Author: teambam

Sen. Bam to anti-death penalty advocates: Convince pro-death penalty Filipinos to change view

Sen. Bam Aquino challenged anti-death penalty advocates to work hard in persuading 60 percent of pro-death penalty Filipinos that its revival will not solve the country’s pressing problems and will only lead to injustice to the poor.

 “Challenge po ito sa ating lahat. We have a lot of work to do para makumbinse ang 60 percent ng ating kababayan na mali ang death penalty,” said Sen. Bam during the “Lakbay Buhay Laban sa Death Penalty” program at the University of Sto. Tomas.

 Sen. Bam was referring to the recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, showing that 60 percent of Filipinos support the government’s move to revive the death penalty as deterrent to crime.

However, Sen. Bam contradicted this view, saying in the end, only the poor will suffer from injustice due to lack of capability to defend themselves in court.

 With the death penalty yet to hurdle the committee level in the Senate, Sen. Bam said there is enough time for those against it to conduct more marches and activities to educate Filipinos about the truth on the capital punishment.

“Mahaba-haba pa po ito. Kailangan handa tayo hindi lang sa isang martsa kundi sa marami pang martsa. Kailangang handa tayong kausapin ang ating mahal sa buhay at ipaliwanag sa kanila kung bakit tayo naninindigan sa isyung ito,” said Sen. Bam.

 “Hindi po sapat na kumbinsihin lang natin ang ating mga mambabatas. Kailangan ang taumbayan ang kumbinsihin natin,” he added.

 The Lakbay Buhay is a 21-day cross-country march led by anti-death penalty advocates to educate communities on why the revival of the death penalty must be stopped. The tour started May 4 in Cagayan de Oro and it will end May 24 at the Senate where they will call on senators to prevent the restoration of death penalty.

Sen. Bam is a staunch advocate against death penalty in the Senate. He has committed to vote against its reimposition, together with other senators.

 “Kapag tayo’y sabay-sabay na gumagalaw, sa ilalim ng pagmamahal sa bayan at sa Diyos, tiwala akong makakamit natin ang sapat na numero sa Senado upang hindi maibalik ang death penalty,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam opens ARMM’s first Negosyo Center in Marawi City, now over 500 nationwide

The first Negosyo Center in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has been inaugurated in Marawi City, giving entrepreneurs in the city and nearby areas a reliable ally in helping them start and develop their business.

“Ngayong mayroon na tayong Negosyo Center sa Marawi City, inaasahan na natin ang paglago ng negosyo sa siyudad at sa mga kalapit pang bayan,” said Sen. Bam, who led the inauguration together with DTI and local officials, headed by Lanao del Sur vice governor Bombit Adiong.

The Marawi City Negosyo Center is the 508th Negosyo Center established since the passage of Republic Act No. 10644 in 2014. It is located at TLDC Building, Lanao People’s Park in Marawi City.

“Matagal na naming tinatrabaho ito with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) kaya natutuwa tayong ito’y naging isa nang katuparan,” added Sen. Bam, principal author and sponsor of the Republic Act No. 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act in the Senate. It was the first of 17 laws passed by Sen. Bam in the 16th Congress.

Vice governor Adiong expects the Negosyo Center will help local products flourish, not just in nearby markets, but also in the national stage.

Local officials and the military said the Negosyo Center can also boost local economy, which will ultimately pave way for peace in the area.

Before attending the Marawi City Negosyo Center inauguration, Sen. Bam visited the Negosyo Center situated at the MSU Iligan Institute of Technology.

During his visit, Sen. Bam witnessed how the Negosyo Center’s digital fabrication laboratory or FabLab helps entrepreneurs in creating designs for their products. Sen. Bam also interacted with Iligan City entrepreneurs, who are regular clients of the Negosyo Center.

“Ito pong pag-iikot natin ay upang matiyak na nabibigyan ng Negosyo Center ng karampatang serbisyo at tulong ang mga maliliit na negosyante sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng bansa,” said Sen. Bam.

