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Bam: SSS Coverage for Working Poor

The working poor will now be covered by the government’s social protection program through the Social Security System (SSS) once Sen. Bam Aquino’s bill is enacted into law.

Sen. Bam has filed Senate Bill No. 2746, seeking to provide the farmers, fishermen, market and street vendors, tricycle drivers and millions of micro business owners the social protection they need.

“As they earn below P100,000.00 annually, the working poor’s contributions, unfortunately, are not regular, thus depriving them of a chance to enjoy social protection from the SSS,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship. “The proposed measure seeks to provide the working poor the much-needed help in order for them to grow,” said Sen. Bam.

While the poorest of the poor are covered by the government’s social protection programs, Sen. Bam said only 6.5 percent of the 12 million self-employed Filipinos are paying their SSS contributions.

Under the Working Poor Protection Act of 2015, the government will match every contribution of the working poor to SSS, the same way an employer matches the contribution of their employees.

This will enable the working poor to access loans and other benefits from SSS, giving them the opportunity to get out of poverty and succeed on their own.

In addition, they will also be given a chance to avail of social protection packages that SSS provides, such as disability, sickness, maternity, old age, and death benefits.

“Let us ensure that the Filipino dream is realized – that all Filipinos are being provided with the right opportunity, the break that they need to succeed on their own and the environment where they are able to help themselves,” said Sen. Bam, who worked with micro businesses before he became a senator.

“Wala dapat maiiwan tungo sa tinatamasa nating kaunlaran,” he added.

SBN-2737: Abolishing the National Coordinating and Monitoring Board

Our Filipino senior citizens have contributed immensely to the growth and progress of the country. As they reach the twilight of their lives, it is our responsibility as a society to ensure their rights and privileges, and that proper accommodation is given to them.

To further embolden RA 7432, the Senior Citizens Act of 2015 seeks to institutionalize the National Commission for Senior Citizens (NCSC), which shall have the best interests of our country’s seniors at heart.

As a national agency, the NCSC will formulate and implement policies, plans, and programs that promote senior rights and privileges or address issues plaguing the sector.

With sectors such as the youth, women, and persons with disabilities having a specialized body catering to their constituents, it is about time that our Filipino seniors are awarded their own commission as well to ensure that no Filipino gets left behind.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
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SRN-573: Bus Companies to Provide Financial Assistance to the Victims of Road Accidents

A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE APPROPRIATE SENATE COMMITTEES TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE FAILURE OF THE BUS COMPANIES TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE VICTIMS OF ROAD ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE BUS DRIVERS/OPERATORS WITH THE END VIEW OF REVIEWING THE PROVISIONS OF THE CIVIL CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES, TRANSPORTATION LAW AND OTHER PERTINENT LAWS

Whereas, under Article 1733 of the Civil Code of the Philippines, it provides that common carriers, from the nature of their business and for reasons of public policy, are bound to observe extraordinary diligence in the vigilance over the goods and for the safety of the passengers transported by them, according to all the circumstances of each case;

Whereas, though a common carrier is not an absolute insurer of all risks of travel, the bus companies should be able to render their services with the greatest skill and utmost foresight since they are duty bound to safely transport their passengers to their destinations, In the event they cause injury to their passengers or worse, cause their untimely death, common carriers are presumed to have been at fault or to have acted negligently, unless they prove that they observed extraordinary diligence, Further, the families of the victims are entitled to damages in accordance with Article 2206 of the Civil Code on the death of a passenger caused by the breach of contract by a common carrier;

Whereas, based on news reports, the families of the victims of the Florida bus accident last 07 February 2014 in Bontoc, Mountain Province, were contemplating on filing a class lawsuit against the owners ofthe bus company. It was further reported that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), together with the Insurance Commission, were able to convince the owners of G.V. Florida Transport to shell out money for the fatalities, lTFRB chairman Winston Ginez said each family of the lS fatalities will receive P1S0,000 in insurance benefits-Pl00,000 from G’v. Florida Transport, Inc. and PSO,OOO from an insurance consortium;

Whereas, in a separate report conducted by the LTFRB on the most dangerous and accident-prone bus companies, it shows that Don Mariano has been involved in several road accidents in recent years. In 2011, it was involved in three accidents result.ing in two injuries and damage to properties. Last July 2012, a Don Mariano bus almost fell off the EDSA flyover in Ortigas, which damaged part of the rails and hurt eight passengers. Admiral Transport was involved in two accidents in 2010, one resulted in a death and the other caused physical injuries. Several bus companies were also included in the report; ·

