Month: August 2015

Bam Seeks to Clarify Gov’t Policy on Uber, GrabCar

A senator seeks to investigate the enforcement of government’s programs and policies on new application-based transportation system in the country, such as Uber and GrabCar.

Sen. Bam Aquino filed Senate Resolution No. 1508 after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) ordered the apprehension of unregistered Internet application-based transport systems with a fine of P200,000 and impoundment of three months.

The LTFRB’s move came after Department of Transportation and Communications issued Department Order No. 2015-11, which recognizes and puts in place appropriate regulation for four new modes of public transportations such as airport buses, bus rapid transits (BRTs), transport network vehicle service (TNVS) and premium taxi.

“There is a need to delineate and clarify the various transportation policies pertaining to the different transport administration components such as planning, policy making, data management and enforcement,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

“The main challenge of the different government agencies and offices is to align their rules and regulations, as well as policies, in order to solve the worsening traffic conditions in Metro Manila,” the senator added.

In his resolution, Sen. Bam said this lack of communication between the DOTC and LTFRB underscores a National Center for Transportation Studies report, which shows lack of coordination and overlapping functions among transportation and traffic related units of the national and local government units.

“The Department Order was issued in response to the call of Uber, GrabCar, other similar Internet application-based transportation networks, and the public to recognize this innovative technology and be able to operate legally,” Sen. Bam.

“Let us continue supporting emerging industries and new business models, especially in our public transportation system that will enhance competition and provide better service to our fellow Filipinos,” said Sen. Bam, a staunch supporter of start-ups.

Transcript of Sen. Bam’s Interview after the Internet hearing

Q: Satisified po ba kayo na may MC na? Para mas truthful ang advertisements.

 Sen. Bam: Iyong memorandum circular, isa iyan sa hiningi natin noong unang hearing pa lang and we’re happy naman na ngayon sa fifth hearing natin, lumabas na ang memorandum circular.

 Ini-expect po ng taumbayan na mag-iiba ang advertisements ng telcos. Iyong makukuha nila sa kanilang bahay ay malapit doon sa nakalagay sa mga advertisement. Kung hindi ito malapit based sa measurements ng NTC, mayroon pong puwedeng habulin na consumer complaint sa DTI.

To be clear, ito pong MC na ito ay for fixed line. Iyong mobile broadband, kung saan 90 percent ng kababayan ay kumukuha sa mobile ng Internet, iyan po’y lalabas sa October pa at iyan naman ang pangako ng NTC commissioner natin.

Iyong next steps natin dito, mukhang kailangang pag-usapan kung paano puwedeng pumasok din ang gobyerno pagdating sa pag-iimprove ng ating Internet.

So far ho kasi, nasa pribadong sektor lang ang Internet natin kaya kung mapapansin ninyo, sa third, fourth at fifth class municipalities, sa mga malalayong lugar, wala na pong signal, wala na pong Internet.

If we do recognize that the Internet is important to our economy, at ito po ang mensahe ni Secretary Balisacan, mahalaga na tumaya rito ang gobyerno at tingnan kung paano ito puwedeng tumulong sa pagpapalaganap ng mabilis na Internet sa ating bayan.

The next hearings will be about solutions to our Internet issues. Today, ang pinag-usapan is one, an increase in competition, alam naman natin na kakapasa lang ng Philippine Competition Act.

Iyong pangalawa, pagdating naman sa pagpasok ng gobyerno sa pagtulong sa problema ng Internet. Ngayon po ay budget season, maganda na pag-usapan rin po kung magkano baa ng investment dapat ng gobyerno pagdating sa pag-resolve sa isyung ito.

 

Q: Sa tingin po ninyo, anong form ng government intervention ang pinaka-realistic?

Sen. Bam: Currently, may free wifi project na tayo with DOST. This will hopefully provide Internet sa third, fourth, fifth and sixth class municipalities, pati na sa eskuwelahan natin.

But what I’m looking is really a major broadband plan. Sabi po ni Secretary Balisacan ng NEDA, baka panahon na isama ito sa medium term development plan ng pamahalaan.

Para sa akin, maganda ang takbo ng ekonomiya pero kung gusto nating i-sustain ito, kailangang sabayan po iyan ng magandang Internet sa ating bayan.