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.

The Negosyo Center will 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.

Sen. Bam to gov’t: Be transparent on foreign policy direction

A senator called on the government to be transparent and clear on its independent foreign policy direction, especially in dealings with other countries in terms of aids and loans, and its position regarding the militarization of Philippine territories.

 “Kailangang maging malinaw ang pamahalaan sa taumbayan ukol sa direksiyon nito sa foreign policy.  Filipinos deserve to know dahil sila ang direktang maaapektuhan, lalo na sa trabaho, negosyo at presyo ng bilihin,” said Sen. Bam Aquino.

“Sa takbo ng mga pangyayari, mukhang Palasyo lang ang nakakaalam ng mga detalye sa direkisyon na nais nilang tahakin. Kailangan nila itong isapubliko para sa kaalaman ng taumbayan,” the senator added.

 The lawmaker issued the pronouncement after the government announced that it will no longer accept development aid from the European Union (EU). The move will result in the loss of around 250 million Euros or P13.9 billion worth of grants mostly allocated to Muslim communities.

“The administration’s refusal to receive aid seems like a contradictory move to its proposal to raise taxes. If we are refusing aid because we are self-sufficient, why are we then planning to burden our countrymen with more taxes that might raise prices of goods even higher,” he added.

In addition, a report surfaced recently that China has installed rockets on the disputed Kagitingan or Fiery Cross Reef, which is being disputed by China, Vietnam and the Philippines.

 “Dapat nating malaman ang opisyal na posisyon at mga gagawing hakbang ng pamahalaan upang mapigil ang mga ganitong pagkilos sa mga isla na itinuturing nating bahagi ng ating bansa,” Sen. Bam stressed.

Last year, Sen. Bam has filed Senate Resolution No. 158, urging the government to clarify the country’s stand on different foreign policy issues.

It was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations, then headed by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, but no hearing is held until now. Cayetano will assume the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) portfolio in the coming days after he was confirmed by the Commission on Appointments (CA) last Wednesday.

BIDA KA!: Internet for all

Mga Bida, napakahalaga na ng papel ng internet sa buhay ng mga Pilipino.

Ginagamit ang internet sa pag-aaral ng mga estudyante, sa paghahanap ng trabaho, pagpapakilala ng mga maliliit na negosyante sa kanilang mga produkto online at sa pakikipag-usap sa ating mga mahal sa buhay na nasa malayong lugar.

Kaya isinulong natin ang panukalang Free Internet in Public Places Act, bilang chairman ng Committee on Science and Technology, upang matugunan ang pangangailangang ito ng ating mga kababayan nang hindi na kailangang gumastos para lang makakonek sa internet.

Kabilang sa mga lugar na lalagyan ng libreng internet ang mga tanggapan ng pamahalaan at mga pampublikong paaralan, transport terminals, ospital at library.

Noong Lunes, naaprubahan na sa bicameral conference committee ang pinal na bersiyon ng panukala. Matapos ratipikahan ng dalawang sangay ng Kongreso, ipadadala na ito sa Malacañang para sa pirma ni Pangulong Duterte.

***

Sa bicameral conference committee, naatasan ang Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) na bilisan na ang programa sa lalong madaling panahon para mapakinabangan na ng ating mga kababayan.

Napag-usapan na mamadaliin ng DICT ang mga lugar na mayroon nang imprastruktura ng internet ngayong taon at sa susunod na taon.

Ngunit inamin ng DICT na matatagalan pa ang paglalatag nito sa mga lugar na kulang pa sa imprastruktura.

Dalawa ang naisip na paraan upang masolusyunan ang problemang ito. Una, ay ang pagpapalakas ng kumpetisyon sa merkado.

 

Magagawa ito sa pamamagitan ng pagkumbinse sa iba pang telcos na pumasok sa merkado at makipagsabayan sa mga higanteng internet service providers.

