Author: teambam

Senate Bill No. 1532: Innovative Startup Act

At the 2015 APEC Summit, the world saw a glimpse of Philippine innovation as Aisa Mijeno shared the story of her SALt Lamp, a lamp that is powered by saltwater, suitable for households along the rural coastal villages that have little or no stable access to electricity.

It is vital that we give all such ideas the chance to come to life. Through this bill, Filipinos with excellent startup business ideas will benefit by being given the necessary support—in terms of registration, incentives, subsidies, funding, technical assistance, accreditation and assessment, and a budding pool of talented workers that will aid them in the steep uphill one faces when putting up a business.

This bill aims to put in place the ecosystem necessary to cultivate startups in the Philippines.

By supporting the startup ecosystem from focal points, we ensure that startups have a reasonable chance at success and are given the opportunity to impact society with innovative business and products that can truly help us achieve our imperative of inclusive economic growth. 

By creating the ecosystem for startups to operate, we bring more citizens into the fold of inventive and socially conscious entrepreneurship.

In view of the foregoing, the passing of this bill is urgently sought. 

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Senate Bill No. 171: Open Access in Data Transmission

 

We live in the information age where instantaneous access to reliable data can save you money, get you your dream concert tickets, save lives in times of calamity, and even spark a political revolution witnessed all around the world.

Technology has refashioned our world, empowering us with information at our fingertips.

What many of us don’t see are the multiple levels and layers that data zips through to move from one point to another, from one user to the next.

If this complex data network is not designed and managed properly, it may cost users’ time and money. And for a nation with a pressing problem with slow and expensive Internet services, it is imperative that we explore all avenues to improve data transmission.

This measure sets the regulatory framework to promote effective data transmission, taking into account the ever-changing nature of technology.

This bill will bolster the powers of the National Telecommunications Commission to create a healthy environment for the development and growth of data networks and their associated industries to improve access to information for every Filipino.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

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Senate Bill No. 170: Trabaho Center In Schools Act

This year marks the final stage of the K-12 curriculum roll out with the nationwide implementation of Senior High School (SHS). An additional two years of secondary schooling will provide specialized academic tracks to prepare students for postsecondary education or alternatively, equip them for employment directly after high

school.

There is a need to follow through on the intent of K to 12 and provide the infrastructure for Senior High School graduates who chose to enter employment to be able to find those opportunities.The creation of a job placement office through the Trabaho Center aims to address this need.

There are three main things that the Trabaho Center shall focus on: Career Counseling Services, Employment Facilitation and Industry Matching.

Career Counseling Services shall be offered to help guide the students on the tracks they choose in Senior High School.

Employment Facilitation is envisioned to assist the needs of a job seeker or the senior high school student. This includes but shall not be limited to resume writing, pre-employment seminars and job fairs.

Industry Matching on the other hand aims to address the needs of the industries by providing graduate listings and resume profiling of students to companies. Close coordination with PESO and TESDA are also needed to have a thorough database of job opportunities in the localities and to immediately coordinate further training that might be needed with TESDA based on particular employment opportunities.

The Trabaho Center is envisioned to be the first institutionalized office in all senior high schools that is mandated to aid in facilitating employment for all Senior High School graduates. 

Through the Trabaho Center, the needs of our nation’s graduates, businesses in the country, and the vision of the Department of Education come together to make the most of our curriculum reform and help us move closer to shared prosperity. 

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

 

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Bam on Davao City bombing

We condemn in the strongest possible terms the Davao City bombing.

 Kasabay ng pagtugis natin sa mga nasa likod ng malagim na pagsabog,  mahalagang tutukan ang kapakanan ng mga biktima at kanilang pamilya.

 Dapat magkaroon ng agarang tulong sa pamilya ng mga namatay at tiyaking naibibigay ang pangangailangang medikal ng mga nasugatan.

 Nagkakaisa tayo sa pagpapahalaga sa buhay ng ating mga kababayan at kagustuhang umasenso ang Pilipinas.

