Poll cancellation will free P7.7 B in SK funds, which Recto wants used for child feeding

MANILA-Postponing the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections will free up almost P7.7 billion in SK share from the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) of barangays this year, Sen. Ralph Recto said today.

Under the law, the SKs get 10 percent of the barangays’ IRA, which is P76.7 billion for 2015.

Because the amount will now be retained by barangays, the latter can spend it for child feeding in day care centers, a program that will address the “two important issues of literacy and nutrition at the same time,” Recto suggested.

The P7.7 billion SK fund is actually bigger than the P7.2 billion that government will spend this year for two major nutrition programs run by the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWS), Recto said.

Under the 2015 national budget, the DepEd is allocated P3.8 billion to provide meals to 1.93 million undernourished gradeschoolers.

DepEd’s original budget was P2.8 billion but Recto and Senate Finance Committee chair Sen. Chiz Escudero increased it by P1 billion.

The DSWD, on the other hand, will get P3.36 billion for a supplemental feeding program covering 2.5 million two- to five-year olds enrolled in day care centers or wards of neighborhood associations.

“Theoretically, the funding for feeding can be doubled if the SK fund will be used to ‘fortify’ what has been earmarked in the national budget,” Recto said.

The Senate bill which resets the SK polls to October 2016 directs the barangay council to disburse the SK fund “solely for youth development programs.”

It reiterates the same provision in an earlier SK election postponement  law, Republic Act 10632 , which scrapped the polls supposed to be held in October 2013.

The passage of the bill resetting the SK polls anew is a done deal, Recto said. “In the Senate, there’s bipartisan consensus that calling off the elections is the right thing to do.”

“But the proposed law does not only reschedule the elections, it sets the policy on what will happen to the SK share, and that is to exclusively use it for youth development programs,” Recto explained.

“And no programs are more worthwhile than nutrition and education,” Recto said in justifying why the SK fund must be used to feed undernourished kids.

He, however, admitted that the final decision on how the SK share will be spent rests on the Sangguniang Barangay, for as long as it is within the ambit of programs for young people.

The IRA represents the 40 percent share of local governments from internal revenues collected by the national government three years before.  

For this year, total IRA is P389.8, with the 81 provinces getting P91 billion; 144 cities sharing P89.2 billion; 1,478 towns, P132.9 billion; and 41,889 barangays, P76.7 billion.

Recto said the SK share of P7.7 billion is three times bigger than the 2015 appropriations of the Department of Tourism, twice that of the Department of Trade and Industry, six times that of the Civil Service Commission, and bigger than the combined budget of the 26 state universities and colleges in the Visayas.

“It is even 15 times bigger the Assistance to Nationals Fund for overseas Filipinos in distress,” Recto said.

Leyte solon honors youth volunteers for Tacloban

MANILA-Leyte 1st district Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez honored the youth volunteers who participated in Pope Francis’ visit to Tacloban City last January 10, and encouraged more to contribute towards nation-building.

“Despite the storm in Tacloban that day, the young men and women braved the heavy rains and helped organize the Papal visit. They were there days before the event, sacrificed their time and effort which helped ensure the success of the historic event. It is this spirit of service and volunteerism that I want to commend and to highlight. They are examples of how the youth can truly help the nation,” Romualdez said.

Romualdez also recounted how international humanitarian agencies and local groups helped Tacloban during the wake of super typhoon Yolanda.

“During the height of the disaster there was an outpouring of volunteers, a lot of them young people, who came to the city and helped Warays get back on their feet. It moved me to see countless people who donated or flew in, got their hands dirty, and helped with the rebuilding. Ordinary people with extraordinary spirits who are able to empathize with the people of Tacloban,” Romualdez added.

“Our city was devastated by a storm surge, but we also got a surge of support from all over the country and the world. It gave our people hope and a sense of solidarity. We were not abandoned, we felt like we were not alone,” Romualdez said.

Hotels in Tacloban were fully booked with humanitarian outfits reserving the slot for months. The hotel industry did not slow down after Yolanda and some new hotels in the City had to open earlier than schedule just to meet the demands. The regional tourism office, together with a local travel company started a voluntourism program to accommodate the public who wanted to be part of Tacloban’s rebuilding program.