Whereas, the erring bus companies continue to renege their obligation to provide financial assistance to the victims of the road mishaps caused by the negligence of the bus owners/drivers. While some of the bus companies offer assistance to the victims, the amounts given fall short of what has been lost, that is the precious lives of the victims. While they might experience heavy financial burden on the payment of these obligations, the rule of law must still prevail. The safety of their passengers is the paramount consideration. Failure to adhere to that higher duty of care constitutes negligence and thus, they should be held liable for the death of its passengers, and the injuries caused by such road accidents;

Whereas, existing Philippine laws impose duties and liabilities upon the common carriers for the safety of its passengers. The government should be alarmed at the increasing number of bus accidents in the country and the failure of these operators to provide the adequate financial assistance to the victims. Despite the provisions of the Civil Code and other pertinent laws, the bus operators/owners still manifest their unwillingness to attend to the financial needs of the victims despite repeated demands;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, as it is hereby resolved to direct the appropriate Senate Committees to conduct an investigation, on the failure of the bus companies to provide financial assistance to the victims of road accidents caused by the negligence of the bus drivers/operators, with the end view of reviewing the provisions ofthe Civil Code ofthe Philippines, Transportation Law and other pertinent laws.

 

 

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SRN-1354: Earthquake and Disaster Preparedness in Metro Manila

RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE APPROPRIATE SENATE COMMITTEES TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE EARTHQUAKE AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS IN GREATER METRO MANILA IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND DISASTER RESILIENCE OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES

WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 10121, otherwise known as the “Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010”, provides for the development of a National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (NDRRM) Framework to guide the development of a NDRRM Plan. To this end, there is a need for a comprehensive, all-hazards, multi-sectoral, inter-agency and community-based approach to disaster risk reduction and management;

WHEREAS, the 2014 World Risk Report of the UN University’s Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) ranked the Philippines as second to the highest in terms of risk of exposure to natural hazards among 171 countries. Another study published by risk analysis firm Verisk Maplecroft in March 2015 ranked the nation’s capital, Metro Manila, as fourth in terms of risk exposure among 1,300 cities worldwide;

WHEREAS, the Greater Metro Manila Area (GMMA) is particularly 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;

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study was undertaken in 2004 to develop a master plan and strategies to minimize the impact of an earthquake in Metro Manila. According to the MMEIRS findings, a potential rupture of the 90-kilometer West Valley Fault would lead to heavy or partial damage to 40% of all residential buildings, 34,000 deaths, and 114,000 injuries. Fire caused by the earthquake would cause an additional 18,000 deaths. Among public buildings, schools will suffer the most damage, followed by hospitals and fire stations;

WHEREAS, the West Valley Fault has moved four times in the past 1,400 years at an interval of 400 to 600 years. The last big earthquake took place 357 years ago, in 1658. While the exact timing cannot be predicted, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) recently issued statements warning against the possibility of another earthquake should the West Valley Fault move;

WHEREAS, reports regarding the devastating effects of the 7.8 and 7.3 magnitude earthquakes that recently struck Nepal. highlight the urgency for the Philippines to assess its own readiness to face earthquakes and other major disasters. More than 7,000 persons died and at least 14,000 others were injured as a result of the Nepal earthquakes, according to the country’s National Emergency Operation Centre. The research consultancy, IHS, estimated the cost of reconstruction at US$6 Billion, equivalent to 30% of Nepal’s annual economic output;

WHEREAS, 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. There is a 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, and the safety of their locations in accordance with the FVS Atlas recently published by PHIVOLCS;

WHEREAS, another important factor in earthquake and disaster preparedness is promoting public awareness regarding disaster risks and involving all citizens and communities in disaster risk reduction and preparedness efforts. Realizing the vulnerabilities of the country to natural disasters, the government should prioritize the institutionalization of systems, plans, programs and approaches at both the national and local levels to build the disaster resilience of local communities, especially in vulnerable areas in the GMMA;

WHEREAS, 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. The government, together with the private sector and non-government organizations, should be able to build the safety and disaster resilience of local communities, especially in the most vulnerable areas;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, as it is hereby resolved to direct the appropriate Senate committees to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the earthquake and disaster preparedness in Greater Metro Manila in order to ensure the safety and disaster resilience of local communities.

