ANGARA CALLS FOR JOINT EFFORTS TO COMBAT CORRUPTION

In a bid to eradicate corruption in the country and in support of the administration’s anti-corruption crusade, Senator Edgardo J. Angara called on government officials, members of the academe, media and civil society to take part in the upcoming Fifth Global Conference of Parliamentarians Against Corruption, which will be held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) on January 30 to February 2, 2013.

Angara, Vice Chair of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC) Executive Committee and Charter President of Southeast Asian Parliamentarians Against Corruption (SEAPAC), announced that over 300 lawmakers and 200 observers from over 46 countries will be participating in one of the biggest anti-corruption events in the world.

“The goal of this event is to exchange ideas and learn from our fellow parliamentarians who are all steadfast in their desire to eradicate corruption in government,” he said in a press conference on Thursday.

Said conference will carry the theme "Good laws. Good leaders. Good Citizens". “By hosting the 2013 GOPAC conference, we hope to demonstrate our untiring efforts to cleanse our government of corruption--a plague in our house eroding resources that ought to have gone toward improving the welfare of our people.”

Angara also commended the strides made by the government in the fight against corruption but emphasized that a lot more needs to be done.

Senator Franklin M. Drilon, Ways and Means Chair of the GOPAC 2013 Steering Committee, credited this to the "leadership by example" of President Aquino. He said that aside from enacting anti-corruption measures, the Filipino people should have a collective "zero tolerance" for corruption.

Transparency International-Philippines President Dr. Georgina Encanto, who was also present at the press conference, discussed the media’s role in promoting transparency and good governance.

The Senate of the Philippines, together with the SEAPAC, are the main proponents of the conference, with the full support of the government and the Office of the President. The Manila Steering Committee also includes retired Chief Justice Artermio V. Panganiban, Dean Georgina Encanto, and the Department of Tourism.

In his message, President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III said, “The selection of the Philippines as host of the biannual conference of GOPAC affirms our collective efforts to establish the principles of transparency and accountability in our society. My gratitude to GOPAC for this opportunity to lead this forum and to Sen. Edgardo J. Angara for his endeavors on behalf of GOPAC as Vice Chair of this organization and head of the Steering Committee of this conference.” 

DOH gives P2.2-M meds to C. Luzon flood victims

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Aug 16, 2012-The Department of Health-Center for Health Development in Region 3 (DOH-CHD-3) has distributed P2,194,687.94 worth of drugs and medicines to Central Luzon flood victims. 

“Drugs distributed include doxycyline to prevent leptospirosis and medicines for colds, cough, fever and other common illness,” Health Director Leonita Gorgolon said. 

The distribution is in line with the health department’s continuous monitoring and assistance to flood victims by deploying Medical Response Teams (MRTs) from the regional office of the DOH-CHD3 and from the Provincial Health Team Offices to the affected areas. 

“MRTs are organized to assess different evacuation centers and damage to affected health facilities and other public health activities since the onset of the monsoon rains last week,” Gorgolon said. 

“MRTs include doctors, nurses and sanitary engineers who conduct rapid assessment of the situation in evacuation centers and assist local health officials in rendering health services to the evacuees such as supplemental immunization, health education and consultations,” she added. 

Duties of MRTs also include monitoring of Water and Sanitation and Hygiene (Wash) and proper waste disposal. 

CHD3’s Health Emergency Management Staff (HEMS) has been on a 24-hour operation since August 7. 

Gorgolon said, HEMS, led by Regional Coordinator Evelyn David is continuously coordinating with the Provincial Health Team Offices (PHTOs) of the DOH-CHD3, Provincial Health Offices (PHOs) of the different Provinces, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Center (PDRRMC) of affected areas. 

The regional director also coordinated with DOH retained hospitals to assist local government units (LGUs) in conducting medical consultations in evacuation centers. 

Based on the reports received by DOH, there are 46 evacuation centers in the province of Bulacan, 29 in Tarlac and 25 in Pampanga. 

To reinforce the provision of assistance to affected areas, Gorgolon issued a regional order designating members of the CHD-3 Management Committee as focal person in different provinces.

Trillanes wants Senate to scrutinize poor performance of PHL at London Olympics

Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV is urging the Senate to look into the state of Philippine sports following the lackluster performance of the country’s 11-man delegation to the recent London Summer Olympics and the last Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

 

“We recognize the talent of our Filipino athletes and their display of perseverance, dedication, moral courage, strength of character and competitive spirit in various athletic competitions. It is very evident, however, based on our recent performances in global and regional competitions, that our country is not at par with the Olympic competitors and lags behind our Southeast Asian neighbors as well,” said Trillanes.