“The effort, commitment and contribution of volunteers are priceless and cannot be quantified. These are people who extended themselves and become a man for other.  There is an intrinsic value that is associated with helping others that cannot be repaid by money,” the solon said.

Romuladez also lauded the work of the Philippine National Police (PNP) , the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

Romualdez paid tribute to Kristel Mae Padasas, saying “I feel for the family of Kristel and I want to tell them that their daughter is an inspiration to many.”  He paid his respects to Padasas, who belonged to the Catholic Relief Service (CRS) volunteers for the Yolanda humanitarian Crisis. The 27-year old volunteer was from Buhi, Camarines Sur but was based in Manila before she passed away tragically.

“The untimely death of Kristel Mae Padasas in Tacloban during the visit of Pope Francis did not happen in vain. Kristel exemplified the dignity of the young who are the future of our country,” Romualdez said. Padasas died after being hit by a collapsed scaffolding used during the mass of His Holiness Pope Francis in Tacloban City.

Romualdez lauds volunteers, PNP, AFP, MMDA, LGUs in Papal visit

MANILA-With the people of Tacloban still in high spirits a couple of weeks after Pope Francis’ successful visit to the Philippines, a resolution commending the thousands of dedicated volunteers from different non-government and private organizations was filed by Leyte 1st distruct Representative Martin Romualdez. 

Romualdez, whose district was badly-hit by typhoon Yolanda in 2013, was among the public officials who welcomed the Pope on his arrival last January 17 at the Daniel Z. Romualdez airport where the Vicar of the Catholic Church held mass and interacted with the survivors of the worst recorded storm in history. 

“The government cannot be thankful enough to the individuals who sacrificed their time, put in good work, and made sure that everything went smoothly. We owe a lot to the volunteers for the successful visit of Pope Francis in Tacloban and Metro Manila,” Romualdez said 

In the House resolution, Romualdez highlighted the exemplary work of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) who made the event seamless. “Officers and men of the PNP and the AFP who were tasked to secure Pope Francis in his engagements during his 5-day Apostolic and State Visit together with different media entities showed selfless dedication to duty.” 

Romualdez also highlighted the work of local government units and personnel from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for their dedication to maintaining order in the Pope’s activities.

“The collaboration between the government, the volunteers and our citizens is inspiring. It’s not a secret that there are issues the divide political parties especially in Eastern Visayas, however, during the papal visit everyone worked as one to make the event a success. The possibilities are endless if we work together,” Romuladez said. 

It has been estimated that 150,000 people in Tacloban- with a population of 200,000- attended Pope Francis’s mass in the city, this amid the disturbance of Tropical Storm “Amang”  (international name: Mekkhala). The people, who braved the winds and the rain, were given yellow ponchos to protect them from the storm, a similar poncho was worn by Pope Francis on top of his vestments symbolizing his oneness with the people of Tacloban.

“Pope Francis preaches humility. As a public servant it is a humbling experience to know that it is only through working together that success can be achieved. I once again commend and congratulate the people who made the Papal visit a resounding success,” said Romualdez.

Justice for slain SAF - Recto

MANILA-If it is true that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is harboring them, they should surrender a Malaysian bomb maker and his Filipino sidekick, the hunt for whom led to the massacre of 44 police commandoes in an MILF-influenced area in Maguindanao Sunday, Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto said today.

“Giving up Marwan and Usman is the only way that public belief on the MILF’s sincerity in pursuing peace can be restored and for the peace process to move forward,” Recto said.

He was referring to Malaysian bomb-maker and top Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, known as Marwan, and his local cohort, Basit Usman, who were the targets of the waylaid Special Action Force (SAF) team.

“Of paramount importance to all Filipinos is justice for the slain SAF,” Recto said. He expressed hope that the Board of Inquiry will come up with results soon.

“Fact is, the incident has hit a major stumbling block in the peace process. The only way to reboot it is for the MILF, if indeed it is tolerating the presence of Marwan and Usman, to give the two the boot,” Recto said.

“Any group in talks for permanent peace with the government should not be giving sanctuary to terrorists,” Recto said.

