Issues

Sen. Bam: LTRFB decision on Uber punishes riding public

Sen. Bam Aquino stressed that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s decision to suspend Uber by one month is like punishing the riding public and the drivers who are earning from its operation.

 “By suspending the operation of Uber, they are penalizing the riders and the drivers,” Sen. Bam said in a radio interview.

 “If they wanted to penalize Uber, the LTFRB could have issued a fine. Instead, they suspend operations leaving the commuters with less options,” added Sen. Bam. “Suspending Uber will hurt the riding public more than the company itself”.

During a previous Senate hearing on the issue of transport network vehicle services (TNVS), Sen. Bam thought the issue was ironed out and a consensus was reached between the LTFRB and transportation network companies (TNC)

“I thought we were all on the same page to put our commuters first and to create a new regulatory framework for TNVS and taxis,” said Sen. Bam.

During the said hearing, Sen. Bam urged the LTFRB to prioritize the safety and commuting experience of the riding public and look out for the welfare of drivers of public utility vehicles.

 Sen. Bam stressed the need to develop a brand-new regulatory framework which govern transportation network companies (TNC), TNVS and even taxis.

 Sen. Bam, who filed Senate Bill No. 696 or the Rideshare Support Company, which aims to promote and encourage new, affordable and safe transportation options for the commuting public, like Uber and Grab.

The measure seeks to clarify regulations governing Transportation Network Companies, or Rideshare Support Companies (RSCs), as well as Rideshare Network Drivers and Vehicles.

 “In any industry, increased competition often leads to improved quality, improved service, and lower prices for consumers. For the commuting public, this is a change they have long clamored for,” said Sen. Bam.

 Once approved, RSCs must obtain certificate of accreditation from LTFRB before getting an authority to onboard qualified Rideshare Network Driver (RND) after a thorough background check and submission of pertinent documents.

Qualified RNDs must also have a minimum P200,000 per passenger personal accident insurance by licensed Philippine insurer.

 

Sen. Bam: IRR key to effective implementation of free college education law

Sen. Bam Aquino stressed the need to engage and consult stakeholders before the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for Republic Act 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act is finalized. 

“There are still a lot of details to iron out before the Commission on Higher Education’s IRR is finalized. Umiikot kami sa mga state colleges and para kunin ang panig ng mga estudyante at administrators ng mga paaralan,” said Sen. Bam. 

“It is important to engage with all the stakeholders and come up with a most effective implementation plan,” added Sen. Bam, the principal sponsor and co-author of the measure in the Senate during his stint as chairman of the Committee on Education. 

As a revolutionary reform in education, Sen. Bam underscored the need to hold healthy discussions on how to craft an IRR that will ensure effective implementation, based on its original intention of the law. 

“Mahalagang mapag-usapan ang bawat detalye ng batas sa pagbuo ng IRR. Masasayang lang ang napakalaking repormang ito sa edukasyon kung hindi matututupad ang pangunahing layunin nito,” added Sen. Bam. 

Sen. Bam said other important issues such as summer and make up classes, residency issues, and grade requirements should be tackled. 

“Though we are not part of the group finalizing the IRR, we are committed to sharing the comments, concerns and suggestions we’ve collated from students, parents, teachers and other concerned citizens,” the senator said. 

The law will provide free education to students in SUCs, local universities and colleges (LUCs) and vocational schools under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Aside from tuition fees, the government will shoulder miscellaneous and all other mandatory fees. 

Scholarship grants will also be made available to students of both public and private college and universities. Plus, it provides a new and improved student loan program, where students can apply for financing for other education expenses. 

If fully implemented, Sen. Bam said the law will benefit around two million students in all state universities and colleges and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-run technical-vocational institutions in the country. 

In addition, students taking post-graduate studies can avail of the new and improved student loan program and scholarships under the law. 

The measure was languishing in the legislative mill for years before it was passed during Sen. Bam’s time as chairman of the Committee on Education in the 17th Congress. This was Sen. Bam’s 19th law in his four years as senator.

Sen. Bam sponsors 3 measures for welfare of start-ups, scientists and researchers

Sen. Bam Aquino recently sponsored three measures that aim to support Filipino scientists, engineers and innovative start-ups, believing that technology and innovative initiatives can help solve problems besetting the country. 

Recently, Sen. Bam sponsored Senate Bill No. 1532 or the Innovative Startup Act where he urged colleagues to pass the measure that provides different forms of assistance to over 200,000 innovative start-up businesses, giving them better chance of succeeding. 

