Month: August 2017

Sen. Bam urges lawmakers to pass FSL for deaf Filipinos

Sen. Bam Aquino urged fellow lawmakers to approve a measure giving deaf Filipinos a national language that honors the country’s diverse cultures and colorful history.

“Kailangan natin ng opisyal na wika upang epektibo ang pakikipag-usap natin sa mga bingi. Naniniwala po kami na ang Filipino Sign Language o FSL ang pinaka-angkop na national sign language,” said Sen. Bam in his co-sponsorship speech for Senate Bill No. 1455.

Sen. Bam’s Senate Bill No. 966 or the Filipino Sign Language Act was incorporated in Senate Bill No. 1455.

In his speech, Sen. Bam mentioned that the use of sign language dates back to 1596, according to Dr. Liza Martinez, an esteemed Filipino Sign Linguist.

At present, Sen. Bam said FSL has evolved to be an effective visual language that is well-researched, based on Filipino culture and history, and even incorporates indigenous elements.

“The Filipino Sign Language Act seeks to recognize Filipino Sign Language or FSL as the national sign language and endeavors to bring FSL to the mainstream,” said Sen. Bam.

If enacted into law, the FSL will become the official mode of communication of the deaf for government services, calling for trained interpreters in various government offices.

The measure also aims to make FSL as means of interpretation in broadcast media, delivering news and information consistently to the deaf community.

“Let’s build a more inclusive Philippine society and give the deaf community better access to government services, information, education, and justice,” Sen. Bam stressed.

In his four years as lawmaker, Sen. Bam has tirelessly worked for the welfare of persons with disabilities (PWDs) by pushing the passage of Republic Act 10754, which exempts PWDs from paying value added tax (VAT), in the 16th Congress as co-author.

He also worked for the passage of Republic Act 10905 or the Closed Caption Law as co-author. It requires television networks to use the closed captioning system for news and current affairs programs and entertainment shows for the benefit of viewers with hearing impairment.

In the 17th Congress, Sen. Bam filed Senate Bill No. 967 requiring Filipino Sign Language insets for local news programs. He also filed Senate Bill No. 1249 seeking to mandate government offices and private companies to allocate a percentage of their workforce for PWDs.

Minority senators demand an end to drug killings

The minority bloc demands that the Senate stand in solidarity against the senseless killings that claimed over 80 Filipinos, including a 17-year-old Grade 11 student Kian Loyd Delos Santos, in just 4 days.

Sen. Sonny Trillanes said he will call for an all-Senators caucus on Tuesday to bring to the fore the alarming resurgence of drug related killings by the PNP.

“Sobra na. Maling mali na talaga to. I cannot, in conscience, let this pass. The Senators should have a united stand to stop this,” declared Trillanes.

Shocked by the death of an innocent teenager in Caloocan City, Sen. Bam Aquino insists that the government rethink its strategy, saying the poor and helpless are casualties in this war while those involved in big drug cases are accorded due process.

“I plan to file a resolution kasi nakababahala na talaga iyong news reports,” said Sen. Aquino.

“We cannot tolerate the alarming police impunity in the country. We need to investigate these killings of alleged drug suspects including a Grade 11 student in police operations,” Sen. Franklin Drilon echoed.

Drilon earlier questioned Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre at the 2018 budget hearing for their failure to investigate extra judicial killings, with only 37 of about 4,000 deaths related to the anti-drug campaign were investigated.

Meanwhile, Sen. Francis Pangilinan was enraged that the poor are marked as a target while more than P6 billion worth of illegal drugs can slip past the Bureau of Customs (BOC) unnoticed.

“Ang ugat ng problema sa droga ay doon nakita sa pagpuslit ng tonetoneladang shabu sa BoC ng mga sindikato kasabwat ang mga opisyal ng gobyerno,” said Pangilinan.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros urged the government to stop the extrajudicial killings, saying the Duterte administration cannot kill its way out of the drug problem.

“We refuse to accept these killings as normal,” said Hontiveros.

Sen. Leila de Lima also criticized Duterte for praising the deadly Bulacan raids, which killed 32 people, saying, “Those are clear words of a deranged mind. If you say that it’s good to kill 32 people a day – that’s a deranged mind.”

Over 80 of our countrymen were killed in Manila, Bulacan and in the Camanava (Caloocan-Malabon-Navotas-Valenzuela) area in the span of 4 days, all in the name of the PNP’s anti-drug and anti-crime operations.

