With prices of goods and unemployment both on the rise, Senator Bam Aquino said the 800-plus Negosyo Centers in the country play an even bigger role in providing Filipino families livelihood.
“Sa harap ng mataas na presyo ng bilihin at mataas na bilang ng walang trabaho sa bansa, higit na kailangang kumilos ang ating Negosyo Centers para mabigyan ng tulong ang ating mga kababayan,” said Sen. Bam, principal sponsor and author of Republic Act No. 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act.
Sen. Bam commended the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for effectively implementing his law and ensuring the establishment of over 800 Negosyo Centers in the country.
Sen. Bam also invited the public to visit the closest Negosyo Center to meet and consult with accommodating business counselors from DTI, who can guide them in finding steady livelihood through small business ventures.
“Sa panahon ng mamahaling bilihin at mataas na unemployment, kailangan ng kabuhayan at dagdag kita ang ating mga kababayan. Baka mahanap nila ito sa pagnenegosyo,” said Sen. Bam, a long-time advocate of micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) development.
A recent SWS survey showed that the number of unemployment Filipinos rose to 10.9 million, the highest since 2016.
The latest Pulse Asia survey also revealed that 86 percent of 1,200 respondents claimed they were strongly affected by the increase in prices of goods.
Sen. Bam’s first enacted law, the Go Negosyo Act mandates the establishment of Negosyo Centers in all municipalities, cities and provinces that will assist micro, small and medium enterprises in the country.
Negosyo Centers provide access to markets and financing for businesses, training programs, and a simplified business registration process, thus helping ease of doing business and fast-track government processes in putting up a business.
There are now more than 800 Negosyo Centers in different parts of the country, ready to cater to the needs of startups and MSMEs.
Senator Bam Aquino called on the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to spare from withholding tax the honoraria of teachers who will render poll duties in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections on May 14.
“Nang isulong natin ang Election Service Reform Act, layunin natin ang bigyan ng karampatang pabuya ang mga volunteers sa eleksiyon, tulad ng mga teachers. Hindi intensiyon ng batas na buwisan pa ang bayad dito,” said Sen. Bam, principal author of Republic Act 10756 or the Election Service Reform Act (ESRA).
“Pataas na nga ng pataas ang presyo ng bilihin dahil sa tax reform, kakaltasan pa muli ang honoraria ng mga guro. Bigyan naman natin sila na kakaunting ginhawa sa dami ng buwis,” added Sen. Bam.
Sen. Bam pushed for the law’s passage in the 16th Congress to increase the election service benefits for public school teachers and make election service optional for public school teachers.
In addition, the law also increases honoraria for board of election inspector (BEI) and their support staff.
Under the law, compensation for BEI chairman will be increased to P6,000 from P3,000 while BEI members will receive P5,000 from P3,000.
From P3,000, DepEd supervisor/official will earn P4,000 while support staff will receive P2,000 from P1,500.
The teachers and all persons who rendered election service would also be entitled to a travel allowance of P1,000 each.
All government officials and employees serving as members of the electoral boards, DepEd supervisor/official and support staff will be given five days of service credit.
The ESRA also increases the death benefits from P200,000 to P500,000 and the medical assistance in such amount as may be “sufficient to cover for medical and hospitalization expenses until recovery” of injuries sustained while in the performance of election duties.
Senator Bam Aquino called the increase in prices of goods and the rising unemployment a killer combo that needs to be addressed immediately.
“Huwag natin i-knockout ang pamilyang Pilipino sa combo na pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin at kawalan ng trabaho,” said Sen. Bam, one of only four senators who voted against the ratification of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act.
A recent Pulse Asia survey indicated that 98 percent of respondents claimed the prices of basic goods they usually purchase have increased due to the tax reform law, and around 86 percent said they were strongly affected by the prices increases.
In addition, a latest survey by SWS showed that the number of unemployment Filipinos rose to 10.9 million, the highest since 2016.
“Hindi na biro ang epekto ng TRAIN sa mga Pilipino, kaya tayo tumutol dito. Ngayon na mas malala pa pala ang kinalabasan nito, dapat lang na pag-aralan at solusyunan ang matinding pagtaas ng presyo,” said Sen. Bam.
Sen. Bam said he will present stories of Filipinos affected by the TRAIN Act from the series of community dialogues that he conducted in different parts of the country when the Senate conducts a hearing on the tax reform program on May 9 (Wednesday).