“It should not allow zones it control to be used as rest and recreation areas for wanted fugitives who by their skills and bloody curriculum vitaes present a clear and present danger to the nation,” Recto said.

Recto said even if reports are true that the two terrorists were actually in areas controlled by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), “then the MILF should not side with the BIFF but assist the police and the military in apprehending them.”

“If the MILF wants to be our BFF, then they should stop playing footsies with the BIFF,” Recto said.

If Sunday’s bloodbath was a result of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) failure to coordinate with the MILF, as the latter had insisted, “there would still have been no need for the police to arrest them if the MILF had not allowed them to stay there in the first place.”

Recto said the MILF must undertake “grand confidence-building measures” to win back the public whose trust and support are needed for the “last mile of the peace process to succeed.”

“The BBL, the peace process have become collateral damage of Sunday’s massacre.  The fastest way to recover from the setback is if the MILF will partner with the government in arresting Marwan and Usman,” Recto said. 

Jinggoy seeks Senate probe on deadly Maguindanao clash

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Legarda Files Resolution Commending Vigan LGU for its Heritage Preservation Efforts

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today commended the local government of Vigan for its continued preservation of the town as a livable heritage city following its successful inclusion in the New7Wonders Cities.

In celebration of the founding anniversary of Vigan City, Legarda authored Senate Resolution No. 1130 to urge national agencies to work collaboratively with the local government of the City, which is known for its steadfast commitment to conserve and preserve its culture and heritage.

“Vigan is a concrete example of how communities should work to be aware of their heritage, which should be appreciated, preserved and properly utilized to achieve meaningful and sustainable progress,” said Legarda.

Among the efforts of the local government is the development of a conservation complex, comprised of a “depot” where materials for restoration are stored and made accessible to the public, training centers that equip the community with the necessary skills to preserve heritage, and museums that showcase the richness of culture.

The establishment of a three-hectare “heritage park” of indigenous architecture, showcasing the landmarks and arts and crafts found among provinces of the old Ylocos zregion, is also being planned by the local government.

In December 2014, the City of Vigan was included as one of the New7Wonders Cities of the World, together with Beirut in Lebanon, Doha in Qatar, Durban in South Africa, Havana in Cuba, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and La Paz in Bolivia.

“The award received by Vigan recognizes the long-standing efforts and utmost dedication of the local government and residents of the Historic City of Vigan in conserving and preserving its heritage as a World Heritage Site and is further highlighted by the city’s 2012 award for Best Practice in World Heritage Site Management,” Legarda added.

“Cognizant of the perseverance of the local government of Vigan and its residents to preserve history and culture while working towards sustainable development, it is but fitting that the local government of Vigan and its residents be recognized and commended,” Legarda concluded.

Bishop Cortez, Successor of Archbishop Tirona in Prelature of Infanta

BALER, Aurora-Manila Auxiliary Bishop Bernardino Cortez, D.D. was installed last Friday, January 23, 2015 as 4^th Bishop of the Prelature of Infanta in Saint Mark's Cathedral, Infanta, Quezon Province in a two hour solemn liturgical rites.

The diocese of Infanta was left vacant since 2012 after Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona was installed as Archbishop of Nueva Caceres wherein Cortez succeeded the post.

The prelature territories are the northern portions of the provinces of Quezon and the whole of Aurora.

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle graced the ceremony and has called to the need for prayerfulness and a profound respect for the conditions and sensibilities of human persons in pastoral life as the Prelature will continue to respond to numerous pastoral challenges, especially those related to authentic human development, the situation of indigenous peoples, and stewardship of creation.

“Sana yung mga buwaya ay maging butiki as in the picture of Saint Mary,” Tagle quoted during the rite referring to politicians.

Back to Cortez, he is now 65 years old and a former priest of the Diocese of San Pablo in Laguna where he was ordained in June 1974.

Cortez is also known in criticizing politicians who take advantage of the Filipino electorate, saying that politicians usually please voters during the election season. He said that politicians show care and concern, but after the period, everything goes back to normal and that they are doing things in exchange of something that could benefit them, not because of the love they have for others. In the heat of the 2013 midterm elections, he took a swipe at politicians who made a show of serving the people, but for their vested interests.

