Issues

Sen. Bam Wants Savings Legally Defined

 

Senator Bam Aquino wants to legally define savings to put issues such as the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) to rest.

“As a co-equal branch of government, that Congress and Senate define savings once and for all to finally lay this issue to rest,” Aquino said during the hearing of the Senate finance committee on the DAP.

While the term savings is included in the General Appropriations Act (GAA), Aquino said legally defining savings would avoid issues like DAP and the hassles of revisiting it annually.

Budget Secretary Butch Abad welcomed Aquino’s suggestion, provided that “there is appreciation for the need of the Executive to be flexible, considering the complexities of governing a society like us”.

The term savings was the core issue when the Supreme Court declared DAP as unconstitutional.

The High Court declared unconstitutional the creation of savings prior to the end of the fiscal year and the withdrawal of these funds for implementing agencies and the cross-border transfers of the savings from one branch of government to another.

During the hearing, Aquino lauded the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for its efforts to make the budget more transparent to the public under the present administration.

Among the moves initiated by the current DBM leadership is the posting of budget-related documents, including the GAA and DAP, on the agency’s website for transparency and accountability.

Apart from the website, Abad said the DBM insisted on a more detailed budget plan, discouraging other government agencies from resorting to lump-sum funds.

Also, the DBM now requires agencies, especially the implementing offices, to begin procuring their infrastructure projects after submitting the proposed budget to Congress.

 “We’re allowing them to establish more bids and awards committees and hire full-time BAC people so they can perform their procurement functions better,” Abad said.

Sen. Bam Supports Calls for Special Audit of DAP

 

Senator Bam Aquino has supported calls on the Commission on Audit (COA) to conduct a special audit on the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) to, once and for all, remove doubts and other controversies hounding it.

“A special audit is needed so that doubts regarding DAP’s use will be put to rest,” said Aquino during the hearing of the Senate finance committee on DAP.

Through a special audit, Aquino said it would be determined if funds really went to legitimate projects or if somebody benefitted illegally from it.

“If somebody irregularly gained from it, then he or she should be prosecuted,” Aquino emphasized.

Aquino also stressed that DAP should not be associated with the controversial Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), which was scrapped after the P10-billion scam was uncovered last year.

“The DAP helped boost the economy through projects that benefited the Filipino people while P10 billion from PDAF went to ghost non-government organizations and pockets of several politicians,” Aquino stressed.

The senator also lauded the Department of Budget and Management’s (DBM) posting all documents related to DAP on the agency’s website for transparency and accountability.

“We invite everyone to take a look and scrutinize where the funds went,” Aquino said.

Meanwhile, Aquino expressed support behind the government’s move to file a motion for reconsideration on the Supreme Court’s decision on the matter.

“I hope the SC will weigh the President’s position on the DAP’s constitutionality and act favorably on the matter,” the senator said.

Sen. Bam Blasts Red Tape in Power Generation Sector

 

A senator underscored the need to hasten the process for companies venturing into power generation, saying red tape has contributed to the country’s electricity supply problem.

“Many companies want to invest in power generation but they are driven away by the slow and tedious process in getting a permit to build power plants,” said Senator Bam Aquino, chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

At present, Aquino said an investor needs around 150 to 165 signatures for the approval of a permit to construct a power plant.

“Aside from this, four to five years are needed to construct the power plants and have it integrated into the power grid,” the senator added.

Aquino said more power plants are needed to ensure the steady supply of electricity at a lower cost.

“If we have more generating plants, even if four of five shut down, the market should be able to sustain our energy needs,” Aquino said, adding that prices of electricity will be reduced with the entry of more players in the power industry.

Aquino made the call amid the rotating brownouts being implemented by power distributors, which he blamed to the lack of supply from existing powers plants.

“Our electricity supply is thin because existing power plants produce just enough power to meet current demands. If demands spike, then power distributors are forced to resort to rotating brownouts,” the senator said.