 This act of terrorism is unacceptable.  We must bring to justice those responsible for the killing of innocent people and ensure that similar barbaric acts will not happen in the future.

Bam to PNP: Look into illegal drug problems in SUCs, public and private schools

Senator Bam Aquino called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) to determine the accessibility of illegal drugs in state colleges and universities (SUCs) and public and private schools in the country.

 During the hearing of the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, Sen. Bam asked PNP chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa if he has information on how prevalent illegal drugs in SUCs and private schools.

 “Gaano ho ka-available ang illegal drugs sa ating mga eskuwelahan?” Sen. Bam asked Director General Dela Rosa.

 Currently, Dela Rosa said the PNP has no data but promised Sen. Bam that he will look into the matter and provide the Senate with the needed information immediately.

 As chairman of the Committee on Education, Sen. Bam plans to conduct a separate hearing to determine the prevalence of illegal drugs in SUCs, public and private schools.

 Sen. Bam also plans to look into the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) proposal to include drug testing as a requirement for admission in colleges and universities.

 “Maganda ang layunin ng plano ngunit dapat nating timbangin ang lahat ng panig at isa-alang-alang ang karapatan ng ating mga estudyante na makakuha ng edukasyon sa ilalim ng Saligang Batas,” said Sen. Bam.

Bam: Fast-track passage of coco levy bill

Sen. Bam Aquino urged fellow lawmakers to fast-track the passage of the Coco Levy Trust Fund Act so that three million farmers and their families can finally enjoy the fruits of their labor after decades of waiting.

“Marami sa atin, naghihintay na noong 16th Congress pa lang. We almost passed it, nabitin lang sa dulo,” said Sen. Bam during the hearing of the Committee on Agriculture and Food

 “Let’s pass it as fast as we can,” added Sen. Bam, author of Senate Bill No. 669 or the Coconut Farmers’ Trust Fund Act, which seeks to creation of a trust fund from the coco levy fund to develop the coconut industry and alleviate lives of coconut farmers and their families.

 In the 16th Congress, Sen. Bam filed Senate Bill No. 2467 but the Senate failed to pass it and other similar measures due to four contentious issues.

 “Marami po sa atin, naghihintay na noong 16th Congress pa lang,” said Sen. Bam.

 Sen. Bam suggested that lawmakers focus on four unsettled issues in the bill so that the measure will be passed at the soonest possible time.

 He pinpointed the four contentious issues to be the privatization of the 30 billion pesos, the composition of the trust fund members, where the fund should be invested, and how the budget should be spent.

 “More or less, iyong apat na iyon ang kailangan nilang pag-usapan. I personally feel this should have been passed already,” added Sen. Bam.

 Senate Bill No. 669 aims to create a Coconut Levy Trust Fund from the P75-billion Coco Levy Fund to spur the growth of the industry for the benefit of small coconut farmers and workers all over the country.

 The proposal includes the financing of programs for the increased productivity of coconut farms, capacity building of farmers, research and development of coconut-based enterprises, and implementation of poverty-alleviation programs.

 “The priority is our coconut farmers and their families. The goal is to give them sustainable livelihood by rehabilitating and revitalizing the industry,” said Sen. Bam.

 

Bam on Coco Levy Fund

Excerpts of Sen. Bam’s statement during the Committee on Agriculture hearing

 

Mr. Chairman, marami po sa atin, naghihintay na noong 16th Congress pa lang. Our chairperson was Sen. Villar. And we did go very far, nabitin lang po sa dulo.

 Many of us here really wanted this bill to pass. And if I’m not mistaken, aside from choices of words or phrasing, there are four main issues.

 First of all Mr. Chairman, is the composition of the Board of Trustees. Iyong iba po, mas kumikiling sa pribadong sektor, iyong iba mas kumikiling sa government. My version is more on the side of having more farmers on the board.

 Secondly Mr. Chairman, is where will we invest the money? I think was the stickiest point in the 16th Congress. Iyong iba po, mas konserbatibo – only in government securities. Iyong iba po, mas risky na ang kapalit po noon ay higher yield.

