Month: August 2017

Sen. Bam: IRR key to effective implementation of free college education law

Sen. Bam Aquino stressed the need to engage and consult stakeholders before the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for Republic Act 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act is finalized. 

“There are still a lot of details to iron out before the Commission on Higher Education’s IRR is finalized. Umiikot kami sa mga state colleges and para kunin ang panig ng mga estudyante at administrators ng mga paaralan,” said Sen. Bam. 

“It is important to engage with all the stakeholders and come up with a most effective implementation plan,” added Sen. Bam, the principal sponsor and co-author of the measure in the Senate during his stint as chairman of the Committee on Education. 

As a revolutionary reform in education, Sen. Bam underscored the need to hold healthy discussions on how to craft an IRR that will ensure effective implementation, based on its original intention of the law. 

“Mahalagang mapag-usapan ang bawat detalye ng batas sa pagbuo ng IRR. Masasayang lang ang napakalaking repormang ito sa edukasyon kung hindi matututupad ang pangunahing layunin nito,” added Sen. Bam. 

Sen. Bam said other important issues such as summer and make up classes, residency issues, and grade requirements should be tackled. 

“Though we are not part of the group finalizing the IRR, we are committed to sharing the comments, concerns and suggestions we’ve collated from students, parents, teachers and other concerned citizens,” the senator said. 

The law will provide free education to students in SUCs, local universities and colleges (LUCs) and vocational schools under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Aside from tuition fees, the government will shoulder miscellaneous and all other mandatory fees. 

Scholarship grants will also be made available to students of both public and private college and universities. Plus, it provides a new and improved student loan program, where students can apply for financing for other education expenses. 

If fully implemented, Sen. Bam said the law will benefit around two million students in all state universities and colleges and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-run technical-vocational institutions in the country. 

In addition, students taking post-graduate studies can avail of the new and improved student loan program and scholarships under the law. 

The measure was languishing in the legislative mill for years before it was passed during Sen. Bam’s time as chairman of the Committee on Education in the 17th Congress. This was Sen. Bam’s 19th law in his four years as senator.

Sen. Bam sponsors 3 measures for welfare of start-ups, scientists and researchers

Sen. Bam Aquino recently sponsored three measures that aim to support Filipino scientists, engineers and innovative start-ups, believing that technology and innovative initiatives can help solve problems besetting the country. 

Recently, Sen. Bam sponsored Senate Bill No. 1532 or the Innovative Startup Act where he urged colleagues to pass the measure that provides different forms of assistance to over 200,000 innovative start-up businesses, giving them better chance of succeeding. 

If passed into law, it will provide support innovative startups through financial subsidies like tax breaks and grants and other forms of assistance such as ease of red tape in business registration. 

It will also give technical assistance and training programs, free use of equipment, facilities and support for patenting or licensing of their product through the Intellectual Property Office of thePhilippines, according to Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology. 

He also delivered his sponsorship speech for Senate Bill No. 1533 or the Balik Scientist Act and Senate Bill No. 1534 or the Magna Carta for Scientists. The two measures aim to promote the welfare of Filipino scientists, engineers and researchers. 

“The challenge for us today is to ramp up support for Filipino scientists, engineers and researchers, and to harness their talents, not just to boost industries and business, but to build a better Philippines for all,” said Sen. Bam. 

Currently, the Philippines has 189 scientists per million, far from the ideal target of 380 per million. “Our country still lacks 19, 000 scientists to meet the bare minimum that is essential and acceptable in the development of any country,” said Sen. Bam. 

Senate Bill No. 1533 aims to encourage scientists, engineers and innovators working in different parts of the world to return and help solve the country’s problems through financial incentives. 

The amendments to the Magna Carta for Scientists aim to streamline the process of providing benefits and incentives to S&T government personnel. 

“Pahalagahan po natin ang agham at teknolohiya, ang mga siyentipiko, mga inhinyero at mga researcher upang tuluyang umasenso ang Pilipinas,” said Sen. Bam.

