UN Recognizes Legarda as a ‘Hero of Resilience’

MANILA, October 11, 2012-Senator Loren Legarda expressed gratitude for being recognized by the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) as a Hero of Resilience.

Of the three billion women worldwide, Legarda is the only Filipino and one of only few who were recognized as heroes of resilience by the UNISDR in celebration of the 2012 International Day for Disaster Reduction. This year’s theme is Women and Girls: The [in]Visible Force of Resilience.

“I am thankful for this recognition as it gives importance to the work that we have been doing to make our country disaster-resilient and to help encourage other nations to do the same,” she stressed.

Legarda, who chairs the Senate Committee on Climate Change, has authored the Climate Change Act and the Philippines Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Law, which have been cited by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction Ms. Margareta Wahlstrom as the best laws in the world. Legarda also authored the country’s landmark legislation for the environment, the Clean Air Act and the Solid Waste Management Act.

“This recognition also goes to all Filipinos who are one in the effort to help build their communities resilience against disasters, because all our initiatives, policies, and programs for effective disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation will not be successful and effective if not implemented in the grassroots,” Legarda pointed out.

Aside from Legarda, UNISDR recognized the late Professor Wangari Maathai, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 2004, as Hero of Resilience. The Green Belt Movement, which Maathai founded, has planted over 51 million trees in Kenya and empowered communities, especially women and girls, to promote environmental protection.

Legarda’s inspiring leadership in the global campaign for good environmental governance was recognized in 2001 by the World Economic Forum held in Davos, which named her as one of the Global Leaders for Tomorrow.

In 2001, the United Nations Environment Programme conferred on her the title of UNEP Laureate and included her in the Global 500 Roll of Honor. 

In 2008, the United Nations appointed her as its Regional Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaption for Asia and the Pacific.

At her own initiative, Legarda has spearheaded an information and education campaign on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation through regional workshops for local governments, nationwide dissemination of climate change documentaries, and her greening program called Luntiang Pilipinas, which has planted two million trees in more than 500 hectares across the Philippines.

KIKO: AFTER MILF, PHL SHOULD LOOK INTO RESUMING TALKS WITH CPP-NPA

MANILA, October 10, 2012-Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan urged the Philippine government to continue talks with the Communist Party Philippines and its armed forces, the New People's Army.

"We urge the government peace panel to ride on the momentum it gained with its peace pact with the MILF and initiate the resumption of talks with the CPP-NPA."

"We should keep pushing until we achieve peace on all fronts," the lawmaker said. "Our people deserve no less."

Pangilinan credited the Aquino government's track record of upholding good governance and the President's popularity with the masses as key factors in the government panel's securing a new peace pact with the MILF. He believes the government should use the same leverage in resuming talks with the CPP-NPA.

"Not since the Ramos administration has the possibility of total peace been within reach. Back then, the country was enjoying international recognition as an emerging tiger in Asia. The same thing is happening now under the Aquino administration. PNoy has four more years as President. Should the government under his leadership make a breakthrough with the MILF and the CPP-NPA within the next year, it would be enough for countrywide economic progress to start manifesting itself."

Pangilinan added, "Poverty is the number one reason for social unrest. But poverty cannot be addressed as long as there is war anywhere in the country. 'Ang sakit ng kalingkingan ay sakit ng buong katawan', they say. And we have been ailing for decades. It is about time we put a stop to this war and move ahead towards prosperity as one nation. Let's do this for the future generation of Filipinos."

Senate Ways and Means panel unveils its own sin tax measure for plenary scrutiny and approval

MANILA, October 10, 2012-The Senate Committee on Ways and Means has finally presented for plenary consideration its own version of the restructured sin tax measure, adjusting the excise tax rates slapped on cigarette and alcohol in the hope of lowering consumption while yielding fresh revenues to expand the country’s healthcare programs.

Committee Chair Sen. Ralph G. Recto said their committee report was the fruit of exhaustive consultations with stakeholders, other affected sectors and a product of collaborative effort with the academe, Civil Society and finance department (DOF).

“We will be recommending a Senate version to the plenary and we are open to amendments from our colleagues considering the limited time we had because of the impeachment,” Recto said.

He said the Committee had only two months to deliberate and study the original DOF-sponsored bill, House Bill (HB) 5727 as passed by the House and Senate bills on sin taxes filed by Senators Panfilo Lacson and Miriam Defensor-Santiago.

