Issues

Bam: Is Metro Manila Ready for a Massive Quake?

“Handa ba ang Metro Manila sa pagtama ng malakas na lindol?”

Senator Bam Aquino has filed a resolution seeking to assess the capacity and preparedness of different stakeholders in case a massive earthquake hits the country.

Sen. Bam’s move stemmed from the recent massive magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Nepal that killed more than 8,000 people and the magnitude 7.2 tremor that shook Bohol and Cebu in 2013 that killed more than 200 people.

“There is a need to assess and strengthen the capacities and preparedness of the concerned national government agencies, local government units, and partner stakeholders to mitigate and prepare for, respond to, and recover from the impact of a massive earthquake,” Sen. Bam said in Proposed Senate Resolution 1354.

With the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters, Sen. Bam said the institutionalization of systems, plans, programs and approaches must be prioritized to beef up disaster resilience of local communities, especially in vulnerable areas in the Greater Metro Manila Area (GMMA).

Sen. Bam said the GMMA is vulnerable to earthquakes because of the presence of a Valley Fault System composed of a 10-kilometer East Valley Fault in Rizal and a 100-kilometer West Valley Fault that runs through different cities and municipalities of Bulacan, Rizal, Metro Manila, Cavite and Laguna.

Based on a study conducted by the Metropolitan Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study in 2004, a potential rupture of the 90-kilometer West Valley Fault would lead to heavy or partial damage to 40 percent of all residential buildings, 34,000 deaths, and 114,000 injuries.

“A significant factor in ensuring earthquake safety is ensuring the ability of houses, buildings and all public infrastructure to withstand earthquakes even with magnitudes of 8 to 10,” Sen. Bam said.

With this, Sen. Bam said there is an urgent need to audit the safety of existing and future construction projects to ensure their strict adherence to relevant and appropriate regulations, standards and guidelines, including those provided by the National Building Code.

“Dapat nating tiyakin na tayo’y handa sa pagtama ng malakas na lindol at siguruhing ang kaligtasan ng lahat,” the senator said.

Also, locations of houses and buildings must be checked for safety based on the Valley Fault System (VFS) Atlas recently published by PHIVOLCS.

“Kailangang matuto tayo sa nangyari sa Nepal, sa Cebu at Bohol. Huwag na nating hintayin pang maraming buhay ang mawala at mga ari-arian ang masira,” Sen. Bam added.

7 Tips Para Makakuha ng Kapital Para Sa Pinapangarap Na Negosyo

listahan

By ListAvengers

 

Marami sa ating mga Pilipino ang may pangarap na makapagnegosyo. Kaya lang, mahirap ding makakuha ng kapital para makapag-umpisa.  Narito ang ilang tips para makahanap ng puhunan. Negosyo, now na!

1. Mangutang. Lapitan ang inyong mga BFF, kapalan ang mukha at mag promise na babayaran mo siya with interest. Siguraduhin lang na magbayad nang tama sa oras para hindi ma-FO (Friendship Over).

Pwede ring lumapit kina Mama at Papa. Magdrama at magparinig na nais mong magtayo ng negosyong swak na swak pero kulang ang pera sabay buntong-hininga. Siguraduhing naririnig ka nila habang nag momonologue at magbayad para makaulit.  Huwag lang masyadong atat na kunin ang mana.

keepcalm

 

2. Makipagpartner. Para hindi lang ikaw ang papasan ng problema, humanap ng karamay sa negosyo. Kung may mga kamag-anak o malapit na kaibigan na OFW, i-message at i-impress sila sa iyong business proposal. Gumawa ng powerpoint presentation, kumanta, o umiyak para ma-eengganyo silang mag-invest at makipagpartner sa iyo!