 

 

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eBIRForms Download Page

CLICK logo to download the eBIRForms Package

CLICK logo to download the eBIRForms Package

Project Background

In support of the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s goal to achieve electronic filing of all taxpayers to capture tax returns data, improve efficiency and provide accurate statistical reports, the Indra and Philcox Joint Venture (JV) is implementing the Solution for the Use of eBIRForms for Filing Tax Returns.

 

BIR’s directions are to:

•   Improve filing efficiency

•   Increase channels to taxpayers

•   Maximize the use of new technologies

•   Capture data from third party solutions

•   Capture more returns data online and offline

•   Increase tax return data capture

•   Improve accuracy in statistical reporting

•   REACH EVEN THOSE WITH LIMITED INTERNET CAPABILITY

What is the eBIRForms Project?

 The eBIRForms project aims to develop a filing infrastructure to provide electronic submission channels to all taxpayers (non-eFPS users) that are accessible and convenient. It will make tax preparation easier through automatic computations and validation features, lessening human error.

 The eBIRForms aims to increase the electronic capture of data, lessening manual encoding for BIR, and increasing accuracy in statistical reporting.

What are the Benefits of using the eBIRForms?

– Saves time because of automatic computations and auto-populated fields

– Easy to use

– Lessens human errors because of the validation feature

– Available even to those without consistent internet connection

– Captures taxpayer data

NOTE: The BIR Forms in the eBIRForms package are not new forms. They are the existing BIR Forms in electronic format.

Step-by step Guide to e-BIRForms

Step 1: DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL the Offline eBIRForms Package through the following website and links;

Click to DOWLOAD

Click to DOWLOAD

Step 2: Select the form and FILL UP by encoding data in the ITR;

Step 3: VALIDATE after completely encoding all necessary information. You may still update/modify by clicking EDIT if needed, an indicate correct entries. Then click Validate again.

Step 4: Click FINAL COPY (This is not applicable for eFPS)

Step 5: SUBMIT the accomplished tax return. An email message will be received by the taxpayer. 

 

 

 

 

 

Taxpayers using the Offline eBIRForms Version 4.7.07 can easily submit the 2014 ITR via email, and subsequently enrol after eFiling. Thus, email submission of 2014 ITR is allowed whether enrolled or not to eBIRForms System.

 

 

 

 

 Source: BIR

 

Bam to Math Wizards: Be the Country’s Problem Solvers

A senator urged young math wizards to develop and hone their skill as it will lead them to a brighter future and help them contribute to the country’s development.

 

“You are the best of the best. Do not be ashamed of your talent,” Senator Bam Aquino said during the awarding ceremonies of the 2015 Metrobank-MTAP-DepEd Math Challenge held last Saturday at the Metrobank Plaza Auditorium in Makati.

 

The biggest math competition among elementary and high schools, the contest drew around 500,000 participants from public and private schools in the country.

 

“If we are ashamed of our talent, we won’t cultivate that innate, God-given gift that we have, which we have honed through practice and hard work. Sayang naman kung hindi niyo ipagpatuloy iyan,” added Sen. Bam, a math competition winner during his high school days in Ateneo.

 

While he acknowledges that the MVP of the basketball team is more popular than a math wizard in school, Sen. Bam believes that the fruits of their hard work and perseverance will pay off once they reach college and turn professional.

 

“Maybe that’s true right now, but take it from me, once you get to college, maybe after college, more opportunities will come your way,” said Sen. Bam, Senate chairman on the Committee on Youth.

 

Sen. Bam emphasized that the biggest and most successful names in today’s business, such as Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, have had a career based on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

 

“A lot of the innovations these days that fight hunger, that fight climate change, that fight unemployment, that fight inefficiencies, ang mga solusyon po doon marami po riyan ay nanggagaling sa Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics,” Sen. Bam said.

 

“Iyong bansa po natin, and also the rest of the world, need young people to get into STEM courses and be able to contribute towards society,” he added.

 

The senator also called on participants to help solve the country’s problem, saying the Philippines needs people who can solve more than just talk.

 

“We need people who believe that there are answers to our country’s problems,” Sen. Bam stressed.

