Author: teambam

Bam: Sports School to Address International Competition Woes

In a move to develop the country’s grassroots sports, a senator has filed a bill seeking to establish a Philippine High School for Sports (PHSS) that will provide young athletes with quality sports training while learning at the same time.

“Through the PHSS Act, we have the opportunity to support young athletes and provide them valuable education along with quality sports training,” Sen. Bam Aquino said in Senate Bill No. 2697.

Explaining his measure, Aquino said the PHSS will offer, on a scholarship basis, a secondary course with special emphasis on developing the athletic skills of students through subjects pertaining to physical and sports development.

This will enable student-athletes to gain their secondary education while ensuring opportunities for their training, exposure and participation in sports competitions,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Senate Committee on Youth.

Sen. Bam believes that with the right training and education, young athletes can help put the country’s flag in international competitions such as the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games and the Olympics.

“The PHSS will serve as the training ground where future Gilas and Azkals are honed and the future Paeng Nepomucenos and Eric Buhains are developed,” added Sen. Bam.

At present, the Philippines is home to world champions in boxing, bowling, swimming, jiu jitsu, shooting and wushu, among others.

BIDA KA: Nararapat na palugit

Mga Bida, nitong mga nakaraang araw, inulan ng batikos ang Revenue Regulation No. 5-2015 ng Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
Inilabas ito noong ika-labimpito ng Marso at nagkabisa dalawang araw ang nakalipas matapos ma-publish sa isang daily newspaper.
Ang mahirap dito, binibigyan lang ang taxpayers na saklaw ng Electronic Filing and Payment System (eFPS) o Electronic BIR Forms (eBIRForms) ng hanggang a-kinse ng Abril, o wala pang isang buwan, para tumalima sa nasabing kautusan.

Ang mga hindi makakasunod ay pagmumultahin ng P1,000 kada balik at 25 porsiyento ng buwis na kanilang babayaran. Maliban pa rito, isasama rin ng Revenue District Offices (RDO) ang mga taxpayer na hindi sumunod sa alituntunin sa kanilang priority audit program.
Bagaman sumasang-ayon tayo na dapat na ngang gawing moderno ang paraan ng paghahain ng buwis, masyadong maik­li ang oras na ibinigay para sa napakalawak na repormang ito. Libu-libong mga Pilipino ang kinakailangang magsagawa ng panibagong paraan ng pag-file.
Masyadong maikli ang oras na ibinigay para sa pagbabago na ganito kalaki. Dagdag pa rito, napakataas ng penalty na ­ibinibigay kung hindi ka makasunod.
Naririto ang ilan sa mga reklamong natanggap natin ukol sa bagong regulasyon ng BIR:
*Isinumbong ni Edgar ng Makati na may mga RDO na hindi tumatanggap ng manual filing sa kanila ng pagkakaroon ng RMC 15-2015 and RMC 16-2015. Hindi naman talaga sila dapat sakop ng regulasyon na ito ngunit dahil sa maling pag-intindi at implementasyon ng mga BIR employees sa local level, lahat na ay nadamay.
*Sa Marikina naman, sa libu-libong nag-a-apply na bagong users sa system, walo lamang ang kaya nilang i-proseso bawat oras. Pinapakita nito na talagang ‘di pa handa ang sistemang ito ng BIR at hindi nito kaya ang dudumog na mga taxpayer.
*Tulad sa Makati, sinabi ni Jinny na hindi tumatanggap ang RDO 54B ng Rosario, North Cavite ng manual filing para sa lahat ng uri ng taxpayers.
*May iba namang sumubok mag-download ng eBIR forms ngunit offline ang website ng BIR. Mayroon din na hindi ma-install o magamit ang eBIR Forms package dahil sa operating systems ng computers.
*Hindi rin sapat ang kaalaman ng ilang mga tauhan ng RDO para ipaliwanag ang modernang sistema ng ahensiya. Marahil dahil sa maiksing panahon na binigay para sa implementasyon ng regulasyon na ito, kahit ang mga BIR emplo­yees ay lito at hilo na rin kung sino ba dapat ang gumamit nito at ang pasikut-sikot sa prosesong ito.
*Isa pang problema, walang sumasagot sa hotline ng BIR kapag may mga tumatawag para magtanong ukol sa bagong proseso.
***
Mga Bida, hindi naman lahat ng professionals at taxpayers ang saklaw ng repormang ito. Nasabi na rin ito ni Commissioner Henares sa radyo.
Ngunit hindi ganito ang pagkakaintindi at pagpapatupad ng mga lokal na tanggapan ng BIR. Ang report na nakukuha natin, tila lahat ay pinapa-online filing nila na hindi naman dapat.
Siguro, mga Bida, sa maikling oras na ibinigay para sa repormang ito, pati sila rin ay nalilito na rin kung sino ang sakop o hindi sa nasabing regulasyon.
Hiniling natin na pansamantalang ipagpaliban ang pagpapatupad ng multa sa nasabing regulasyon upang mabigyan ng sapat na panahon ang mga taxpayer na magamay ang nasabing sistema.
Nanawagan tayo na huwag pahirapan ang ating mga “Boss” na ginagawa ang tungkuling magbayad ng buwis bilang tulong sa pamahalaan at sa bayan.
Napakinggan naman ang ilan sa ating kahilingan, dahil ipi­nagpaliban ang multa para sa taxpayer na nasa “No Payment” sa loob ng dalawang buwan hanggang Hunyo a-kinse.
Ang hiling sana natin ay maipagpaliban ang penalty sa lahat ng sakop ng nasabing regulasyon.
***
Katanggap-tanggap ang hakbang na gawing moderno ang sistema ng pagbubuwis ngunit kailangang tiyakin na ang pagpapatupad nito ay gawin nang tama.
Ngunit anumang pagbabago, kahit sa buhay man iyan o sa programa ng pamahalaan, may mga kailangang paghahanda para tuluyang yakapin ang pagbabago at masanay sa makabago.Sa kasong ito, nasamahan sana ng malawakang kampanya na magtuturo sa ating mga kababayan kung paano gagamitin nang tama ang e-filing.
Sana binigyan ng tatlo hanggang anim na buwan ang ating mga kababayan para matutuhan ang proseso.
Magtalaga rin sana ng mga tauhang may sapat na kaalaman sa bagong proyekto o sistema para magpaliwanag sa taumbayan kung kailangan.
Sa ganitong paraan, maiiwasan ang aberya at magiging maayos ang pagpapatupad ng isang programa!

