Issues

Bam: Lower the price of electricity

A senator has submitted a measure seeking to lower power rates by removing Value Added Tax (TAX) from the sale of electricity by all electric companies and cooperatives.

In his Senate Bill No. 670, Sen. Bam Aquino wants to make VAT-exempt the sale of electricity at all stages — from generation, transmission, and distribution — to lessen the expenses of Filipino families.

 “A tax relief on electricity will result in significant savings for Filipino families as well as lower operating costs for businesses, from small restaurants and retail stores to large factories,” Sen. Bam said.

 The measure seeks to amend Section 108 (A) (II) and 109 (1) of the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended by Republic Act No. 9337, to cover sale, transmission and distribution of electricity from VAT-exempted transactions.

 Among them are sales of electricity by generation, transmission and distribution companies and electric cooperatives and services of franchise grantees or electric utilities.

 The senator is also eyeing to exempt from VAT the sale or importation of machineries and equipment, including spare parts, to be directly used by the buyer or importer in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity

 “We’ve been complaining about our expensive electricity for too long. Something must be done to bring down prices,” Sen. Bam said.

 The Philippines has one of the most expensive electricity costs in Southeast Asia, having the third highest tariffs for residential electricity whereas our neighbors’ electrical distribution is heavily subsidized by their governments.

 The lawmaker added that more than hindering foreign investment, high power rates add burden to average Filipino families that are already struggling to pay for other necessities such as water, food and gas.

 

Bam: More support for poor Filipino families ​through Microfinance NGOs

Low-income households will be supported by more m​icrofinance non-government organizations (​MFI ​NGOs) with the signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for Republic Act 10693 or the Microfinance NGOs Act.
 
​“This law will encourage more MFI​ NGO​s to ​help the poor through ​loans and​ ​training,” said Sen. Bam Aquino, who pushed for the law’s passage in the Senate as co-author and principal sponsor.
 
​​MFI NGOs give Filipinos access to low-interest, no collateral loans to pay for housing, medical, and educational needs​ as well as loans for small businesses.
 
“MFI NGOs​ aid​ our poor countrymen in times of inflation and price increases. They also provide financing and training for livelihood and small businesses so families can overcome poverty,” he added.
 
In 2013, MFI NGO members of the Microfinance Council of the Philippines, Inc. (MCPI) had a gross loan portfolio of over 15.26 billion pesos catering to more than 2.7 million micro-entrepreneurs.
 
​According to Sen. Bam, the law ​incentivizes microfinance NGOs to continue helping Filipinos overcome poverty not just through financing but also through financial literacy, livelihood, and entrepreneurship training.
 
​​The ​law provides microfinance NGOs needed support and incentives that includes access to government programs and projects, technical assistance and exemption from taxes.
 
​​Republic Act 10693 was one of Sen. Bam’s 16 laws in the 16th Congress. It was passed under his watch as chairman of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.
 
​The ​law’s IRR is set to be signed today, August 16, 2016.

Bam eyes tax exemption for communities affected by calamities

Business establishments and communities affected by calamities will be exempted from paying taxes once a measure submitted by Sen. Bam Aquino becomes a law.

 “This measure seeks to relieve Filipinos of some taxes to encourage recovery after disaster,” said Sen. Bam as he filed Senate Bill No. 653 or “An Act Providing for Tax Relief in Times of Calamity”.

 The measure mandates real property tax exemption for affected communities after a declaration of a state of calamity.

 In addition, Sen. Bam said business establishments affected by a calamity shall be exempted from income tax payments.

 The bill also provides donor’s tax exemption to organizations, provided that at least 90 percent of the donations go directly to the affected community and not to administrative purposes.

 “Families affected by calamities need our help. Waiving taxes is one way the government can give them support and assistance,” Sen. Bam stressed.

 A total of 6 provinces, 12 cities, 17 municipalities, and 2 barangays have been declared under a state of calamity because of El Niño from February 2015 to March 14, 2016 according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

Bam set to probe status of Martial Law education in schools

Senator Bam Aquino has filed a resolution calling for an inquiry to determine the status of education on Martial Law in basic and tertiary education.