Sa ganitong sitwasyon, lalakas ang kumpetisyon sa merkado at magkakaroon ng tagisan ang mga telcos pagdating sa pagandahan ng serbisyo at pababaan ng presyo. Resulta, gaganda ang kalidad ng internet sa presyong abot-kaya ng publiko.

Ikalawang solusyon ay ang pagtatayo ng gobyerno ng sarili nitong imprastruktura, lalo na sa malalayong lugar na hindi naaabot ng koneksiyon ng internet, sa pamamagitan ng National Broadband Plan (NBP).

Suportado natin ang programang ito subalit aabutin pa ng tatlong taon upang ito’y mailatag at makumpleto.

***

Isa sa mga probisyong inilagay sa Free Internet in Public Places Act ay ang pagpapadali ng proseso sa pagkuha ng permit sa pagpapatayo ng telco ng cell site at iba pang imprastruktura ng internet.

Madalas kasing reklamo ng telcos, inaagiw at inaabot ng siyam-siyam ang pagkuha ng permit, lalo na sa local government units, kaya nauudlot ang plano nilang maglagay ng dagdag na imprastruktura para mapaganda ang kanilang serbisyo. Sa ilalim ng Free Internet in Public Places Act, matutugunan na ang reklamong ito dahil pitong araw lang ang kailangan sa proseso sa pagkuha ng permit sa local government units (LGU) para sa cell site, tower at iba pang kailangang imprastruktura para mapalakas ang internet.

***

Mga Bida, sa probisyong ito ng Free Internet in Public Places Act, wala nang puwedeng idahilan ang mga telco para hindi mapaganda ang kanilang serbisyo.

Wala na silang puwedeng palusot dahil mas mabilis na ang paglalatag nila ng kailangang imprastruktura para sa mas mabilis at murang internet.

Kapag ito’y naisakatuparan kasabay ng kumpletong implementasyon ng NBP, maraming Pilipino ang makikinabang sa libre at de-kalidad na koneksiyon sa internet sa mga pampublikong lugar sa buong bansa.

Sen. Bam: Is the Philippines ready for cyberattacks?

A senator has filed a resolution to determine if the Philippines is ready for cyberattacks after the recent global ransomware cyberattacks that infiltrated computers in 150 countries around the world.

“We want to hear from the experts from government and also from our Pinoy tech firms on whether our country is prepared for these cyberattacks and what should be done prevent them,” Sen. Bam Aquino said in Senate Resolution No. 381.

“Cyberattacks are a real threat to Filipinos. We need to make sure that bank accounts, online passwords, personal information, and both private and public information systems are protected,” added Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology.

According to news reports, the cyberattack used the program “WanaCryptor 2.0 or WannaCry” to infiltrate at least 300,000 machines all over the world. The program locks and encrypts the computer files or ransom. If unpaid, the ransom increases over time until the end of a countdown, when all the files are destroyed.

 Among the major victims are delivery giant FedEx, the National Health Service of Britain, Russia’s Interior Ministry and several universities in China.

 While there is no reported Ransomware attack in the Philippines, Sen. Bam wants to ensure that private information of Filipinos, as well as online systems and services, are secure.

 “Hindi tayo dapat magkumpiyansa. Kailangan nating masiguro na ang bansa ay handa sa posibleng mangyari upang hindi maapektuhan ang ating sistema sa anumang pag-atake,” said Sen. Bam.

 The resolution also aims to look into the implementation of the National Cybersecurity Plan 2022, which was unveiled this month by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

 The National Cybersecurity Plan, among other things, seeks to establish the National Computer Emergency Response Team (NCERT) to enable the government to swiftly respond and recover from cyberattacks.

 Sen. Bam has been pushing for the improvement of internet quality in the country and is the principal sponsor and co-author of the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act in the Senate, which is expected to become law soon.

NEGOSYO, NOW NA!: Umasenso sa basura

Mga kanegosyo, pa­milyar ba kayo sa kasa­bihang ‘may pera sa basura’?

Nagkatotoo ang kasa­bihang ito kay Aling Pamfila Menor Mariquina, na tubong Boac, Marinduque.