Bam: ICT Hubs to Improve Internet Speed, Access

In an effort to boost the country’s Internet speed and access, a senator has filed a bill seeking to create an Online Network Establishment (ONE) that will build and develop basic information and communications (ICT) infrastructure throughout the country.

“The ONE Philippines Act is a concrete step to build and develop basic information and communications (ICT) infrastructure through the solidarity of both public and private agencies,” Sen. Bam Aquino said in Senate Bill No. 2698.

The bill calls for the establishment of ICT Hubs in every legislative district, which will improve the country’s Internet speed and give more Filipinos access to the World Wide Web.

“Being a nation with over 7,000 islands and with an estimated 10 million Filipinos living abroad, it is important that we establish quality access to the Internet, and other means of communications across the country,” Sen. Bam emphasized.

However, a report by the United Nations (UN) agency said seven of 10 Filipinos have no Internet access and only 18.9 percent of households have Internet connection.

“There is an urgent need to address the lack of Internet access in the Philippines so Filipinos can keep their connections alive and strong and business can continue to thrive,” Sen. Bam said.

Also, Sen. Bam added the country’s GDP will improve by up to one percent by improving access to ICT, based on a study by the Nathan Institute and the Oxford Institute.

“The approval of this bill will not only lead to more personal connections between Filipino families and friends, it will also advance industry and support the country’s exceptional economic growth,” Sen. Bam stressed.

From street child to Atenean: The story of Rusty

 

 

CLASSMATES. Rusty graduated from Xavier University- Ateneo de Cagayan with a bachelor’s degree in Development Communication. Rusty was a former street kid who, with sheer determination, was able to get off the street. All photos by Bobby Lagsa

 

Here is a story of how a street child, exposed to drugs and crime at a young age, went against all odds and graduated from Ateneo

 

CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – In late 2009, 20-year-old Rusty Quintana lined up at a classroom in Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan for a shot at one of the scholarship grants that the university offered.

Though unsure that he would get a chance of entering his dream university, he queued up anyway.

Rechelle Tolinero, a faculty of the Development Communication Department at XU, said that she first met Rusty on that day for an interview for a scholarship grant. “We knew right there that he was different, that there was something about him,” Tolinero said.

Rusty was wearing his best clothes that day – though his best was an almost tattered shirt and faded pants. He did not cut his hair for a while and his thick kinky hair stood out.

