Month: September 2016

Senate Bill No. 654: Tax Exemption Act for All Donations, Grants or Gifts to Non-Stock and Non-Profit Educational Inst.

The quest to improve the quality of education and improve the facilities of our schools and institutions is a collective effort that drav\/s like-minded advocates from government, civil society, and the private sector.

In many cases, the non-government sector is enthusiastic to assist the development of education in the Philippines with the hope that the next generation of well-educated Filipinos hold the key to leveling up the country and finally putting an end to longstanding issues that have plagued our nation, such as hunger, poverty, public transport, and even the patronage system that is entrenched in our culture.

It is our responsibility to encourage this enthusiasm and incentivize donations to non-stock and non-profit educational institutions in order to further our cause for improved education and educational facilities across the country.

While non-stock and non-profit educational institutions benefit from tax exemptions, donors aren’t granted similar incentives. This measure extends tax exemptions to donors, mandating that all contributions to non-stock and non-profit educational institutions be tax-exempt and deductible from their taxable income.

Through this bill, citizens with a heart for education can opt to donate hard-earned money, property, or other assets to the cause of education in lieu of contributing tax payments to the State.

Let’s embolden Filipinos to take a more active role in nation-building and have a choice in who benefits from their contributions. Together, all sectors of society can further the cause of quality education in the Philippines and produce intelligent, skillful, and conscientious young Filipinos.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.


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Senate Bill No. 655: Philippine High School for Sports Act

The development of grassroots sports in the country has long been overdue. In order to be able to compete internationally on a sustained level in the different sports, a basic education program is needed that is focused and specialized for the youth who have the gifts and potential.

While many of our students have proved their excellence in mathematics, science, languages, and other subjects, we have also seen many young Filipinos who have achieved excellence through sports.

Our young athletes have paved their own roads to victory and international acclaim. Our country is home to world champions in boxing, bowling, swimming, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, shooting, and wushu, among others.

We have the opportunity to support young athletes and provide them valuable education along with quality sports training through the passing of the Philippine High School for Sports (PHSS) Bill.

The PHSS will offer, on a scholarship basis, a secondary course with special emphasis on developing the athletic skills o f the students through subjects pertaining to physical education and sports development.

It will then enable student-athletes to gain their secondary education while ensuring opportunities for their training, exposure and participation to sports competitions.

For a sports-loving nation like the Philippines, it is apt that an establishment of a high school for sports where the future Gilas and Azkals are honed, and future Paeng Nepomucenos and Eric Buhains are developed.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 


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7 na bago sa UAAP Season 79

UAAP Season na naman! Sa katunayan, last week ay nagsimula na ang pinakabagong season na pinangunahan ng host na UST. Tiyak na magiging usap-usapan na naman ang men’s college basketball sa mga darating na araw dahil nagbalik na din ang senior basketball competition. Narito ang ilan sa mga bagong aabangan sa UAAP court sa darating na mga araw .

 

1.New courtside reporters. Hindi pa man naglalabas ng complete line up ang mga schools na kasali sa UAAP, ipinakilala na ang mga courtside reporters na syang tututok at sasama sa bawat laban ng basketball team ng mga schools. Karamihan sa kanila ay nagbabalik lang pero meron pa ring fresh faces na pwedeng abangan ng mga fans tulad nina Denice Dinsay ng Ateneo at Bea Escudero ng DeLa Salle.

UAAPReporter

2.New rules. Change has come pati na rin sa UAAP. Ilan sa mga bagong rules ng UAAP basketball ngayong season ay ang pagtanggal sa thrice to beat advantage sa sinumang team na makaka-sweep ng eliminations round. Ang finals ay best-of-3 pa rin. Bukod pa dito, isang adjustment din na maeexperience ng mga fans ay ang pagkanta ng school hymn, BAGO magsimula ang laro.

School Hymn (Arvin Lim) 

3.New Players. Every season, ang mga new players o mga rookies ang di pwedeng mawala sa mga basketball team. Tuwing may gagraduate na role player, pinaghihirapan din ng bawat school ang makarecruit ng mga talents na pupuno at magpapalakas ng kanilang pwersa sa court. Ilan sa mga pwedeng abangang rookies ay sina JV Gallego (NU), Jerrick Ahanmisi (AdU), Aljun Melecio (DLSU), Shaggy Almond (ADMU), Javi Gomez de Llaño (UP) at marami pang iba.