If passed into law, it will provide support innovative startups through financial subsidies like tax breaks and grants and other forms of assistance such as ease of red tape in business registration. 

It will also give technical assistance and training programs, free use of equipment, facilities and support for patenting or licensing of their product through the Intellectual Property Office of thePhilippines, according to Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology. 

He also delivered his sponsorship speech for Senate Bill No. 1533 or the Balik Scientist Act and Senate Bill No. 1534 or the Magna Carta for Scientists. The two measures aim to promote the welfare of Filipino scientists, engineers and researchers. 

“The challenge for us today is to ramp up support for Filipino scientists, engineers and researchers, and to harness their talents, not just to boost industries and business, but to build a better Philippines for all,” said Sen. Bam. 

Currently, the Philippines has 189 scientists per million, far from the ideal target of 380 per million. “Our country still lacks 19, 000 scientists to meet the bare minimum that is essential and acceptable in the development of any country,” said Sen. Bam. 

Senate Bill No. 1533 aims to encourage scientists, engineers and innovators working in different parts of the world to return and help solve the country’s problems through financial incentives. 

The amendments to the Magna Carta for Scientists aim to streamline the process of providing benefits and incentives to S&T government personnel. 

“Pahalagahan po natin ang agham at teknolohiya, ang mga siyentipiko, mga inhinyero at mga researcher upang tuluyang umasenso ang Pilipinas,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam: Decision to abolish NIR may hamper region’s development, poverty alleviation efforts

A senator expressed disappointment over President Duterte’s order to abolish the Negros Island Region (NIR), saying it will weaken the economic development and hamper efforts to alleviate poverty in the region.

“We are disappointed with the decision to abolish the Negros Island Region amidst the Negrenses’ appeal for unification,” said Sen. Bam.

“At the very least, this issue warrants a public discussion and we hope the Senate can still hold a hearing on the resolutions we’ve filed last year,” added the senator, referring to Senate Resolution No. 212 which he filed last October 24, 2016.

“We must immediately find out whether there are negative long-term effects for a divided Negros Island Region,” he added. Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri also filed a separate resolution urging to look into the NIR issue.

Sen. Bam filed the resolution after the government revealed plans to repeal Executive Order 183 dated May 29, 2015, which mandated the creation of a unified NIR, bringing together Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, and all the cities, municipalities and barangays comprising the two adjacent provinces.

The NIR was aimed at further accelerating social and economic development of the cities and municipalities comprising the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental and improving delivery of public services in the two provinces.

 In the resolution, Sen. Bam stressed the need for the national government to consider and assess the broader potential and long term impact of having an administration center in the Negros Island.

“This will enable greater efficiency in the implementation of development projects, and better and faster delivery of government services to Negrenses,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam: Tertiary education law also provides scholarships and loans to students

The Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act offers more than just free education in state universities and colleges (SUCs), local universities and colleges (LUCs) and vocational schools under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

“Hindi lang libreng edukasyon sa SUCs at LUCs ang hatid ng batas na ito kundi ang pagpapatibay ng scholarship programs at student loan programs ng gobyerno para sa kapakinabangan ng ating mga estudyante,” said Sen. Bam Aquino, principal sponsor and co-author of the measure in the Senate.

Sen. Bam said one of the salient features of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act or Republic Act 10931 is the new and improved student loan program.

 While undergraduate students in LUCs and SUCs are covered by free tuition, students taking post-graduate studies can avail of the new and improved student loan program and scholarships.

“Through the student loan program, students can apply for financing for other education expenses outside of their miscellaneous and mandatory fees that will be shouldered by the government under the law,” said Sen. Bam.

 In addition, Sen. Bam said the law also provides scholarship grants to students of both public and private college and universities by strengthening the existing Student Financial Assistant System (StuFAP) of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

After gathering dust in the legislative mill for years, the law was passed during Sen. Bam’s short stint as chairman of the Committee on Education in the 17th Congress. It was Sen. Bam’s 19th law in his four years as senator.

Sen. Bam also assured that lawmakers will make the necessary moves to ensure that the law will be properly funded and effectively implemented.

“With a more efficient use of our budget, there is more than enough fiscal space for this landmark reform,” said Sen. Bam.

 Earlier, Sen. Bam thanked President Duterte for signing the important measure into law, saying that millions of Filipinos are the real winners with this revolutionary education reform.