 

Q: Ito po ang tinutukoy nilang carrier-neutral Internet backbone?

Sen. Bam: That’s one of the suggestions. Definitely, mahalagang matingnan  ng gobyerno kung ano ang role niya. If you’re a private company, hindi ka talagang mag-iinvest sa mga lugar na sa tingin mo hindi na kikita.  These are areas na malalayo, kakaunti lang ang tao, but definitely we want development to reach those areas.

Ito ho iyong mga lugar na puwedeng tingnan ng pamahalaan, kung puwede po ay mag-invest dito at mapalaganap ang connectivity sa mas maraming lugar.

So far, kung makikita po natin, we’re one of the most expensive, we’re one of the slowest and iyong access po natin, mga 50 to 60 percent lang ng ating kababayan. If we want our economy to grow, kailangang tumaas ang mga numero natin diyan.

Ang ideal po diyan, lahat ng sulok ng Pilipinas mayroon pong signal, ito po’y mababa ang presyo at mabilis at kapaki-pakinabang ang Internet signal sa mga lugar na iyan.

 

Q: Iyong penalty lang para sa mga telcos na hindi susunod sa inadvertise nila, P200 per day, paano iyan sir?

Sen. Bam: Sa totoo lang, napakababa po ng penalty sa Consumer Act. Actually it’s  P500 to P5,000 in the Consumer Act. As you know, as chairman of Trade, ito’y binibigyan natin ng pansin.

We’re likely to amend the Consumer Act para mas mataas ang penalty sa kompanya na hindi fair sa consumers natin. Hindi lang ito sa telco kundi kasama na po riyan ang iba’t ibang negosyo sa ating bansa.

This is one of the laws that we’re working on at sa tingin ko nga po, sabay-sabay po lahat iyan. Pare-parehas po iyan at magkakadikit-dikit. Improving our consumer protection, improving our Internet infrastructure. Lahat po iyan binibigyan ng pansin ng aming komite.

 

Q: Iyong MC po seeks to address the problem of false advertisement, pero iyong mismong Internet speed, should be expect it to change?

Sen. Bam: No. The solution sa Internet speed, again, will be, because of competition. Dahil sa naipasa nating Philippine Competition Act, we expect more players to come. In fact, by next year, we’re almost sure that another telco player will be put up.

And, kung gaano ang investment ng gobyerno sa mga lugar na malalayo sa urban areas.

 It’s both a government intervention and a private sector or market solution. Iyon ang nakikita nating paraan para bumilis at mas gumanda ang Internet sa ating bayan.

Q: Sir nakapasok na sa 2016 budget iyon? Iyong para sa new investment ng government?

 Sen. Bam: There is an increased investment in Internet infrastructure pero baka kulang pa rin ito sa ninanais nating major push. In fact, it’s good to start the discussions now pero kailangan din ang input dito ng NEDA.

Kasi pag ang NEDA, nag-input na riyan, ang ibig sabihin noon, it’s part of the national plan. Iyong national na plano ng Pilipinas upang mas umunlad tayo. Ano ang espasyo o ano ang role doon ng pagkakaroon ng access to Internet.

I think that’s something needs to be further discussed and sabi ni Secretary Balisacan, handa siyang ituloy o i-lead ang discussion na iyon among government agencies.

 

Q: Iyong idea na foreign company ang mag-render ng value-added service, allowed ba iyon? 

Sen. Bam: Na-raise ng Twitter friends natin, kasi may livestream tayo, iyong foreign companies. This is an ongoing discussion. May pros and cons po iyan. Of course, hindi lang po ito sa telcos kundi sa lahat ng industriya.

May sector po na nagsasabi na kailangang i-relax ang constitutionally protected industries natin, Ang nangunguna po riyan, si Speaker Belmonte. In fact, matagal na niya itong tinutulak.

I don’t think there’s enough time to have constitutional change in the last couple of months of the Aquino administration. Baka ito sa mga puwedeng i-tackle ng susunod na administrasyon, to have a constitutional change, at baka ito ang isa sa topics na puwedeng i-discuss.

 

Q: Sir, about the death of your uncle. Totoo bang ni-request niya na huwag nang magkaroon ng necrological service?