 

Trillanes filed Senate Resolution No. 838, urging the Senate Committee on Amateur Sports Competitiveness and other appropriate committees to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation into the current state of sports development in the Philippines after the poor performance of Filipino athletes.

 

He pointed out that it has been 16 years since the country last won a medal courtesy of Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco, who won a silver medal in boxing at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

 

Seeking to uplift the status of sports in the country, Trillanes also filed Senate Bill 3092 which would create the Department of Sports. This agency will formulate policy, plan, coordinate, implement, promote and develop sports and physical fitness in the country.

 

“It is hoped that once the Department of Sports is established, sports would once again become an integral component of youth development, a galvanizing force for national unity and a source of national pride,” Trillanes explained. 

 

Trillanes added that despite the mandate of the 1987 Constitution, the government seems to have overlooked the crucial role of sports in national development.

Drilon calls for the passage of the sin tax bill

 Senator Franklin M. Drilon today called on his colleagues to pass a bill rationalizing excise taxes on tobacco and alcohol products.

The hearings on House Bill 5727 "An Act Restructuring the Excise Tax on Alcohol and Tobacco Products," otherwise known as the sin tax bill, started today.

This bill would simplify and update excise taxes on cigarettes and liquor, generating an additional 33 billion pesos a year for the national government. 

Drilon said he agreed with the proponents of the bill that rationalizing sin taxes would not only raise funds for government's health care program but would also help improve the health of ordinary Filipinos.

"That smoking has no known benefit is beyond question. It is costly, it is harmful to one's health and it kills. That is a fact that has been proven by countless medical studies. And I know this from experience because my first wife died due to lung cancer." 

"I want to spare our people from the tragedy of losing a loved one. This is why we should discourage people from smoking, and one of the ways to do that is to raise the price of cigarettes and make it less accessible to more people." 

Drilon noted that poor people suffer more from smoking than the wealthy because they are unable to afford health care when beset with smoking-related diseases. Since they cannot afford proper health care, it becomes the burden of the government to provide adequate care for them.

"In my view, the sin tax bill is first and foremost a health measure, which is long overdue. We need to pass this bill now." Drilon said.

Drilon also added that local cigarette prices now are among the cheapest in Asia and raising the prices would not kill the tobacco industry as some opponents of the bill have claimed. 

TRAIN NSTP STUDENTS FOR RESCUE AND CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS -- KIKO

Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan today recommends that the government seriously look into integrating rescue and cleanup operations training for college students under the National Service Training Program (NSTP) in light of the recent flooding and need for rescue volunteers. Pangilinan says that those in the Philippine Reserve Officer Training Corps can also be tapped to help out in the operations.

"The law that created the NSTP and the ROTC states that the government may call upon the help of the people by rendering military or civil service. These reserves are not just meant to be deployed in times of war, but more importantly in times of great need for social service. This would allow us to beef up our trained volunteer pool while giving students the fulfillment in knowing that the skills they acquire may someday save lives--even their own," Pangilinan says.

Pangilinan adds that the government must give more emphasis on safety training under the NSTP. "Of course, the government must ensure the safety and welfare of these reserves, and by putting more emphasis on safety training we should be able to secure the welfare of our students while ensuring that they will be well equipped upon deployment."

"This is a great way of involving our youth in nation-building," Pangilinan adds. "They can be instrumental in responding to urgent needs while building up skills that can translate to greater civic responsibility."

EMB OKs ECC for controversial Ecija sanitary landfill project

PALAYAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, August 15, 2012–The Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has approved the application for an Environmental Compliance Certificate of a waste-to-energy corporation for its 20-hectare sanitary landfill project amid a storm of protest from civil society and local residents in this provincial capital.

          Lormelyn Claudio, EMB regional director for Central Luzon, said they have already issued the ECC to the Ecosci Corporation, a firm based in Quezon City.

          Claudio said the ECC issued for Ecosci is for its sanitary landfill categorized as “Category 4” which is projected to accommodate 800 metric tons of garbage in the city. She said her office has also issued ECCs for the operations of sanitary landfills in Sta. Rosa, also in Nueva Ecija and in Ma. Aurora town in Aurora.

          Ecosci earlier signed a lease agreement with the city government for the putting up of the sanitary landfill in this city. The agreement was signed by Mayor Romeo Capinpin representing the city government  and Juanito Ho, Ecosci chairman.