BIDA KA!: Bida sa libreng edukasyon

Mga Bida, noong nakaraang linggo, natupad na ang sina­sabi nilang imposibleng mangyari – ito ay ang pagsasabatas ng ­libreng edukasyon sa kolehiyo na matagal nang inaasam ng maraming Pilipino.

Pinirmahan ni Pangulong Duterte bilang batas ang Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Act o kilala na ngayon bilang Republic Act 10931.

Lubos ta­yong nagpapasalamat sa Pangulo sa pagpirma niya sa napakahala­gang panukalang ito bilang batas.

Sa batas na ito, libre na ang pag-aaral sa state universities and colleges (SUCs), local universities and colleges (LUCs) at vocational schools sa ilalim ng Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Bukod pa rito, sagot na rin ng pamahalaan ang miscellaneous at iba pang bayarin, maliban pa sa scholarship grants at loan program para sa mga estudyante.

Ito na po ang ating ika-19 na batas sa apat na taon ko bilang senador.

Ngunit hindi ito maituturing na personal na tagumpay­ lang kundi ito’y tagumpay ng milyun-milyong Pilipino na ­siyang tunay na bida ng libreng edukasyon.

***

Mga Bida, madaling mapako sa istatistika at numero, tulad ng 1.6 milyong estudyante ng mga SUCs, at kaligtaang alamin ang mga kuwento ng mga makikinabang sa mga batas na aming tinatrabaho.

Kaya sa pagbisita sa state universities and colleges sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng bansa bilang dating chairman ng Committee on Education, inaalam namin ang mga talambuhay ng mga ­estudyanteng matagal nang nag-aasam ng libreng kolehiyo.

Kabilang na rito si Janice, 1st year college student sa Panga­sinan State University. Umaasa lang si Janice sa kanyang ate ­para sa allowance habang tinutulungan naman siya ng mga ­guro sa iba pang gastusin tulad ng libro at tuition fee.

Dahil isang Person with Disability o PWD si Janice, kinakailangan pa niyang mag-tricycle mula main gate hanggang classroom.

Sa kabila ng kanyang kalagayan, hindi pa rin nagpapaawat si Janice sa pangarap na maging kauna-unahang miyembro ng kanyang pamilya na nakapagtapos ng kolehiyo. Nais niyang magtrabaho sa pamahalaan kapag nakatapos ng kolehiyo.

Nakikitira naman si Rowee sa kanyang tiyahin sa Tacloban para makapag-aral sa Eastern Visayas State University.

Bilang pantustos sa pag-aaral, maraming raket na pinasok si Rowee,­ ­tulad ng pagiging emcee, stand-up comedian at minsan ay nagfo-footspa pa siya para may pagkakitaan.

Si Manuel naman ay 2nd year student sa Pangasinan State University. Bata pa lang silang magkakapatid nang iwan ng ama.

Dahil sa hirap, pinaampon ng kanyang ina ang dalawa niyang kapatid at kumayod upang buhayin ang mga natirang anak.

Upang makatulong sa gastos, si Manuel ay may maliit na pasa-load business at online business habang nag-aaral ng BS Education.

Tatlo lang sila sa milyun-milyong Pilipino na mababago ang buhay dahil sa pagsasabatas ng libreng edukasyon.

***

Ngunit hindi pa rito natatapos ang laban para sa aming mga mambabatas. Naririyan pa ang hamon na mapondohan ang ­batas upang epektibo itong maipatupad at matugunan ang pangangailangan.

Sa pagtaya, nasa P25 bilyon ang kailangan upang ito’y ­buong mapondohan.

Gaya ng aming sama-samang pagkilos upang ito’y maipasa, natitiyak ko na magkakaisa ring kikilos ang mga mambabatas upang ito’y mapondohan sa mga darating na taunang budget ng pamahalaan at masi­gurong makikinabang sa libreng edukasyon sina Janice, Rowee, Manuel, at ang iba pang mga estudyanteng Pilipino, ang ating bida sa batas na ito.