“Pagkatapos ng ilang dekada, batas na ang inaasam-asam ng napakaraming pamilyang Pilipino na libreng kolehiyo,” said Sen. Bam, “Estudyante, magulang at pamilyang Pilipino ang tunay na bida ng batas na ito.”

Bam to schools: Prepare workforce for AI job termination

With the advancement in Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the labor industry, a number of existing jobs in the market is at risk.

During the hearing of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology on the effects of AI to current jobs, the Union Network International-Philippine Liaison Council (UNI-PLC) told committee chairman Sen. Bam Aquino that around 60 percent of work, especially in the business process outsourcing industry, will be affected.

 However, the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) mentioned that around 40,000 workers in the contact center industry will be lost.

 “The best way to protect ourselves is to move our workers up the skill ladder. This is best done by having opportunities for education and by upgrading skills, retooling and retraining industry workers,” said Sen. Bam.

 “We cannot wait for this downturn in jobs to happen before we prepare. Kailangang handa na tayo ngayon,” stressed Sen. Bam as he called on education institutions to check if the skills they’re providing are the ones needed by industry workers to upgrade their abilities to the next level.

 “This way, we can ensure that we will able to maximize opportunities presented in Artificial Intelligence,” said Sen. Bam, adding that around 250,000 to 300,000 fresh jobs will be created once contact center workers are given the capability to perform higher-level jobs, such as data analysis and data programming.

“Mahalaga ring matiyak na mayroong academic-industry linkage. Kaya ba ng ating mga eskuwelahan na itulak ang kakayahan ng ating mga kababayan upang gawin ang mga bagong trabahong ito?” Sen. Bam questioned.

 Sen. Bam said the BPO industry must work hand-in-hand with concerned government agencies, such as the Department of Education (DepEd), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to ensure that the country is prepared for any eventuality if the implementation of AI goes into full swing.

Sen. Bam: Free college education effective weapon vs poverty, crime, illegal drugs

Sen. Bam Aquino believes that the free college education law recently signed by President Duterte can be a long-term solution to poverty, crime and even illegal drugs.

“A college degree can unlock a better job and better livelihood for Filipino families. It is an effective weapon and long-term solution to combat poverty, crime and drugs,” said Sen. Bam, the Senate’s principal sponsor and co-author of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act or Republic Act 10931

“Ngayong may pagkakataon na ang maraming Pilipino na makatapos ng libreng kolehiyo, mas malaki ang tsansa nilang makaahon sa kahirapan at umasenso,” added Sen. Bam, who has been advocating for education, jobs and business as keys to lifting Filipinos out of poverty and giving them a chance at a better future.

Earlier, Sen. Bam thanked President Duterte for signing the important measure into law, saying that millions of Filipinos are the real winners with this revolutionary education reform.

“Pagkatapos ng ilang dekada, batas na ang inaasam-asam ng napakaraming pamilyang Pilipino na libreng kolehiyo,” said Sen. Bam, “Estudyante, magulang at pamilyang Pilipino ang tunay na bida ng batas na ito.”

The measure was languishing in the legislative mill for years before it was passed during Sen. Bam’s time as chairman of the Committee on Education in the 17th Congress. This was Sen. Bam’s 19th law in his four years as senator.

With this law, students will enjoy free education in state universities and colleges (SUCs), local universities and colleges (LUCs) and vocational schools under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) starting the second semester of school year 2017-18.

 Aside from tuition fees, the government will shoulder miscellaneous and all other mandatory fees.

 Scholarship grants will also be made available to students of both public and private college and universities. Plus, it provides a new and improved student loan program, where students can apply for financing for other education expenses.

 

Sen. Bam: Mission accomplished for revolutionary free tuition law

Sen. Bam Aquino extended his gratitude to President Duterte for signing the Universal Access to Tertiary Education Act into law, saying that millions of Filipinos are the real winners with this revolutionary education reform.

 “I wish to thank the President for signing the free college tuition into law. Congratulation to my fellow lawmakers and everyone who supported this policy,” said Sen. Bam, the principal sponsor and co-author of the law in the Senate. This was Sen. Bam’s 19th law in his four years as senator.

“Pagkatapos ng ilang dekada, batas na ang inaasam-asam ng napakaraming pamilyang Pilipino na libreng kolehiyo,” Sen. Bam added, “Estudyante, magulang at pamilyang Pilipino ang tunay na bida ng batas na ito.”

 Sen. Bam, who championed the bill during plenary debates and interpellation as former chairman of the Committee on Education, also assured that the Senate will find ways to find the needed Php25 billion to fully implement this law.

