Author: teambam

NEGOSYO, NOW NA!: Dear Kanegosyong Bam

Mga Kanegosyo, maraming maraming salamat sa pagtingkilik ng ating kolum tuwing Lunes. Ginagamit natin ito para sagutin ang inyong mga katanungan tungkol sa pagnenegosyo.

Sisikapin nating matugunan ang mga tanong na ipinapadala ninyo upang mabigyan namin kayo ng gabay o tips sa buhay pagnenegosyo.

***

Kanegosyong Bam,

Kailan magkakaroon ng training center sa Butuan City? Balak po kasi naming umuwi sa Butuan ngayong taon. Sa ngayon po ay naririto kami sa San Pedro, Laguna. Salamat po. — Clarita

***

Kanegosyong Clarita,

Magandang balita! Binuksan kamakailan lang ang Negosyo Center sa Butuan City. Ito ay matatagpuan sa CARAGA DTI Office sa ika-apat na palapag ng D&V Bldg. sa JC Aquino Ave., Butuan City.

Manang Clarita, isa sa mga serbisyong ibinibigay ng Negosyo Center ay training para sa mga nais magsimula ng negosyo.  Nais ng training na ito na magabayan ang ating mga kababayan tulad ninyo sa mga mahahalagang kaalaman sa pagtatayo ng sariling negosyo.

Maliban sa training, mabibigyan din kayo ng payo sa tamang lokasyon, ibebentang produkto o serbisyo, kung saan makakakuha ng pautang at iba pa. Mahalaga na may makausap tayong dalubhasa na siyang gagabay sa atin tungo sa tagumpay.

***

Kanegosyong Bam,

Good morning. Puwede ba akong manghingi ng tulong? Isa akong biyuda at isang stroke patient na may maliit na tindahan kaso walang puhunan. Patulong naman sa aking sari-sari store. — Gina ng Montalban

***

Kanegosyong Gina,

Magandang araw din sa inyo. Hanga ako sa ginagawa ninyong pagsisikap na kumita para may maipantustos sa inyong pamilya sa kabila ng kalagayan ng inyong pangangatawan.

Sa kasalukuyan, Aling Gina, may mga microfinance institution (MFI) na nagbibigay ng pautang na may mababang interes at walang kolateral sa inyo sa may Rodriguez, Rizal.

Maaari ninyong puntahan ang ASA Philippines Foundation, Inc. na makikita sa No. 683 B. Manuel St., Geronimo, Rodriguez, Rizal. Maaari silang matawagan sa numerong 0922.897,7626.
May sangay rin ang Center for Agriculture & Rural Development, Inc. (CARD) sa Rodriguez na makikita sa No. 9 Talisay St., Brgy. Burgos. May landline sila na puwedeng pagtanungan (02)997.6669.

Mas mainam na lumapit sa mga microfinance kung ihahalintulad sa sistemang 5-6. Aabot sa 20% ang buwanang interest sa 5-6, samantalang nasa 2.5% lamang ang patong ng MFIs sa kanilang mga pautang sa isang buwan.

Maaari rin silang magbigay ng mga payo at iba pang business development services tulad ng training at education mo­dules sa mga maliliit na negosyanteng tulad ninyo para mas mapalago natin ang ating kabuhayan.

— Kanegosyong Bam

 

First Published on Abante Online

The K to 12 challenge

As we welcome a new school year, we are reminded of our need to constantly improve the quality of education for Filipinos across the country.

Aligned with this goal is the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 or Republic Act No. 10533, which was signed into law on May 15, 2013 and resulted in the implementation of the K-12 Basic Education Program.

The last country in Asia with a 10-year pre-university cycle, the Philippines is one of only three, along with Angola and Djibouti, stuck in a 10-year basic education system.

Far from being a quick fix to our laggard status, the K to 12 program was carefully studied and designed by both private and public education stakeholders based on research from other countries and our own local successes and failures in education.

Many would agree that actualizing the K-12 system in the Philippines would result in more young Filipinos equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes to enter the workforce.

And even though there are those that disagree and question whether or not we should transition to a K to 12 education system, this article is not about that.