OFW

 

 

3. Mag-ipon. Gutumin ang sarili. Kung apat na beses kumakain sa isang araw, gawin na lang dalawa para may maipon. Mag 3 in 1 na kape na lang imbis na frappucino.  Mag-order ng 1 rice imbis na 2.  Maglakad mula Taft hanggang Santolan imbis na mag-MRT. Nakaipon ka na, nakapag-diet ka pa. Kung hindi mo naman kaya, ibenta ang mga gamit na hindi mo na napapakinabangan. Nagkapera ka na, nabawasan pa ang kalat sa iyong kwarto. Huwag mo lang ibenta ang atay mo.

savings

 

 

4. Makipagsapalaran sa mga pacontest ng barangay. Tamang-tama, Mayo ngayon at patok ang mga amateur singing contests, dance contests at mga pa-liga sa barangay. Kung hindi palarin sa sariling lugar, dumayo sa ibang barangay para more chances of winning. Kung may beauty ka namang pang rampa, pwede ring patulan ang mga Santacruzan at beauty contests, siguraduhin lang na mas malaki ang premyong matatanggap kaysa sa pinambayad sa gown na isusuot.

amateursingingcontest

 

 

5.Tumaya sa Lotto. Libre ang mangarap kaya tumaya nang tumaya sa lotto. Malay mo suwertehin ka at lumabas ang numerong inaalagaan mo. Yun nga lang, 1 in 30 million ang chances of winning sa lotto, mas mahirap pa sa chance mong magaka-boyfriend or girlfriend, kaya kailangan ng matinding pasensya at dasal.

lotto

 

 

6. Mag-Loan.  Kung may pang kolateral, maaaring umutang sa bangko. Gawing kolateral ang anumang ari-arian, huwag lang ang ari-arian ng ibang tao, baka ma-asunto.

landbankloan

 

 

7. Lumapit sa isang Microfinance Institution. Kung wala ka namang pang kolateral, tamang-tama ang mga microfinance institutions dahil mas mababa ang kanilang interes kaysa sa 5-6. Bisitahin ang www.microfinancecouncil.org, mag-e-mail sa mcpi.ph@gmail.com o tumawag sa (02) 6316184 upang malaman ang pinakamalapit na MCPI sa lugar ninyo. Mahirap nang maligaw kaya maniguro.

Kasagana Microfinance

 

 

Kung mayroon kayong naiisip na lis7ahan at nais maging miyembro ng Listavengers, mag-e-mail sa team.bamaquino@senado.ph!

 

 

 

Bam: Help DepEd Prepare for K-to-12 Challenges

Senator Bam Aquino urges different stakeholders to help the Department of Education (DepEd) prepare for the challenges ahead regarding the K-to-12 Program, instead of tearing down this crucial educational reform initiative.

“The challenges ahead are real but we still have time. Change is difficult. Reforms are difficult but they need to be done,” said Aquino during the Senate Committee on Education hearing on the implementation of the K-to-12 program.

“From where we are now and where we need to be next year, needs a lot of cooperation from many different sectors,” the senator stressed.

Sen. Bam suggested the creation of K to 12 Local Readiness Councils composed of teachers, parents and businesses to help address any gaps left for the K-to-12 Program.

“The DepEd can convert existing Brigada Eskwela structures in localities to be their main partners on the ground to support the K to 12 implementation,” suggested Sen. Bam, chairman of the Senate Committee on Youth.

During the hearing, Sen. Bam emphasized that concerned government agencies must be prepared for challenges ahead as they implement the program that is expected to modernize the country’s educational system.

“Now is the time to work together for our youth, not tear down reforms that we need to be globally competitive,” added Sen. Bam.

DepEd officials, led by Secretary Armin Luistro, expressed confidence that the department can fill up around 30,000 vacant teaching positions needed to effectively implement the program.

“We need to ensure that we can get teachers who are competent and have the right discipline to match the needs the schools have,” Sen. Bam said.

During its presentation, the DepEd said it is currently training 70,000-plus teachers for elementary and 80,000-plus teachers for high school as of 2015 to prepare them for the program.

“We’ve been doing the reforms for five years now.  Ngayon pa ba tayo bibitiw? Kailangan lahat ay kasama rito – ang pamahalaan, ang private schools, ang mga teachers’ groups, mga estudyante, pati business sector – dapat magkaisa sa pagpapatupad ng repormang ito,” the senator said.

 The DepEd also plans to conduct a massive information campaign, including the establishment of help desks in schools, to enlighten the public about the program.

“The Philippine education reform is not only the DepEd’s responsibility, it’s everyone’s responsibility,” added the senator.