          The project is proposed to be set up in Barangay Imelda Valley which has been certified as an ideal site for a sanitary landfill in a joint survey conducted by the DENR, Ecosci and a resident geodetic engineer of the city government.

          Earlier, the city council led by Vice Mayor Moises Carmona Jr. passed Resolution 37 authorizing Capinpin to enter into a lease agreement with Ecosci for the setting up of the waste disposal facility.

          Under the agreement, the city government as the lessor will lease the facility to the lessee (Ecosci) for a 25-year period renewable for another 25 years at a cost of P700,000 per year. However, this could be increased to P1 million per year when the daily waste disposal has reached 73 trucks per day for 30 consecutive days.  

          The agreement also stipulates that an expansion area of another 20 hectares will be provided for the landfill project.

Capinpin said that the project, which will cost P30 million for its first phase, will absorb not only residual wastes produced by the city but the entire province as well.

He said the project is in compliance with the provisions of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act which stipulate the closure of open and controlled dumpsites.

          Lawyer Norberto Coronel, city legal officer, said the landfill project is necessary as the city government already shut down its open dumpsite in Barangay Atate. He admitted that the city now has no available disposal facility following the closure of the Atate dumpsite.

          Ecosci will commence excavation works next month.    

          The Palayan sanitary landfill is the second known landfill project in the province. A similar project, worth P138-million, is also under construction in a 22-hectare site in the Science City of Munoz some seven kilometers from the city proper, which is projected to absorb up to 150 metric tons of household residual wastes in northern Nueva Ecija.

          Residents and civic leaders have been opposing the landfill project and vowed to seek legal remedies to stop it.

Teresita Odulio, wife of automotive magnate Rene Odulio who owns vast tracts of land and properties here has vowed to file a temporary restraining order to block the waste disposal facility.

Mrs. Odulio is one of three women leaders who are in the forefront of the protest against the landfill, the others were Leny Tolentino and Aurelia Sandoval.

Tolentino said they have launched a signature campaign to stop the project, with at least 10,000 local residents also affixing their signatures in the protest document out of the total of 26,000 city residents.

Tolentino said no public hearing was conducted to feel the pulse of the people regarding the project. She said that they learned that some 75 trucks of garbage from nearby towns and cities in the province will be disposed in the facility, which, she said, could turn it into a “garbage capital.” 

“We do not want our city, which is the capital of Nueva Ecija, to be known also as the garbage capital,” she said. (Manny Galvez) 

JINGGOY WANTS POLICE ACADEMY PLACED UNDER PNP CONTROL

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada wants police training institutions placed at the helm of the primary peacekeeping and law enforcement organization, which will eventually dispatch and employ the uniformed personnel into action.

Sen. Estrada filed Senate Bill 3218 which seeks to amend the Republic Act 6975 or the Department of Interior and Local Government Act of 1990, and to transfer the administrative supervision and operational control of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA), Philippine National Training Institute (PNTI) and the National Police College (NPC) from the Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC) to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“The current setup has proven to be ineffective and costly. It allows lapses in coordination of training programs and makes it difficult to develop a system of well-developed plan and budget for trainings internal to the PNP,” Sen. Estrada explains, adding:

“There is also a mismatch between the PNP training expectations and requirements and the actual services provided by the PPSC.”

Currently, the PPSC is considered the premier educational institution for the training, human resource development and continuing education of all personnel of the PNP, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

Apart from PNPA, PNTI and NPC, PPSC also has supervision over the Fire Training Center and other special training centers as may be created by the DILG. PPSC is tasked to formulate and implement training programs for the personnel of the DILG.

“The ineffectiveness and inefficiency in the structure and system frequently result in unnecessary cost and waste of resources and efforts because the PNP would often conduct its own re-orientation and specialization training programs, thus duplicating those already undertaken by the PPSC,” Sen. Estrada points out.

Sen. Estrada, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development, believes that the move will warrant that the police force is properly trained to perform their functions of maintaining peace and order, preventing crimes, ensuring public safety and generally protecting lives and properties.

On a related note, the Upper Chamber approved on Second Reading on Tuesday Senate Bill 3204 aimed at strengthening the PPSC system as an educational institution for training of fire and jail personnel, with the Committee on Education, Arts and Culture adopting the proposal of Sen. Estrada, effectively removing police training under PPSC.

Sen. Estrada was then recognized as co-author and co-sponsor of the measure.