Sen. Bam demands Senate probe on death of teenager

Calling it shocking and worrisome, Sen. Bam Aquino plans to file a resolution to look into the death of a 17-year-old during an anti-illegal drug operation in Caloocan City.

“I plan to file a resolution kasi nakababahala talaga iyong news reports. Hindi lang iyan, may lumalabas pa na may paglilinlang sa pagpaslang,” said Sen. Bam, referring to a 17-year-old Grade 11 student, identified as Kian Loyd Delos Santos.

Police claimed that Delos Santos shot them several times, prompting them to retaliate, killing him. However, CCTV footage from the barangay showed two policemen dragging the victim to the place where he was found dead.

“Makikita naman natin na hindi siya bumunot ng baril dahil dala-dala siya sa sulok kaya kailangan itong maimbestigahan at maparusahan ang mga nasa likod nito,” added Sen. Bam.

While he supports the government’s campaign against illegal drugs, Sen. Bam insisted that the government should rethink its strategy, saying the poor and helpless are casualties in this war while those involved in big drug cases are accorded due process.

In recent drug operations, 74 persons were killed in Manila, Bulacan and in the Camanava (Caloocan-Malabon-Navotas-Valenzuela) area

BIDA KA!: Bagong sistema para mabago ang Customs

Mga Bida, sa gitna ng matinding giyera ng pamahalaan kontra ilegal na droga, nasangkot sa kontrobersiya ang Bureau of Customs (BOC) sa balitang nakalusot sa kanilang pagbabantay ang P6.4 bilyong halaga ng shabu.

Nakapasok ang napakalaking bulto ng droga sa kabila ng bagong sistemang ipinatutupad ng pamumuan ng BOC sa ilalim ni Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon, kasama ang kapwa niya dating sundalo na nag-aklas kontra katiwalian ilang taon na ang nakalipas.

Maraming personalidad ang nadawit nang pangalanan ni Mark Taguba, ang broker ng shipment na pumasok sa bansa, ang mga binigyan niya ng “tara” na umaabot ng P40,000 para maipasok ang kontrabandong ­naglalaman ng droga.

Malinaw na ginagamit ng mga sindikato ng droga ang ­kahinaan ng mga tao sa katiwalian at sistema sa Customs para makapagpasok ng droga sa bansa.

***

Napakabigat ng kontrobersiyang ito dahil kung hindi nasabat ng mga awtoridad ang droga, maraming buhay at pamilyang ­sisirain ang 600 kilo ng shabu kapag ito’y nakapasok sa merkado.

Ngunit magugulat ka sa kilos ng mga tauhan ng BOC sa mga naunang pagdinig ng Senado sa kontrobersiya.

Kung titingnan ang reaksiyon ng ibang taga-Customs, parang hindi naiisip ang bigat ng epekto ng kanilang kapabayaan sa lipunan.

Hindi mo man lang sila makitaan ng bakas ng pagsisisi at kagustuhang malaman ang puno’t dulo ng pangyayari upang mapapanagot sa batas ang mga nasa likod nito.

Nakapagtataka ito, lalo pa’t pangunahing programa ng pamahalaan ang pagsugpo sa ilegal na droga.

***

Kung ginawa lang ng mga taga-Customs ang kanilang ­trabaho, hindi makalulusot sa kanilang pagbabantay ang ­kontrabando ng ilegal na droga.

Ang shipment na pinasok ng EMT Trading, na isang baguhang broker, ay hindi dapat idinaan sa green lane nang basta-basta.

Iyon pala, madali lang magpasok sa green lane kung may pambayad ka, batay sa testimonya ni Taguba.

Kaya dalawa ang tinitingnan natin sa sitwasyong ito. Una, nagkaroon ng kapabayaan sa pagganap ng tungkulin ang mga tauhan ng Customs na nakatalaga sa pagbabantay ng mga ­kargamentong pumapasok sa bansa.

Ang mas malala rito, kung mayroong sabwatan sa pagitan ng mga tauhan ng BOC, gaya ng sinasabi ni Taguba, para sad­yang palusutin ang ilegal na droga sa bansa.

Ito ang tinatawag kong “negligence with corruption” kung saan tumanggap ng lagay ang ilang tauhan ng Customs upang sadyang ipikit ang kanilang mga mata at huwag kumilos upang walang hirap na makalusot ang ilegal na droga.