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4.New coaches. Isa sa mga exciting na pagbabago sa season na ito ay ang mga beterano nang UAAP coaches na gagabay sa bagong school na nagrecruit sa kanila. Si Coach Bo Perasol na nakilala bilang Ateneo coach ang bagong leader ng UP squad. Si Franz Pumaren na seasoned coach ng DLSU dati, ay ang negdevelop ng bagong Adamson team at si Coach Aldin Ayo naman na nagbigay ng trophy sa Letran sa NCAA, ang gagawa ng mga plays sa DLSU ngayong season. Exciting di ba?

 uAAPcoach

5.New(ly) improved players. Bukod sa mga rookies, inaasahan din sa court ang mga old and experienced players na paniguradong nagimprove mula last season. Marami sa kanila ang sabik ng ipakita ang pinakabagong version nila at the same time ay magtake on ng role as leaders ng kani kanilang team. For sure sabik din ang mga fans sa pagbabalik nina Jeron Teng (DLSU), Raymar Jose (FEU), Jett Manuel (UP), Louie Vigil (UST), Thirdy Ravena (ADMU), Papi Sarr (AdU), Alfred Aroga (NU), at Bonbon Batiller (UE)

improvedplayers 

6.New MVP. Sino nga ba sa mga college ballers ang magsstand out sa lahat sa katapusan ng season 79? Sa dame ng mga experienced players na magbabalik, mahigpit ang magiging kompetisyon. Sa mga huling season, usually hindi galing sa champion team ang pinaparangalang MVP. Maiba kaya to this year o di kaya naman patuloy itong magiging trend? Dadalhin ba ng mapipiling MVP ang kanyang team sa championship? Abangan nating lahat!

UAAP2016MVP

7.New Champion! Alam naming maaga pa para masabi or matanong ito pero ilang sports analysts na ang nagsabi na magkakaroon ng bagong UAAP champion this year. DLSU ang isa sa mga nakikita nilang may potential na makakuha ng korona pero hindi ito sapat na dahilan para maliitin ang ibang teams. Palagi namang may mga surprises sa mga nagdaang season at for sure gagawin ng defending champions na FEU Tamaraws ang lahat para protektahan ang kampeonato

lasalle versus FEU

Senate Bill No. 699: People’s Fund Act

At a time when public funding is under intense scrutiny, when the Filipino people are crying out for full transparency and accountability, and when government is being called on to implement massive reforms, how can we ensure that it is the PEOPLE of the Philippines who ultimately have a say on where public funds are being spent?

The People’s Fund seeks to revolutionize public budgeting and funding by giving the taxpayers of the Philippines the choice on where a portion of their hard- earned money should go.

It allows an individual taxpayer to allocate five percent (5%) of his or her income tax to be allocated for any of the following:

  1. An accredited charity or civil society organization;
  2. A priority national or local government project;
  3. A legitimate political party.

Under this bill, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) shall establish the mechanism that would enable individual taxpayers to select beneficiaries upon filing of their annual income tax returns.

Meanwhile, an inter-agency committee led by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall determine the eligibility of respective organizations, and shall likewise set the conditions, guidelines, and reporting requirements for the receipt and use of the funds by the benefitting organizations.

This gives the Filipino public greater control over how their monies are spent, ultimately empowering Filipinos to support institutions and initiatives that they deem worthy.

In view of the foregoing ,the approval of the bill is earnestly sought.

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Senate Bill No. 665: Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council Act

Bamboo is gaining in popularity as construction material as a result of the declining supply of wood and is now widely distributed in private lands in the lowlands as well as in forest lands.

On a global scale, the value of the world’s bamboo market was estimated to be US$8 billion1for traditional and non-traditional bamboo products.

It can be concluded that the development of the bamboo industry in the Philippines can be a vehicle for generating more jobs and self-employment opportunities, especially in the rural areas. However, this potential cannot be met until we address the issue of the low supply of the raw bamboo materials.

The reported demand for bamboo poles in the country by all industry sectors is about 22 million culms a year while the estimated supply of the preferred species bamboo, such as kawayan tinik, giant Bamboo, bulo, buho, bayog, kawayan killing, kayali and laak, is only about 10 million culms.

Though the government has previously attempted to spur the bamboo industry’s growth through Executive Order No. 879 in May 2010, which created the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBIDC), we have yet to draft a national bamboo development plan.

One of the main reasons for this is that the Council was not imbued with sufficient power to direct other government agencies and the private sector that are members of the Council to formulate the industry development program. Furthermore, The Secretariat of the Council does not have permanent personnel and the Council does not have a regular budget.