E-VOTING SHOULD BE AN OPTION FOR OVERSEAS FILIPINOS

During yesterday's budget hearing for the Department of Foreign Affairs, Senator Edgardo J. Angara proposed an online voting system for Filipinos working and living abroad to make the absentee voting process more convenient and effective.

According to figures from the DFA, nearly 800,000 have signed up for overseas absentee voting (OAV) to participate in the 2013 midterm elections, pushing them closer to their goal of one million by October of this year. 

However, Angara said that this is still a small percentage of the millions of Filipinos and their families who now live abroad.

"When we wrote the Overseas Voting Law around five years ago, there was an estimated three million Filipinos from around the world who were qualified. Three million potential votes can make a big difference on the national elections. Now there are even more potential voters, yet the turnout remains critically low due to practical constraints," he lamented.

Angara explained that in North America alone, there is an estimated 1.5 million potential voters. However, they face logistical difficulties arising from the required physical appearance for registration and voting. If the registration site is in another state, it will take these people away from their jobs and homes just to vote. 

The veteran legislator also noted that the program is moving slowly despite the sufficient fuding given over the past years.

"We should improve the overseas absentee voting program because right now the budget given does not match the output. Around P200 million was alloted for the assistance to overseas workers, yet we have less than a million registered voters and less than 200,000 who actually vote.

"Moreover, P120 million of that 2012 budget is still unspent. Perhaps we can channel the unspent 2012 allocation for the OFW assistance fund into establishing an e-voting system in all the countries which are technologicaly capable. We can conduct online registration and voting safely and securely for these Filipinos," proposed Angara, vice-chair of the Senate Finance Committee. 

Angara suggested an interagency task force headed by the Oversight Committee on Overseas Voting in the House of Representatives, together with the DFA and COMELEC, dedicated to working out the mechanics of online registration and voting.

"We should sieze this opportunity to use modern technology to empower Filipinos who work hard abroad. They should have a say in electing our leaders," he stressed.

ANGARA INITIATES TALKS ABOUT SEPTEMBER OPENING OF CLASSES

MANILA, August 15, 2012-Following the recent devastation caused by typhoons and monsoons, which resulted in a series of suspension of classes across the country, the Senate revisited on Tuesday proposals to move the beginning of the school year from June to September.

“It is important for us to consider these things when discussing the welfare of our students. Aside from disaster risk management, we should also think about how the bad weather affects our educational system,” said Senator Edgardo J. Angara, Chair of the Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture, during the committee hearing held yesterday.

According to Flaviana Hilario, the weather bureau’s deputy administrator on research and development, the Philippines receives the most number of cyclones in the world, an average of 20 a year.

Hilario explained that different parts of the Philippines have varying rainfall distribution. On the western side of the country, which includes Metro Manila, the rainy season is from June to October, while the eastern or Pacific side is wet from September to November.


Angara noted that whether the school year opens in June or September, students on the Pacific side would still be affected by typhoons.

The senator further pointed out that the western side is more populated and developed than the Pacific side so fewer students would be affected in the east.

On the other hand, Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro, who was also present during the Senate hearing, enumerated the concerns of stakeholders should the opening of classes be moved from June to September and eat up the summer months.


Firstly, Luistro said there are many long holidays during the summer months, including cultural and family reunions, fiestas, and holy week.
In agricultural areas, most of the young ones help their family harvest during the summer months. The extreme hot temperature during those months may also make it more difficult for schools to hold classes, he added.

“Based on the data, there is very little additional advantage for the schools nationwide if we move the opening of classes from June to September. The benefits are confined only to NCR and some regions,” the education secretary said.

Angara, however, said the Senate committee on education is still open for discussion and would review all the data gathered in the hearing.

“The safety of our children should remain our top priority but we would still welcome suggestions where we could secure both their safety and learning process,” he concluded. (Rikka Sotto with Shielo Mendoza)

Huge unobligated Comelec budget to defray 2013 election related expenses, says Drilon

Following a series of brouhaha over its budget for 2013, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) today assured the Senate Finance Committee that there were no more disputes over its budget and that the P8.42 billion proposed allocation will meet its requirements for the conduct of the 2013 elections.

At today’s hearing of its proposed 2013 budget, Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes assured Senator Franklin M. Drilon that the 2013 proposed budget of P8.42 billion is acceptable to them and enough to cover expenses for the synchronized national, local and Autonomous Regions of Muslim Mindanao elections.