The senator warned that these rotating brownouts pose a big threat to the economy, as it could lead to huge business losses.

 

Lemon Law OK ‘Major Win’ for Consumers – Sen. Bam

Senator Bam Aquino called President Aquino’s approval of the Philippine Lemon Law as a “major victory” for consumers as it provides them with much-needed protection against defective vehicles.

“We welcome its passage as it came during a time where owning a car is a necessity to keep up with the fast-paced society we live in,” said Aquino, the measure’s main sponsor at the Senate.

“The Lemon Law provides car owners with a blanket of protection for their hard-earned investments and sets consistent standards of quality and performance in the auto industry,” added Aquino, chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

On Sunday, Malacanang announced the signing of Republic Act 10642 or An Act Strengthening Consumer Protection in the Purchase of Brand New Motor Vehicles.

The law mandates the return to consumer the full value of money if the motor vehicle that was bought would not be of standard and quality, 12 months or 20,000 kilometers from date of original delivery.

If the consumer remains unsatisfied with the efforts to the repair of the vehicle up to four times, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will exercise exclusive and original jurisdiction over disputes.

In his sponsorship speech, Aquino stressed the urgent need to protect car buyers, now that motor vehicles are crucial in present time where mobility is needed for business transactions to thrive daily.

“We want to protect consumers who use cars every day. The quality of cars that they purchase should match the work they put to earn a living,” Aquino said.

Dagdag na Trabaho sa Go Negosyo Law – Sen. Bam

 

The development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country has been given a major boost with President Aquino’s signing of the Go Negosyo Act into law.

 “The approval of the Go Negosyo Act into a law is a fulfillment of our commitment to push for MSME development in the country,” said Senator Bam Aquino, the law’s author and chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

 As the first inclusive growth-related and pro-poor legislation to be passed into law by the present administration, Aquino believes the Go Negosyo Act will further the growth of the MSME industry, which comprises 99 percent of all enterprises and 66 percent of jobs in the country.

 “With MSMEs getting all the help they need through the Go Negosyo Act, it will now be easier for them to start a business or expand existing industries,” said Aquino.

 On Sunday, Malacanang announced the signing of the R.A. 10644 or An Act Promoting Job Generation and Inclusive Growth Through the Development of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises.

 Presidential Communications Operations Office secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the new law would help create new jobs and livelihood for more Filipinos.

 The Act mandates the creation of Negosyo Centers, under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in each city and municipality around the country. These Negosyo centers are meant to make it easier for entrepreneurs to register and start up their businesses, as well as gain access to sources of financing.

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

Ensure Supply of Food in Typhoon-Hit Areas – Sen. Bam to DTI, LGUs

 

Senator Bam Aquino called on the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and local government units (LGUs) to ensure supply of basic goods and other important commodities in areas devastated by typhoon Glenda to avoid hike in prices.

“We must ensure that there’s enough supply of basic goods and other commodities in areas severely damaged by the recent typhoon, especially in the Bicol region,” said Aquino, chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

“Usually, prices of basic products in areas devastated by typhoons and other calamities increase because of supply problems,” added Aquino.

Aquino also reminded businesses in areas placed under a state of calamity to abide by the 60-day price freeze imposed by the DTI.

 These areas are Obando, Bataan, Muntinlupa, Cavite, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, and Gumaca, Quezon.

Under Republic Act No. 7581 or the Price Act, an automatic price freeze is imposed in areas placed under state of calamity to ensure that goods remained at prevailing prices until the state of calamity is lifted.

“The clearing of roads due to fallen trees and other debris is crucial to the delivery of goods to typhoon stricken areas. We call on communities to help out our agencies to ensure our thoroughfares are passable,” Aquino added.

Aquino said among the products covered by the price freeze are basic non-agricultural necessities, including canned fish and other canned marine products, processed milk, coffee, laundry soap, detergents, candles, bread, and salt.