Sen. Bam:  We all know na si Tito Butz po has passed away. Isa sa mga hiling niya ay wala na pong wake, so wala na pong lamay. The family has decided to have masses and we’re in the middle of preparations to have a mass in the Senate tomorrow at 2 p.m.

 

Q: Pero sir misa lang, hindi na dadalhin ang body niya dito?

Sen. Bam: He has been cremated this morning so most likely iyong urn niya dadalhin dito.

Negosyo, Now Na!: Kaagapay sa tagumpay

Mga Kanegosyo, sini­mulan natin ang kolum na ito kasama ng Abante upang hikayatin natin ang mga kapwa Pilipinong pumasok sa pagnenegosyo bilang isang paraan para makaahon sa kahirapan.

Sa mga taon natin bilang isang social entrepreneur, marami na tayong nakilalang mga pamilyang lumago ang buhay dahil sa kanilang pagtataya sa pagtatayo ng sariling pangkabuhayan.

Mula sa mga magsasaka sa Nueva Ecija, mga nanay na nagbukas ng bintanang sari-sari store at nagtatahi ng mamahaling bag na gawa sa retaso sa Payatas, hanggang sa mga nagtatanim ng cacao sa Davao, ilan sila sa ating bansa na gumanda ang buhay sa pagnenegosyo.

Isa sa mga umaaalay sa mga nais magsimula o ‘di kaya’y magpalaki ng kasalukuyang negosyo ay ang mga micro finance institutions (MFIs) tulad ng Center for Agriculture and Rural Development Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD-MRI) ni Dr. Aris Alip, na naging panauhin natin sa programang “Status Update” kamakailan.

Sa ngayon, ang CARD-MRI ay itinutu­ring na pinakamalaking micro finance institution sa bansa na nagbibigay ng puhunan sa napakababang interes at walang kolateral.

Bukod pa roon, nagbibigay sila ng iba pang pautang tulad ng educational loan upang makatapos ang mga anak sa pag-aaral ng mga pamilyang nagnenegosyo.

Mayroon din silang ibinibigay na training sa mga nais magsimula ng sariling negosyo, para magabayan at mabigyan ng tamang payo sa mga gagawin, at hindi masayang ang inutang na puhunan.

Hindi nagtatapos ang kabilang gabay sa pagtatayo ng negosyo. Nagbibigay rin sila ng business counseling at tuluy-tuloy ang kanilang pag-aabiso sa kanilang mga miyembrong negosyante, mula sa marketing, financing, packaging at iba pa hanggang lumago sila.

***

Marami sa mga kli­yente ng CARD-MRI ay mga nanay sa kanayunan.

Ang kuwento ni Dr. Alip, nangungutang ng limandaang piso ang mga nanay nang nagsisimula silang magnegosyo. Sa kanilang sipag at dedikasyon, ngayon ay kaya na nilang mangutang ng libu-libo hanggang mil­yong piso, na siyang sen­yales ng kanilang pag­lago.

Ngayon, hindi na umaasa sa bigay ng mayor o ‘di kaya’y barangay chairman ang mga nanay dahil mayroon na silang panggastos para sa araw-araw nilang pangangailangan. Muling naibalik ang kanilang dignidad at tiwala sa sarili dahil sa pagnenegosyo.

Ang ilan pa nga raw sa kanila, nagbabayad na ng buwis dahil nakapagpatayo ng sariling kumpanya habang ang ilan ay nag-e-empleyo pa ng daan-daang manggagawa sa kanilang komunidad.

Kung dati, hindi sila pinapansin sa kanilang lugar, ngayon, isa na sila sa pinagkukunan ng ikinabubuhay ng kanilang mga kababayan.

***

Sinasagip din ng CARD-MRI ang maliliit na negosyante mula sa utang na may mataas na interes, na naihambing sa isang kumunoy na mahirap nang makawala kapag nalubog na.

Sa ngayon, mayroon na silang 1,780 sangay at tatlong milyong pamilya na ang kanilang naabot, katumbas ng labinlimang porsiyento ng populasyon ng bansa.

Sa halos 30 taon ng CARD-MRI, hindi pa rin nagbago ang kanilang pananaw at disiplina sa pagtulong. Hanggang ngayon, nakatutok pa rin sila sa kapakanan at paglago ng mga pamil­yang nangangailangan ng tulong. 