Cortez, Chairman of the Catholic Media Network has been known to serve his ministry with a passion, especially the pastoral challenges.

Saint John Paul II appointed Cortez as Auxiliary Bishop of Manila on May 2004 and served for 10 years, and now as 4^th Bishop of Infanta, he will administer an ecclesiastical jurisdiction with almost half-a-million population, 87 percent of which are Catholics from 20 parishes.

It could be remembered that Pope Francis has appointed Cortez as the new Bishop of Infanta in Quezon province. The appointment was announced at 12 noon in Rome (7pm, Manila time) last October 27, 2014. (Jason de Asis)

Legarda Bats for Immediate Passage of Bill Favoring the Poor

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today urged her colleagues in the Senate to immediately approve the proposed Magna Carta of the Poor, which seeks to uplift the lives of impoverished Filipinos not only through access to basic services but also by prioritizing investments and anti-poverty programs that will enable the poor to take part in the country’s growth and development.

Legarda noted that despite the country’s continued economic progress, majority of Filipinos continue to struggle on a daily basis according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The PSA reported that in the first six months of 2013, the poverty incidence was estimated at 24.9 percent of the population while subsistence, which refers to the numbers of Filipinos living in extreme poverty, was at 10.7 percent.

“The data clearly shows that more Filipinos remain vulnerable to poverty. This calls for the need to institutionalize long-term poverty alleviation strategies that are essential to improving the living standards of every Filipino,” Legarda stressed.

She added, “We need to eliminate disparities in basic services by adopting an area-based, sectoral and focused intervention to poverty alleviation where every poor Filipino family must be empowered to meet their minimum basic needs—access to adequate food, shelter, education, decent work, health care and safe water—through the partnership of the government and the basic sectors of society.”

Under Senate Bill No. 2515 or the Magna Carta of the Poor, which Legarda authored, all government agencies are mandated to provide full access of their services to the poor by formulating their own National Poverty Reduction Plan, which consists of all sectoral and local poverty reduction plans of each barangay, municipality, city and province.

Funding will come from various programs of the government such as Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) and Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) Project of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and socialized housing programs of the National Housing Authority, among others.

Moreover, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) shall design and establish a single system of classification to be used for targeting beneficiaries of the government’s poverty alleviation programs and projects to ensure that such programs reach the intended beneficiaries.

Ecija gov tells political foes on b-day : “Sorry that I have hurt you”

PALAYAN CITY – Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurelio Umali on Friday celebrated his birthday by apologizing to his political opponents who he may have hurt in his past speeches.

          Speaking at the jampacked Palayan City Convention Center here on the occasion of his 49^th birthday celebration , Umali issued an impassioned appeal to politicians from his rival camp, saying they should forgive and forget and become friends, even though they may not necessarily become  allies eventually.

          “I can always say sorry to those whom I have hurt with what I have said. But even if you are a political opponent, we can both forgive each other although we may not become allies,” he said.

          He said that whatever the past is between them, there is always the future to look up to where he and the others can be friends.

          Umali’s birthday bash was attended by mayors and other politicians identified with the Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija of the Josons who he unseated from the Capitol in 2007 with his landslide victory, ending their 48-year reign.

          Among the Balane-allied Mayors were Nerivi Santos-Martinez of Talavera, Francis Steven Dizon of Guimba and Froilan Nagaño Jr. of San Leonardo.   

          During his speech, Umali turned to Board Member Mark Anthony Esquivel and asked him to convey his best wishes to the latter’s father, former Jaen mayor Antonio Prospero Esquivel.

The elder Esquivel is a staunch ally of Umali’s political rival, former vice governor Mariano Cristino Joson who he defeated in 2007.    

          Looking dapper in a long-sleeved navy blue polo and jeans, the governor - who is on his last term as provincial chief executive - then said he is turning over the Capitol “to the one who owns my  heart,” referring to gubernatorial aspirant, outgoing third district Rep. Czarina Umali.

          The event looked every bit like a mini-concert of sorts with the popular Side A band and Rico J. Puno entertaining the crowd  with a variety of songs.