***

Sa aking pagtatanong kay Commissioner Faeldon kung ano ang solusyon para matuldukan na ang katiwaliang ito sa Customs, sinabi niya na kailangang magkaroon ng malawakang ­revamp upang malinis ang hanay.

Subalit hindi tayo kumbinsido sa solusyong ito ni Faeldon. Wala ring kuwentang magpalit ng tao sa Customs kung mana­natili ang lumang sistema na madaling mapasukan ng katiwalian.

Araw-araw ka mang magpalit ng tauhan, kung ang susundin nilang sistema at mga patakaran ay marupok sa katiwalian, mananatili ang kultura ng lagayan at tara.

Sen. Bam: Gov’t losing needed revenue on corrupt Customs

Sen. Bam Aquino said the government is losing much-needed revenue due to corruption in the Bureau of Customs (BoC).

“Not only are we bringing in drugs, we’re also losing money on smuggled goods because of corruption in the BoC,” said Sen. Bam after the hearing on the P6.4 billion worth of shabu that slipped past the bureau’s watch.

“Habang pinoproblema ang tax reform at pagpondo sa libreng edukasyon sa mga state universities and colleges (SUCs), hinahayaan lang na mawala ang kita ng gobyerno sa imports dahil sa korupsyon sa Customs,” added Sen. Bam.

It was reported that the BoC fell short of its target for July by 11.2 percent. Last month, the bureau collected P34.8 billion in import duties and other taxes, short of the P39.2-billion target.

As of end-July, the BoC’s collection was pegged at P246.9 billion, 3.9 percent short of its goal of P257.1 billion during that span.

Instead of bringing in new personnel, Sen. Bam said the government must implement new systems that will make the BoC efficient and corruption-free.

“Kahit araw-araw tayong magpalit ng tauhan sa BoC, wala ring mangyayari kung mananatili ang mga lumang sistema na pinag-uugatan ng katiwalian sa ahensiya,” Sen. Bam stressed.

Earlier, Sen. Bam criticized authorities for allowing the shipment of 600 kilos of shabu slip past their watch.  The senator called it a case of “negligence with corruption”, where some Customs employees accept bribes to deliberately overlook illegal shipments.

Bam: Uber to pay LTFRB fine, compensate drivers for stop in operations

Sen. Bam Aquino reiterated his advice to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to impose a monetary penalty or fine on Uber instead of suspending their operations. 

“Halting operations of Uber will only hurt the drivers and the riding public. A monetary penalty will give us the same result without having to hassle our commuters,” said Sen. Bam after attending the meeting between the LTFRB and Uber in the Senate.  

In the informal meeting, it was also suggested that Uber compensate drivers for the days that they will not be able to use their vehicles.  

 “Hanapbuhay ng mga Pilipino ang pinaguusapan natin rito. Nawawalan sila ng kita para sa kanilang pamilya dahil sa stop order na ito. Natutuwa naman kami na may openness ang Uber dito,” Sen. Bam said, adding that Uber did not challenge this position.  

LTFRB will hold a special hearing on Wednesday to decide on the matter. “If all parties are in agreement, we hope the stop order can be lifted at the soonest possible time,” said Sen. Bam. 

All parties agreed that a new regulatory framework needs to be developed, not just for ridesharing services but also to improve our taxi fleets and their ability to serve the riding public and compensate drivers. 

Sen. Bam is hopeful that LTFRB can propose a new framework and legislation can come in to institutionalize these progressive changes to improve transportation in the country. 

 As early as last year, Sen. Bam filed Senate Bill No. 696 or the Rideshare Support Company, which aims to promote and encourage new, affordable and safe transportation options for the commuting public, like Uber and Grab.

Sen. Bam on CA rejection of DSWD Sec. Judy Taguiwalo

It’s unfortunate that Sec. Taguiwalo did not have enough votes for her confirmation, even with my colleagues vouching for her integrity and work ethic.

Her replacement will have major challenges ahead, like sustaining the success of the 4Ps program and ramping up its implementation.

Our Secretary of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will need a passion to address inequality in the Philippines to ensure the effectiveness of our poverty alleviation programs.

Sen. Bam: Gov’t losing needed revenue on corrupt Customs

Sen. Bam Aquino said the government is losing much-needed revenue due to corruption in the Bureau of Customs (BoC).

“Not only are we bringing in drugs, we’re also losing money on smuggled goods because of corruption in the BoC,” said Sen. Bam after the hearing on the P6.4 billion worth of shabu that slipped past the bureau’s watch.