***

Mga Kanegosyo, mahalagang mayroon ta­yong tagapagpayo, mentor o guro sa larangan ng pagnenegosyo lalo na malaki ang itinataya natin dito.

Maaaring ito ay maging ang magulang natin, kaibigan o asawa na magiging sandalan sa oras na may pinagdadaanan tayong mga problema o isyu.

Ngunit mahalaga rin na ang ating tatakbuhan ay mahusay at may karanasan sa pagnenegosyo upang mabigyan tayo ng tamang payo sa ating mga hinaharap.

Isa na rito ay mga organisasyong mapagkakatiwalaan at naglalayong tumulong sa atin tulad ng mga grupong micro finance. 

Mahalagang pag-aralang mabuti ang mga lalapitan natin at hihingan ng tulong upang ‘di tayo maloko at ituturo sa atin ang landas ng tagumpay!

 

First Published on Abante Online

 

 

Bam: PH has Talent for New Silicon Valley

The Philippines has more than enough talent and expertise to meet the demand of various technology start-ups, whose expected influx will turn the country into the next “Silicon Valley” of the world.

 “These technology start-ups will have no problem because we have a large pool of talented and skilled Filipinos in the field of information technology (IT), design, and programming and engineering, which they can tap anytime,” said Sen. Bam Aquino, chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

“Being at par with the world’s best, our IT workers can be a valuable asset for start ups as they try to create a niche in the international and local markets,” added Sen. Bam.

 Aside from talented IT workers, the Philippines also boasts of top Filipino video game designers and animators for online video gaming industry start-ups.

 Sen. Bam made the pronouncement after international business magazine Harvard Business Review reported that the Philippines is fast becoming a destination for technology start-ups. 

The magazine said that technology start-ups have the potential to duplicate the impact of the business processing industry (BPO) in terms of employment generation when it entered the Philippines several years ago.

“Technology start-ups can contribute in solving the country’s unemployment problem as it can provide high-value jobs for thousands of Filipino IT experts, artists and developers,” added Sen. Bam.

 Moreover, the passage of the Philippine Competition Act will make it easier for technology start-ups to penetrate the market and compete with giant IT companies, the senator added. 

Location will not also be a problem for technology start-ups as the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has 200 IT parks in different parts of the country that will suit their needs.

Sen. Bam is a staunch supporter of start-ups as he filed Senate Bill No. 2217 or the Start-Up Business Bill, which grants a two-year tax exemption to any business enterprise that is just starting up.

According to the senator, the bill gives new enterprises the enough time to establish their presence in the market.

“It will also the opportunity for Filipinos to showcase our world class talent and innovative ideas,” Sen. Bam emphasized.

Vanquishing the voices of doubt and cynicism

To be honest, when I was invited a few months ago to address all of you today, I was quite flattered to be chosen. It was a pleasant surprise to be invited today, a pleasant surprise that came with a tremendous amount of pressure!

How does one inspire such bright minds as the graduates of the Ateneo Graduate School of Business? How does one reach the hearts and minds of our country’s current and future business leaders?

How does one inspire the hearts of intelligent individuals that will drive the Philippine economy to even greater heights? How can yours truly possibly affirm, motivate, and, dare I say, entertain such brilliant men and women?

Alam ninyo naman, the pressure on commencement speakers is high today. After all, it’s the era of YouTube and going viral. 

With seemingly every single part of our lives on the Internet – what you had for breakfast, your outfit of the day, how many friends you have, how many people heart your new pair of Nikes – truly, we live in a world markedly different from even just a decade ago.

As much as this new, exciting world has brought communities closer together, given us tools to reach out, communicate more easily, and do business more conveniently, it does have a dark side. 

To put it quite succinctly, parang ang daming nega.

I need not look further than my own Facebook page. During the campaign, we started to play with my nickname and proclaimed proudly that BAM also stands for: Bida Ang Mamamayan. 

Of course, some wise aleck instead said BAM stands for: Bobo Ang Maniniwala. Another one went on a rant on my page, and I quote, “Oooooo wow plastic rimmed glasses makes you look like your grandpa and that automatically qualifies you to run for senate taking advantage of the “masses”… nice… *slow clap*”

Excuse me, Ninoy is my uncle, not my grandfather.