A native of the Agusan river in Barangay Florida in Butuan City with lineage from the indigenous Banwahon tribe, Rusty‘s brown skin and hair is hard not to miss.

“When it was his part for the interview, Rusty was quick to point out that if possible, we converse in Bisaya because he cannot speak English,” Tolinero said.

In fact, Rusty did not finish his elementary and high school.

Rusty was only armed with a diploma from the Alternative Learning System (ALS) of the Department of Education, a proof that he is eligible to enter college.

“But what struck us the most is his honesty and straight forward demeanor, when he came here, he had no pretentions that he knew something, or (that) he could speak English, unlike those who came before him in the queue who struggled to speak in English just to prove a point,” Tolinero said.

The kid from the streets 

Rusty Quintana shakes hand with President Noynoy Aquino as he receives Dire Husi's award as one of the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations in the Philippines

Rusty Quintana shakes hand with President Noynoy Aquino as he receives Dire Husi’s award as one of the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations in the Philippines

Rusty is a street kid who grew up outside the grand gates of Xavier University, near the historic Plaza Divisoria.

He was just 7 years old when he was plucked out of their home by his older brother, Rodolfo Quintana Jr, and was brought to Cagayan de Oro City in 1996, to get away from their troubled home.

Upon reaching Cagayan de Oro, they lived in shanties near the CDO River. There, Rusty spent his days outside the gates of XU, asking for some change and hanging out at the statue of Ramon Magsaysay.

One day, his brother disappeared. He later learned learned that he was arrested by the police on charges of drug pushing.

Rusty would soon find himself at the Mother Theresa Foundation, a shelter in Upper Puerto, where he spent almost 4 years.

CONTINUE READING on Rappler.com

E-Sports Interview with Bam

Q: May call na magkaroon ng parang autonomous body ang e-sports in the Philippines. Are you aware of that and how willing will you be to work with them?

 

Sen. Bam: I think it would be great na magkaroon ng association for e-sports. Earlier, we talked about possibly talking to the Philippine Sports Commission to see kung may mga paraan para ma-recognize officially sila ng gobyerno.

 

Private body would be even better and we are willing to support naman.

 

We’ve talked to the players. We’ve been supporting them for the last couple of trips nila. We’re hoping na di na maulit iyong pag-o-offload.

 

Sabi nga namin, lahat ng paperwork na kailangan, lahat ng permiso, siguraduhin na natin early on para wala na silang obstacles to get to their tournaments and training programs.

 

Q: Mas maganda mag-training sa Korea because they have better Internet. Have you also looked into that problem here na medyo sub-par ang Internet?

 

Sen. Bam: We have one of the worst Internet in the ASEAN. Actually, that’s one of our main advocacies, to improve the Internet infrastructure here in the Philippines.

 

So hopefully, if we’re able to improve [our Internet here in the country], we will develop our e-sports industry even more and we will be able to support more of our cyber athletes.

image

Q: Have other government employees and offices expressed interest in helping e-sports?

 

Sen. Bam: Feeling ko wala, to be frank. Nauna na kami dahil we’ve been dealing with the Game Developers Association of the Philippines (GDAP).

 

We’ve been helping them try to get more leads and bring more companies to the Philippines kasi naniniwala kami na there’s a lot of talent and a lot of competency in the Philippines.

 

Doon nagsimula iyon. We’ve been helping them bring in companies like Sony, Microsoft, Ubisoft. We’ve been talking to these guys to set up studios here. Hopefully, may good news iyan in a couple of months.

 

Through that effort, nakilala namin ang e-sports players. That’s when they came to us and asked for help kay Team Rave. We’ve been trying to help them with their paperwork and mga permits and regulations nila.

 

Unfortunately, di sila nakipag-coordinate for their last trip to Korea. But now, we’re helping them and hopefully, maayos na iyon.

 

In fact, we organized a meeting with them and the POEA para lahat ng paperwork nga nila maayos na. Sabi nga namin, we will do our best to make sure that they travel safely to Korea, eventually to the States and be able to compete there

 

We’re proud of this team dahil they’re No. 1 in Southeast Asia, they’re the underdogs, they beat huge teams from really huge countries.

 

Kita ninyo naman, hindi pa kasi kasinlakas ang e-sports sa ating bansa compared to those countries and they’re already able to place.

 

We’re hoping that with more support from Pinoys and from different institutions that they can really bring home the gold and take the largest prize money.

 

We’re quite proud of them and we hope na they have more continued success as they continue their journey.