 Third is the provision of Sen. Villar, which is to mandate the budgets of ECA. I think her version is the only version with that provision.

 Maybe a fourth is about the privatization of the 30 billion. There are some provisions I think in Sen. Villar’s bill which details how that is to be privatized.

 Those are the only main points Mr. Chairman. Of course anyone can correct me if I’m wrong.

 Now I would like also to ask the body to weigh in on those four points because we’ve already agreed on 95 percent of the bill.

 Iyong apat po na iyon – iyong privatization of the 30 billion, iyong composition ng trust fund members, iyong kung saan puwedeng i-invest iyong pera and iyong some provisions that are on PCA – kung saan nila gagastusin ang budget.

 More or less, iyong apat na iyon ang kailangan nilang pag-usapan.

 But, I would really suggest Mr. Chairman na imadali natin ito. I personally feel this should have been passed already.

 Let’s not wait for the maturity of the bonds. Let’s not wait na may masayang pa po na opportunity cost with the interest. Let’s pass it as fast as we can.

 I’m hoping we can really fast-track this.

 

Sen. Bam is the author of Senate Bill No. 669 or the Coconut Farmers’ Trust Fund Act.

Bam: Target funding for rehab centers achievable

With government putting utmost priority in the fight against illegal drugs, Sen. Bam Aquino said the needed fund for the establishment of additional rehabilitation centers for thousands of drug dependents must be ensured in the national budget.

 “Now that everybody wants to support the war on drugs and the rehabilitation efforts, puwede kayong umasa sa Senado para sa budget item na ito,” said Sen. Bam during the hearing of the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs

 “Dapat nating matiyak na may pondo sa rehabilitasyon ng mga nag-surrender na drug dependents,” added Sen. Bam.

 Currently, the Department of Health plans to establish four regional drug rehabilitation centers of 500 beds each, or a total of 2,000.

 According to the Department of Health (DOH), the government is also looking to put up a drug rehabilitation center in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija that can house 5,000 to 10,000 dependents.

 The government also plans to establish rehabilitation centers in military camps in Bohol and Capiz.

 During the hearing, it was discovered that less than 0.6 to 1 percent, or around 30,000 to 37,000, of 3.7 million drug dependents in the country need treatment in rehabilitation centers.

 For the remaining percentage, resource speakers mentioned that they should be provided with outpatient intervention in local communities.

 Sen. Bam brought up the effectiveness of peer counseling to address both rehabilitation and prevention in the country’s fight against illegal drugs.

 “We need more barangay-level interventions to address the rehabilitation of drug dependents,” the lawmaker added.

 “Makatutulong sa ating anti-drug drive kung hindi lang ang PNP ang mangunguna sa laban. It should be a multi-sectoral effort – may simbahan, local, may mga organizations – para lahat ay makatulong sa pag-kontra sa droga,” the lawmaker added.

 The senator also mentioned that the Sangguniang Kabataan can play a crucial part in combating the illegal drug problem among the young Filipinos.

 

BIDA KA!: Ipaglaban ang SK

Mga bida, isa sa mainit na pinag-uusapan ngayon ay ang pagpapaliban ng halalang pambarangay at Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) na nakatakda sa Oktubre.

Argumento ng iba, katatapos lang ng pambansang eleksiyon noong Mayo masyadong maikli ang panahon ng paghahanda ng Commission on Elections (COMELEC) para sa barangay at SK elections.

Nais naman ng ilang mambabatas na ipagpaliban ang halalan ng dalawang taon at gawin na lang sa 2018 upang mapaghandaan ito nang husto.

May lumitaw ring panukala na tuluyan nang i-abolish ang barangay council at SK dahil wala raw itong pakinabang at walang naitutulong sa mga komunidad.

***

Bilang isa sa mga nagsulong ng Republic Act No. 10742 o SK Reform Act bilang co-author at co-sponsor noong 16th Congress sa Senado, hindi ko matatanggap ang panukalang ipagpaliban ng dalawang taon ang halalan o buwagin nang tuluyan ang SK.