But on a serious note, these days, there seems to be a stronger, overwhelming voice that says, “Hindi mo kaya! It won’t work. It cannot be done.” 

Whether it is a voice within us or the collective voice of critics, the unnerving voice of skepticism too often drowns out the voice of optimism and confidence that says, “Kaya natin. It can be done.” Holding on to this voice, especially through times of adversity, is what will make all the difference.

I wish to share with you the story of Nolie Estocado, a daughter of a modest laundry woman and farmer who barely earned enough for day-to-day expenses. Even as she worked tirelessly for a handicrafts company, she never seemed to climb out of poverty.

In 1983, she decided to start her own business, even as her friends and relatives warned her of what they saw as her “inevitable” failure. Nolie had a mighty inner voice and the immense will to fight through the skepticism.

She overcame devastating challenges to build an enterprise that now hires up to 100 workers. Today, Nolie owns a house and lot and an apartment.

Nolie did not let the voice of skepticism drown out her inner voice and it paid off.

This voice of optimism also lives in groups, collectives, and companies. Since 2008, the Jollibee Group Foundation has been running its Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP) that links small farmers directly to the supply chains of institutional clients like the Jollibee Food Corporation (JFC).

One of the first approached were the Kalasag farmers of San Jose, Nueva Ecija. After going through agro-enterprise capacity building, the first challenge was to meet Jollibee’s quota of 60 metric tons of onions, which a challenge the Kalasag Farmers failed.

Some questioned whether the farmers would ever produce enough onions to meet Jollibee’s benchmarks of quantity and quality. But like you, dear friends, the voice that says “Kaya natin!” was strong among the Kalasag Farmers.

The voice of optimism, the confidence and belief in our countrymen was tenacious within the Jollibee Foundation. Trusting that the Kalasag Farmers could step up, Jollibee raised their quota to 197 metric tons for the next delivery.

Diligence, perseverance

This voice of optimism and confidence fed the farmers’ diligence and perseverance. This time, they surpassed the allotted volume, delivering 235 metric tons of quality onions to Jollibee. Last year, Kalasag’s delivery reached 480 metric tons of onions.

When I went there last year, I saw for myself how their quality of life improved – their houses are now made of concrete, their children now go to school regularly, some of them have graduated from college, and, most impressively, when it was time for us to go, everyone took out their smartphones for a selfie.

Nolie, the Jollibee Foundation, and the Kalasag Farmers fostered their inner voice of optimism and confidence and overcame skepticism and defeatism to be rewarded with success.

Within our office in the Senate, I would like to think that the voice of optimism is strong and alive as well. When I was newly elected as Senator two years ago, I was told, assuredly, that I shouldn’t expect to pass any laws in my first 2 years.

But in our first year, we passed two laws: the Philippine Lemon Law and the Go Negosyo Act, the first inclusive growth and pro-poor legislation passed by the 16th Congress.

As we entered our second year, we were told it would be impossible for a neophyte senator to successfully pass a landmark bill, such as the Philippine Competition Act, through Congress. But just last month, the President signed into law the Philippine Competition Act and the Amendments to the Cabotage Law, two landmark policies authored and sponsored by our office.

These laws have been struggling to pass through our legislative system for decades and you can bet that there were critics and naysayers that chuckled at the thought of a neophyte senator passing these landmark bills.

But our office of bright, idealistic, and passionate individuals did not listen to them. Instead, we collectively exclaimed, “Kaya natin ito para sa bayan!”

When we sift through stories of people that have revolutionized systems and reformed long-standing practices, we find that there were always critics and there were always naysayers; but the inner voice of optimism triumphed and shone through.

If Bill Gates gave up after his previous business ventures failed, we may never have had “a computer in every home.” If Steve Jobs gave up whenever his ideas were shot down, we wouldn’t have “a computer in every pocket.”

If Mahatma Gandhi gave up those countless times he was thrown in jail, we would never have known the power of non-violence. If Cory Aquino believed those that said a housewife could never be president, who knows if we would have freedom and democracy today.

They had the will and the grit to cut through the criticism and negative chatter to drive revolutions, drive reforms, and ultimately, create change.

Here in the Philippines, we are witnessing unprecedented economic growth. From being the “Sick Man in Asia,” we are now called “Asia’s Bright Spot.”