Recto said: “All told, our Committee Report predictably and responsibly could generate in the first year between P15 billion to P20 billion."

He said the new tax regime on cigarettes could yield between P9.8 billion to P14.8 billion in additional revenues while alcohol would contribute by as much as P5.2 billion to P7 billion in the first year or in 2013.

“Whereas, the House version – HB 5727 -  based on the Committee’s appreciation of the data and on the many “runs” or revenue scenarios conducted by DOF in the TWG, would result to a loss of P300 million or a gain of P11.5 billion for both cigarette and alcohol,” Recto said.

The senator said the original Palace version that was submitted to the Lower House – again based on his appreciation of the assumptions- would redound to a loss of P5.314 billion or a gain of P7.4 billion based on the “runs” conducted by the DOF.

Below is the summary of the highlights of the Recto panel’s Committee Report:

- In revamping the tax on tobacco, a 52 percent increase in the tax rates during the first year will be imposed;

- Those in the first tier or low-priced class will absorb an increase of 121 percent from P2.72 to P6 per pack;

-   This tax formula is seen to generate anywhere between P10 billion to P15 billion in tobacco taxes, which is “predictable, recurring and fair to all stakeholders;”

-   Will result to a decrease in smokers by 8 percent on the average and possibly more from D and E classes;

-   Senate proposal is much lower than the P2.72 to P14 (first year) or the P2.72 to P30 tax hike that the DOF wants, “which to my mind will redound to a loss of P10.3 billion and a gain at best of P2.2 billion as found in the original Palace version;”

 -    With respect to alcohol, the Committee concurs with the House version as to the need to temper increases which will hike revenues between P5.2 billion to P7 billion;

-          For both cigarettes and alcohol, the Committee agrees with the Palace and DOF in removing the price annexes; mandating increases in tax rates and indexing it to inflation;  increasing the same every two years; and, allowing for re-classification and free competition;

-          After the series of biennial adjustments, the Committee projects that by 2020, there will be two tiers for tobacco taxes and two tiers for fermented liquor; and,

-       Our version was designed not to promote smuggling and illicit trade as warned by experts.

“We’re open to amendments for a single tier,” the Senate ways and means chair nevertheless said.

Recto said pursuant to government’s priority program to expand healthcare services, the Committee proposes to earmark 50 percent of the total proceeds of the law or roughly about P33 billion for the health sector. 

Of the 50 percent, about 40 percent or P26 billion will go to finance the expansion of the universal health coverage of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) benefiting 10.4 million families while the balance of 10% will be divided equally to DOH regional hospitals and to district hospitals operated by local government units.

Under this sharing scheme, each of the existing 16 regional hospitals will receive P200 million while each of the 618 district hospitals will be entitled to P5.25 million per year.

Recto said the earmarking under existing laws such as Republic Act (RA) 7171 shall remain.

He said on top of these mandates, some P100 million from total sin taxes will go to fund a yearly nationwide public information and education campaign on the dangers of smoking and drinking to be administered by the DOH.

“To those who would quickly label our proposal as a watered-down version, this isn’t. We just hosed down promises of windfall tax revenues that were based on wrongful assumptions,” Recto said. 

Legarda: Women No Longer Mere Victims of Disasters; But Agents of Change

MANILA, October 10, 2012-Senator Loren Legarda today said that women and girls, who make up 52% of the world’s population, are no longer mere victims of disasters, but are now effective agents in making communities disaster-resilient.

Legarda, the United Nations Regional Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for Asia-Pacific, said that the 2012 International Day for Disaster Reduction, with the theme “Women andGirls – The [in]Visible Force of Resilience”, aims to celebrate the often unnoticed but immense contributions of women and girls in building disaster-resilient communities.

“Despite bearing the brunt of disasters, women have been silently and effectively at the frontline of disaster prevention and climate change adaptation efforts,” she stressed.

The Senator cited Wangari Maathai, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 2004, who founded the Green Belt Movement, which has planted over 51 million trees in Kenya and empowered communities, especially women and girls, to promote environmental protection at the grassroots level.

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

“We must invest in women, make them part of decision-making, as their development role is crucial in adapting to climate change and building community resilience to disasters,” she said.