Ang pagbili ng mga babasagin at plastic na bote at iba pang kalat ng mga kapitbahay ang na­ging tulay ni Aling Pam­fila tungo sa tagumpay.

***

Isinilang si Aling Pamfila sa Boac noong Hunyo 29, 1955. Sa batang edad, natuto na si Aling Pamfila na maghanap-buhay.

Sinasabayan ni Aling Pamfila ang pag-aaral ng pagtitinda ng kakanin sa kanilang lugar upang may maipambaon at makatulong sa gastusin sa bahay.

Dahil sa hirap, elementarya lang ang natapos ni Aling Pamfila at napilitan nang tumi­gil sa pag-aaral. Nana­tili na lang siya sa bahay upang tumulong sa mga ­gawain. Kung minsan, naglalako siya ng kakanin para may maidag­dag sa kanilang panga­ngailangan.

Nang tumuntong siya sa edad na 15, ­lumuwas si Aling Pamfila sa Maynila upang mamasukan bilang katulong. Kahit sanay sa gawaing bahay, nahirapan pa rin si Aling Pamfila dahil malayo sa pamilya.

Matapos ang ilang buwan, lumipat si Aling Pamfila sa Tanay at doon namasukan bilang alalay ng dentista.

Nang makaipon, nagbalik si Aling Pamfila sa Marinduque at nagtayo ng maliit na sari-sari store sa kanilang lugar.

 

Ngunit nagkaproblema si Aling Pamfila dahil sa halip na makabenta, puro utang ang ­ginawa ng kanyang mga kapitbahay. Dahil walang maibayad ang mga nangutang, agad ding nagsara ang kanyang munting negosyo.

 ***

Noong 1987, muling nagpasya si Aling Pamfila na subukang muli ang pagnenegosyo upang makatulong sa asawa sa gastos sa bahay at apat nilang anak.

Gamit ang isandaang pisong puhunan, nagsi­mula siyang magbenta ng sigarilyo, palamig, at biskwit. Unti-unti niyang inipon ang kinita hanggang sa makapagtayo muli ng sari-sari store.

Noong 1998, nakilala ni Aling Pamfila ang CARD. Noong una’y ayaw siyang pasalihin ng asawa ngunit nang ipaliwanag niya ang mga benepisyo at oportunidad na maaaring ibigay ng CARD, naintindihan ito ng mister at pinayagan na siyang sumali.

Naging masaya at makabuluhan para kay Aling Pamfila ang pagsali sa CARD dahil hindi lamang pinansiyal na tulong ang naibigay sa kanya nito kundi pati determinasyon na mapaunlad pa ang negosyo.

Ginamit ni Aling Pamfila ang nautang na P3,000 sa CARD bilang pandagdag sa kanyang tindahan. Inipon niya ang kita ng tindahan at ipi­nambili ng ilang baboy.

Noong 2006, naisipan ni Aling Pamfila na magsimula ng isang junk shop sa kanilang lugar dahil nakita niya na madali itong pagkakitaan at maraming kapitbahay niya ang makikinabang.

Ginamit niya ang pe­rang ipinahiram ng CARD bilang pambili ng kala­kal. Kasabay ng ­paglago ng kanyang negosyo, tumaas din ang panga­ngailangan ni Aling Pamfila sa kapi­tal, na agad namang ipi­nagkaloob sa kanya ng CARD nang walang anumang kola­teral.

Sa tulong ng kanyang negosyo, nakapagpagawa rin si Aling ­Pamfila ng dalawang boarding house at nakapagpundar ng rental business kung saan nagpapaupa siya ng videoke, upuan, at mesa para sa mahahalagang okasyon.

Nakabili siya ng ma­raming lupa sa kanilang lugar na may mga tanim na niyog at napatapos ang apat niyang anak sa kolehiyo.

Sa kasalukuyan, hinu­hubog ni Aling ­Pamfila ang kanyang mga anak sa pagpapatakbo ng kani­lang negosyo, sa tulong na rin ng mga seminar na ibinibigay ng CARD.