The challenge we face now, in my view, is not whether we should or shouldn’t, but whether we can or can’t.

Are we ready to bring the K to 12 vision of progressive and transformative education to reality? Are we ready with classrooms and infrastructure to accept 2 more grade levels? Are we ready with the curriculum to move our education system to the world-class standard we have long been aspiring for?

To be fair to the Department of Education (DepEd), they have made progress in terms of infrastructure and curriculum development.

The backlog of 66,800 classrooms in 2010 was addressed with DepEd building over86,478 classrooms from 2010 to 2014 with plans to build over 40,000 more this year.

The shortage of 145,827 teachers in 2010 was addressed with DepEd hiring over 128,000 teachers from 2010 to 2014 with over 39,000 more to be hired this year.

Increased budget

But what about the 25,000 or so teaching and non-teaching staff that will be displaced once the K-12 program is completely implemented? DepEd reports that there will be at least 30,000 teaching positions in public senior high schools open for hiring, not to mention the need for principals and other non-teaching staff.

A P12-billion Tertiary Education Transition fund is also in the pipeline to offer grants, scholarships, and financial assistance to displaced employees so they may be qualified to continue working in the field of education.

With more classrooms and more teachers, congestion in our public schools has gone down and this is evidenced by the big reduction in schools that employ a two, three, even four-shift system. When in 2011, 21.24% of our elementary schools resorted to shifting, only 3% utilized a shifting system in 2014.

(Writer’s Note: Most of the schools that fall under the 3% are located in the National Capital Region (NCR) where DepEd has no more space or land to expand schools and build new facilities.)

Looking at these figures, we can clearly say that tremendous improvements have been made. But, to be frank, not a lot of our citizens know that DepEd has hit these numbers in the last 5 years. In fact, when I go around schools, students still ask me why the government keeps cutting the budget for education.

In truth, we’ve actually increased the budget by over 200% from 2010 to 2015, from P174.75 billion to P364.66 billion.

These gains we have had in the past years put into perpective the ability of DepEd and our education stakeholders to make necessary preparations and improvements in the condition of education across the Philippines. These small victories should give us reason to believe in our ability to overcome challenges in improving the quality of Philippine education, or at least dispel any doubts about our capability to perform.

But the truth of the matter is, even with these numbers facing us, there is so little trust in the government’s ability to implement major reforms. And from the feedback of some of our countrymen, a number of Filipinos don’t believe we can get this done by 2017.

Definitely, there are legitimate concerns that demand solutions. Definitely, a lot of work still needs to be done. Definitely, there will be unforeseen challenges along the way. It will definitely not be easy.

But the good news is, we still have time. There is an entire year before the full nationwide implementation of the K-12 Program and the performance of DepEd thus far gives us enough reason to trust that we can get this done together.

Now is the time for our communities to get involved. Now is the time for the private sector to offer their expertise and resources. Now is the time for all of us to get behind a program that will empower our youth with knowledge and skills that can propel them and their families to live better, more comfortable, and more meaningful lives.

Now is not the time to hit the brakes on a national reform we desperately need and have been working towards for the past years. Now is not the time to prematurely declare that we cannot make it happen. We have a year to implement this major education program and DepEd has asked for our help (For concerns and suggestions, email action@deped.gov.ph or call (02)636.1663 / (02)633.1942.)

For those who believe that we need to improve our educational system in the Philippines, this is our chance. We must not miss another opportunity to raise the level of our education to one that is world class. Let us support DepEd in creating a better, more robust, more effective, and more progressive education system for our young Filipinos through the K to 12 Basic Education Program.

First Published on Rappler.com

Bam on Fake Rice, SIM Card Registration and Purisima’s Dismissal (From Status Update Program)

On Fake Rice

“Nakita ko iyong picture. Actually, mukhang hindi siya mukhang bigas dahil parang foam ang dating. Ito po ay gawa sa patatas, kamote at mas nakakabahala, may plastic.

Si NFA administrator Renan Dalisay, sabi naman niya, binibigyan na niya ng pansin ang fake rice galing China. Hot rice ang tawag dahil smuggled daw po ito. Kailangan tayong mag-ingat.