“Mahalagang mailabas natin ang bigat na ibinibigay ng TRAIN upang ito’y marepaso at nang maibsan ang pasanin ng ating mga kababayan,” said Sen. Bam.
Sen. Bam also urged Congress not to move forward with TRAIN 2, as it may exacerbate the problem of unemployment by removing incentives for certain businesses.
Sen. Bam has filed Proposed Senate (PS) Resolution No. 704, calling for a review of the TRAIN Act, claiming it greatly contributes to the increase in prices of goods and services that burdens Filipinos, mostly the poor.
In commemoration of Labor Day, Senator Bam Aquino called on the government to prioritize the welfare of Filipino workers and protect their livelihood through sound policies and actions.
“Dapat isipin ng pamahalaan sa bawat desisyon at reporma ang kapakanan ng mga Pilipinong nagtatrabaho tulad ng mga magsasaka, mangingisda at OFWs. Subalit sila ngayon ang binibigo ng administrasyon,” said Sen. Bam, one of four who voted against the ratification of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act.
Sen. Bam insisted that the recent tax reform packages proposed by the government only burden the working class with increasing prices of goods and potential loss of livelihood.
The administration’s push to enact the second tax reform package, which will remove incentives for companies, could lead to loss of jobs for many Filipinos.
“Nagdurusa na nga ang marami nating mga kababayan sa mataas na presyo ng bilihin sa unang bugso ng tax reform ng gobyerno, ngayon naman aalisan natin sila ng ikabubuhay,” said Sen. Bam, referring to the TRAIN Act.
Sen. Bam has filed Senate Resolution No. 704, calling for a review of the TRAIN Law, claiming it greatly contributes to the increase in prices of goods and services that burdens Filipinos, especially ordinary workers.
Sen. Bam also submitted Senate Resolution No. 597, urging the appropriate Senate committee to scrutinize the implementation of the unconditional cash transfer to ensure that it is sufficient to cover the increase in prices of goods and other services.
In addition, Sen. Bam pointed out that the government’s decision to remove restriction on rice importation could be detrimental to the work of Filipino farmers, who rely heavily on their harvest for their livelihood.
“Posibleng makasama pa sa ating mga magsasaka ang ura-uradang desisyon ng deregulasyon ng rice imports. Hindi quota ang problema natin kundi ang kakayahan nga NFA na gawin ang kanilang trabaho,” said Sen. Bam.
In the 17th Congress, Sen. Bam has filed several measures that focus on the welfare of Filipino workers, includingg overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), freelancers and reservists.
A senator warned that employment of many Filipinos will be on the line once the government pushes the enactment of the second tax reform package, which aims to remove the tax incentives being enjoyed by certain firms.
“After the increase in prices of goods and services, the government will put the jobs of many Filipinos in peril by removing incentives to some businesses,” said Sen. Bam Aquino.
“Kaliwa’t kanang suntok ang ibibigay ng pamahalaan sa taumbayan. Tumaas na nga ang presyo ng bilihin, ngayon naman, maraming kababayan natin ang posibleng mawalan ng trabaho,” Sen. Bam added.
Sen. Bam stressed that if the tax incentives being given to PEZA-accredited firms are removed, many companies would be forced to close shop, affecting the employment of many Filipinos.
Also, Sen. Bam said investors eyeing to put up shops in economic zones will shelve their plan once the second part of the government’s tax package is enacted.
The senator called on the government to further study the impact of the second tax package to Filipinos, saying the effects of the initial package have burdened the public with high prices of goods and services.
In a latest survey by Pulse Asia, 98 percent of 1,200 respondents claimed the prices of basic goods they usually purchase have increased since January of this year due to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act.
Around 86 percent of respondents said they were strongly affected by the increase in prices of goods, 13 percent were “somewhat affected,” and only one percent said they were not affected at all.
“The government should first consider reviewing the TRAIN Law before inflicting additional burden with the passage of the second package,” said Sen. Bam.
Sen. Bam has filed Senate Resolution No. 704, calling on the appropriate Senate Committees to conduct a review of the TRAIN Law, claiming it greatly contributes to the increase in prices of goods and services that burdens Filipinos, especially the poor.
Sen. Bam also filed Senate Resolution No. 597, urging the appropriate Senate committee to scrutinize the implementation of the unconditional cash transfer to ensure that it is sufficient to cover the increase in prices of goods and other services.