“The Comelec has agreed that their budget be pegged at P8.42 B which was the budget the Department of Budget and Management has indicated in the National Expenditures Program. As to unfunded services and activities needed for the 2013 elections that can be done and purchased in 2012, the 2012 appropriation of the Comelec will be augmented by the DBM,” said Drilon.

“The Comelec chair has also given assurance that the previous misunderstandings between them and the budget department over their budget have already been settled and they can make do with their proposed 2013 budget,” he added.  

Per the Comelec presentation, the agency would need P11.01 billion to implement the synchronized elections which amounts P7.06 billion, the automated overseas absentee voting amounting P205.98 million, and the Sangguniang Kabataan and Barangay Registration and Elections amounting P3.75 billion, noted Drilon.

However, Drilon emphasized the Comelec still has huge unobligated balances which it can use to defray election related expenses to ensure a smooth automated elections next year.

Drilon said the agency has P11.57 billion in an unobligated budget which was earmarked for the payment for the purchase of Precinct Count Optical System machines amounting P2.8 billion, for the associated cost related to the purchase including acquisition of ballots and storage facilities amounting P6.13 billion, and the budget for Comelec Strategic Plan of P2.14 billion.

The balance of P1.15 billion is still for the agency to decide where to use, he noted.

“We will maintain the P8.4 billion and the DBM and Comelec will augment their budget to the extent necessary in order to cover activities which were not funded in 2013,” stressed Drilon.

The Senate panel deferred the approval of the agency’s proposed budget and scheduled another meeting on August 30, 2012.

Huge unobligated Comelec budget to defray 2013 election related expenses, says Drilon

MANILA, August 15, 2012-Following a series of brouhaha over its budget for 2013, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) today assured the Senate Finance Committee that there were no more disputes over its budget and that the P8.42 billion proposed allocation will meet its requirements for the conduct of the 2013 elections.

At today’s hearing of its proposed 2013 budget, Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes assured Senator Franklin M. Drilon that the 2013 proposed budget of P8.42 billion is acceptable to them and enough to cover expenses for the synchronized national, local and Autonomous Regions of Muslim Mindanao elections.

“The Comelec has agreed that their budget be pegged at P8.42 B which was the budget the Department of Budget and Management has indicated in the National Expenditures Program. As to unfunded services and activities needed for the 2013 elections that can be done and purchased in 2012, the 2012 appropriation of the Comelec will be augmented by the DBM,” said Drilon.

“The Comelec chair has also given assurance that the previous misunderstandings between them and the budget department over their budget have already been settled and they can make do with their proposed 2013 budget,” he added.  

Per the Comelec presentation, the agency would need P11.01 billion to implement the synchronized elections which amounts P7.06 billion, the automated overseas absentee voting amounting P205.98 million, and the Sangguniang Kabataan and Barangay Registration and Elections amounting P3.75 billion, noted Drilon.

However, Drilon emphasized the Comelec still has huge unobligated balances which it can use to defray election related expenses to ensure a smooth automated elections next year.

Drilon said the agency has P11.57 billion in an unobligated budget which was earmarked for the payment for the purchase of Precinct Count Optical System machines amounting P2.8 billion, for the associated cost related to the purchase including acquisition of ballots and storage facilities amounting P6.13 billion, and the budget for Comelec Strategic Plan of P2.14 billion.

The balance of P1.15 billion is still for the agency to decide where to use, he noted.

“We will maintain the P8.4 billion and the DBM and Comelec will augment their budget to the extent necessary in order to cover activities which were not funded in 2013,” stressed Drilon.

The Senate panel deferred the approval of the agency’s proposed budget and scheduled another meeting on August 30, 2012.

E-VOTING SHOULD BE AN OPTION FOR OVERSEAS FILIPINOS

MANILA, August 15, 2012-During yesterday's budget hearing for the Department of Foreign Affairs, Senator Edgardo J. Angara proposed an online voting system for Filipinos working and living abroad to make the absentee voting process more convenient and effective.

According to figures from the DFA, nearly 800,000 have signed up for overseas absentee voting (OAV) to participate in the 2013 midterm elections, pushing them closer to their goal of one million by October of this year. 

However, Angara said that this is still a small percentage of the millions of Filipinos and their families who now live abroad.

"When we wrote the Overseas Voting Law around five years ago, there was an estimated three million Filipinos from around the world who were qualified. Three million potential votes can make a big difference on the national elections. Now there are even more potential voters, yet the turnout remains critically low due to practical constraints," he lamented.