***

Itinuturing na pinakamalaking microfinance institution sa bansa, nagpapautang ang CARD-MRI ng puhunan sa mga nais magsimula ng negos­yo nang walang kolateral at sa mababang interes.

Mayroon na ­silang iba’t ibang sangay sa Pili­pinas, na ­makikita sa kanilang ­website na www.cardmri.com at ­www.cardbankph.com.

***

Ang Republic Act No. 10644 o Go Negosyo Act ang kauna-una­hang kong batas bilang senador noong 16th Congress. Layunin nito na maglagay ng Negosyo Center sa bawat munisipalidad, siyudad at lalawigan sa buong bansa.

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

Sen. Bam: Gov’t, private sector no more excuses for poor Internet quality

With the imminent passage of the Free Internet in Public Places Act, the implementation of the Philippine Competition Act and the proposed National Broadband Plan (NBP), the government and the private sector will have the necessary platform to improve the country’s internet quality and access.

“We’re breaking down barriers to improving the Internet through our policies. Now, the ball is in the executive and private sector’s court,” said Sen. Bam Aquino, chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology. He also pushed the measure in the Senate as principal sponsor and co-author.

 “Our hearings have exposed the lack of infrastructure that we have. So we’re reducing red tape for the private sector and we’re also allotting the necessary budget para ang gobyerno mismo ang mamuhunan sa internet infrastructure sa ibang lugar,” said Sen. Bam.

 The senator said the challenge of implementation now falls on the shoulders of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the private sector.

“The DICT needs two-and-a-half years for the NBP while the sector needs to be opened up to new players to strengthen competition in the market,” said Sen. Bam.

The final version of the Free Internet in Public Places Act has been approved by the bicameral conference committee. After the final version is ratified by both houses of Congress, it will be transmitted to Malacanang for President Duterte’ signature.

 Sen. Bam also believes that the Republic Act 10667 or the Philippine Competition Act will encourage the entry of more players in the telecommunications industry, leading to improved Internet service at affordable prices.

“The Philippine Competition Act will usher in such competition for the benefit of Filipino consumers for the long term,” said Sen. Bam, principal sponsor and co-author of Republic Act 10667 or the Philippine Competition Act

 If finished quickly, the NBP can hasten the rollout of the implementation of the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act. It will be put up starting 2018 and expected to be fully operational by 2020.

Sen. Bam: Youth Entrepreneurship Act implementation long overdue

A legislator called on the Department of Education (DepEd) to implement the law encouraging students and graduates to venture into business.
 
“Nananawagan tayo sa Department of Education na ilabas na ang Implementing Rules and Regulations para sa Youth Entrepreneurship Act upang mapakinabangan na ng ating mga kabataan,” said Sen. Bam Aquino.
 
The Youth Entrepreneurship Act or Republic Act No. 10679 was passed August 2015 but no IRR has been released. The law mandates that the IRR be promulgated within one hundred twenty (120) days from its effectivity.
 
The law encourages young would-be entrepreneurs to establish their own business by providing them access to capital and other support.
 
It also creates financial literacy modules in all levels of Philippine education, to inculcate a culture of enterprise development among the Filipino youth.
 
“Gusto nating makakita ng trabaho ang ating mga graduates ngunit mayroon din silang opsiyon na pumasok at magtagumpay sa pagnenegosyo. Matutulungan sana ang ating kabataang magtagumpay sa negosyo kung ma-implement ng maayos ang iilang mga batas na ating isinulong noong 16th Congress,” said Sen. Bam.
 
Sen. Bam was the author and principal sponsor of the Go Negosyo Act (Republic Act 10667), his first law in the 16th Congress, and the co-author and principal sponsor of the Youth Entrepreneurship Act.
 
The senator pursued the passage of these two laws during his time as chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship in the 16th Congress to cater to the needs of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
 
“These two laws provide MSMEs a conducive environment they need to succeed. At the same time, they also help provide fresh jobs and other livelihood opportunities for their fellow Filipinos,” stressed Sen. Bam, adding that MSMEs account for 66 percent of jobs in the country.
 