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(Photo taken from GMA News)
In light of the deportation order against Sister Patricia Fox, Senator Bam Aquino renewed his call for the passage of his measure seeking to give permanent residency to foreign religious workers and missionaries as recognition of their work to promote the welfare of the poor.
“Foreign religious workers like Sister Fox are partners for change. Many of them are fighting for the rights and welfare of the poor through outreach work and social missions,” Sen. Bam said in Senate Bill No. 702 or the Permanent Residency to Qualified Religious Workers Act.
In his measure, which was filed last July 20, 2016, Sen. Bam emphasized that foreign religious workers have sacrificed a lot, including leaving the comfort of their homes and their families, just to serve the Filipino people.
“These are devoted individuals who intend to live the rest of their lives serving the Filipino people,” Sen. Bam stressed.
The measure seeks to amend Commonwealth Act No. 613, otherwise known as the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, to spare foreign religious from burdensome requirements and procedures to stay in the country and performing their chosen vocation here that benefits our communities.
“This bill seeks to assist the many religious workers who have already dedicated long years of their lives to their missionary work and vocation in the country,” said Sen. Bam.
According to the senator, the measure is also aimed at updating the antiquated immigration law to better address the changing needs and demands of the increasing globalized and interconnected international community.
Earlier, Sen. Bam condemned the deportation order against Sister Fox, saying the government overlooked the missionary’s help to poor Filipinos just because she fought for their cause.
“Binalewala ng administrasyon ang ilang taong pagtulong ni Sister Patricia Fox sa mahihirap na Pilipino dahil siya’y nakikiisa sa kanilang ipinaglalaban,” said Sen. Bam. “Lantaran na ang panggigipit sa mga taong lumalaban at hindi sunud-sunuran.”
Sen. Bam has committed to file a resolution to investigate possible abuses in the deportation of foreign nationals. In the 16th Congress, Sen. Bam filed Senate Resolution No. 260 to ensure that the freedom of expression of foreign nationals is not curtailed.
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Photo taken from PhilStar.com
Binalewala ng administrasyon ang ilang taong pagtulong ni Sister Patricia Fox sa mahihirap na Pilipino dahil siya’y nakikiisa sa kanilang ipinaglalaban.
Lantaran na ang panggigipit sa mga taong lumalaban at hindi sunud-sunuran.
Now, more than ever, we need our laws to protect the rights of people willing to stand up to power and speak out against injustices.
In the 16th Congress, I filed Senate Resolution No. 260 to ensure that the freedom of expression of foreign nationals is not curtailed.
I will file a resolution once again to investigate possible abuses in the deportation of foreign nationals.
Senator Bam Aquino urged the government to listen to the Filipino people in light of the latest Pulse Asia survey showing pay hikes and increase in prices as major concerns of the public.
“Pakinggan natin ang hinaing ng mga Pilipinong nabibigatan sa mataas na presyo ng bilihin at hindi sapat na kita,” said Sen. Bam, who has visited a number of local communities to hear out their concerns on the rising prices of goods.
The survey conducted by Pulse Asia from March 23 to 28 showed that 50 percent of the respondents mentioned salary increase as the most urgent issue while 45 percent pointed to inflation.
“Sa pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin, sapat ba ang 200 pesos per month na cash transfer ng gobyerno? Panahon na para suriin ang totoong epekto ng TRAIN law at siguraduhing hindi pinapahirap ng gobyerno ang buhay ng mga Pilipino,” Sen. Bam stressed.
With this development, Sen. Bam reiterated his call to review Republic Act No. 10963 or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act as it contributes to the increase in prices of goods and services that burdens Filipinos, especially the poor.
Recently, Sen. Bam filed Senate Resolution No. 704, urging the appropriate Senate Committees to conduct an inquiry on the TRAIN’s inflationary impact and effect on the economy, particularly the P7 and P2.50 excise tax increase on gasoline and diesel, respectively.
Sen. Bam also filed Senate Resolution No. 597, urging the appropriate Senate committee to scrutinize the implementation of the unconditional cash transfer to ensure that it is sufficient to cover the increase in prices of goods and other services.
In his resolution, Sen. Bam said the Department of Finance assured lawmakers that TRAIN’s impact on inflation would not be more than 0.7 percent.
However, latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the country’s inflation rate for March hit 4.3 percent.
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