Once known for our tremendous debt, we have now garnered investment grade ratings from the most reputable rating agencies. Once considered one of the most corrupt countries in the world, we have since pushed for justice against the most powerful in all of the three branches of our government.

We are now the second fastest growing economy in Asia, second only to China, and we expect to continue on this trajectory.

Fight the tide

All these developments are a testimony to Filipinos like you with a strong inner voice that says, “Kaya natin!” Kaya nating umangat. Kaya nating tumino. Kaya nating umasenso.”

I trust that the people in this room will continue to fight the tide, swim against the current, and listen to that voice inside that says we can make that difference!

But of course, being Ateneans, we are called to do more – magis. Unfortunately, for those of us trained in the Jesuit traditions, heeding the call of our inner voice is not enough.

Our challenge is not just to listen to our inner voice, but also to be that voice for others. Be that voice of confidence for those that have known nothing but disappointment. 

Be that voice of motivation for those that are overcome with failure. Be that voice of inspiration for those that have heard nothing but criticism and reproach.

We are called to speak up, for them, and not remain silent. We are called to silence the paralyzing voices of cynicism!

As we step out of this room and back into the dim world of critics, skeptics, and defeatists, let us become the loudest voices of inspiration. Kaya nating umangat! Kaya nating tumino! Kaya nating umasenso! 

First published on Rappler.com

MFI NGOs Act Approved on Third and Final Reading

 

 

SBA Photo MFI NGO 1 081015

 

SBA Photo MFI NGO 2 081015

Senator Bam Aquino poses with microfinance non-government organization (NGOs) beneficiaries who witnessed the Senate’s approval of SB No. 2752 or the Microfinance NGOs Act on third and final reading last Monday (August 10, 2015).

The measure aims to strengthen non-government organizations (NGOs) that provide micro financing to the poor who want to start their own business. Aside from loans, microfinance NGOs also provide training programs and seminars to enhance the entrepreneurial skills and financial literacy of their borrowers.

Bida Ka!: 2016 budget, pork barrel at insertions

Mga Bida, sa mga susunod na araw at linggo, magiging abala na ang mga senador at kongresista sa pagbusisi ng pambansang budget para sa susunod na taon.

Sa huling taon nito, humingi ang Aquino administration ng P3.002 tril­yon para maipagpatuloy at mapagtibay pa ang natamasang kaunlaran ng bansa sa nakalipas na limang taon.

Kasabay nito, umugong ang mga balita at akusasyon na sa pambansang pondo sa susunod na taon, may “pork barrel” pa rin ito at “insertions”, na sinasabing bagong uri ng pagpapalusot ng pondo.

  ***

Mga Bida, linawin natin ang pork barrel at insertions upang mas maintindihan nating lahat.

Kung pakikinggan ang mga balita at kritiko ng pamahalaan, parang magkahawig lang ang pork barrel at insertions. Ngunit, malaki ang pinagkaiba ng dalawang ito.

Sa dating sistema ng pork barrel, may kalayaan ang bawat mambabatas na maglaan ng bahagi ng pondo sa anumang proyekto na kanilang naisin.

Subalit, ito ang laman ng kontrobersyal na PDAF scam dahil nabulgar na may napuntang bahagi ng pork barrel sa grupo ni Janet Lim Napoles at iba pang pekeng non-government organizations.

Noong 2013, idineklarang unconstitutional ng Korte Suprema ang pork barrel, na hindi dapat magtalaga ng proyekto ang mga mambabatas pagkatapos maisabatas ang budget.

***

Iba naman ang insertion, mga Bida. Ang insertion ay ang pag­lalaan ng mga mambabatas ng pondo para sa mga bagay-bagay na mahalaga sa kanila sa panahon ng paghimay ng national budget.

Kailangang alamin natin ang mahahalagang trabaho ng mga mambabatas, kasama na riyan ang “power of the purse” o pagkilatis sa pambansang pondo.

Ang pagkilatis na ito ay hindi lang para mahanap ang katiwalian kundi kalakip nito ang kapangyarihan ng mga mambabatas na magtalaga ng pondo sa mga bagay na mahalaga sa kanila, na siyang tinatawag na “power of the purse”.

Sa Senado, kadalasan, ito’y sa priority projects o sa mga personal na adhikain. Halimbawa, kung edukasyon ang adbokasiya ng senador, maaari niyang dagdagan ang pondo ng state colleges and universities (SUCs).