At present, Sen. Bam said 470 Negosyo Centers are already up and running in different parts of the country, catering to the needs of MSMEs.
 
In the 17th Congress, Sen. Bam filed Senate Bill No. 169 or Small Business Tax Reform Act, which provides small businesses with lower income tax rate, VAT exemption and other privileges.
 
Sen. Bam has also submitted Senate Bill No. 175 or the Innovative Startup Act seeking to ease restrictions and provide incentives for startups in the Philippines.

Sen. Bam: Game development, esports gaining momentum in PH

A senator believes that esports and game development in the country are gaining momentum towards being a source of honor and employment opportunities for Filipinos.

Sen. Bam Aquino based his pronouncement on recent developments that put esports and the country’s game development industry on the spotlight.

Recently, esports was included in the Asian Games as demonstration sport in the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia. In 2022, esports will be an official medal event at the 2022 Hangzhou Games.

 In addition, the Mandaue-based University of The Visayas New School included esports and game development in its Senior High Arts and Design track.

 “I believe that if we strengthen academic-industry linkages and work with our schools to develop the skills and creativity of future Filipino game developers, we will be able to grow this industry more,” said Sen. Bam, a staunch supporter of esports and game development industry in the country.

The university said it will teach game strategy for Dota 2, game design and development animation and 2D and 3D animation and game creation. After two years, the students can either choose to be game creators, designers, or e-sports players in the professional league.

 The senator has been supporting Filipino esports athletes, who have excelled in previous international events, including the prestigious International DOTA 2 Championship event inSeattle where Filipino squad TNC finished eighth.

Sen. Bam helped establish Philippine esports Association (PeSPA) to strengthen the foundation of esports in the country, look after the welfare of cyber athletes and stakeholders and promote esports in the country.

 Aside from this, Sen. Bam is also an ardent of the video game development industry in thePhilippines due to its tremendous potential to create fresh employment opportunities for Filipinos.

“All the ingredients are there to really make this work and primary of which is the Filipinos’ combination of artistry and technical know-how that can be the foundation for the game development industry in the Philippines,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam: PH lacks 19,000 scientists, lags behind in R&D

The Philippines needs 19,000 more scientists working in both government and private sector to turn the country into a significant force in research and development, according to Sen. Bam Aquino.
 
During the hearing of the Committee on Science and Technology, chaired by Sen. Bam, on the Balik Scientist Bill, it was discovered that the Philippines has 189 scientists per million, far from the ideal target of 380 per million.
 
The country pales in comparison with other countries as South Korea and United States have 5,300 and 3,500 scientists per million, respectively. Malaysia, for its part, has 2,000 scientists per million.
 
“Paano tayo makakasabay sa ibang bansa pagdating sa research at development kung kulang tayo ng 19,000 scientists,” said Sen. Bam, author of Senate Bill No. 1183 or the Balik Scientist Bill. 
 
According to Assistant Secretary Teodoro Gatchalian of the Department of Science and Technology, the agency has a budget of P25 million for the Balik Scientist Program. If the bill is approved, the budget will increase significantly, enabling the DOST to attract more Filipinos to return home and serve the country.
 
Sen. Bam hopes that the measure will help address the lack of scientists, caused by the exodus of scientists and researchers to other countries to look for greener pastures.
 
“Sa tulong ng panukalang ito, mahihikayat natin ang mga Filipino scientist sa ibang bansa na bumalik sa Pilipinas at tumulong sa pagpapaunlad ng ating research and development,” said Sen. Bam.
 
The Balik Scientist Bill seeks to provide overseas Filipino scientist with financial benefits and incentives to encourage to return to the Philippines and help boost the country’s research and development.
 
The measure aims to institutionalize the Balik Scientist Program of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), which successfully encouraged some of our scientists to return and contribute to research that will address development gaps in the Philippines.
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