Angara explained that in North America alone, there is an estimated 1.5 million potential voters. However, they face logistical difficulties arising from the required physical appearance for registration and voting. If the registration site is in another state, it will take these people away from their jobs and homes just to vote. 

The veteran legislator also noted that the program is moving slowly despite the sufficient fuding given over the past years.

"We should improve the overseas absentee voting program because right now the budget given does not match the output. Around P200 million was alloted for the assistance to overseas workers, yet we have less than a million registered voters and less than 200,000 who actually vote.
 
"Moreover, P120 million of that 2012 budget is still unspent. Perhaps we can channel the unspent 2012 allocation for the OFW assistance fund into establishing an e-voting system in all the countries which are technologicaly capable. We can conduct online registration and voting safely and securely for these Filipinos," proposed Angara, vice-chair of the Senate Finance Committee. 

Angara suggested an interagency task force headed by the Oversight Committee on Overseas Voting in the House of Representatives, together with the DFA and COMELEC, dedicated to working out the mechanics of online registration and voting.

"We should sieze this opportunity to use modern technology to empower Filipinos who work hard abroad. They should have a say in electing our leaders," he stressed.

JINGGOY WANTS POLICE ACADEMY PLACED UNDER PNP CONTROL

MANILA, August 15, 2012-Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada wants police training institutions placed at the helm of the primary peacekeeping and law enforcement organization, which will eventually dispatch and employ the uniformed personnel into action.

Sen. Estrada filed Senate Bill 3218 which seeks to amend the Republic Act 6975 or the Department of Interior and Local Government Act of 1990, and to transfer the administrative supervision and operational control of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA), Philippine National Training Institute (PNTI) and the National Police College (NPC) from the Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC) to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“The current setup has proven to be ineffective and costly. It allows lapses in coordination of training programs and makes it difficult to develop a system of well-developed plan and budget for trainings internal to the PNP,” Sen. Estrada explains, adding:

“There is also a mismatch between the PNP training expectations and requirements and the actual services provided by the PPSC.”

Currently, the PPSC is considered the premier educational institution for the training, human resource development and continuing education of all personnel of the PNP, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

Apart from PNPA, PNTI and NPC, PPSC also has supervision over the Fire Training Center and other special training centers as may be created by the DILG. PPSC is tasked to formulate and implement training programs for the personnel of the DILG.

“The ineffectiveness and inefficiency in the structure and system frequently result in unnecessary cost and waste of resources and efforts because the PNP would often conduct its own re-orientation and specialization training programs, thus duplicating those already undertaken by the PPSC,” Sen. Estrada points out.

Sen. Estrada, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development, believes that the move will warrant that the police force is properly trained to perform their functions of maintaining peace and order, preventing crimes, ensuring public safety and generally protecting lives and properties.

On a related note, the Upper Chamber approved on Second Reading on Tuesday Senate Bill 3204 aimed at strengthening the PPSC system as an educational institution for training of fire and jail personnel, with the Committee on Education, Arts and Culture adopting the proposal of Sen. Estrada, effectively removing police training under PPSC.

Sen. Estrada was then recognized as co-author and co-sponsor of the measure.

Pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa inilunsad sa Aurora

BALER, Aurora, Agosto 15, 2012-Inilunsad ngayong araw ang pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa dito sa lalawigan bilang pagsunod sa itinakda ng batas na ang buwan ng Agosto ay para sa pagdiriwang nito.

 

“Mahalin natin ang ating wika bilang pagpapakita ng pagmamahal natin sa ating bansa at gawin nating pang-araw-araw ang paggamit nito sa ating buhay”, sabi ni Governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo sa paglulunsad ng pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa sa Aurora. Ginawa ito sa panahon ng Seremonya ng Pagtataas ng Watawat ng Pilipinas sa Liwasang Pamahalaang Panlalawigan.

 

Kaugnay nito, bilang bahagi ng pakikiisa sa nasabing pagdiriwang, ang lahat ng mga kawani ng pamahalaan sa lalawigan ay nakibahagi at sumunod sa mga gawain ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan. Ang mga nagsidalo sa nasabing pagdiriwang ay nagsuot ng mga katutubong kasuotan.