Sa ating bahagi, dahil nakatuon tayo sa maliliit na negosyo, mas bibigyan natin ang pagdagdag sa pondo sa pagtatayo ng mas mara­ming Negosyo Centers upang matiyak na lalo pang matutulungan ang maliliit na negosyante sa buong bansa.

Dahil nasa distrito sila, titingnan naman ng mga kongresista kung ano ang mga kulang ng kanilang nasasakupan, gaya ng mga kalsada at tulay, na siyang popondohan nila gamit ang proseso sa pag-aapruba ng pambansang budget.

***

Siyempre, mga Bida, kailangan pa ring bantayan upang matiyak na mapupunta ang pondong ito sa tama at walang mawala sa katiwalian ni singko.

Pero ang proseso ng pagtatalaga kung ano ang mahalaga sa mga mambabatas ay kasama sa kapangyarihan na iniatang sa amin nang kami’y ilagay ng taumbayan sa posisyong ito.

Hindi naman maganda na basta isuko namin ang kapangyarihang ito sa Executive Department, na magmimistula na lang tayong “rubber stamp” at tatango sa lahat ng gusto ng pamahalaan.

Mahalaga na kinikilatis natin ang budget, na may kakayahan tayong baguhin ito kung kailangan at ituon ang bahagi nito sa mahahalagang bagay. Ito ang trabaho na hindi natin puwedeng bitiwan.

Malaki talaga ang kaibahan ng pork barrel at insertion ngunit higit pa rito, mahalaga na nakabantay pa rin tayo upang matiyak na magagamit ang pambansang budget sa pangangailangan ng bayan!

 

First Published on Abante Online

 

 

Bam’s Support for PWDs Gets Much Needed Support

Sen. Bam Aquino’s commitment to support persons with disabilities (PWDs) has received a much needed lift after his measure that seeks to provide them with additional tax exemptions hurdled the committee level.

Sen. Bam’s Senate Bill No. 2713 was among the measures consolidated under Committee Report No. 199, which was reported to the plenary by the Committee on Ways and Means.

“With the measure now up for plenary deliberation, I urge my colleagues to hasten its passage so that PWDs and their families will enjoy a respite from their everyday plight,” said Sen. Bam.

In his measure, Aquino seeks to amend Sections 32 and 33 of Republic Act 7227, or the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities, giving PWDs exemption from paying the value added tax (VAT).

“The exemption will help them cover the costs of their personal expenses and other medical needs, such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, nurses and caregivers, and learning disability tutors, among others,” said Sen. Bam.

Explaining his bill, Sen. Bam said that PWDs and families with PWD dependents worry much about daily expenses for their medicine and rehabilitation.

“Such accommodation for our PWD sector is part of our larger reform efforts in pushing for a society that is inclusive for the poor and most vulnerable sectors,” the senator said.

Bam to NTC: Explain Delay in MC on Internet Standards

Where are we in improving the country’s Internet connection service?

Senator Bam Aquino made this pronouncement to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), as he wondered why the agency has not yet issued the memorandum circular on the quality of Internet standards.

“Six months have passed since the NTC committed to come out with the memorandum circular but until now, the agency has yet to deliver on its promise,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

“The NTC must provide a detailed and acceptable report on its recent moves to improve the country’s Internet connection service as the approval of their 2016 budget heavily depends on that,” added Aquino.

Appointed recently as one of the vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Sen. Bam is tasked to scrutinize and approve the budget of several government agencies, including the NTC, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA)

For almost a year now, Sen. Bam has been investigating the slow and expensive Internet in the country.

During one of the hearings earlier this year, the NTC promised to release a memorandum circular that will set Internet quality service in the country, including the minimum speed for broadband and DSL connections.

Six months after, the NTC has yet to deliver on its commitment, which Sen. Bam described as detrimental to the welfare of millions of Internet user in the country.

The committee hearing though has produced small victories that may help achieve a faster and cheaper connection.

The probe has encouraged telecommunication companies to embrace IP peering that will help speed up opening of websites while the Department of Justice (DOJ) has released guidelines against deceptive or misleading internet print, TV and radio advertisements.