          The governor and his wife then sang a duet of the song “Tell Me” as if renewing their marital ties, with someone from the audience hollering: “Mabuhay ang Bagong Kasal (Long Live the Newly Wedded Couple).” He also  sang with Czarina’s running mate, Vice Gov. Jose Gay Padiernos.

          Aside from Czarina, joining the governor in the event were his mother Isabelita, daughters Gabrielle Lois, Patricia Marie, Alexandra Maxene and Ayka Mikaela, brothers Raymond and Emmanuel Umali, a former board member, former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office director Jose Taruc V among others. (Manny Galvez)

SECURITY TIGHTENS AS APEC SOM1 DELEGATES START TO ARRIVE

CAMP OLIVAS, CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, PAMPANGA- Police Regional Office 3 together with the AFP, OCD and BFP tightens its security measures and emergency response preparedness as foreign delegates for theAPEC- First Senior Officials' Meeting and Related Meeting (SOMI) start to arrive at Clarkfield, Pampanga and Subic, Zambales.

           

            PNP-PRO3 personnel are still deployed within the summit venues and areas where the delegates will be billeted to ensure their safety and security until the entire duration of the APEC- First Senior Officials' Meeting and Related Meeting (SOMI) here in Region 3.

 

            Relatedly, additional augmentation force from the Regional Public Safety Battalion 3 and Nueva Ecija and Tarlac Police Provincial Offices were also sent to ensure maximum police presence.

           

            Meanwhile, STG “Clark-Subic” continues to convene daily in order to make sure that no single detail is being overlooked as well as guarantee the safe and smooth flow of the grand event.  

 

            The APEC- First Senior Officials' Meeting and Related Meeting (SOMI) will start on January 26,2015 and conclude on February 7, 2015.   

Legarda to Youth: ASEAN Integration Brings Opportunities, Challenges

MANILA-While the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Integration brings many opportunities—free flow of goods, services, investment capital, education and skilled labor—there are key challenges that the region needs to overcome in order to achieve sustainable and inclusive growth, Senator Loren Legarda today told youth leaders and student participants of the ASEAN Youth Summit 2015 at the De La Salle University Manila.

“As we pursue the pathway that will bring the economies and people of ASEAN under a single economic community, we also have to be mindful of some obstacles and challenges that hound the people of the region such as the issues of poverty eradication, income distribution and equality, high infant and child mortality rate, poor sanitation, among others,” Legarda stressed.

She added, “The agenda of poverty eradication is one of the goals of ASEAN, and yet, nearly 50 years after its creation, almost 13% or 76 million of the region’s people continue to live below the World Bank’s international poverty line of US$1.25 a day.”

Legarda pointed out other concerns—more than one third of the region’s people have no access to improved drinking water sources; about 415 infants die each day in the region; and income distribution and equality concerns abound as evidenced by the fact that GDP per capita across ASEAN countries can be as low as 800 US Dollars to a high of 49,000 US Dollars.

“The words ‘ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)’ invite optimism, but they also evoke a sense of uncertainty and even fear for some. Much work obviously needs to be done in order that this community that we all seek to build will be relevant and will help usher in a higher quality of life for our people,” she said.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, also said that resilience and sustainable development should be at the core of the AEC, stressing that, “We must realize that we are living in a world with finite resources and yet generations have lived over the centuries like there is no tomorrow. If we truly want the ASEAN Economic Community to be successful, we must learn to co-exist with our environment.”

She added that disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation must be linked with local, national and regional development planning.

“The ASEAN Community is geographically located in one of the most disaster prone regions of the world. Moreover, climate change has already made its presence felt in our region and in our respective countries. It is a must that development policies should promote effective risk reduction towards sustainable and resilient growth,” said Legarda.

Clark hosts APEC Special Senior Finance Officials Meeting

CLARK FREEPORT-Clark Freeport played host this week to the two-day Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Special Senior Finance Officials Meeting.

 

Held at Holiday Inn, it featured sessions on the general overview of the Cebu Action Plan, Promoting Financial Integration, Advancing Financial Transparency, and Enhancing Financial Resiliency among others.

 

“The Cebu Action Plan is envisioned to provide a stepping stone towards an APEC Community that is more financially integrated, transparent, and resilient. In a decade, APEC economies should have harmonized policies, rules, and practices that enable and /or facilitate,” APEC said in a statement.