Sa ating mga negosyante, huwag tayong gumawa ng mga gawaing makakasama sa ating customer.

Ang ibang gawain kasi diyan, hinahaluan mo ng smuggled na bigas kasi mas mura siya. Ang benta mo mas mataas kaya lumalaki ang margin mo kapag naghahalo ka ng smuggled, mas kikita ka.

Pero, unang-una illegal po iyan. Pangalawa, nakakasama po iyan sa ating mga magsasaka, kasi sila po ang nahihirapan.

Pangatlo, baka hindi ninyo po alam kung saan galing ang bigas na iyan, baka fake rice na iyan. Wala pa nga tayong balita kung ito’y nakakasama. Ang sabi lang, may fake rice. Kung may plastic po iyan, hindi po iyan mabuti sa ating katawan.

Para sa mga negosyante po natin, mga rice traders po natin, siguraduhin na ang ibinebenta natin ay tama at tapat sa ating namimili.

Susuportahan po natin ang imbestigasyon pero mas mahalaga na makuha natin ang datos mula sa NFA, kung tonelada ang pumasok o baka sako-sako lang. Alamin ho natin.

Para sa ating mga kababayan, kapag may nakita tayong fake rice, i-report po natin.”

On SIM Card Registration

“Alam ninyo ho, ang SIM card registration kasi, matagal na itong pinag-uusapan. Iyong nagtutulak nito sa Senado, si Senator Sotto. Kinukuwento niya sa sakin, tayo na lang sa iilang bansa na hindi nagpapa-register ng SIM card.

Para kay Cong. Biazon at Sen. Sotto, malaking bagay ang security. Kasi itong mga SIM card, hindi registered, ginagamit sa scam. Sometimes, ginagamit iyan sa transaction na illegal or the use of burner phone.

Sometimes naman ho, kapag mayroong nangyaring masama o may kinalaman sa krimen, kailangang mahanap ho ang mga SIM card.

Ang sabi naman po ni Cong. Biazon at Sen. Sotto, form lang ito. Pangalan, may ID, para alam mo kung kanino nabenta ang SIM.

Of course, sasabihin ng sari-sari store o tiangge, pakokolektahin ninyo kami ng pangalan at ita-transmit pa natin iyan.

 Kailangan ho nating balansehin, kung ano ang mas mahalagang bagay, iyong makuha natin ang security or iyong magkaroon ng extra process.

Tingin ko naman, kung maayos ang paggagamitan mo nito, ano ba naman na ilagay mo ang pangalan mo at magpakita ka ng ID. Hindi naman ho ganoong kasama.

Ang mahalaga lang ay nire-register po ito. Probably po, pag-uusapan natin ito sa Senado. Kung may mapeperhuwisyo nito, iyong nagtitinda at telcos dahil kailangan ng database.

Ang maganda naman dito, kung mayroong krimen at scam, agad-agad nating malalaman kung saan galing at nabenta ang  SIM card na iyan.”

On the Dismissal of Purisima, 10 other PNP Officials

 “Ito’y dahil sa kontrata sa courier service na Werfast.

Maraming nagtataka kung bakit ganoon daw. Ang isa pa pong lumabas, sa desisyon nila, hindi pa daw nakarehisto noong panahong nagawa ang kasunduan sa Werfast.

Nirehistro lang ito noong Agosto, e Mayo ang kanilang pirmahan. Mayroon talagang kataka-taka sa transaksyong ito.

 Ako po, kitang-kita naman natin na napaka-busy ni Madam Ombudsman. Hindi siguro natutulog si Madam Ombudsman.

Sabi ko nga, ang mga babae ang mas matatapang sa ating bansa.”

Bam Reiterates Call to Probe Seaworthiness of Maritime Vessels

Senator Bam Aquino has renewed his call to investigate the seaworthiness of maritime vessels in the country in the wake of the recent sea tragedy that claimed the lives of 36 people in Ormoc City.