Bam: Collective Efforts Saved Mary Jane

Senator Bam Aquino lauds the collective efforts of President Aquino, Vice President Jejomar Binay and Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario that led to the granting of temporary reprieve to Mary Jane Veloso.

“This once again proves that if concerned government agencies work together,  positive things happen,” said Sen. Bam.

Aquino also expressed gratitude to the Indonesian government for granting Mary Jane a temporary reprieve, allowing her to testify against her recruiters.

“I call on the Department of Justice and the Department of Foreign Affairs to continue supporting Mary Jane in her case so she will be spared from the death penalty,” Sen. Bam said.

Indonesia has given Mary Jane a temporary reprieve to allow her to testify against her recruiter Maria Kristina Sergio, who earlier surrendered to authorities in Nueva Ecija.

Sen. Bam also called on authorities to beef up the case filed against Mary Jane’s recruiters and others responsible for her plight so she can get justice for her years of incarceration and torment.

“Let us exert all means necessary to protect our Overseas Filipinos against syndicates who use them as drug couriers and other illegal activities,” Sen. Bam added.

Sen. Bam recently filed a resolution seeking to conduct an inquiry on the death penalty cases involving OFWs and the delay in the disposition of overseas-related cases, particularly illegal recruitment and trafficking.

“We need to ensure that assistance will be provided to the 805 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) – 45 of whom are on death row – incarcerated in different parts of the world,” asked Sen. Bam.

In his Senate Resolution No.  1266, Sen. Bam revealed that around 805 OFWs face drug-related cases worldwide as of September 2014.

“Most of these cases are in Asia at 341, 244 in the Middle East and Africa, 116 in the United States and 104 in Europe,” said Sen. Bam.

“Around 45 OFWs are in death row, but their sentences are not yet final as the cases are on various stages of appeal,” he added. 

Based on data from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), only 196 OFWs have received help from the department’s legal assistance fund from January 2011 to August 2012.

The DFA attributed this low number to the limitation under Sections 18 and 19 of Republic Act No. 10022, which amends the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995.

“Kung itinuturing natin ang mga OFWs bilang mga bayani, kailangan natin silang bigyan ng sapat na suporta at proteksyon lalo na’t sila’y nasa ibang bansa,” emphasized Sen. Bam.

“Ang laki ng kanilang kontribusyon sa ating pag-unlad. Huwag natin silang pabayaan,” added Sen. Bam.

Kalibo’s Negosyo Center to Boost Local Economy, Contribute to Country

KALIBO, Aklan – Local officials here expressed optimism that the opening of the Negosyo Center here will help the smaller enterprises keep up with big businesses in the province.

“The establishment of a pioneering Negosyo Center in the province will empower micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as they compete with big businesses,” said Aklan Gov. Florencio Miraflores.

“As envisioned by Senator Bam Aquino, the Negosyo Center will also boost job generation and promote inclusive growth in Aklan,” he added.

Sen. Bam, author of Republic Act 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act, led the formal opening of the Negosyo Center here Friday together with Kalibo mayor William Lachica, other local officials, representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and other stakeholders.

The Negosyo Center, located at the ground floor of the DTI-Aklan office at Veterans Avenue, is the fourth in the country, next to Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo City and Daet.

Last year, Kalibo ranked third in the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) list in terms of overall competitiveness. In terms of local economy, the municipality ranked 11th and 1st in government efficiency.

The province of Aklan earned some P43.78 billion from the tourism industry in 2014, mainly from local and foreign tourists who visited the world-class Boracay island.

“The Negosyo Center will help Aklan supplement its robust tourism industry with the establishment of new businesses,” said Sen. Bam.

The “Go Negosyo Act” provides for the establishment of Negosyo Centers in provinces, cities and municipalities in the country.

The Negosyo Center will provide access to linkages to bigger markets for businesses, and a unified and simplified business registration process, thus helping ease of doing business and fast-track government processes in putting up a business.

“By making business registration simpler and more efficient, we hope to encourage more Filipinos to start their own small businesses to stimulate the local economy,” Sen. Bam stressed.

Sen. Bam said the Negosyo Center will also help link up entrepreneurs with microfinance institutions that provide financing without collateral.