“Let us create meaningful opportunities for women’s participation and leadership. Let us recognize and empower women, who are agents of solutions, indispensable holders of valuable knowledge and skills, and able leaders from community to global level,” Legarda concluded.

Legarda: Women No Longer Mere Victims of Disasters; But Agents of Change

MANILA, October 10, 2012-Senator Loren Legarda today said that women and girls, who make up 52% of the world’s population, are no longer mere victims of disasters, but are now effective agents in making communities disaster-resilient.

Legarda, the United Nations Regional Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for Asia-Pacific, said that the 2012 International Day for Disaster Reduction, with the theme “Women andGirls – The [in]Visible Force of Resilience”, aims to celebrate the often unnoticed but immense contributions of women and girls in building disaster-resilient communities.

“Despite bearing the brunt of disasters, women have been silently and effectively at the frontline of disaster prevention and climate change adaptation efforts,” she stressed.

The Senator cited Wangari Maathai, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 2004, who founded the Green Belt Movement, which has planted over 51 million trees in Kenya and empowered communities, especially women and girls, to promote environmental protection at the grassroots level.

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

“We must invest in women, make them part of decision-making, as their development role is crucial in adapting to climate change and building community resilience to disasters,” she said.

“Let us create meaningful opportunities for women’s participation and leadership. Let us recognize and empower women, who are agents of solutions, indispensable holders of valuable knowledge and skills, and able leaders from community to global level,” Legarda concluded.

Jinggoy pushes nationwide SPED program for ‘children and youth with special needs’

MANILA, October 10, 2012-Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada is pushing for immediate approval of a measure which seeks to establish a special education (SPED) program for children and youth with special needs (CYSN) in all public and private elementary and secondary schools nationwide.

 

Senate Bill 3002 or the proposed Special Education Act aims to make the country’s education system inclusive, ensuring its accessibility among the young including CYSN or those with developmental delays, intellectual disability, learning disability; speech defect; behavior problem; autism; or visual, hearing, orthopedic or physical impairment; as well as those considered as gifted and talented.

 

It specifically seeks the following:

-       establishment and operation of at least one special education (SPED) Center for each school division and at least three SPED Centers in big school divisions;

-       creation of the Bureau of Special Education (BSPED) under the Department of Education which will formulate and administer appropriate curriculum and developmentally-suited programs for CYSN, train SPED teachers/instructors and produce needed teaching materials;

-       provision of financial assistance in the education of CYSN; and

-       integration to the education of CYSN the provision for their respective medical, intervention, health, recreation and nutrition needs.

 

The measure calls for partnerships between and among the national government, local government units and the private sector for maximum efficiency in the implementation of the nationwide SPED program.

 

SB 3002, a consolidation of several related proposals in the Senate regarding CYSN, is principally authored by Estrada and is up for the chamber’s deliberation under Committee Report No. 75.

 

“Our government should fully support children and youth with special needs in their development as self-responsible, competent and productive citizens as well as in their active participation in social activities and functions. Ensuring accessible, quality education for them through the proposed Special Education Act is one important step toward this,” Estrada underscored.

 

The senator said the measure boosts development goals for CYSN as expressed in the country’s Constitution and respective laws as well as in international declarations such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

Legarda Stresses Role of Business Sector in Making Laws Work

MANILA, October 9, 2012-Senator Loren Legarda today stressed the vital role of the business community in making the country’s laws work during the 38^th Philippine Business Conference at the Manila Hotel.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committees on Climate Change, Foreign Relations, and Cultural Communities, was invited as speaker for the plenary session on Charting the Legislative Agenda for Economic Transformation: Prospects for the 2013 Mid-Term Elections.

“With the mid-term elections on our horizon, it is time to revisit our desired ends and the means by which aspired outcomes can be achieved. The business sector is a vital partner of the government in carrying out the needed programs and reforms for a progressive nation,” she stressed.

The Senator was particular in enjoining the business sector  in contributing to the effective implementation of  the country’s laws that are related to disaster-resiliency, such as the Climate Change Act, the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, and People’s Survival Fund Law.

“As disaster risk reduction is everybody’s business, I urge heightened action from the business community. Private companies should be encouraged to come up with their business continuity plans (BCP) that will showcase how prepared they are to face disasters and be back in business as soon as possible,” Legarda said.