Bam Lauds BIR Extension for ‘No Payment’ Returns

“Salamat sa pakikinig sa ating mga Boss.”

Senator Bam Aquino lauds the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for granting a two-month reprieve to taxpayers with “No Payment” returns, a move that will benefit many small and medium enterprises and self-employed individuals.

“The extended deadline will be a big help to many of our SMEs and self-employed who are included in this category,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

Sen. Bam’s pronouncement came after BIR Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares announced that taxpayers with No Payment returns will be allowed to file manually but will be required to re-file electronically on or before June 15, 2015.

Earlier, Sen. Bam asked the BIR cancel the imposition of penalties on taxpayers covered by the Electronic Filing and Payment System (eFPS) or Electronic BIR Forms (eBIRForms) who failed to file tax returns under the electronic systems.

In his letter, Sen. Bam called on Henares to suspend imposition of penalties under Revenue Regulation No. 5-2015 until next year to give taxpayers enough time to familiarize themselves with the agency’s online facilities.

At the same time, Sen. Bam urges the BIR to clarify those covered by the e-filing for the guidance of the agency’s regional district offices (RDOs).

“It will be helpful if the BIR could cite some clear examples so taxpayers could assert that they are not required to e-file once they go to their respective RDOs,” Sen. Bam said.

“Based on numerous complaints from the taxpayers, the issuance of the revenue regulations and the memorandum circular has caused confusion regarding the proper implementation of the revenue regulations and the memorandum circular,” said Sen. Bam. 

“Tulungan natin ang ating maliliit na negosyante at hindi tayo maging pahirap sa kanilang mga negosyo,” added Sen. Bam.

Team Rave at the office of POEA L-R: Director Robert Larga (POEA), Officer Norman Cualteros (Office of Sen. Bam), Director Jesus Gabriel C. Domingo (POEA), Hoff Sacobo (Rave), Mark 'Cast' Pilar (Rave), Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac (POEA), Djardel 'Chrissy' Mampusti (Rave)

POEA extends support to professional Dota 2 Team Rave

Team Rave at the office of POEA
L-R: Director Robert Larga (POEA), Officer Norman Cualteros (Office of Sen. Bam), Director Jesus Gabriel C. Domingo (POEA), Hoff Sacobo (Rave), Mark ‘Cast’ Pilar (Rave), Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac (POEA), Djardel ‘Chrissy’ Mampusti (Rave)

 

 

 

 

The office of Senator Bam Aquino wrote to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration(POEA) after the offloading incident of Filipino professional Dota 2 team, Rave. Senator Bam intends to find out the root causes of the problem and to solve the issues so it would not happen again in the future.

POEA invited the three players of Rave that were involved in the incident for a meeting. In the said meeting POEA was clarified with Rave’s state as a professional gaming team that frequently participates in online and offline gaming tournaments in order to financially sustain themselves with prize money – all this without a salary. Rave’s biggest win so far being their 5th place finish at the Dota 2 Asian Championships at China which netted them at least $150,000 (around P6.6 million).

Rave also clarified with POEA that the players do indeed have a contract but does not make them employees because of the absense of a salary clause. Rave’s Korean manager, Pyung Kwon, provides them a place to stay (gaming house) with a fast and stable internet connection at South Korea. Because of the country’s location and internet, training at Korea enables Rave to scrim with teams all over the world which includes North America, Europe, and China – a very unique and sizable advantage.

POEA extends their support towards the professional Dota 2 team, and clarified with them what are the right documents and processes for convenient travelling especially with The International Dota 2 Championships (the biggest annual Dota 2 tournament, last year’s prize pool reached $10,930,698 or P486 million) closing in this August 2015 at Seattle, USA.

The offloading incident caused Rave to perform poorly in various qualifiers for international tournaments:

  • online SEA qualifier for Starladder 12, main event in Bucharest, Romania (pulled out due to schedule conflict with US visa appointments for Major League Gaming)
  • online SEA qualifier for ESL ONE, main event at Commerzbank Arena in Frankfurt, Germany (lost to Underminer at the quarterfinals)
  • online SEA qualifier for Redbull Battlegrounds, main event at Warfield Theatre in San Francisco, California (lost to Team Malaysia at the finals)

Rave however managed to qualify for The Summit 3, a $200,000 tournament at Los Angeles, California which is set this coming May 2015. Their performance in this tournament will weigh heavily towards their chance of a direct invite to The International 2015.

The office of Senator Bam thanked POEA for their willingness to extend their help towards the Filipino professional Dota 2 team.