Sen. Bam: Decision to abolish NIR may hamper region’s development, poverty alleviation efforts

A senator expressed disappointment over President Duterte’s order to abolish the Negros Island Region (NIR), saying it will weaken the economic development and hamper efforts to alleviate poverty in the region.

“We are disappointed with the decision to abolish the Negros Island Region amidst the Negrenses’ appeal for unification,” said Sen. Bam.

“At the very least, this issue warrants a public discussion and we hope the Senate can still hold a hearing on the resolutions we’ve filed last year,” added the senator, referring to Senate Resolution No. 212 which he filed last October 24, 2016.

“We must immediately find out whether there are negative long-term effects for a divided Negros Island Region,” he added. Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri also filed a separate resolution urging to look into the NIR issue.

Sen. Bam filed the resolution after the government revealed plans to repeal Executive Order 183 dated May 29, 2015, which mandated the creation of a unified NIR, bringing together Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, and all the cities, municipalities and barangays comprising the two adjacent provinces.

The NIR was aimed at further accelerating social and economic development of the cities and municipalities comprising the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental and improving delivery of public services in the two provinces.

 In the resolution, Sen. Bam stressed the need for the national government to consider and assess the broader potential and long term impact of having an administration center in the Negros Island.

“This will enable greater efficiency in the implementation of development projects, and better and faster delivery of government services to Negrenses,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam: Tertiary education law also provides scholarships and loans to students

The Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act offers more than just free education in state universities and colleges (SUCs), local universities and colleges (LUCs) and vocational schools under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

“Hindi lang libreng edukasyon sa SUCs at LUCs ang hatid ng batas na ito kundi ang pagpapatibay ng scholarship programs at student loan programs ng gobyerno para sa kapakinabangan ng ating mga estudyante,” said Sen. Bam Aquino, principal sponsor and co-author of the measure in the Senate.

Sen. Bam said one of the salient features of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act or Republic Act 10931 is the new and improved student loan program.

 While undergraduate students in LUCs and SUCs are covered by free tuition, students taking post-graduate studies can avail of the new and improved student loan program and scholarships.

“Through the student loan program, students can apply for financing for other education expenses outside of their miscellaneous and mandatory fees that will be shouldered by the government under the law,” said Sen. Bam.

 In addition, Sen. Bam said the law also provides scholarship grants to students of both public and private college and universities by strengthening the existing Student Financial Assistant System (StuFAP) of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

After gathering dust in the legislative mill for years, the law was passed during Sen. Bam’s short stint as chairman of the Committee on Education in the 17th Congress. It was Sen. Bam’s 19th law in his four years as senator.

Sen. Bam also assured that lawmakers will make the necessary moves to ensure that the law will be properly funded and effectively implemented.

“With a more efficient use of our budget, there is more than enough fiscal space for this landmark reform,” said Sen. Bam.

 Earlier, Sen. Bam thanked President Duterte for signing the important measure into law, saying that millions of Filipinos are the real winners with this revolutionary education reform.

“Pagkatapos ng ilang dekada, batas na ang inaasam-asam ng napakaraming pamilyang Pilipino na libreng kolehiyo,” said Sen. Bam, “Estudyante, magulang at pamilyang Pilipino ang tunay na bida ng batas na ito.”

NEGOSYO, NOW NA!: Parangal sa Human Nature

Noong nakaraang linggo, tumayo tayo bilang principal sponsor ng Senate Bill No. 1532 o ang Innovative Startup Act.

Sa aking speech, nagbigay ako ng ilang halimbawa ng mga negosyong makabago at kakaiba na nagiging solusyon sa problema sa kalusugan, agrikultura at kahirapan.

Nais nating bigyan ang mga ganitong negosyo ng tulong, gaya ng tax break, upang tulungan silang makatayo at lumago.