Also included in price freeze are fresh vegetables, roots crops, sugar, cooking oil, firewood, charcoal and medicine classified as essential by the Department of Health.

A fine of up to P1,000,000 and a maximum 10-year jail sentence await violators of the Price Act.

“The Price Act ensures availability of basic necessities and prime commodities at reasonable prices at all times without denying legitimate business a fair return on investment,” the senator said.

In addition, the lawmaker also appealed to businessmen to keep the cost of construction and building materials as a way of helping those rebuilding their homes destroyed by the typhoon.

Recently, Sen. Aquino has filed a bill seeking to establish emergency depots to combat hoarding, price manipulation and inflation during calamities.

In his Senate Bill No. 2215, Aquino said that emergency depots will provide survivors of natural or man-made calamities quick access to affordable basic goods and other prime commodities.

“Community depots will ensure that goods in the market would be available to avoid hoarding in affected areas and protect survivors from price manipulation during times of crisis,” said Aquino.

 

Photo source: Inquirer.net

 

 

Sen. Bam, Gov’t Agencies, Private Groups Set Up MSMEs Hotline vs. Graft and Corruption

 

The days of corrupt government officials and employees are now numbered through hotline numbers 16565 and 0908-8816565.

The Office of Senator Bam Aquino (OSBA) and concerned government agencies and private groups have joined forces to form WASAK or the “Walang Asenso sa Kotong” campaign where small businessmen can air their complaints and other issues against government agencies.

“Our office’s main advocacy is to fight poverty and unemployment through entrepreneurship. However, our small businesses have become milking cows for crooked government employees and private individuals,” said Aquino, chairman of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

The launching of the hotline was held at the Civil Service Commission (CSC) in Quezon City.  It was attended bySen. Aquino, CSC Chair Francis Duque and COO Donald Dee of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Other partners of the campaign include the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Bantay.ph and the National Competiveness Council (NCC).

“This hotline gives the micro and small entrepreneurs an avenue to air their complaints and other issues against illegal practices such as graft and corruption, red tape and extortion that are detrimental to their growth,” the senator added.

Aquino said graft and corruption in government must stop because it drives away potential entrepreneurs and other investors and prevents existing businesses from expanding.

The CCB is a platform for citizens to forward their complaints on red tape, kotong and tongpats, and under-the-table incidents through text messages, email and phone calls.

“The hotline also provides an avenue where complaints and issues are resolved in an effective and timely manner. Now, entrepreneurs have a dependable ally in Wasak,” stressed Aquino.

Wasak also seeks to provide developmental advice for micro and small entrepreneurs regarding product development, marketing, business growth and financial management.

 

New Bus System to Help Stop P2.4B Loss to Traffic – Sen. Bam

 

Senator Bam Aquino expressed support behind the planned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in Cebu, saying it will serve as an “efficient, safe and modern transport model” that can help address the growing traffic problem in Cebu.

 “Aside from helping modernize and industrialize the transport system, the BRT will also open employment and other livelihood opportunities for Cebuanos,” said Aquino, chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

 Recently, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) announced that would bid out the P10.6-billion BRT system by the second quarter of 2015. It will run a 23-kilometer corridor with 33 stations and 176 “high-quality” buses using green technology.

The senator also welcomed the DOTC’s plan to put up another BRT system in different parts of Metro Manila to help solve the perennial traffic woes in the area.

“The BRT could help alleviate the country’s traffic woes, which lead to a revenue loss of P2.4 billion every day, according to recent studies,” the senator said.

Aquino warned that revenue lost due to traffic will grow up to P6 billion a day by 2030 if solutions are not immediately implemented, based on a report by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) released two months ago.

Aquino noted that several industrialized countries have already been implementing BRTs in densely populated areas to move people quicker and safer, helping them become more productive.