Kaya nga natin isinulong ang mga reporma sa SK upang mailayo ito sa dating sistema na puno ng katiwalian at walang nagawa para sa kapakanan ng mga kabataan.

Sayang naman ang mga ikinasang reporma kung hindi natin agad ito maipatutupad sa lalong madaling panahon o kung wala nang SK para magpatupad nito.

Huwag tayong magpadalus-dalos sa ating desisyon. Bakit hindi natin bigyan ng pagkakataong maikasatuparan ang mga repormang ito at tingnan kung ito’y magiging epektibo para sa kasalukuyang henerasyon.

***

Bilang kauna-unahang batas na mayroong anti-dynasty provision, malaking panghihinayang kung hindi natin makikitang naipatupad ang SK Reform Act.

Sa ilalim ng batas, bawal nang tumakbo bilang SK officials ang mga kamag-anak ng halal na opisyal, hanggang sa tinatawag na second level of consanguinity.

Itinaas na rin natin ang edad ng SK officials patungong 18 hanggang 24 taong gulang, upang magkaroon sila ng legal na pananagutan sa kanilang mga aksiyon.

Upang mahasa ang kanilang kaalaman sa pagganap ng tungkulin, obligado na ang mga SK official na dumaan sa leadership training programs.

Makatutulong na rin ang tinatawag na Local Youth Deve­lopment Council (LYDC) sa pagbalangkas ng mga programa’t proyekto para sa mga kabataan.

Sa pamamagitan ng LYDC, mabibigyan ang mas mara­ming grupo ng kabataan na lumahok, makialam at bantayan ang kanilang kapakanan.

Walang dapat ipangamba dahil sa mga repormang ipinasok natin sa bagong SK, ibang-iba na ito sa ating nakasanayan noon na madalas ay paliga ng basketball at beauty contest ang proyekto para sa mga kabataan.

***

Noong Martes, lumabas na ang committee report ng Senado na nagpapaliban sa SK elections sa Oktubre 2017.

Sa una, nanghihinayang tayo sa pagpapaliban na ito ngunit mas maganda na ito kaysa sa panukalang gawin ang halalan sa 2018.

Isa pa, tiniyak din sa atin ni Sen. Sonny Angara na tututulan ng Senado ang anumang pagkilos na buwagin ang SK.

Maaaring gamitin ng COMELEC ang dagdag na panahon upang mapaghandaan nang husto ang SK, gaya ng pagpapalawig ng registration at paghikayat sa ating mga kabataan na tumakbo.

Bigyan natin ng pagkakataon ang SK na humubog ng mga bagong bayani mula sa ating mga kabataan na tutulong sa pagpapalakas ng ating mga komunidad.

Article first published on Abante Online

Bam: Resolve underspending and inefficiency, fix gov’t procurement

Sen. Bam Aquino wants to fix the government’s procurement system to address underspending in the national budget and enable government agencies to better deliver services to the public.

  “I don’t think we will be able to spend properly, even with the best intentions, if we don’t reform the Procurement Act,” said Sen. Bam during the briefing of the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) on the proposed P3.35-trillion national budget for 2017.

 “Our taxpayer’s money should be spent efficiently and Filipinos should see results. Let’s fast track our Procurement Act reforms,” the senator said.

 According to Sen. Bam, a number of Cabinet secretaries have raised their concerns over the strict Procurement Act, including Transportation Secretary Art Tugade during the initial emergency powers hearing.

 “In the emergency powers hearing, a large part of the discussion is about procurement,” the senator added.

 During the hearing of the Committee on Education, Sen. Bam said DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones mentioned that she has assigned an Assistant Secretary just to focus on the tedious procurement process.

 “Political will and good intentions are important. But if people are shackled by policies, it leads to unwillingness to spend on the development of the country,” Sen. Bam emphasized.

 For his part, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno revealed they plan to introduce several reforms to the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 or the Procurement Reform Act.

 “We might allow just one failed bid and then negotiate,” said Diokno.

 However, Sen. Bam said lawmakers are willing to make amendments to the law so the country can have an effective procurement process for the long-term.

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