She noted that BCPs are already being undertaken in Japan that is why recovery has been fast and efficient. The business community in the Philippines must begin to think about this.

“The higher value of corporate business is not found in the monetary profit it brings neither in the wealth it creates, but in the nobility of purpose—to improve the quality of life of the people and to build a sustainable and resilient human society.”

“The road promises to be filled with stumbling blocks. But instead of slowing us down, these challenges should bring about consensus — an agreement that our country should double, even triple, its efforts to reach our targets,” Legarda concluded.

Drilon urges passage of bill on picture-based tobacco warning labels

MANILA, October 9, 2012-Alarmed over the increasing number of Filipinos who died from smoking-related diseases, Senator Franklin M. Drilon pushed for the immediate passage of a bill requiring tobacco companies to show picture-based health warnings on cigarette packages.

“The Department of Health places the costs associated to cigarette smoking at 87,600 Filipino deaths annually or about ten Filipino deaths for every hour. Also, cigarette smoking costs an estimated P218 to P416 billion in annual health care expenses and productivity losses,” stressed Drilon.

Citing various studies including the 2009 Philippine Global Adult Tobacco Survey, Drilon emphasized that more than 17 million of the population aged 15 years and above currently smoke, on the average, 10.7 sticks of cigarettes a day.

He added that Philippines registers one of the highest smoking incidence in the Western Pacific Region and was reported to have the lowest prices of cigarettes in the ASEAN region, except for Laos and Cambodia.

Given the alarming statistics, the Senate Finance Committee chairman said there is a need to increase the awareness of the cigarette consumers on the harmful effects of smoking, noting that about 4 billion packs of cigarettes are being produced in the country every year.

He thus urged his colleagues in the Senate to pass the Senate Bill 3283, “Act to Effectively Instill Health Consciousness through Picture-Based Warnings o Tobacco Products,” also known as “Picture –Based Warning Law” filed by Senator Pia Cayetano

Citing different studies, Drilon said that strategically placing meaningful graphic images along with text warnings to cigarette cartons and other tobacco products have effectively deterred smoking in other countries which already have this system in place.

He notes, for instance, a study by the Center For Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, showed that from 2008 to 2010, more than 25 percent of people in the 14 countries surveyed were affected by warning labels, while the use of prominent pictorial warnings was considered to be the most effective medium in communicating the health hazards associated with smoking.

“Other studies have shown that the use of graphic images on packets have a significantly wider reach than mere text warnings, as images produce effects not just on the smoker, but on the people around him,” explained Drilon, “it has also been apparent that these images have a significant effect on those who have difficulty in reading and writing.”

Drilon also noted that this picture-based warning is already being done by tobacco companies in the Philippines; except that it is not distributed locally, it is exported.

Legarda: Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro Needs Closer Scrutiny, Extensive Consultations

MANILA, October 9, 2012-Senator Loren Legarda today said that she welcomes the draft Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro as the first of many steps toward the attainment of lasting peace in Mindanao and stressed that the agreement needs closer scrutiny and must undergo extensive consultations.

“While the important details of this Agreement have yet to be formulated, the opportunities for continuing dialogue and the prospects for peace should be welcomed by all Filipinos,” she said.

“As a legislator, I will carefully study the Framework Agreement and its subsequent companion documents to determine how this Agreement conforms to the spirit and intent of our Constitution.  There are provisions in the Framework Agreement that invite closer scrutiny and I trust that questions that may arise would be answered through a process of extensive consultations,” she explained.

Legarda noted that Congress still needs to enact a law in order to give life to the new political entity envisioned by the Framework Agreement.

“I look forward to the inputs of the relevant bodies that will be constituted to formulate a draft that is representative of the sentiments and wishes of the people,” she added.

“As a legislator, I will do my part in ensuring that the new legislation becomes an instrument by which we can finally achieve lasting and durable peace in Mindanao,” Legarda concluded.

KIKO: THERE WILL BE NO REAL PROGRESS AND DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT PEACE

MANILA, October 9, 2012-Senator Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan today says that the breakthrough in the peace process between the government and the MILF that brought forth the Bangsamoro will help pave the way for progress and development, and must therefore be given a chance by pundits before jumping to conclusions.