Bilang dating social entrepreneur, isinama ko rin sa Innovative Startup Bill ang mga social enterprise dahil kakaiba at makabago ang business model ng mga ito kahit na hindi gaano ka-techie ang mga produkto.

Maraming matagum­pay na negosyo ang may puso at tumutulong sa pag-asenso sa Pilipinas, at nararapat lang na sila ay suportahan.

Isang halimbawa nito ang Human Heart Nature, na pag-aari ng magkapatid na sina Anna Meloto-Wilk at Camille Meloto.

Kung pamilyar sa inyo ang apelyidong Meloto, ito’y dahil ama nila ang founder ng Gawad Kalinga na si Tatay Tony Meloto.

***

Aksidente lang ang naging simula ng Human Nature. Noong 2007, nagbibiyahe si Anna at kanyang asawa na si Dylan sa Estados Unidos para makakalap ng suporta sa Gawad Kalinga sa kanilang programang pabahay para sa mahihirap.

Napansin ni Anna ang dumaraming abot-kayang produkto na sinasabing natural at eco-friendly sa merkado.

Nang tingnang mabuti ni Anna ang mga produkto, natuklasan niya na karamihan sa sangkap nito gaya ng niyog, tubo at aloe vera ay marami sa Pilipinas.

Doon, nabuo ang ideya sa isip ni Anna na magsimula ng isang negosyo na makatutulong din sa isa sa pinakamahirap na sektor ng bansa, ang mga magsasaka.

Sa tulong ng kapatid na si Camille, nag-research sila ukol sa natural products at bumuo ng isang plano kung saan gagawa sila ng mga de-kalidad na produkto kasabay ng pagbibigay ng kabuhayan sa mga magsasaka at mahihirap na komunidad sa bansa.

Noong 2008, nabuhay ang Human Nature.

***

Sa tulong ng mga kaibigan at mga partner sa Gawad Kalinga, opisyal na inilunsad ang Human Nature noong 2008.

Gaya nang napagplanuhan, kumuha ang Human Nature ng raw materials tulad ng citronella, coconut oil at lemongrass mula sa mga mahihirap na komunidad.

Upang matulungan sila nang husto, binili ng Human Nature ang mga sangkap sa mas mataas na presyo sa karaniwang halaga ng mga ito sa merkado.

Maliban pa rito, binigyan ng Human Nature ang mahihirap na komunidad ng livelihood training at mga kagamitan na magagamit sa pagsasaka at pagpoproseso ng kanilang mga ani.

Kasabay nito, unti-unti nang nakilala ang mga produkto ng Human Nature sa merkado. Noong 2011, naiuwi nila ang parangal bilang Social Entrepreneur of the Year ng Ernst & Young. Nakuha rin nila ang parehong award mula sa Schwab Foundation sa ginawang World Economic Forum.

Hindi na talaga nagpaawat pa ang Human Nature dahil nong 2014, binuksan nito ang isang manufacturing plant sa Canlubang, Laguna na nagsisilbing sentro ng operasyon ng kumpanya kung saan ipinatutupad ang mahigpit na standard at quality control na mas mabusisi pa sa mga requirements ng Food and Drugs Administration ng bansa.

Noong 2015, napabilang ang Human Nature sa Natural Products Association (NPA), ang nagpapatakbo ng natural products industry sa Estados Unidos at nagtatakda ng panuntunan ng mga natural pro­ducts sa buong mundo.

Noong nakaraang taon, naiuwi rin ng Human Nature ang Sustai­nability Pioneer Award sa Asya dahil sa kanilang ginagawang social entrepreneurship sa bansa.

***

Kamakailan lang, kinilala si Anna bilang Beauty Industry Woman of the Year Award ng Cosme­tics Design, isang beauty industry publication na nakabase sa London.

Ayon sa Cosmetic Designs, kahanga-hanga ang naging kontribusyon ni Anna pagdating sa social enterprise.