 

After his speech, Sen. Bam awarded the medals to the winners in the elementary and high school divisions.

 

Ezekiel Christian C. Ong of Uno High School topped the 4th year high school individual competition. Highryll CJ E. Tan of Statefields School Inc. placed second and Gene Go Jr. of Zamboanga Chong Hua High School third.

 

Jan Reggie Dela Cruz and Jade Kathleen Yu Valenzuela City School of Mathematics and Science topped the 4th year high school team competition. Alberto Siton, Jr. and Sherlyn Calangian of Batasan Hills National High School placed second while Bert Joseph Prestoza and Paul Jeremiah Naraval of BHC Educational Institution settled for third.

 

The partnership of Richmond Louie Lim and Bryce Ainsley Sanchez of Grace Christian College ruled the Grade 6 team competition. Guillermo Andres Refina and Marcus Gene Ancheta of San Beda College-Rizal placed second while Lance Xavier Castro and Trisha Daphney Lim of Philippine Christian Gospel School finished third.

Senate Bill No. 2603: Mamasapano Truth Commission

On January 25, 2015, while on a mission to serve arrest warrants to two suspected terrorists – Malaysian Jemaah Islamiyah leader, Zulkifli bin tilr also known as “Marwan” and Filipino bomb maker, Abdulbasit Usman, forty-four (44) members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP SAF) died, With twelve (12) getting injured in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, during an armed conflicct with other armed elements, which allegedly included the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).”

The facts and Circumstances remain unclear as to how this unfortunate event occurred.

This bill creates a fact-finding commission, to be called the “Mamasapano Truth Commission,” that will have plenary powers to investigate and report upon this tragedy. This tragedy has far-reaching consequences and implications, which strike at the very heart of the Nation, and may impede the ongoing peace process between the National Government and the MILF. An Independent and Impartial Commission is therefore necessary to enable us to get to the bottom of this tragedy.

Forty-four of our bravest elite police force perished in the grisly encounter, and twelve (12) remain suffering because of their injuries. The creation of this Commission shall be our humble way of honoring our fallen heroes, who served the country with excellence, valor and patriotism. We should not allow their deaths or injuries be in vain.

In view of the foregoing, early passage of this measure is urgently sought.

 

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Transcript of Sen. Bam Aquino’s Interview after the Hearing on the Slow and Expensive Internet Connection

Q: Kumusta po ang inyong hearing?

A: Marami pang kailangang pag-usapan, to be frank. We just suspended the hearing but you can expect that in a few months, we will have another hearing on this because marami pang unresolved issues.

 

Changes in Advertising

We talked mostly about the problems today but I really want to talk about solutions. One I think iyong changes sa ating advertising, I think that would be quite good for our consumers na mas malinaw kung ano ang nakukuha nila pagdating sa Internet.

Congestion

Pangalawa iyong pagdating sa congestion. We’ve instructed NTC to actually check if indeed congestion is the main problem kung bakit mabagal ang Internet.

Sabi ko nga, kung congestion ito na once in a blue moon, then maybe you can say ok at that particular time, mahina ang Internet. But if it a regular type of congestion, araw-araw mong nararanasan, that’s something that has to be addressed regularly.

Value-Added Service vs. Basic Service

Now, NTC has said na Internet natin is considered as a value-added service, hindi siya basic service meaning hindi siya makapagregulate nang todo-todo dahil hindi ito kasama sa basic services natin.

I think that can be one of the laws that could be amended na gawin nating basic service ang Internet. It is already recognized as a human right and if we make it a basic service, at least puwede talaga nating bantayan kung paano ito puwedeng maikalat sa maraming Pilipino, at the right cost and at the right service level.

Next Step: Technical Working Group

The TWG will probably tackle this more in detail. Hopefully aantabayanan po natin iyan kung paano gumalaw.

Kasi ang nagiging problema sa maraming hearing, nag-uusap-usap pero walang nangyayari.

Hindi natin iiwanan ang isyung ito.

Every quarter we can have this hearing and make sure that we get closer to affordable and quality Internet for our country.

 

Q: Puwede bang babaan ang charges sa Internet na mabagal?

A. Sa totoo lang, NTC cannot regulate even on that because it’s not a basic service.

It is a market driven system right now.  If we’re able to make Internet a basic service, it can one of the services which is regulated.