Bam Aquino then addressed the questions as to why he is in full-support to esports.

“Malaki kasi ang potensiyal ng nasabing industriya na makakatulong sa paglago ng ekonomiya ng ating bansa.

Marami nang kumpanyang Pilipino ang pumapasok sa industriyang ito, mula sa paggawa ng animation hanggang sa pag-develop ng software.

Ang katumbas nito ay daan-daang bagong trabaho at kabuhayan para sa ating mga kababayan.
Ang pagratsada ng industriyang ito ay katulad din ng paghataw ng business process outsourcing industry sampung taon na ang nakalipas.

Ito’y puno ng potensiyal para sa papasimulang negosyo at kayang magbigay ng magandang trabaho para sa mga artists at developers.

Sa galing ng mga Pilipino sa pagdidisenyo ng software, ang Pilipinas ay nagiging isa na sa mga paboritong destinasyon ng online video gaming companies para sa paggawa ng bagong produkto.

Maliban pa rito, kilala na rin ang mga Pilipino bilang isa sa mga aktibong manlalaro ng online games sa mundo.

Sa ngayon, mayroon nang halos 29 milyong Pilipino ang naglalaro ng online games. Sa nasabing bilang, nasa dalawampung milyon ang casual gamers habang nasa siyam na milyon ang tinatawag na midcore at hardcore gamer.

Kung mabibigyan ng sapat na suporta, lalo pang lalago ang potensiyal ng video gaming industry bilang pagmumulan ng trabaho at kabuhayan, maliban pa sa mga karangalan na gaya ng bigay ng Team Rave!”

 

Source: Mineski.net

 

 

Bam to BIR: Postpone Deadline, Cancel Penalties

“Huwag na nating pahirapan ang ating mga Boss.”

 

Senator Bam Aquino emphasized this plea as he reiterated his call to Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares to suspend the imposition of penalties to taxpayers for failure to use its new electronic filing system.

 

“We should make things easier for our taxpayers, not make things difficult for them,” Sen. Bam stressed.

 

Earlier, Sen. Bam called on the BIR to cancel the imposition of penalties on taxpayers covered by the Electronic Filing and Payment System (eFPS) or Electronic BIR Forms (eBIRForms) who failed to file tax returns under the electronic systems.

 

The BIR issued the regulation on March 15, 2015 and it was published in a national daily two days later, giving taxpayers less than one month to comply with the new policy.

 

“The fines are not commensurateto the ‘offense’ of manual filing.  Saan ka nakakita, gusto na ngang magbayad, bibigyan mo pa ng multa,” he added.

 

Aside from this, Sen. Bam said the BIR personnel’s inability to explain the new procedures further adds to the taxpayers’ woes.

 

“The BIR local offices have conflicting statements on how to proceed, who are covered, determination of penalties, etc.  This creates uncertainty in our taxpayers which in turn lead to dissatisfaction.  Kahit yata sila nalilito how to implement this new policy,” Sen. Bam said.

 

Sen. Bam suggested that the BIR stick to the policy but extend the deadline for filing for another three months.

 

“The BIR also needs to ensure that their online system can handle the volume of downloads that will only increase in the next few days,” he said.

 

Sen. Bam also encouraged the BIR to establish online kiosks/stations at local BIR offices with personnel who will help input the returns of our taxpayers and teach them with new procedures.

 

“In this way,” Sen. Bam said, “BIR can fulfil its objective of migrating our taxplayers online, while dispelling any possible doubts and fears from our taxpayers on the new system.”

BIDA KA!: Game On!

Mga Bida, naging laman ng balita kamakailan ang nangyaring pagkaka-offload sa tatlong miyembro ng Team Rave, isang Pinoy cyber sports team na pumang-anim sa katatapos na DOTA 2 Asian Championships (DAC).

 

Bilang isang tagasuporta ng online video gaming industry, naalarma ako sa balita, lalo pa’t sa aking pagkakaalam ay nakatakda nang mag-training ang Team Rave para sa mga darating na international tournament.

Kaya sumulat tayo sa Bureau of Immigration (BI) at Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) upang alamin ang dahilan kung bakit pinigil ang pagbiyahe nina Mark “Cast” Pilar, Djardel “Chrissy” Mampusti at Ryo “ryOyr” Hasegawa patungong South Korea.

 

Nakatakda sanang mag-training sina Pilar, Mampusti at Hasegawa sa South Korea para sa mga darating na international tournament, kabilang ang dalawang event sa Bucharest, Romania.