 

This shall include free trade and free flow of cross border investments, good governance that results to sustainability and inclusive economic growth, and rapidly growing and robust financial markets that offer diversified financial instruments.

 

Roadmap of the Cebu Action Plan consists of three action programs namely Promoting Financial Integration, Advancing Financial Transparency, and Enhancing Financial Resiliency.

 

“Financial Integration in the Asia Pacific can pave the way for greater intra regional trade and investment, as well as more developed financial markets across APEC economies. Financial integration can bring forth various mechanisms that support trade and investments and at the same time widen financial markets in terms of products, service providers, and investors,” APEC added.

 

Moreover, Financial Transparency is an essential component of good governance as it allows for greater scrutiny that in turn leads to a more efficient use of government resources for development priorities.

 

APEC economies are enjoined to cooperate on practices fostering financial transparency such as reporting of fiscal data, exchange of information on tax policies and financial transaction across borders, auditing of uses of funds among government agencies, and making the information on and conduct of government procurement process more accessible to the public.

 

“And lastly, sustainable and inclusive growth and financial market development can only be achieved through macroeconomic stability. Prolonged intra regional trade and investments also rely on the soundness of its participating economies. An important tool in attaining macroeconomic stability is financing resiliency. Financing resiliency entails among others, the creation of sufficient fiscal space that can be used when shocks to the economy arise,” APEC added.

 

APEC began as an informal dialogue group in 1989, but has since become the premier forum for facilitating economic growth, cooperation, trade, and investment in the Asia Pacific region.

Apart from the Philippines, other members include Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; People's Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; The Russian Federation; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; United States of America; and Viet Nam.

This year’s meetings carry the theme “Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World.” (Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu)

Congress sets target up to June 2015 Drilon says other major bills won’t take back seat due to Bangsamoro debates

MANILA-Though the Congress is intent on passing the Bangsamoro Basic Law within the first quarter of the year, Senate President Franklin M. Drilon said the Congress will also work double-time in ensuring the passage of what it has identified as “must-pass’ measures before the end of the second regular session in June 2015, which mostly include legislation that will sustain fiscal and economic growth and provide job opportunities to millions of Filipinos.

Among these bills are the amendments to the Built-Operate-Transfer Law, the Fair Competition Act, Rationalization of Fiscal Incentives Act, the rationalization of the mining revenues, the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, and the amendments to the Charter of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Also included in the “must-pass” legislation are the postponement of the Sangguniang Kabataan elections, creation of the Department of Information and Communication Technology, the Philippine Immigration Act, the creation of information and communications technology hub, definition of public utilities, and the Magna Carta of the Poor.

“Our schedule is a bit tight considering that we only have six session weeks before we adjourn in March 19. The scheduled SK election next month is just around the corner, so a decision has to be made immediately whether to allow the elections of new set of SK officers or postpone it further to October 2016 to give Congress more time to overhaul the current SK system,” said Drilon. The SK elections are scheduled for February 21.

Drilon said that by synchronizing the SK elections with the barangay elections, there will more time for current system to be reviewed and reforms be introduced, while saving public funds and precious time.

Drilon said the SK postponement along with the BBL shall be passed within the first quarter of the year: “We will have to strictly follow our schedule, because this bill that will create and embed peace in Mindanao still has to go through a lot of process including the ratification by the areas covered by the law, and the ratification should take place before the election period,” he added.

The Senate leader also emphasized that the Congress will deal with a number of legislation that will help the country sustain its fiscal and economic growth amid emerging challenges, provide assistance to the poor and enhance ICT in the country.

The Congress will re-work the Magna Carta of the Poor to provide more complete and stable programs for the poor. He said the budgetary requirement of the proposed law will be included in the annual national budget.

It will also work on a bill that will mandate the establishment of ICT hubs in the country to support the growing demand for technology and the creation of a Department of Information and Communication Technology to supervise and implement policies on ICT.

Drilon said that a new agency devoted to improving the national capacity in the information and communications technology sector is all but necessary for a nation like the Philippines: "We are close to being the top business process outsourcing nation in the world, yet our ICT capacities are insufficient in several aspects, such as internet speed," Drilon said.