“I reiterate my call to investigate whether our maritime vessels are seaworthy. Huwag na nating hintayin maulit pa ang nangyari sa Ormoc bago tayo mag-imbestiga at gumawa ng reporma,” Sen. Bam stressed.

As early as May 2014, Sen. Bam filed Senate Resolution No. 652, calling for the investigation on the seaworthiness of maritime vessels to ensure their safe and efficient operations and avoid maritime accidents.

However, the resolution gathered dust and was never heard by the appropriate Senate committee. 

“Mahalagang malaman natin kung ligtas pa bang gamitin ng ating mga kababayan ang mga sasakyang pandagat upang wala nang magbuwis pa ng buhay sa mga ganitong uri ng insidente,” the senator stressed.

In his resolution, Sen. Bam emphasized that the national government has the duty to implement positive measures that can alleviate, if not resolve, the recurring maritime accidents over the past decades.

“It should give appropriate emphasis on the seaworthiness of our vessels and must demonstrate stronger commitment in the effective implementation of the laws in order to safeguard the safety of the public,” Sen. Bam said. 

“Dapat nating siguruhin na tinutupad ng mga may-ari ng mga sasakyang pandagat ang kanilang papel na tiyaking ligtas ang biyahe ng ating mga kababayan,” Sen. Bam said.

7 Dahilan Kung Bakit Ka Laging Na F-Friendzone

By Lis7avengers

 

Ngayong palapit na ang Filipino-American Friendship Day, alalahanin natin ang pitong dahilan bakit hindi natutuloy sa mabungang pagmamahalan ang iyong mga da moves at nananatili ka sa friend zone!

 

1. Ang labo mo kasi, pre! Baka naman hindi malinaw sa type mo na type mo nga siya talaga. Mahirap kasing mag-assume! Mas mabuti na i-clarify ang iyong balak. Lakasan ang loob at magbigay ng single, meaningful rose o di kaya i-harana mo siya in private. At the very least, sabihan mo siya ng “I really really really really really really like you,” kahit sa text lang. Mag-isip na ng creative na da moves para ipakita at sabihing gusto mo siya!

ireallylikeyou

2. Masyado kang ma… ba… gal. Maraming naghihintay ng “perfect timing” o ng lakas ng loob bago ibahagi ang nilalaman ng puso. Marami na ring naunahan ng ibang Casanova o napagsawaan ng pinapahintay niyang crush. Don’t wait too long! Life is short. Kung hindi ka aamin ngayon, kailan pa? Ika nga ni Jordan, JUST. DO. IT.

ligaw

3. Puro na lang group HOHOL. Uso pa ba ang torpe ngayon?! ‘Wag naman laging group date! Ok lang iyon kung sa simula ngunit para alam niya na siya’y natatangi sa iyong puso, yayain siya sa one-on-one HOHOL. Pag-successful, yayain mo na mag… date!

torpe 

4. Masyado ka yatang mabait… sa lahat. Mahalaga na alam niyang special siya sa iyo. Kung mabait (o malandi) ka sa kaniya pero mabait (o malandi) ka rin naman sa iba, hindi na ‘yan aasa at maghahanap na ng iba. Hindi ba’t, we all want to feel special?

bobongquote

5. Hindi ka nagpapa-miss. Hindi porke’t may unlimited text ka ay itotodo mo na ang pangungulit sa crush mo. Nakaka turn-off rin ang umaapaw na messages, lalo na kung wala naman siyang oras mag-reply. Magparamdam ka paminsan-minsan at kung madalas ang reply niya sa iyo, ay doon ka na makipag-converse. Kung hindi, baka i-block ka lang ni future-beh.

waitingforyourtext

6. Takot ka sa “touch barrier.” Isa sa kaibahan ng pagiging friends at more-than-friends ay ang touch barrier. Dapat respetuhin ang personal space ng iyong tinitipuhan, pero kung may opening naman ay subukan mong i-holding-hands! Simulan ‘in private.’ Kung unahin mo in public, baka mapahiya ka lang sa harap ng mga tao. LOL.