“It all starts with a cessation of hostilities. We cannot hope to have progress when there is war. Let’s not fool ourselves into thinking we can reach developed nation status without ending armed conflict in the countryside,” Pangilinan stresses.

He adds, “We have been trying to achieve peace in a certain way for decades, and now we are trying to do it another way. The best thing that could happen is that we have broken the status quo. That is a good start, in my opinion.”

Pangilinan, who has been advocating for the continuation of the peace talks and its eventual resolution, says that even if a small window has opened in the interim, it would be enough to see progress in the Mindanao region.

“We have seen how Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, and other such cities have flourished when a cessation of armed conflict was implemented during the Ramos administration. These regions have since progressed exponentially. Once economic progress sets in, the people themselves will work hard to sustain that progress. We must not forget that poverty is the main reason why there is social unrest.”

“The government must seize this opportunity and act quickly as soon as that window of opportunity presents itself to introduce and implement economic reforms and development in the region.”

Trillanes: Enrile caught lying again on baselines law claim

MANILA, October 8, 2012-Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV on Monday presented Senate records to prove that  he was the principal author of the baselines law in the Senate, debunking claims by Senator Juan Ponce Enrile that Trillanes merely copied his  version of the archipelagic baselines bill, which was later enacted as Republic Act No. 9522.

According to the official records of the 14th Congress of the Senate, Trillanes filed the first version of the baselines bill, Senate Bill No. (SBN) 1467, on 14 August 2007.

The other senators who filed their versions of the bill were former Senator Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel (SBN 2144, filed on 26 March 2008) Senator Edgardo Angara (SBN 2184, filed on 22 April 2008), former Senator Rodolfo Biazon, (SBN 2215, filed on 29 April 2008) and Enrile (SBN 2216, filed on 29 April 2008).

“This clearly shows that Sen. Enrile was only the fifth senator to file a similar bill, eight and a half months after I filed my baselines bill. The substitute bill, SBN 2699, which was sponsored by the Committee on Foreign Relations, further acknowledges the fact that I am the principal author of the Philippine Baselines Law at the Senate,” Trillanes added.

The young senator further noted that it was the Committee on Foreign Relations, chaired by Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, which sponsored the baselines bill, contrary to the claim of Enrile that he sponsored the measure.

“These records do not lie. Once again, Senator Enrile has been caught lying on an issue just so he could destroy other people’s reputations and divert the public’s attention, “Trillanes said.

Legarda Files Bills to Amend Cybercrime Prevention Act and Decriminalize Libel

MANILA, October 8, 2012-Senator Loren Legarda filed a bill to repeal the libel and takedown provisions of Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

“In seeking repeal of the two clauses through Senate Bill 3295, I hope to eliminate the chilling effect that may impose undue boundaries on our people’s exercise of freedom of expression,” Legarda said.

“Consistent with the Constitutional mandate of promoting free expression, it is imperative for institutions such as the legislative branch of government to adopt a policy towards the proliferation of a free market of ideas,” she added.

Legarda also noted the need to strike a balance between the government’s role to protect its citizenry and uphold its freedom of expression.

“The vulnerability of the cyberspace to pollutants, such as pornography, cybersex, fraudulent practices and promotion of human trafficking were precisely the reasons for the passage of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012,” she noted.

“However, adopting such policy to prevent pollutants   from spoiling the minds of our people must not be done at the expense of our valued right to free speech,” Legarda noted.

Moreover, the Senator filed Senate Bill 3294 to decriminalize libel, removing the penalty of fine and imprisonment in libel cases.

“While the Bill of Rights of the 1987 Constitution guarantees the freedom of speech, experience has shown us that such is easily stifled with the mere threat of criminal libel,” Legarda noted.

“Apart from threatening our citizenry’s long-cherished Constitutionally-guaranteed freedom, the continued criminalization of libel will be a huge hindrance in efforts aimed at promoting good governance and exacting accountability on our public officials,“ she added.

Legarda filed similar bills in 2001 and 2007.

Legarda Hails Approval on Third Reading of Expanded Anti-Human Trafficking Bill

MANILA, October 8, 2012-Senator Loren Legarda today hailed the Senate’s approval on Third Reading of the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Bill, which will strengthen Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.

Legarda, sponsor of Senate Bill No. 2625 or the proposed Expanded Anti-Trafficking Act of 2012, expressed optimism that the proposed measure when passed into law will significantly improve the country’s fight against human trafficking, stressing that even acts that shall constitute attempted trafficking in persons will be punishable under this measure.