“Habang pinoproblema ang tax reform at pagpondo sa libreng edukasyon sa mga state universities and colleges (SUCs), hinahayaan lang na mawala ang kita ng gobyerno sa imports dahil sa korupsyon sa Customs,” added Sen. Bam.

It was reported that the BoC fell short of its target for July by 11.2 percent. Last month, the bureau collected P34.8 billion in import duties and other taxes, short of the P39.2-billion target.

As of end-July, the BoC’s collection was pegged at P246.9 billion, 3.9 percent short of its goal of P257.1 billion during that span.

Instead of bringing in new personnel, Sen. Bam said the government must implement new systems that will make the BoC efficient and corruption-free.

“Kahit araw-araw tayong magpalit ng tauhan sa BoC, wala ring mangyayari kung mananatili ang mga lumang sistema na pinag-uugatan ng katiwalian sa ahensiya,” Sen. Bam stressed.

Earlier, Sen. Bam criticized authorities for allowing the shipment of 600 kilos of shabu slip past their watch.  The senator called it a case of “negligence with corruption”, where some Customs employees accept bribes to deliberately overlook illegal shipments.

NEGOSYO, NOW NA!: Tulong para sa mga OFW, mula simula hanggang dulo

Mga kanegosyo, naisipan naming magtayo ng mga Negosyo Centers sa buong Pilipinas para mayroong matatakbuhan ang mga kababayan na­ting nais magsimula ng negosyo.

Bilang dating social entrepreneur na tumutulong sa mga nanay na may sari-sari store, nakita ko ang kahalagahan ng suporta sa mga maliliit na negosyo.

Kaunting suporta sa training, tulong sa pagkuha ng loan sa bangko at pag-ugnay sa merkado ay nakakatulong sa pag-asenso ng maliliit na negosyo at pag-unlad ng pamilyang Pilipino.

Ngunit noong nagbukas ang mga Negosyo Center, hindi lang mga mayroong maliliit na negosyo ang bumisita at nag-training dito.

Sa aming pag-iikot, marami kaming nakikila­lang dating overseas Filipino worker o OFW na gustong magtayo ng negosyo upang manatili na sa Pilipinas.

Sa aking pagbiyahe sa ibang bansa, marami rin akong nakakausap na OFW at nakukwento nila ang kanilang pinagdadaanan at mga hamon sa kanilang buhay, especially sa mga gusto bumalik.

Kaya natutuwa tayo na ang Negosyo Center ay nakakatulong din sa mga kababayang OFWs sa larangan ng pagnenegosyo upang magkaroon ng options na hindi na mag-ibang bansa.

Sa tulong ng business counselors ng Negosyo Centers, nabibigyan sila ng kailangang payo at gabay kung paano sisimulan ang isang negosyo at iba pang mga paraan kung paano ito palalaguin.

***

Isa sa mga OFW na natulungan ng Negosyo Center si Jaylhea Silvestre Barque na nagpapatakbo ng isang mini-restaurant sa Kuwait.

Plano ni Jaylhea na makapagsimula ng maliit na negosyo upang may kabuhayan sakaling magpasya siyang huwag nang bumalik sa Kuwait para magtrabaho.

Nais niyang gamitin ang naipundar na maliit na lupain sa planong negosyo na paggawa ng balut.

Dahil walang sapat na kaalaman sa pagsisimula ng negosyo, dumalo si Jaylhea sa Entrepreneurship and Business Planning Workshop ng Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

Sa tulong nito, nakabuo siya ng inisyal na plano para sa paggawa ng balut ngunit marami pang kulang kaya lumapit siya sa Negosyo Center sa Kidapawan City upang humingi ng tulong at payo.

Agad naman siyang tinulungan ng isang business counselor ng Negosyo Center sa pagbuo ng isang business plan, na inindorso naman ng Negosyo Center sa DOLE-OWWA Regional Office.

Maliban pa rito, isinumite rin ng Negosyo Center ang kanyang business plan sa Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP)- Kidapawan Field Office para makautang ng kailangang puhunan.

Tinulungan din siya ng DTI at Negosyo Center-Kidapawan sa kanyang aplikasyon para sa loan na aabot ng P1.2 milyon para sa pagbli ng 2,000 itik at dalawang units ng incubator na may kapasidad na 20,000 itlog.