 breezymoves

7. Hindi ka niya type. Masakit man tanggapin, minsan, hindi lang tayo ang type ng ating type. Ok lang iyan! Ganoon talaga. At least alam mo na. Huwag ka na mag-aaksaya ng panahon at pera. ‘Wag na rin mag-aksaya ng luha! Sabayan na lang si Beyonce, “To the left! To the left!”

bakit hindi ka crush ng crush mo

Na-friend zone ka na din ba? Kung oo, for sure nakarelate ka sa Lis7ahan na ito. I-share mo na rin sa amin ang mga experiences mo, at maging contributor sa next na friendzone Lis7ahan ng Lis7avengers! Mag-e-mail sa team.bamaquino@senado.ph!

Bam to New BuCor Chief: Prepare for Challenges Ahead

Be prepared for the tough challenges ahead.

 Sen. Bam Aquino made this advice to newly appointed Bureau of Corrections director general Ret. Lt. Gen. Ricardo Cruz III as he congratulated him on his new post.

“General Cruz must be prepared for the tough challenges that await him in his new position. Many have failed to address these challenges, but with Cruz’s vast experience, I am sure he’s the right man for the job,” Sen. Bam said.

Sen. Bam said among the challenges that will put Cruz to the test are the VIP treatment of moneyed prisoners, congestion and the alleged operation of drug syndicates inside the National Bilibid Prisons (NBP).

“A caste-like system in our prisons is unacceptable. Justice will not fully be served if some prisoners still enjoy the perks and privileges while incarcerated while poor prisoners endure the worst,” the senator said.

“The alleged operation of drug syndicates inside the prison walls must also be addressed immediately to prevent them from destroying more lives and families,” Sen. Bam added.

The senator also urged Cruz to expedite the release of prisoners who have fully served the sentences or those eligible for pardon to decongest the country’s cramped prisons.

 “We challenge the new director to speed up the processing of the release papers of the inmates, who have served their terms dutifully.  This way, the NBP would also be decongested,” Sen. Bam stressed.

The senator also called on the government to implement thorough reform in the system in all BuCor prisons all over the country, making conditions more humane for prisoners.

“They may be behind bars for their crimes, but they are still human beings who deserve humane treatment and we must not deprive them of that right,” the senator added.

 By implementing reforms that will help reform these prisoners, Sen. Bam said they would emerge better and more productive citizens for our society.

Daet Negosyo Center

 

 

Sen. Bam Aquino, Daet Mayor Tito Sarion (third from left, seated), DTI Region 5 Director Joy Blanco and officials of other concerned government agencies show the thumps-up sign after signing the memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the Daet Negosyo Center.

The Daet Negosyo Center, which was opened Wednesday (June 24), is the first LGU-led Negosyo Center in the country. It is housed at the municipal building of Daet.

PHOTO RELEASE: Camarines Norte Negosyo Center

 

 

Senator Bam Aquino and officials of DTI Bicol Region display their unity after the opening of the provincial Negosyo Center in Daet, Camarines Norte Wednesday (June 24).

 In his speech, Senator Bam said the opening of the Negosyo Center in Camarines Norte will help further spur economic growth in the province.

Regaining public trust

The major slump in trust and sincerity ratings experienced by the Senate during the corruption scandals last year makes Senate President Franklin Drilon’s current standing as one of the most trusted government officials a legitimate cause for celebration.

The latest Pulse Asia surveys put Senate President Franklin Drilon in the top three most trusted government officials in the Philippines.

In a recent interview, he attributed this turnaround to the hard work of the Philippine Senate – senators and their staff who have been working assiduously since the PDAF scandal last year.

Once, during the height of the scandal, young leaders visiting the Senate asked me, “How can the Senate regain the trust and faith of the nation?”

My answer was, “The only way to regain the trust of our fellow Filipinos was to work hard and provide policies that will benefit the majority of Filipinos.”

On our second year in the Philippine Senate, we were able to successfully push for three major bills that have now been ratified and are awaiting the President’s signature.

One measure is the Youth Entrepreneurship Act, which incorporates financial literacy training and entrepreneurial courses in the curriculum of elementary, secondary, and tertiary schools across the country and gives promising young Filipinos access to grants and financing, mentoring, and training on enterprise development.