 The senator said Sen. Loren Legarda, chairperson ng Committee on Finance, already committed to including free tuition in the 2018 budget.

 With this law, students will enjoy free education in state universities and colleges (SUCs), local universities and colleges (LUCs) and vocational schools under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) starting the second semester of school year 2017-18.

Aside from tuition fees, the government will shoulder miscellaneous and all other mandatory fees. 

 Scholarship grants will also be made available to students of both public and private college and universities. Plus, it provides a new and improved student loan program, where students can apply for financing for other education expenses. 

The measure was languishing in the legislative mill for years before it was passed during Sen. Bam’s time as chairman of the Committee on Education in the 17th Congress.

 “I am thrilled that Filipinos will benefit from a free college education,” Sen. Bam added, “It was an honor to work on this revolutionary education reform and fight for its passage”.

Sen. Bam: Change must come in transport sector

Sen. Bam Aquino urged the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to prioritize the safety and commuting experience of the riding public and look out for the welfare of drivers of public utility vehicles.​

“What we want to achieve is fairness – fairness for Grab and Uber, for taxi operators, for  drivers, and most especially for the riding public,” Sen. Bam said during the hearing of the Committee on Public Services on transport network vehicle services (TNVS) such as Grab and Uber.

According to Sen. Bam there is a need to develop a brand-new regulatory framework which govern transportation network companies (TNC), TNVS and even taxis.

 “May mga grupo na magkaiba yung teknolohiya, magkaiba yung pinanggalingan, pero pareho yung mga serbisyo. So yung isa kong sinisikap mahanap is yung distinction,” said Sen. Bam, who filed Senate Bill No. 696 or the Rideshare Support Company Act.

 “Ang puwedeng maging distinction natin is owner-driven ride sharing versus fleet operators,” Sen. Bam added.

 “Maybe we can have fewer regulations for owner-driven vehicles dahil hindi sila nakakadagdag sa congestion ng kotse at makakabawas pa sa trapiko. Then we can decide on appropriate regulations for fleet operators of Grab, Uber and even taxis,” said Sen. Bam.​

Sen. Bam also encouraged LTFRB to work with taxi operators to help them improve their services, whether it’s by using a phone-based application for pricing versus taxi meters or by rethinking existing regulations.​

 “Instead of weighing down on TNCs and TNVs, maybe we need to work on improving the taxi services in the country,” suggested Sen. Bam.

 

Sen. Bam: Senate will ensure free tuition in SUCs is funded

Sen. Bam Aquino assured that the Senate will find ways to fund the P25 billion needed to implement the free tuition in state universities and colleges (SUCs) even if the measure is vetoed by President Duterte.

“Nag-commit na si Sen. Loren Legarda, ang chairperson ng Committee on Finance, na hahanapan ito ng pondo para sa 2018 budget para sa batas na ito. Hindi natin poproblemahin ito para sa 2018 budget dahil hahanapan natin ang pondo,” the senator explained.

 Sen. Bam Aquino also clarified that the free college education will need a budget of P25 billion and not P100 billion as claimed by a Malacanang official.

 “Iyong numero na binibigay ng Department of Budget and Management (DBM), masyado pong malaki iyon,” Sen. Bam said in a radio interview. “Sa amin sa Senado, ang computation namin na kailangan sa batas na ito ay P25 billion.”

Amid speculations that President Duterte will veto the measure, Sen. Bam remains optimistic that the Chief Executive will sign it into law. “Naniniwala ako na pipirmahan ni Pangulong Duterte ang panukalang ito. Kung priority mo ang edukasyon, popondohan mo ito,” said Sen. Bam.

 The Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act will automatically lapse into law on August 5 if not vetoed by the Chief Executive.

As principal sponsor and co-author, Sen. Bam defended the bill in plenary debates and interpellation during his stint as chairman of the Committee on Education.

He also stood as co-chairman of the Senate delegation to the bicameral conference committee, together with new Committee on Education chairman Sen. Francis Escudero and members Sens. Sherwin Gatchalian and Ralph Recto. 

 If passed into law, students will start to enjoy free education in state universities and colleges (SUCs), local universities and colleges (LUCs) and vocational schools under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) starting the second semester of school year 2017-18. Aside from tuition fees, the government will also shoulder miscellaneous and other fees. 

Under the law, scholarship grants will also be made available to students of both public and private college and universities. It also provides a loan program, where students can apply for financing for other education expenses.

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