 

Alinsunod sa itinakda ng Proklamasyon Blg. 1041, s. 1977, na nagpapahayag ng taunang Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa tuwing Agosto 1-31 at sa Memorandum Sirkular Blg. 2012-106 ng Kagawaran ng Interyor at Lokal na Pamahalaan (DILG) na inaatasan ang lahat ng lokal na Pamahalaan na ipagdiwang ang Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa 2012 na may paksang : “Tatag ng Wikang Filipino, Lakas ng Pagka-Pilipino.” Ang mga layunin ng pagdiriwang sa taong kasalukuyan ay lalong mapalakas ang wikang Filipino bilang wikang pambansa at panlahatang wika para mapalakas at mapatatag ang Sambayanang Pilipino.

 

Dumalo sa nasabing paglulunsad ang Pangrehiyong Director ng DOLE na si G. Raymundo G. Agravante, Prof. Ronald Gonzales kinatawan ng UNESCO, G. Antonio M. Mutuc Jr. ng DOLE, LTC Kurt A. De Capia, ang Battalion Commander ng 48^th IB na binigyan ng plake ng pagkilala sa kanyang pangunguna sa mga ‘Youth Leadership Summit’, at ang mga kawani ng pamahalaang panlalawigan at nasyonal. (Jojo S. Libranda)

SENATE LAUNCHES PROBE ON CASE OF MALTREATED KASAMBAHAY

MANILA, August 14, 2012-Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development launches probe on the case of Bonita Baran, a kasambahay who fell victim to maltreatment and physical abuse of her female employer for several years.

 

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, sitting as committee chairman, opens today an inquiry in aid of legislation on the incident to prevent further occurrence of such and to punish the perpetrators of similar violent acts.

 

The harrowing experience of Baran, which prompted the Senate investigation, was the subject of a privilege speech of Sen. Estrada last July 31.

 

Baran, 21 year old household worker from Catanduanes, allegedly experienced different forms of abuse from Mrs. Annaliza Marzan, her employer for more than five years. Baran says Mrs. Marzan repeatedly beat her with a broom, battered her head with vase and plates, and punched her in the eyes. The last blow caused severe injuries to her eyes and has resulted to blindness.

Baran also states that her employer pressed a hot iron against her face and stabbed her left arm with a pair of scissors.

 

Baran was also only paid 700 pesos as monthly salary, lower than prescribed minimum wage in National Capital Region for household workers.

 

“The committee yields to the pronouncement of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile during the interpellation on my privilege speech that the Senate must show to everyone that it is not a chamber only for the privileged few, but is the Senate of the people,” says Jinggoy, also Chairman of the Congressional Oversight Committee on Labor and Employment.

 

Sen. Estrada articulates that the public inquiry intends to know whether or not Baran’s case is an isolated case and identify which government agency, if any, can an abused kasambahay run to for relief and assistance.

 

Sen. Estrada, who successfully steered the passage of the Kasambahay Bill in the Senate and recently co-sponsored the ILO Domestic Workers Convention, notes that the Labor Code actually provides protection for the domestic workers, including those referred to as yaya, maid, boy, manang, inday, among others.

 

“Household workers are entitled to fair and humane treatment, free food and accommodation, social security coverage and opportunity to finish at least elementary education. The Labor Code also contains explicit stipulations against forced labor, multiple work, and non-compliance on decent wages. But apparently, these are not followed and perhaps often violated as seen in the case of Bonita,” the lawmaker points out.

 

“And so the committee wishes to hear the often voiceless, unsung heroes of our household and our economy and find out what the State is doing and can do more to protect their welfare,” Jinggoy asserts.

 

Invited as resource persons include Baran; Atty. Persida Acosta, Chief of the Public Attorney’s Office; Prosecutor Irene Resurreccion of the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office; P/SSUP Maria Theresa Ann Cid, Chief of Women’s Crisis and Child Protection Office, Philippine National Police;

Ms. Ma. Evelyn Lita Manangan of the Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns, Department of Labor and Employment; Ms. Emmeline Verzosa, Executive Director of the Philippine Commission on Women; and Ma. Cecilia Flores Oebanda, President of the Visayan Forum Foundation, Inc.

 

The committee also requested the presence of Mrs. Marzan and sent invitation in her residence in Quezon City, but she failed to show up.

 

KIKO URGES GOVT TO PROVIDE FOR TRADING CENTERS AMID IMMINENT SALE OF FTI

MANILA, August 14, 2012-Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan calls on the government anew to help build and establish strategically located trading centers that would help raise incomes of local farmers and fisherfolk while providing consumers easy access to low-cost food.

“While we would rather see the Food Terminal Incorporated be restored to fulfill its original intent, we laud the government's commitment to plow back to the agriculture sector the proceeds of this sale. We must also ensure that our countrymen are given access to low-cost food especially during the wet season. Establishing several strategically located trading centers will help in this endeavor.”