Furthermore, a youth entrepreneurship fund shall be made to cater to youth entrepreneurs in the country.

Training in financial literacy and entrepreneurship can equip students with the mindset and the skills to start businesses, which would have them create more jobs instead of compete for them.

This is a means to reduce the alarming number of unemployed youth, reported to be at 1.32 million as of January this year.

A second major policy awaiting the President’s signature is the Foreign Ships Co-Loading Act.

Finally, foreign vessels will no longer be limited to one port in the country and shall be allowed to pick up cargoes to be exported or drop off foreign cargoes for import in various ports around the Philippine islands.

This rudimentary amendment hopefully drives down shipping and logistics costs ultimately shouldered by consumers like you and me.

That drop in shipping expense can be used by our Filipino entrepreneurs to improve the quality of their products, expand their services, innovate, and bring prices down.

At the end of the day, it is the Filipino consumer who reaps the benefits of the Foreign Ships Co-Loading Act.

The third and biggest win for our team is the Philippine Competition Act, a measure that also benefits both consumers and business owners alike.

Three decades in the making, the Philippine Competition Act has finally been ratified and, hopefully, will be signed into law in the next few months.

The last country from the ASEAN-5 to establish a competition law, our country will finally have a judicious policy that penalizes cartels, abuse of dominant positions and anti-competitive agreements.

Once enacted into law, this measure will create a level playing field for all businesses, start-ups, micro, small, medium, and even large businesses.

With more products and services to choose from, companies will be forced to improve product quality and, at the same time, drive prices lower.

These three policies will improve financial literacy among Filipinos, cultivate a culture of entrepreneurship, and ensure a stable, fair, and healthy business environment for all businesses.

We worked tirelessly to move these measures forward in the hopes of ushering in an era of inclusive economic growth, an era where no Filipino is left behind.

Hopefully, these three new policies will continue the momentum of regaining trust in our institution; trust we should continue to build in the next administration and beyond.

 

First Published on Manila Bulletin

3 out of 6 Major Bills in 2015 c/o Bam

Sen. Bam Aquino, the youngest senator of the 16th Congress, made an impact during the second regular session as he sponsored three out of the six major measures ratified during the period.

Foremost of Sen. Aquino’s bills was the Philippine Competition Act, a landmark measure seeking to level the playing field for all business, and eliminate anti-competitive agreements and abuses of dominant players in the market.

The Philippine Competition Act was finally passed under Sen. Bam’s watch as chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship after 25 years of gathering dust in the legislative mill.

Sen. Bam also co-authored and sponsored the Foreign Ships Co-Loading Act and the Youth Entrepreneurship Act.

 The Foreign Ships Co-Loading Act will now allow foreign ships carrying imported cargoes and cargoes to be exported out of the country to dock in multiple ports. This will reduce logistics costs and lead to lower prices for consumers.

In addition, it will also lead to more efficient port operations and a more competitive Philippines in the ASEAN integration.

The Youth Entrepreneurship Act, for its part, is seen as an effective tool to address the growing number of jobless young people in the country, which currently stands at 1.32 million.

Financial literacy and entrepreneurship courses will now be included in all levels of education to build an entrepreneurship culture among Filipinos.  A youth entrepreneurship fund shall also be made available to cater to youth entrepreneurs in the country.

Last year, Sen. Bam’s Go Negosyo Act and the Philippine Lemon Law were enacted into laws and are now awaiting for the said three bills to be signed by the President.  Once signed, Sen. Bam’s portfolio will consist of five laws in two years. 

 “Hindi mahalaga kung neophyte o beterano sa senado. Ang mahalaga ay kung makakagawa ka ng mga panukala na makakapagpabuti sa buhay ng nakararaming Pilipino,” Sen. Bam said.

Aside from these three measures, the 16th Congress also ratified measures ensuring the safety of children aboard two-wheeled motorcycles travelling along public and private roads, protecting the amateur nature of student-athletes in the country and the establishment of an open high school system in the country.

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