“Sa dami ng maling impormasyon na kumakalat sa Internet, kailangan nating malaman kung paano tinuturo ang Martial Law sa ating kabataan at siguraduhin na ang katotohanan ang nananaig sa ating mga paaralan,” said Sen. Bam in his Senate Resolution No. 29.

 Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Education in the 17th Congress,  stressed that the younger generations must be made aware of the horrors of Martial Law, considered as the darkest years in Philippine history.

“Napansin natin na mukhang nagkaroon na ng pagbabago sa kasaysayan. Ang Martial Law ay sinasabing golden years ng Pilipinas, na malayung-malayo sa katotohanan,” Sen. Bam stressed.

 “Nakakalungkot ang pangyayaring ito dahil tila kinalimutan na ang mga nagsakripisyo ng buhay noong panahon ng diktadurya,” he added.

 According to historical records, 3,257 were killed, while an estimated 35,000 were tortured, and 70,000 incarcerated during the Martial Law rule, which ran from 1972 to 1981.

 Aside from the rampant human rights violation during that time, an estimated $10 billion in government money was stolen, according to Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) records.

Bam on PH’s campaign in The International DOTA 2 tournament

Congratulations to TNC for putting the Philippines in the spotlight as a force to reckon with in the DOTA 2 community.

 TNC’s outstanding performance at The International will leave a lasting mark, especially your win over heavily favored OG squad, in the biggest DOTA 2 stage in the world.

 Maraming salamat sa buong giting na pagdala ng bandila ng Pilipinas sa nasabing torneo. Ipinagmalalaki kayo ng buong bansa!

 Tuloy pa po ang laban ni DJ ng Team Fnatic. Congratulations, DJ! We’re all behind you!

 

* Sen. Bam is a staunch supporter of eSports and video game development industry in the country.

Bam to Transportation officials: Make life easier for MRT riders

While waiting for arrival of additional trains and implementation of other long-term plans for the Metro Rail Transit (MRT), Sen. Bam Aquino asked the Department of Transportation to immediately provide commuters with protection against the elements, especially during this rainy season.

“I know that you are already doing the wagons, the trains but can we do something very short term, very low-hanging fruit. Puwede bang manigurado lang na walang mababasa habang rainy season na at habang naghihintay,” said Sen. Bam during the hearing of the Senate committee on public service on the proposal to grant President Duterte emergency powers to solve the traffic problem in Metro Manila.

“Basically, mga tolda, hindi naman ganun kamahal iyon, kakaunti lang ang mga stops,” he added.

Sen. Bam also calls on Transportation Secretary Art Tugade to take it a step further by providing commuters with free drinking water and Wi-Fi service as they wait for the next train to arrive.

 “I don’t think it will be much cost to government pero malaking bagay iyon sa mga naghihintay,” the senator said.

 Tugade said he will immediately order his men to ensure that commuters will be protected from the elements.

“Doon sa mga comfort ng mga nakapila, mayroon ding kaming mga proyekto na mamimili sila ng ticket sa ibang outlet, gaya ng tindahan at mall,” said Tugade.

 “Mayroon ring kaming kausap na mall, na may open area kung saan dadaan iyong may ticket na, they can hang around with the children,” he added.

Bam: Make EDSA walkable again through elevated walkways

Senator Bam Aquino called on the Department of Transportation to make EDSA walkable again by putting up elevated walkways for pedestrians.

“Sana po may programa rin tayo for allowing our pedestrians to walk and ply EDSA. Nakita rin natin na marami po sa mga sumasakay sa public vehicles, short distances lang ang biyahe nila while in other countries, puwede pong lakarin iyan,” said Sen. Bam during the hearing of the Senate committee on public service on the proposal to grant President Duterte emergency powers to solve the traffic problem in Metro Manila.

 “I believe that if we’re able to create safe areas for people to walk, tatangkilikin iyan ng ating mga kababayan,” added Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam said the establishment of elevated walkways with “walkalators” will make it easier for pedestrians to reach their destination.