The twenty million pesos (PhP20 million) that was originally allocated for the operations of the Council has long been expended and it has not been replenished. Furthermore, the budget request for the Council for 2016 has been scrapped by the Department of Budget and Management.

This Act seeks to remedy these issues so that the Council can effectively develop the bamboo industry to generate employment, help the bamboo export sector capture a greater market, promote environmental sustainability and help mitigate the impacts of climate change, and assist the government in achieving inclusive economic growth.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of the bill is earnestly sought. 


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Senate Bill No. 664: National Commission on Culture and the Arts

The Philippines is home to some of the most popular and internationally -acclaimed artists. Apart from dominating global singing competitions, the Philippines has also produced some of the best painters, designers, actors, composers, filmmakers, writers and dancers. Just recently, the Philippines was recognized at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival for Ma’ Rosa with a Filipina gaining the most coveted Best Actress award.

We take great pride in our National Artists as well as the myriad of other cultural symbols that represent our country.

To further develop our nation’s strong cultural and artistic tradition, this bill proposes to reorganize the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) into an independent Department Of Culture and the Arts (DCA). This would elevate the existing commission into a Department, expanding its mandate and awarding the body with more authority in planning, coordinating and implementing the country’s programs for the conservation and promotion of culture and the arts.

The DCA would effectively house all major government arms related to Culture and the Arts, namely: the National Archives, the National Museum, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino, and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples.

In joining forces, our cultural, linguistic and artistic national agencies will have the opportunity to develop cohesive programs aligned to the DCA mission and vision. The Department would also have the mandate to install regional DCA offices that will localize the development and recognition of artistic endeavors.

Moreover this bill endeavors to establish a specialized Arts program in all levels of schooling, to further entrench the artistic tradition and give more students the opportunity to develop their artistic skill under a rigorous program. 

In addition, the DCA would be in charge of handling the National Endowment Fund for Culture and Arts, providing grants for Filipinos rom all over the country to encourage artistic creation. 

With 175 different dialects in the Philippines, we have an extremely diverse population that carry rich artistic and cultural tradition that is valuable to our identity, as well to our economy. Should we continue to institutionalize programs that develop our Culture and the Arts, Filipinos will benefit from appreciating our rich culture as we proudly display our colors for the entire world to see. 

In view of the foregoing, the passing of this bill is earnestly sought. 


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Senate Bill No. 651: National Coastal Greenbelt Act

Last year, super-typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) hit Eastern Visayas and left thousands of people dead.  Millions more became homeless and now, are struggling to cope with the loss of loved ones, life savings and livelihood.

Previous storms, Ondoy, Pablo and Sendong have wrought havoc to other cities and provinces in the past half-decade, crippling the economic and social development of the Filipino people. The Philippines is battered by more than 20 typhoons a year, with an increasing number in the super-typhoon category.  These could bring as much damage as Yolanda. The losses attributed were caused by storm surges and strong winds coming from the open ocean.  In the age of global climate change, this has unfortunately become the new normal.

The poor coastal communities’ natural exposure to storm surges and lack of resources for preparation and recovery make them most vulnerable.

It is imperative to think of innovative, sustainable and cost-efficient ways for Filipinos to protect themselves, their properties and communities from the devastating impacts of natural disasters.

The Philippines is taking great strides in disaster preparedness. Recent laws created the Climate Change Commission (R.A. No. 9729) and strengthened the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (R.A. No. 10121).  In addition, the People’s Survival Fund (R.A. No. 10174) was created to support adaptation activities of local governments and communities to increase their resilience.

Disaster preparedness comprises a whole suite of items, such as early warning systems, elevated shelters, hard engineering (e.g., breakwaters) and green engineering/infrastructure.

An establishment of greenbelts of mangroves and beach forests along coastlines is a proven green engineering intervention. As the Philippines’ 36,000 km coastline is among the longest in the world, coastal greenbelts effectively mitigate the damaging impacts of waves and storm surges. Some of the scientifically proven benefits are:

  • Wave height of wind and swell waves can be reduced by 13-66% over 100m of mangroves;
  • Storm surge attenuation of 5-50 cm. per kilometer width of mangroves;
  • Surface wind waves can be reduced by more than 75% over one kilometer of mangroves;
  • 50% reduction in storm surges by a 7-km band of mangroves.