***

Ilang araw ang nakalipas, binisita ng LBP ang maliit na sakahan ni Jaylhea para ma-appraise ang halaga.

Dahil kumpleto ang business plan na binuo sa tulong ng Negosyo Center-Kidapawan at sapat naman ang halaga ng sakahan, wala pang isang buwan ay naaprubahan na ang aplikasyon ni Jaylhea para sa loan.

Ngayon, tumatakbo na ang negosyong paggawa ng balut ni Jaylhea, salamat sa tulong na ibi­nigay ng Negosyo Center-Kidapawan, mula sa pagbuo ng business plan hanggang sa pag-asikaso ng business loan. Ito ang tulong mula umpisa hanggang dulo na hatid ng Negosyo Center.

***

Mga kanegosyo, noong nakaraang linggo, dumalo tayo sa pagbubukas ng ika-596 Negosyo Center sa Castillejos, Zambales.

Ito ang ikaapat na Negosyo Center sa lalawigan, kasunod ng Olongapo, Iba at San Felipe. Sa mga Zambaleño na interesadong magnegosyo, bumisita na sa apat na Negosyo Centers sa inyong lalawigan.

***

Higit sa 500 na ang mga Negosyo Center sa Pilipinas salamat sa Republic Act No. 10644 o Go Negosyo Act, ang kauna-unahan kong naipasang batas bilang senador.

Layunin nitong mag­lagay ng Negosyo Center sa bawat munisipalidad, siyudad at lalawigan sa buong bansa upang suportahan ang mga Pilipino na nais magsimula ng sariling negosyo o tulu­ngang mapalaki ang kasalukuyan nilang negosyo.

Upang malaman ang pinakamalapit na Negosyo Center sa inyong lugar, magtungo sahttps://www.bamaquino.com/gonegosyoact/negosyo-center-tracker/.

***

Mga Kanegosyo, kung may tanong kayo sa pagnenegosyo, mag-e-mail kay Kanegosyong Bam sanegosyonowna@gmail.com o mag-iwan ng mensahe sa fb.com/BenignoBamAquino.

Ugaliing makinig tuwing Miyerkules, alas-2 hanggang alas-3 ng hapon sa DZRH 666 sa programang “Go Negosyo sa Radyo” kasama si Cheska San Diego. Ang programa’y sa kagandahang loob ng Go Negosyo at MBC.

Pangarap namin na magkaroon kayo ng kabuhayan sa pamamagitan ng pagnenegosyo!

Sen. Bam: LTRFB decision on Uber punishes riding public

Sen. Bam Aquino stressed that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s decision to suspend Uber by one month is like punishing the riding public and the drivers who are earning from its operation.

 “By suspending the operation of Uber, they are penalizing the riders and the drivers,” Sen. Bam said in a radio interview.

 “If they wanted to penalize Uber, the LTFRB could have issued a fine. Instead, they suspend operations leaving the commuters with less options,” added Sen. Bam. “Suspending Uber will hurt the riding public more than the company itself”.

During a previous Senate hearing on the issue of transport network vehicle services (TNVS), Sen. Bam thought the issue was ironed out and a consensus was reached between the LTFRB and transportation network companies (TNC)

“I thought we were all on the same page to put our commuters first and to create a new regulatory framework for TNVS and taxis,” said Sen. Bam.

During the said hearing, Sen. Bam urged the LTFRB to prioritize the safety and commuting experience of the riding public and look out for the welfare of drivers of public utility vehicles.

 Sen. Bam stressed the need to develop a brand-new regulatory framework which govern transportation network companies (TNC), TNVS and even taxis.

 Sen. Bam, who filed Senate Bill No. 696 or the Rideshare Support Company, which aims to promote and encourage new, affordable and safe transportation options for the commuting public, like Uber and Grab.

The measure seeks to clarify regulations governing Transportation Network Companies, or Rideshare Support Companies (RSCs), as well as Rideshare Network Drivers and Vehicles.

 “In any industry, increased competition often leads to improved quality, improved service, and lower prices for consumers. For the commuting public, this is a change they have long clamored for,” said Sen. Bam.

 Once approved, RSCs must obtain certificate of accreditation from LTFRB before getting an authority to onboard qualified Rideshare Network Driver (RND) after a thorough background check and submission of pertinent documents.

Qualified RNDs must also have a minimum P200,000 per passenger personal accident insurance by licensed Philippine insurer.

 

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