Dahil sa kanya, isa na ang Pilipinas sa mga tinitingalang bansa pagdating sa mga babaeng social entrepreneurs.

Napakahalaga ng pagkilalang ito sa founder ng Human Nature ngunit nakalulungkot na hindi ito masyadong alam ng maraming Pilipino, kaya’t sana pag-usapan at iulat natin ang mga ganitong kuwento sa ating mga kaibigan at kamag-anak.

Kay Anna at sa iba pang bumubuo ng Human Nature, congratulations at ipagpatuloy niyo pa ang pagtulong sa mga mahihirap na komunidad.

Tuloy ang aming suporta sa inyo at sa mga social entrepreneurs na nais makatulong sa pag-asenso ng bawat Pilipino.

Inaasahan namin na kapag naisabatas na ang Innovative Startup Act, dadami pa ang mga matagumpay na negosyong may solusyon sa mga problema ng bansa, tulad ng kahirapan.

***

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 sa https://www.bamaquino.com/gonegosyoact/negosyo-center-tracker/.

***

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

Ugaliing makinig tuwing Miyerkules, alas-dos hanggang alas-tres 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!

Bam to schools: Prepare workforce for AI job termination

With the advancement in Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the labor industry, a number of existing jobs in the market is at risk.

During the hearing of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology on the effects of AI to current jobs, the Union Network International-Philippine Liaison Council (UNI-PLC) told committee chairman Sen. Bam Aquino that around 60 percent of work, especially in the business process outsourcing industry, will be affected.

 However, the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) mentioned that around 40,000 workers in the contact center industry will be lost.

 “The best way to protect ourselves is to move our workers up the skill ladder. This is best done by having opportunities for education and by upgrading skills, retooling and retraining industry workers,” said Sen. Bam.

 “We cannot wait for this downturn in jobs to happen before we prepare. Kailangang handa na tayo ngayon,” stressed Sen. Bam as he called on education institutions to check if the skills they’re providing are the ones needed by industry workers to upgrade their abilities to the next level.

 “This way, we can ensure that we will able to maximize opportunities presented in Artificial Intelligence,” said Sen. Bam, adding that around 250,000 to 300,000 fresh jobs will be created once contact center workers are given the capability to perform higher-level jobs, such as data analysis and data programming.

“Mahalaga ring matiyak na mayroong academic-industry linkage. Kaya ba ng ating mga eskuwelahan na itulak ang kakayahan ng ating mga kababayan upang gawin ang mga bagong trabahong ito?” Sen. Bam questioned.

 Sen. Bam said the BPO industry must work hand-in-hand with concerned government agencies, such as the Department of Education (DepEd), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to ensure that the country is prepared for any eventuality if the implementation of AI goes into full swing.

Sen. Bam: Free college education effective weapon vs poverty, crime, illegal drugs

Sen. Bam Aquino believes that the free college education law recently signed by President Duterte can be a long-term solution to poverty, crime and even illegal drugs.

“A college degree can unlock a better job and better livelihood for Filipino families. It is an effective weapon and long-term solution to combat poverty, crime and drugs,” said Sen. Bam, the Senate’s principal sponsor and co-author of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act or Republic Act 10931

“Ngayong may pagkakataon na ang maraming Pilipino na makatapos ng libreng kolehiyo, mas malaki ang tsansa nilang makaahon sa kahirapan at umasenso,” added Sen. Bam, who has been advocating for education, jobs and business as keys to lifting Filipinos out of poverty and giving them a chance at a better future.

Earlier, Sen. Bam thanked President Duterte for signing the important measure into law, saying that millions of Filipinos are the real winners with this revolutionary education reform.

“Pagkatapos ng ilang dekada, batas na ang inaasam-asam ng napakaraming pamilyang Pilipino na libreng kolehiyo,” said Sen. Bam, “Estudyante, magulang at pamilyang Pilipino ang tunay na bida ng batas na ito.”