 

Layon ng aking pagsulat sa BI at POEA upang malaman kung ano ang ugat ng problema at kung paano ito masosolus­yunan para wala nang maging aberya sa susunod nilang pagbiyahe.

 

Noong Martes, inimbitahan ng POEA ang tatlo upang alamin ang tunay na nangyari noong araw na pigilan ang kanilang biyahe sa South Korea.

 

Sa nasabing pulong, nalaman na nagkaroon din ng kakulangan ang tatlo sa pagsunod sa payo ng mga ahente ng BI na nagresulta sa pagpigil sa kanilang biyahe.

 

Sa pulong nila sa POEA, nagkaroon din ng linaw ang tunay na estado ng Team Rave kaya nabigyan na sila ng tamang papel at naliwanagan na sa wastong proseso sa susunod nilang pagbiyahe.

 

Nakakapanghinayang man na hindi sila nakasali sa dalawang torneo sa Bucharest ngunit nagsilbing pagkakataon ang pangyayari upang maiwasto ang kanilang sitwasyon at papeles para sa susunod nilang biyahe ay wala nang offloading na mangyayari.

 

Isa pa, mas mahaba-haba ang oras nila sa pag-eensayo bilang paghahanda sa malaking torneo na gagawin sa Estados Unidos sa Agosto.

 

Maraming salamat sa POEA sa ginawa nitong tulong na maitama ang estado ng ating cyber athletes. Saludo rin ako sa BI sa pagtitiyak na ang lahat ng umaalis at dumarating sa bansa ay may tamang papeles.

 

***

 

Mga Bida, marami ang nagtatanong sa akin kung bakit todo ang suportang ibinibigay ko sa lumalagong online ga­ming development industry ng bansa.

 

Malaki kasi ang potensiyal ng nasabing industriya na makakatulong sa paglago ng ekonomiya ng ating bansa.

 

Marami nang kumpanyang Pilipino ang pumapasok sa industriyang ito, mula sa paggawa ng animation hanggang sa pag-develop ng software.

 

Ang katumbas nito ay daan-daang bagong trabaho at kabuhayan para sa ating mga kababayan.

Ang pagratsada ng industriyang ito ay katulad din ng paghataw ng business process outsourcing industry sampung taon na ang nakalipas.

 

Ito’y puno ng potensiyal para sa papasimulang negosyo at kayang magbigay ng magandang trabaho para sa mga artists at developers.

 

Sa galing ng mga Pilipino sa pagdidisenyo ng software, ang Pilipinas ay nagiging isa na sa mga paboritong destinasyon ng online video gaming companies para sa paggawa ng bagong produkto.

 

Maliban pa rito, kilala na rin ang mga Pilipino bilang isa sa mga aktibong manlalaro ng online games sa mundo.

 

Sa ngayon, mayroon nang halos 29 milyong Pilipino ang naglalaro ng online games. Sa nasabing bilang, nasa dalawampung milyon ang casual gamers habang nasa siyam na milyon ang tinatawag na midcore at hardcore gamer.

 

Kung mabibigyan ng sapat na suporta, lalo pang lalago ang potensiyal ng video gaming industry bilang pagmumulan ng trabaho at kabuhayan, maliban pa sa mga karangalan na gaya ng bigay ng Team Rave!

 

 

First Pubished on Abante Online

 

 

 

 

Bam: Tax exemption for PWDs and Families with Dependents

Senator Bam Aquino has filed the Amendments to the Magna Carta of PWDs, which provides PWDs and families with PWD dependents a yearly uniform P25,000 tax exemption, giving them a reprieve from the daily challenges they face.

In addition, PWDs will be exempted from value added tax, in addition to their regular personal deductions if the measure is enacted into law.

“The exemption will help augment PWDs and families with PWD dependents from their expenses, from wheelchairs, hearing aids, nurses and caregivers, and learning disability tutors, among others,” added Sen. Bam.

Explaining his bill, Sen. Bam said the PWDs have found it difficult to find employment and earn income for themselves and for their families.

Aside from this, they have also had to worry about their daily expenses for medicine and rehabilitation.

“Such accommodation for our PWD sector is part of our larger reform efforts in pushing for a society that is inclusive for the poor and most vulnerable sectors.  It is one of our courses in our journey towards achieving a fully abled nation,” the senator explained.

In his measure, Sen. Bam also hailed the contribution of the PWDs in shaping the country’s history and to the advancement of good governance.

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