Pangilinan, who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, has been working to raise the incomes of the country's farmers and fisherfolk, as he believes that it reduces the stranglehold of middlemen and unscrupulous traders. He says that trading centers will provide farmers and fisherfolk ready market for their goods.

“The establishment of strategically located trading centers becomes even more crucial as climate change wreaks havoc on our agricultural lands and fish pens. It would serve the best interest of our farmers and fisherfolk if they are able to send out their harvest the soonest possible time to a trading center with modern cold storage facilities. These would also help to ensure food security especially whenever devastating storms and floods hit the country.”

KIKO PUSHES FOR REVIEW OF PSC AND POC

MANILA, August 14, 2012-Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan urges the government to review the tenets of the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee, as the country failed in its bid for medals in the 2012 Olympics in London.

“Not since 1996 have we won any medal in the Olympics. We should review the efforts of the PSC and POC and make sure that they are efficient and effective. There could be some things that we fail to implement, and things we are taking for granted. Let us do this for the sake of our athletes,” Pangilinan said.

Pangilinan, a former university varsity player, earlier sent a statement of full support to the Philippine delegates to the London Olympics. He adds that the athletes who competed “have shown valiance and 'competitive heart' worthy of becoming Olympians, and that the government must ensure that it provides these athletes the tools to ensure victory in the next campaign.”

“Representing the country is a huge undertaking. We must prepare our athletes for the pressure of competing on a global scale and do all that we can to provide them the necessary tools and skills to ensure victory. Sending delegates to international competition is akin to sending diplomats to foreign countries. There are certain minimum standards that we must always strive to achieve if we want the rest of the world to take us seriously in sports.”

DFA likely to get budget increase to acquire consular offices abroad, says Drilon

MANILA, August 14, 2012-The Senate Finance Committee will recommend an increase in the budget of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in 2013 to capacitate the agency to acquire embassy and consular offices abroad, its chairman Senator Franklin M. Drilon said today.

“We are amenable to increasing the budget of the DFA through a higher percentage of the use of the consular services fund,” said Drilon, who was disappointed to know that there are consular offices abroad that do not have proper and decent office.

At   present, the agency used only 10 percent of the proceeds from consular services as part of its building fund which they use to acquire and lease offices and residences abroad, noted Drilon. The building fund is budgeted with P428.29 million in 2013.

“We are willing to double it to 20 percent. We can certainly use some of these consular funds for acquisition of our chanceries and residences, so in the long term, we will have our own chanceries and embassies abroad. Other countries have done this program long time ago. It is time we do it for our country,” stressed Drilon.

Drilon, however, imposed a condition on granting an additional budget for DFA, which, he emphasized, additional fund must be used exclusively to finally acquire consular offices abroad.

“I am willing to consider amending your budget to increase the percentage of the use of consular fund on the condition that it will be used exclusively for acquisition of embassy, chancery or residence,” he said.

He requested the DFA to prioritize which consular offices it plans to acquire, and submit the same to the committee for further review.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario, for his part, was pleased to hear of Drilon’s proposal, and said: “that’s a great suggestion and its’ a wonderful gesture on your part.”

The DFA defended its proposed 2013 budget of P11.64 billion, including automatic appropriation, an increase of 6.6 percent from its current budget of P10.92 billion.

Presently, the DFA has 60 embassies, 20 consulate generals all over the world, which mostly are leased in the amount of P600 million yearly.

Meanwhile, Drilon pushed the DFA to step up efforts to attract former Filipinos who lost their citizenship to avail of the Dual Citizenship Law, which Drilon authored in 2003.

He noted that only about 95,000 Filipinos abroad have regained their citizenship since the law was passed.

“I am disappointed at the implementation of this Dual Citizenship Law. The 95,000 is a very small percentage of the universe of former Filipino citizens who could have availed of dual citizenship law,” Drilon said.

“I requested DFA to intensify efforts to attract our former compatriots to once more become Filipino citizens. I am talking about a very definite target and very detailed communication plan to address concerns which are actually non-existent,” stressed Drilon.

“Malaking bagay na sa ngayon ang ating mga kababayan ay mataas ang tingin sa kasalukuyang administrasyon. They are proud that the Aquino administration is doing what they’re supposed to be doing,” he said.

In a related news, the proposed budget of the Office of the President of P2.7 billion was also approved, together with the budgets of the Presidential Management Staff of P330.063 million and the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office of P35.47 million.