In addition, the Negosyo Centers will provide courses and development programs, training, advice on business conceptualization and feasibility, management, capability building, human resources, marketing and other support services.

Sen. Bam expects that around 100 Negosyo Centers will be established in different parts of the country this year.

“Walang Pilipino dapat na maiwan sa natatamasang kaunlaran ng bansa,” Sen. Bam emphasised.  “Kailangan, sama-sama tayong aangat.”

Bam: Immediately Address Youth Unemployment

A lawmaker urges the government to address the growing number of unemployed Filipino youth, which is currently estimated at 1.32 million.

 

According to the Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA) and National Statistics Office (NSO), the current national rate of unemployed Filipinos is at 6.6% or at 2.7 million as of January 2015, up from 6.0% as reported in October 2014.

 

From the 6.6%, 49.1 percent of the unemployed Filipinos belong to the age bracket of 15 to 24 years old or 1.32 million.

 

“Nakakaalarma na mas maraming kabataan ngayon ang walang trabaho,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Senate Committee on Youth.

 

To help address this problem, Sen. Bam has filed Senate Resolution No. 1268 seeking to encourage concerned government agencies to create employment opportunities for the youth.

 

“1.32 milyong kabataan ang hindi nakakatulong sa kanilang mga pamilya at sa ating bansa,” added Sen. Bam.

 

Also, the resolution also urges government agencies to formulate programs to address the needs of young Filipinos, including the unemployed youth, workers in vulnerable employment and young entrepreneurs.

 

Sen. Bam sees the need for relevant government agencies such as the Department of Labor, Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the National Economic Development Authority to collaborate and coordinate more to address the problem.

 

“In order to strategically and significantly promote job generation for young Filipinos and propose interventions on economic policies, there should be a coordinated policy framework to address the challenges of youth unemployment,” said Sen. Bam.

 

Sen. Bam encouraged the government to prioritize programs that will enhance labor market information, skills training and upgrading, online job matching and entrepreneurial skills.

 

“Through the years, there has been a mismatch between the available jobs and available skills in the labor force, which is considered as one of the main reasons for youth unemployment,” said Sen. Bam.

 

“Kailangang mabigyan ng pagkakataong magkatrabaho o magkanegosyo, at lumago ang ating kabataan sa nararanasang pag-unlad ng ating bansa,” Sen. Bam emphasized.

Bam: Sports School to Address International Competition Woes

In a move to develop the country’s grassroots sports, a senator has filed a bill seeking to establish a Philippine High School for Sports (PHSS) that will provide young athletes with quality sports training while learning at the same time.

“Through the PHSS Act, we have the opportunity to support young athletes and provide them valuable education along with quality sports training,” Sen. Bam Aquino said in Senate Bill No. 2697.

Explaining his measure, Aquino said the PHSS will offer, on a scholarship basis, a secondary course with special emphasis on developing the athletic skills of students through subjects pertaining to physical and sports development.

This will enable student-athletes to gain their secondary education while ensuring opportunities for their training, exposure and participation in sports competitions,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Senate Committee on Youth.

Sen. Bam believes that with the right training and education, young athletes can help put the country’s flag in international competitions such as the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games and the Olympics.

“The PHSS will serve as the training ground where future Gilas and Azkals are honed and the future Paeng Nepomucenos and Eric Buhains are developed,” added Sen. Bam.

At present, the Philippines is home to world champions in boxing, bowling, swimming, jiu jitsu, shooting and wushu, among others.

Bam: ICT Hubs to Improve Internet Speed, Access

In an effort to boost the country’s Internet speed and access, a senator has filed a bill seeking to create an Online Network Establishment (ONE) that will build and develop basic information and communications (ICT) infrastructure throughout the country.

“The ONE Philippines Act is a concrete step to build and develop basic information and communications (ICT) infrastructure through the solidarity of both public and private agencies,” Sen. Bam Aquino said in Senate Bill No. 2698.

The bill calls for the establishment of ICT Hubs in every legislative district, which will improve the country’s Internet speed and give more Filipinos access to the World Wide Web.

“Being a nation with over 7,000 islands and with an estimated 10 million Filipinos living abroad, it is important that we establish quality access to the Internet, and other means of communications across the country,” Sen. Bam emphasized.