Furthermore, coastal forests can reduce the force, depth and velocity of a tsunami, lessening damage to property and reducing loss of life.

Coastal greenbelts are also cost-effective for disaster preparedness in the long term. The total valuation of mangroves is estimated at US$14,000-16,000 per hectare, of which about 80% is for coastal protection value. The cost of establishing coastal greenbelts to protect against storm surge and tsunami would only be a fraction of the damages that could be brought by the yearly battering of typhoons.

A number of existing laws, policies and regulations on mangroves have been issued over the years resulting in a fragmented and conflicting policy environment. This bill aims to come up with a strategic program to rationalize the development of mangroves and beach forests for coastal protection; it is anchored on a comprehensive policy framework that addresses the fragmented approach in the past.

Establishing the National Coastal Greenbelt Program shall provide the agency mandates, funding, and general guiding principles for implementing a science-based and cost-effective program. The proposed National Greenbelt Program mandates establishment of 100-meter protection zones, initially for the Eastern Pacific seaboard, where typhoons make landfall. This Program can also reap added benefits. The establishment of science-based coastal greenbelts is expected to protect biodiversity, improve fisheries productivity, and enhance the tourism and livelihood potential of the area. Transforming vulnerable coastal villages into highly resilient and sustainable communities is a step towards a nation that is inclusive for all.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
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Senate Bill No. 663: Nurse in Every Public School Act

Delivering quality education isn’t just a matter of delivering instructional modules inside the classroom. Quality education, that every Filipino child deserves, is holistic in nature. It is concerned with the whole self- physical, mental and spiritual.

With a fifth of the Filipino populace under the poverty line, health-related issues of school children abound, thus hampering their ability to learn and retain lessons and skills. Some students might even be forced to skip school days due to sickness, further impeding their ability to learn.

Thus, this measure proposes that students’ access to basic health care services in schools be assured by requiring every public school to employ at least one registered nurse to look after the health and nutritional needs of its students.

Nurses are as important as other support personnel in the school system.1 They attend to the physical and mental-health needs of students. They can even spearhead programs to promote nutrition and contribute health-related content in the curriculum.

Having a nurse in every school emphasizes the value of health, nutrition and well­ being as part of the formation of our Filipino children.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

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Senate Bill No. 662: Fare Discount for Students Act

In many areas of the country, particularly in rural towns, students must walk up to five kilometers each way to get to school. A daily tricycle ride, the only alternative, would be too costly. However, with our climate that brings either torrential rains or, extreme heat, the long and arduous walk sometimes spells the difference between pursuing and halting one’s education.

To give all Filipino students an equal opportunity to an excellent education, this bill proposes to strengthen the mandate for student discounts on transport fares. Under this act, students with valid proof of enrolment to an educational institution must be granted a 20% discount on all land, water and air transportation all throughout the year.

Additionally, this bill seeks to impose stricter penalties for transport providers who do not honor student fares with the help of a hotline through which complaints may be coursed.

Through this mandate, our most underprivileged students stand to benefit from reasonable transportation costs that will be applicable even on weekends and holidays during which students often have extra-curricular activities related to enriching their education.

The inclusion of air and sea transportation will facilitate students’ access to learning not only in the classroom but also around the Philippine islands, across our region, and beyond.

In view thereof the passage of this bill is earnestly requested.


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Senate Bill No. 660: Bases Conversion and Development Act

With the country experiencing sustained economic growth, we are flooded with opportunities for development in different industries and across a number of geographical areas in the country.

Subic Bay in Central Luzon is one such region with immense potential for foreign investment and overall economic development. This economic development in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ) translates to job opportunities and business opportunities for our countrymen.

With this in mind, the Republic Act No. 7227, otherwise known as the Bases Conversion and Development Act o f 1992, was passed to assign Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) the responsibility to build a prosperous and self- sustaining Freeport in Subic Bay.

SBMA is tasked to promote both economic and social development in Subic Bay, creating a model for economic success and inclusive growth in the region and in the Philippines.

We are now in a position to clarify provisions of the decade-old legislation and apply revisions based on what we have learned in the past years, improving the policy and making SBMA a more effective and impactful governing body.

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Reform Bill seeks to update the powers and responsibilities of SBMA in the hope that SBFZ can reach its full potential – attracting more foreign direct investments, supporting growth of local business, providing jobs, livelihood, and a wealth of opportunities for more Filipinos in Central Luzon and in the country as well.

Grow, Subic, grow!

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 

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