding its effects on our national coffers,” said Drilon.

“What we are more concerned about is how we can help our millions of workers who are struggling from day to day to cope with the effects of inflation. The exemplary actions of our workers, for instance, our teachers, cops and soldiers deserve more support from the government,” stressed Drilon.

The Senate intends to raise the exclusion limit on an individual’s 13^th month pay, Christmas bonus, and other work benefits from income taxation from the current imposed limit of P30, 000 to P75,000.

A house version of the proposed measure had already been transmitted to the Senate last September.

Meanwhile, Drilon said he expects floor deliberations on the 2015 national budget to start by November 18. He said the chamber remains on-track on the budget and is committed to approve it before yearend.

The Senate leader also enumerated a number of measures, mostly economic measures, that will receive urgent legislative action which include the Bangsamoro Basic Law, Fair Competition Act, Rationalization of Fiscal Incentives Law, Customs and Tariff Modernization Act, Rationalization of Mining Revenues Act, the amendments to the charter of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and Built-Operate-Transfer law, and the establishment of an information and communications technology department. 

Senate commends mayor for agri feats

MANILA-The Senate today adopted a resolution commending Zamboanga del Sur Mayor Nacianceno “Jun” Mejos Pacalioga Jr. for winning the 2012 One World Award last September in Legau, Germany.

Senator Cynthia Villar, author of Resolution 807, said Pacalioga was awarded the 2012 One World Award for promoting organic agriculture and sustainable rural development in his hometown of  Dumingag  in Zamboanga del Sur.

One World is a biennial honor that recognizes outstanding people and their projects that serve as examples of globalization and show strong commitment towards a sustainable future.

Villar, chair of the Senate Committee of Agriculture and Food, said Republic Act 10068, otherwise known as the "Organic Agriculture Act of 2010," recognizes best practices in organic agriculture which showcase organic farming technologies and techniques which will seek to set benchmarks for local farmers.

“Mayor Jun bested finalists from around the world for his "outstanding work

(that) is unique in its complexity, targeting agriculture, rural development, forestry and resources management,” Villar said.

“His achievement in his hometown puts Dumingag in the global map as a framework of socially and ecologically sustainable development which can be emulated not only by the country but by communities throughout the world,” she added.

Villar said Pacalioga deserves to be commended and emulated for his dedication and hard work.