“The over two hundred (200) BRT systems worldwide have been very effective in reducing travel time by an average of 30 to 40 percent, giving our workers more time to work rather than spend quality time stuck in traffic,” the senator emphasized.

“Bringing efficient transportation solution will not only solve traffic but also result in development to the area,” he added.

Photo source: Rappler

 

 

Apply full force of law on hoarders – Sen. Bam


Senator Bam Aquino calls on the government to apply the full force of the law on hoarders of rice, garlic and other market products, saying they must be severely punished for their illegal acts that resulted in sudden prices increases.

The senator made the pronouncement even as he lauded Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan for their successful crackdown on several rice hoarders recently.

“Hoarders of rice, garlic and other products must be punished to the fullest extent of the law. Their illegal act has resulted in higher prices, placing additional burden on our consumers,” said Aquino, chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

“The recent success against hoarders should serve as warning to those who are still doing it. The government is serious in going after those who compromise the public’s interest for their own profit,” the senator added.

Aquino lauded Roxas and Pangilinan for personally spearheading the government’s campaign against rice hoarders.

Recently, the two government officials led the inspection and raid of several warehouses where they discovered that NFA rice were being repacked and sold as commercial rice.

The campaign led to the confiscation of an estimated 4,000 metric tons of rice and the filing of charges against a company for violation of Presidential Decree No. 4 for diversion of price and price manipulation under the Price Act.

“If found guilty, hoarders face five to 15 years imprisonment under the Price Act,” said Aquino.

Aquino said the passage of the Fair Competition Act of 2014 will end monopolies, cartels and other trade practices that affect businesses, especially the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The senator stressed that the bill’s passage is long overdue since the Philippines is one of only few countries that don’t have a competition policy that will protect its consumers and private industries.

 

Photo source: gmanews.tv

 

E-Commerce Law to Improve Ease of Doing Business, Internet Connection – Sen. Bam

 

If properly developed, Senator Bam Aquino believes that Republic Act 8792, better known as the E-Commerce Law, would improve ease of doing business and provide cheaper and faster Internet connection.

 Passed in 2000, the senator said the law mandates several government agencies, led by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), to promote and implement a framework that will result to cheap and fast broadband and wireless accessibility, which will allow trade online.

“If implemented to the letter, the E-Commerce Law will be a big help in our mission to give the public cheaper and faster Internet connection to allow them to explore livelihood online,” explained Aquino, chairman of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

Aquino recently spearheaded the inquiry into the slow and expensive Internet connection in the country.

The senator stressed that the law will help address the country’s problem in terms of ease of doing business as it mandates the establishment of an electronic online network that connects all government agencies down to the regional level.

“With all government agencies connected by a single network, processing of documents will be easier, faster and cheaper because you don’t have to jump from one office to another,” Aquino explained.

E-Commerce could also boost job generation with the high demand in online-related jobs such as business process outsourcing (BPO), gaming and animation, and online marketing.

“Also, we are now starting to see the arrival of jobs that can be done without leaving home, such as online writing, design and document analysis,” Aquino explained.

Aside from this, E-Commerce will also empower online entrepreneurs who promote and sell their products on the Internet.

“E-Commerce could provide more opportunities for livelihood and earning, locally and globally. With Filipinos being online savvy, the world is our market and our opportunities are limitless,” he added.

In line with this, Aquino filed a resolution seeking to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation on the development of the country’s national industrial roadmap for E-Commerce since it was passed 14 years ago.

“We want to know where we are in terms of ICT and if the law has been effective in carrying out plans, program and reforms to boost E-Commerce in the country,” said Aquino.

In the latest World Economic Forum Global Information and Technology report, the Philippines showed a marked improvement with a rank of 78 out of 148 countries from its previous ranking of 86.

“In order to sustain this development, there is a need to assess the roadmap for the E-Commerce sector through the aid of appropriate government agencies to promote innovation and further improve the industry’s growth,” Aquino added.

 

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