“This measure expands the enumeration of acts that promote trafficking, to include an act to destroy or tamper with evidence, to influence witnesses in an investigation, or to utilize one’s public office to impede an investigation or the execution of lawful orders. Meanwhile, the privilege of confidentiality now being enjoyed by the accused in a trafficking case will be removed,” she explained.

Legarda also said that protection to trafficked victims shall be given in the form of custody and interim protection under the power of the DSWD or an accredited shelter institution; while prosecution efforts will be heightened by shielding, to a reasonable extent, law enforcement officers and social workers from harassment suits for lawful acts done in good faith during authorized rescue operations, investigation or prosecution of a case.

Furthermore, a permanent secretariat within the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) will be established to ensure continuity of programs and to take the battle against trafficking to a higher plane of strategic action and public awareness. This secretariat will collect comprehensive criminal justice data on trafficking in persons and will train prosecutors and law enforcers.

"Now that the Expanded Anti-Human Trafficking Bill has been passed on third reading, we are that much closer to providing lasting and effective solutions to the scourge of trafficking in persons,” Legarda concluded.

Legarda: PHL to Reach MDG Target on Child Mortality with 100% Newborn Screening Coverage

MANILA, October 8, 2012-Senator Loren Legarda urged government agencies, health institutions, local government officials, and the private sector to unite in meeting the United Nations Millennium Development Goal Target on child mortality by ensuring 100% Newborn Screening Coverage through the full implementation of the Republic Act 9288, also known as the “Newborn Screening Act of 2004”.

“While I welcome the 26.4 percent increase in Newborn Screening coverage as noted in a report conducted by the University of the Philippines, the National Institutes of Health, and the Newborn Screening Reference Center, I believe that we can still do better as we bridge the communication gap and expand screening for Filipino newborns,” Legarda said in her privilege speech.

“If we were able to jump from 15.6% in 2007 to 42% in 2011, the vision of providing newborns, regardless of socio-economic status, with a comprehensive, affordable, and accessible newborn screening should not be out of reach,” she added.

Legarda, who authored the law, also cited a United Nations Development Programme report, which noted a 60% decrease in under-five mortality rate in the Philippines for the past 16 years from 80 deaths in 1990, to 32 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2006.”

“The problem lies with the lack of information and awareness that such procedure is available, especially for those who deliver their babies at home,” she said.

“With only three years left until the deadline to reduce child mortality, our government needs all the help and support it can get to save our children from unnecessary death,” the legislator noted.

Newborn screening, which must be done one to three days after birth, is a public health program aimed at early detection of genetic or metabolic conditions, which may lead to severe mental retardation, cataract, anemia, and even death if left untreated. Newborn babies of the poorest 5.2 million families identified by the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction can avail of free newborn screening as part of PhilHealth’s Newborn Care Package. 

Legarda Hails Tamaraw Population Growth; Pushes for Heightened Public Awareness on Endangered Species

MANILA, October 8, 2012-Senator Loren Legarda today hailed the reported Tamaraw population growth in the Iglit-Baco National Park and pushed for heightened public awareness about the status of endangered species and how they can be protected.

“This success is owed to the dedication of the men and women who have worked tirelessly over the past decade in order for the tamaraw to thrive. Heightened awareness about the tamaraw, as well as otherendangered species, will serve to increase their chances of survival,” she remarked.

According to the Tamaraw Conservation Program (TCP), numbers of the critically endangered Bubalus mindorensis , a small buffalo species found on Mindoro island, have been rising little by little since 2000.

“Economic development threatens many of our indigenous animal species. Poaching, illegal logging, and the destruction of their habitat remain the greatest challenges. Through our concerted efforts, and aided by laws such as the National Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008, we can eliminate these threats,” she said.

Legarda noted that today the official count of tamaraw spotted in the 75,000-hectare Iglit-Baco National Park stands at 327, but that this covers only 16,000 hectares or 20% of the entire reserve. Officials say that the actual number may be far higher.

“It gives me great joy to know that initiatives of both the government and wildlife conservation advocates are bearing fruit, and that future generations will not be deprived of seeing them in their natural habitat. This should inspire us to continue the campaign,” she concluded.