Alam naman natin na sa ating bansa, may mga regulators tayo, they can basically dictate the prices for certain services and if we’re able to make Internet a basic service, puwede nang gawin iyan. Puwede nang mag-regulate.

 

Q: Sir ano ang mga standards that you want to set?

A: In fact, in the Philippine Digital Strategy, nakalagay doon na by 2016, kailangang 80 percent na ng ating mga kababayan ang mayroong internet access and nasa minimum of 2 MPBS.

Mayroon na tayong standard na kailangang sundan. This Philippine Digital Strategy was made by DOST in 2010.

In fact, binabantayan natin kung umaabot tayo sa standards na iyon. According to the private sector and NTC, mukhang maaabot naman ang 80 percent access by 2016.

But iyong regularity of speed and iyong cost ang dapat bantayan, na dapat affordable pa rin ito at tuluy-tuloy at hindi dapat pawala-wala.

 

Q: Sino ba dapat magre-regulate? Dapat pa ba tayong mag-create ng regulator?

We have a regulator and that’s the NTC. So alam ninyo iyong isang na-reason kanina ay do we need new laws or just have NTC regulate.

In some cases, puwede na silang mag-regulate but in case of the Internet, na hindi considered as basic service, kailangan itong gawing basic service.

 

Q: Sir, how do we do that?

We’ll amend the Public Service Act, which is a 1936 law.

Isipin mo, we’re talking about high-tech information age and we’re still using a 1936 law.

So it’s about time that we update this law and we use those amendments to really push for better access, more affordable internet in the Philippines.

 

Q: This means powerless po ang government?

No that’s not right. In fact, we asked NTC to come up with standards for Internet. Initially, walang pa silang standard na sini-set because this is a value added service.

Standards

To respond lang sa hinaing ng maraming Pilipino, kahit iyong ibang senador may hinaing na rin sila, it’s just right that they come up with standards to check the infrastructure kung talagang kaya ng infrastructure natin ang pinapangakong speed ng ating Internet.

Kung hindi, pilitin natin ang private sector na ma-match ang standards na nakalay-out na at gagawin ng NTC.

Responsibility of Users

Iyong kabaligtad din dito I think, we must be responsible users of the Internet just to be fair. Earlier nga na-mention na iilang tao lang na heavy users, apektado ang lahat.

Kung 24/7 ka sa mobile, panay ang download mo, nakakaapekto sa mga kasama mo.

 

Q: Sir in your next hearing ano po ang tututukan ninyo?

A: First we’ll have a TWG. All of the resource speakers, the NTC, DOST, DTI and telco partners. We’ll invite the other ISPs. I think mahalaga rin dito ang ating local government units.

 

Puro Salita

Himayin natin ang discussion natin and come up with specific recommendations and from there, we’ll give it maybe two to three months to have another hearing para ma-track natin kung may nangyayari ba o wala.

Ang masakit kasi, puro salita at walang nangyayari. By the next hearing, after three months, we can check already, mayroon ba tayong solusyon na naihain o nagawa na o wala pa rin.

 

On Local Government Units

Iyon isa ring siguro na na-raise ay iyong sa local government units. Sinasabi ng ating telcos, hindi pare-pareho ang pagtrato sa kanila ng LGUs. There are some LGUs who will charge a really high amount, ang iba naman will charge less.

Nahihirapan sila (telcos) na i-roll out ang kanilang services. Kaya it’s important also to have the DILG, League of Cities and the League of Municipalities to have a common stand that when it comes to Internet and providing, kailangang tulung-tulong tayo rito.

On Congestion

Standards when it terms to congestion. At the minimum, they can actually show kung iyong infrastructure natin nagma-match sa population or Internet usage, para kung congestion nga ang problema, makita natin kung ano ang paraan kung anong ma-decongest natin.

Q: What’s the issue with Internet peering?

A: Well this is something NTC is already working on. We’ll ask for an update on the next hearing or during the TWG.

Ibig sabihih nito nagko-connect locally ang ating mga nodes. To be frank, maybe a technical answer might be better.

 

Paikot-ikot

Simply put, kunyari galing akong Quezon City pupunta akong Makati, dadaan akong EDSA. Hindi na ako iikot sa Manila Bay, pupunta pa sa Cebu at babalik pa bago makarating sa Makati.

This makes the nodes faster. I think NTC is already working on this, and we’ll look for updates after three months on this issue.