 

Negosyo, Now Na!: Pautang at Training

Mga Kanegosyo, nagpapasalamat tayo sa walang sawa ninyong pakikipag-ugnayan sa aming opisina, mula sa ating programang “Status Update” tuwing Miyerkules sa DZXL 558, sa ating mga kolum dito sa Abante, hanggang sa ating mga social media platform na Twitter, Facebook at e-mail.

Sa dami ng tinatanggap nating mga tanong, nakaugalian na nating maglaan ng espasyo para sagutin ang mga ito para rin sa inyong kalinawan at kapakanan, lalo na kung tungkol ito sa pagne­negosyo.

***

Higit pa sa karaniwan ang naging dagsa ng mga tanong nang maging pa­nauhin natin sa programa sa radyo si Dr. Aris Alip, founder at managing director ng CARD-Mutual­ly Reinforcing Institutions (CARD-MRI), ang pinakamalaking microfinance institution sa bansa.

Nagpapautang ng puhunan sa mga nais magsimula ng negosyo nang walang kolateral at mababang interes ang CARD-MRI, kaya marahil ay nakuha natin ang atensiyon ng maraming nakikinig, pati na rin ng mga sumusubaybay sa ating programa sa pamamagitan ng live streaming sa Internet.

Isa sa mga natanggap nating tanong ay galing sa isang overseas Filipino worker na si Julia Fragata na nasa sa Hong Kong.Ang kabuuang mensahe niya ay, “CARD-1 graduated Batch 12, financial literacy program ng CARD OFW Hong Kong.”

Tumugon si Dr. Alip: “Mayroon kaming regular seminar on financial literacy para inyong mga nanay na nasa Hong Kong.  

Karamihan sa kanila ay nag-dedeposit sa amin.  Pag nagdeposit sila sa amin at lumaki nang lumaki ang kanilang depo­sit, pagbalik nila rito sa Pilipinas, dinodoble namin iyon para makapagtayo sila ng bahay o negosyo.

Nanghihinayang ako sa mga nanay, lalo na iyong mga nasa Hong Kong at Singapore.  Kasi sila’y mga propesyunal, at brain drain iyon sa atin. Gusto kong ibalik sila rito sa Pilipinas. Marami na kaming napabalik. Marami na ritong bumalik bilang mga guro o midwife. Tinutulungan natin silang makapagpatayo ng negosyo.”

Mga Kanegosyo, mayroon na rin programa ang CARD-MRI sa iba pang bansa tulad ng Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, at Vietnam.  Nais din nilang magtayo sa Japan sa tamang panahon.

Kung mayroon ka­yong kamag-anak sa mga bansang nabanggit, sabihin ninyo na hanapin nila ang kanilang mga programa para matulu­ngan silang palaguin ang kanilang kinikita sa ibang bansa.

***

Mula naman ito sa isa nating tagapakinig: “Nagpapautang po ba kayo ng pang-tuition o pang-negosyo lang?”

Muling tumugon si Dr. Alip: “Noong una, nais naming buuin ang pautang sa negosyo kasi gusto talaga naming lumago ang kita ng aming mga kliyente. Tapos isinunod namin ang pang-tuition.

Bumuo na rin kami ng zero-dropout program kasama si Mr. Sycip (Mga Kanegosyo, si Washington Sycip ang isa sa pinakamahusay na negosyante sa Pilipinas. Ngayon ay tumutulong na rin siya sa pampublikong edukasyon ng bansa.)

May nagtext naman: “Wala po kaming colla­teral mag-asawa. Naka­tira po kami sa Marikina. Mayroon po ba kayong branch sa Marikina?”

Mayroon daw silang opisina sa Marikina, ayon kay Dr. Alip. Tugon pa niya, “Ayaw ko ng collateral. Kung minsan, pag collateral, ipa-file mo pa iyan, aayusin mo pa ang mga papeles. Basta ang negosyo ninyo, maayos, maganda, puwede namin kayong pautangin.”

Patuloy nating sinusuportahan ang mga micro financing institution (MFI) sapagkat napakaganda ng kanilang mga serbisyo para sa ating maliliit at nagsisimulang mga negosyante. Lapitan na ang pinakamalapit sa inyong MFI nang masi­mulan na ang daan tungo sa ating tagumpay!

 

First Published on Abante Online

 

 

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