 Transportation Secretary Art Tugade said he’s “very open” to the idea, adding he’s willing to talk to the proponents of the planned walkways to get the project running.

 “Dalhin niyo sa akin, kakausapin ko sila,” said Tugade.

Aside from walkways for pedestrians, Sen. Bam also calls on the agency to put up bicycle lanes along EDSA, providing the public with other transportation alternative.

“In other countries, bicycles are a large part of transportation ng mga tao pero dito, sa EDSA kung magbibisikleta ka, nakakakaba talaga,” Sen. Bam said.

“Alongside those elevated walkways, may mga paths na rin tayo for bicycles,” he added.

Statement of Bam Aquino on Marcos Burial

Bam seeks to help graduates secure jobs through Trabaho Centers

A senator has filed a measure establishing Trabaho Centers in Senior High Schools all over the country, in a bid to bridge the gap between education and employment and address job mismatch.

 Sen. Bam Aquino’s Senate Bill No. 170 or the Trabaho Center in Schools Act will help Senior High School graduates under the K to 12 program, who chose to enter employment find opportunities through a job placement office.

 The measure will amend Section 9 of Republic Act No. 10533 or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 that implements the K to 12, to include Trabaho Centers under its scope.

 “While we work on equipping our graduates with the adequate skills to join the workforce, let us also bridge that gap between education and employment through the Trabaho Centers,” said Sen. Bam.

 According to Sen. Bam, the Trabaho Center will focus on three main things – 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 while Employment Facilitation is envisioned to assist the needs of a job seeker or the senior high school student,” explained Sen. Bam.

 Through industry matching, the needs of companies will be addressed by providing them graduate listings and resume profiling of students.

 The Public Employment Services Office (PESO) and TESDA will join forces to create a thorough database of job opportunities in the locality and immediately coordinate further training that might be needed based on particular employment opportunities.

 “Through the Trabaho Centers, 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,” said Sen. Bam.

Bam seeks to eradicate hunger in 10 years

In an effort to eradicate hunger in the next 10 years, Sen. Bam Aquino has submitted a measure seeking to ensure regular, permanent and unrestricted access to food and nutrition for every Filipino.

 “In this day and age of technology, economic development, and social consciousness, it is inexcusable to allow our countrymen to grow hungry,” said Sen. Bam in Senate Bill No. 712 or the Right to Adequate Food Framework Act.

 “It is our duty to enhance the welfare of our citizens and ensure that every Filipino is given regular, permanent, and unrestricted access to sufficient food and nutrition,” he added.

 Explaining his measure, Sen. Bam it will ensure that land devoted to food production shall be increased to 50 percent of all prime agricultural land in every region.

 The measure will also increase the coverage of school feeding programs, the public budget allocation for the marginalized and disadvantaged Filipinos who are unable to feed themselves, as well as research on agriculture, irrigation, and rural development.

 A Commission on the Right to Adequate Food under the Commission on Human Rights, will be established to ensure its compliance and implementation to ensure proactive and efficient implementation of plans to achieve zero-hunger in the Philippines.

 “The least we can do for our poor countrymen is to actively pursue the eradication of hunger in the Philippines. I urge my colleagues to vote for the passing of this measure,” Sen. Bam said.

 The senator also seeks to alleviate childhood malnutrition in the Philippines through a feeding program for infants, public kindergarten and elementary school children.

 “It will promote the health of children who are most in need, by providing regular and free access to nutritious food within a safe and clean school and community environment,” Sen. Bam said in Senate Bill No. 694 or the “Pagkaing Pinoy para sa Batang Pinoy” Bill.

 In a study called “The State of Food Insecurity in the World 2012”, conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), a total of 16 million Filipinos were considered undernourished from 2010 to 2012.

 Aside from eradicating hunger, the measure will also help alleviate poverty by tapping small-scale producers as sources of 30 percent or more for the supplies for the program.

 These two measures will complement the senator’s Zero Food Waste Act (SBN 357) that called for supermarkets and restaurants to donate unserved food to the poor through food banks.

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