However, a report by the United Nations (UN) agency said seven of 10 Filipinos have no Internet access and only 18.9 percent of households have Internet connection.

“There is an urgent need to address the lack of Internet access in the Philippines so Filipinos can keep their connections alive and strong and business can continue to thrive,” Sen. Bam said.

Also, Sen. Bam added the country’s GDP will improve by up to one percent by improving access to ICT, based on a study by the Nathan Institute and the Oxford Institute.

“The approval of this bill will not only lead to more personal connections between Filipino families and friends, it will also advance industry and support the country’s exceptional economic growth,” Sen. Bam stressed.

Bam Lauds BIR Extension for ‘No Payment’ Returns

“Salamat sa pakikinig sa ating mga Boss.”

Senator Bam Aquino lauds the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for granting a two-month reprieve to taxpayers with “No Payment” returns, a move that will benefit many small and medium enterprises and self-employed individuals.

“The extended deadline will be a big help to many of our SMEs and self-employed who are included in this category,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

Sen. Bam’s pronouncement came after BIR Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares announced that taxpayers with No Payment returns will be allowed to file manually but will be required to re-file electronically on or before June 15, 2015.

Earlier, Sen. Bam asked the BIR cancel the imposition of penalties on taxpayers covered by the Electronic Filing and Payment System (eFPS) or Electronic BIR Forms (eBIRForms) who failed to file tax returns under the electronic systems.

In his letter, Sen. Bam called on Henares to suspend imposition of penalties under Revenue Regulation No. 5-2015 until next year to give taxpayers enough time to familiarize themselves with the agency’s online facilities.

At the same time, Sen. Bam urges the BIR to clarify those covered by the e-filing for the guidance of the agency’s regional district offices (RDOs).

“It will be helpful if the BIR could cite some clear examples so taxpayers could assert that they are not required to e-file once they go to their respective RDOs,” Sen. Bam said.

“Based on numerous complaints from the taxpayers, the issuance of the revenue regulations and the memorandum circular has caused confusion regarding the proper implementation of the revenue regulations and the memorandum circular,” said Sen. Bam. 

“Tulungan natin ang ating maliliit na negosyante at hindi tayo maging pahirap sa kanilang mga negosyo,” added Sen. Bam.

Bam to BIR: Postpone Deadline, Cancel Penalties

“Huwag na nating pahirapan ang ating mga Boss.”

 

Senator Bam Aquino emphasized this plea as he reiterated his call to Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares to suspend the imposition of penalties to taxpayers for failure to use its new electronic filing system.

 

“We should make things easier for our taxpayers, not make things difficult for them,” Sen. Bam stressed.

 

Earlier, Sen. Bam called on the BIR to cancel the imposition of penalties on taxpayers covered by the Electronic Filing and Payment System (eFPS) or Electronic BIR Forms (eBIRForms) who failed to file tax returns under the electronic systems.

 

The BIR issued the regulation on March 15, 2015 and it was published in a national daily two days later, giving taxpayers less than one month to comply with the new policy.

 

“The fines are not commensurateto the ‘offense’ of manual filing.  Saan ka nakakita, gusto na ngang magbayad, bibigyan mo pa ng multa,” he added.

 

Aside from this, Sen. Bam said the BIR personnel’s inability to explain the new procedures further adds to the taxpayers’ woes.

 

“The BIR local offices have conflicting statements on how to proceed, who are covered, determination of penalties, etc.  This creates uncertainty in our taxpayers which in turn lead to dissatisfaction.  Kahit yata sila nalilito how to implement this new policy,” Sen. Bam said.

 

Sen. Bam suggested that the BIR stick to the policy but extend the deadline for filing for another three months.

 

“The BIR also needs to ensure that their online system can handle the volume of downloads that will only increase in the next few days,” he said.

 

Sen. Bam also encouraged the BIR to establish online kiosks/stations at local BIR offices with personnel who will help input the returns of our taxpayers and teach them with new procedures.

 

“In this way,” Sen. Bam said, “BIR can fulfil its objective of migrating our taxplayers online, while dispelling any possible doubts and fears from our taxpayers on the new system.”

Scroll to top