The measure was languishing in the legislative mill for years before it was passed during Sen. Bam’s time as chairman of the Committee on Education in the 17th Congress. This was Sen. Bam’s 19th law in his four years as senator.

With this law, students will enjoy free education in state universities and colleges (SUCs), local universities and colleges (LUCs) and vocational schools under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) starting the second semester of school year 2017-18.

 Aside from tuition fees, the government will shoulder miscellaneous and all other mandatory fees.

 Scholarship grants will also be made available to students of both public and private college and universities. Plus, it provides a new and improved student loan program, where students can apply for financing for other education expenses.

 

Sen. Bam: Mission accomplished for revolutionary free tuition law

Sen. Bam Aquino extended his gratitude to President Duterte for signing the Universal Access to Tertiary Education Act into law, saying that millions of Filipinos are the real winners with this revolutionary education reform.

 “I wish to thank the President for signing the free college tuition into law. Congratulation to my fellow lawmakers and everyone who supported this policy,” said Sen. Bam, the principal sponsor and co-author of the law in the Senate. This was Sen. Bam’s 19th law in his four years as senator.

“Pagkatapos ng ilang dekada, batas na ang inaasam-asam ng napakaraming pamilyang Pilipino na libreng kolehiyo,” Sen. Bam added, “Estudyante, magulang at pamilyang Pilipino ang tunay na bida ng batas na ito.”

 Sen. Bam, who championed the bill during plenary debates and interpellation as former chairman of the Committee on Education, also assured that the Senate will find ways to find the needed Php25 billion to fully implement this law.

 The senator said Sen. Loren Legarda, chairperson ng Committee on Finance, already committed to including free tuition in the 2018 budget.

 With this law, students will enjoy free education in state universities and colleges (SUCs), local universities and colleges (LUCs) and vocational schools under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) starting the second semester of school year 2017-18.

Aside from tuition fees, the government will shoulder miscellaneous and all other mandatory fees. 

 Scholarship grants will also be made available to students of both public and private college and universities. Plus, it provides a new and improved student loan program, where students can apply for financing for other education expenses. 

The measure was languishing in the legislative mill for years before it was passed during Sen. Bam’s time as chairman of the Committee on Education in the 17th Congress.

 “I am thrilled that Filipinos will benefit from a free college education,” Sen. Bam added, “It was an honor to work on this revolutionary education reform and fight for its passage”.

Republic Act 10931: Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act

In the Philippines, 2 out of 5 high school graduates do not pursue tertiary education, hindered by the high tuition fees in addition to miscellaneous expenses incurred while studying. After spending many years working hard to make ends meet in order to put their children through school to obtain a high school diploma, it is often a disappointment to students who face the choice between working to help their family or sacrificing the education of other siblings so that one may be sent to college.

In line with the mandate of our Constitution, the State must uphold the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels. This bill seeks to make tertiary education in all State Universities and Colleges free of tuition for its students and fully subsidized by government.

Tertiary education is a valuable key that can help Filipino families break out of the poverty cycle, as families headed by tertiary degree holders earn, on average, two times as much as families who do not have postsecondary education.

However, higher education is often only available to middle-income families who can afford the high tuition fees and extra costs. As a result, these families continue to reap the benefits of obtaining a postsecondary education while poor families continue struggling to reach beyond their current economic situation.

In a nation with glaring income and educational inequality, the provision of tuition-free college education will be one great leap toward developing our fragile democracy. By unlocking this opportunity, poor and low-income families stand to benefit the most and will be empowered both economically and socially to be able to fully participate in our democratic nation.

A college education is not only a qualification that results in higher paying jobs, but is most importantly a means for the development of knowledge, innovation and social change in a nation. Supporting the growth of higher education in the Philippines will serve to heighten the quality of workforce so that we may partake more meaningfully in the global production of knowledge.

 

 DOWNLOAD RA 10931

 DOWNLOAD IRR OF RA 10931

Scroll to top