 

Q. Kasama po ba ang mga text na pinapadala ng network na may promo sa resolusyon ninyo?

A: It’s not part of the resolution but we can add it.

 

Q: Kung minsan matutulog ka na lang may magtetext, akala ko importante.

A: I can have that checked. Pag nandoon na ang NTC puwede nating patanong iyon. But primarily kasi, the question is more on the expensive Internet.

Compared to other countries, medyo lumalayo na ang presyo. So we’re hoping kung ma-refer na siya sa aming committee today, we’re hoping to have the hearing next week.

 

Q: Hindi magkakalayo ang mga rates nila, so puwede ba nating sabihin na maaaring may cartel rin sila?

A: Hard to say that that’s a crime.

 

Fair Competition

But babalik din tayo diyan sa competition policy. That’s one of the bills we’re pushing for.  If you have better competition, you have more people in the market, mas competitive, mas bababa ang presyo.

 

Roadmap for Internet

Primarily gusto naming tanungin sa NTC, ano ang roadmap natin.

Technically, regulated industry iyan, NTC should have a roadmap in terms of the price and quality.

Unfortunately, napag-iwanan na tayo ng ibang mga bansa so we want to see. Antabayanan natin kung anong sasabihin nila.

Sen. Bam Aquino’s Message on the 28th Anniversary of the People Power Revolution

Today, we celebrate the 28th anniversary of the People Power Revolution. Through this peaceful and bloodless protest by the people, we have achieved freedom from the clutches of dictatorship.

However, our fight against the prevalent inequality and lack of economic opportunities continues.

As we came together in 1986, once again, let us join hands to help the country’s poor and give everyone a chance to gain employment and livelihood.

At present, the revolution to end poverty continues and more than ever, we need to unite to fulfill the full promise of EDSA.

MENSAHE NI SEN. BAM AQUINO SA PAGDIRIWANG NG PEOPLE POWER REVOLUTION

 

Sa araw na ito, ipinagdiriwang natin ang ika-28 na anibersaryo ng People Power Revolution.  Sa pamamagitan ng payapang pagpoprotesta ng taumbayan, nakamit natin ang kalayaan mula sa diktadurya.

Hanggang ngayon, tuloy pa rin ang ating pakikibaka laban sa kawalan ng patas na pagkakataon pagdating sa kabuhayan at ekonomiya.

Tulad ng ating pagkakaisa noong 1986, nawa’y muli tayong magsama-sama upang tulungan ang mahihirap at bigyan ng pagkakataon ang lahat na makapagtrabaho at magnegosyo.

Sa ngayon, tuloy pa rin ang rebolusyon para tapusin ang kahirapan. Lalo’t higit na kailangan nating magkaisa para lubusang maisakatuparan ang pangako ng EDSA.

Sen. Bam Aquino’s Statement of Support for the Crowdsourcing Bill

We warmly welcome the introduction of Senate Bill No. 73, otherwise known as the Philippine Crowdsourcing Act of 2013, introduced by our colleague Sen. Teofisto “TG” Guingona III.

We recognize that rapid shifts in information and communications technology have opened up new ways of communicating and processing information, and that the cost-effectiveness of ICT tools has made it easier and more accessible for the country’s citizens to participate in ICT-enabled activities. Mass media, for instance, have forever been transformed by the fact that its audiences are now part of both the medium itself and the message. Citizen journalism has revolutionized the way ordinary people engage with media channels and with the news itself.

In the same way that the mass media have opened themselves up to the citizenry, so must Government, being the voice and the representative of the people. In a democratic state such as ours, we must ensure that any and all means of enabling people’s participation are used to further transparency, accountability, and good governance.Crowdsourcing ensures that the wisdom of the people is tapped in policy-making; it also helps develop co-ownership of national policy and strengthens a more collaborative form of nation-building.

Sa pamamagitan po ng crowdsourcing, maaari nang makibahagi ang mga ordinaryong Pilipino sa paggawa ng mga batas, sa pamamagitan ng Internet, mobile phones, at iba pang mga panibagong paraan. Sabik po tayo na makita at marinig ang tunay na boses ng taumbayan sa bagong pamamaraang ito, at handa tayong suportahan si Sen. TG Guingona sa pagpasa ng panukalang ito.



Photo source: http://theguingonaproject.com

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