Bam Aquino

Sen. Bam: Family expenses rising, implement free college law now

Senator Bam Aquino called out the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for its failure to fully implement the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, which provides for free tuition and other miscellaneous expenses in state universities and colleges (SUCs). 

Sen. Bam, principal sponsor and co-author of RA 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, reminded CHED that the law became effective last August 18, 2017, and should already cover the 2nd semester of school year 2017-2018 as manifested both during the bicameral conference and the ratification of the bill in the Senate.

 In addition, CHED also committed to this to Sen. Aquino’s office during the budget deliberations. The Congress and Senate allotted P40 billion in the 2018 national budget for its implementation.

 “Mahalagang maipatupad na ang free college law sa public universities and colleges, lalo pa’t nararamdaman na ng taumbayan ang epekto ng TRAIN sa presyo ng mga bilihin,” said Sen. Bam, referring to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) that was recently enacted into law by the Duterte government. 

 “Tumataas na nga ang presyo ng bilihin, pinagbabayad pa rin ng mga eskuwelahan ang ating mahihirap na pamilya samantalang libre na dapat ang tuition, pati miscellaneous fees,” said Sen. Bam, who voted against the ratification of TRAIN. 

The law provides free education to students in SUCs, local universities and colleges (LUCs) and TESDA-run vocational schools.

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

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

 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 to DepEd: Ensure graduates’ employability, don’t ignore employers

Senator Bam Aquino urges the Department of Education to strengthen academic-industry linkages and make sure K-to-12 graduates are ready to enter the workforce.

 “Student readiness to enter the workforce is a serious issue that is better addressed by developing strong relationships between schools and companies, what we call academic-industry linkages,” said Sen. Bam.

“Huwag natin balewalain ang kinabukasan ng mga K-to-12 graduates. Mahalagang makonsulta ang employers at mga kinatawan ng industriya upang matiyak na handa nang magtrabaho ang K-to-12 graduates,” Sen. Bam added.

Sen. Bam issued the reaction after Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) expressed concern over the lack of minimum on-the-job training requirements among the first batch of K-to-12 students.

 The PCCI said the first batch of K-to-12 students only have 80 hours or two weeks of OJT experience, making them unqualified for available jobs.

 “The Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education should have dynamic curriculum that can address concerns of current and future employers,” said Sen. Bam.

The senator also called on concerned government agencies to come up with a process that will regularly assess education curriculum vis-a-vis necessary skills needed for jobs

As former chairman of the Senate Committee on Education in the 17th Congress, Sen. Bam filed Senate Bill No. 1278 or Trabaho Centers in Schools Act, which seeks to establish job placement offices in public high schools and state universities and colleges (SUCs).

 The measure mandates the establishment of a Trabaho Center in every public high school and SUC with main services that include: 1) Industry Matching, 2) Career Counseling, and 3) Employment Facilitation.

 Trabaho Centers should address the skills mismatch and ensure employability of students upon graduation by using feedback from employers to better develop the school’s curriculum and training programs.

  Sen. Bam is also the principal sponsor of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, making college tuition and miscellaneous fees free in public universities, colleges and TESDA-run technical-vocational institutions.

Sen. Bam: Senate will not be pressured by lower chamber

As an independent institution, Sen. Bam Aquino declared that the Senate will not succumb to the pressure from the House of Representatives, which plans to hold a Constituent Assembly as mode to amend the 1987 Constitution even without the Upper Chamber’s participation.
 
“We will not be pressured by the Lower Chamber. The Senate believes that this is a critical reform that must go through the right process,” said Sen. Bam.
 
“Dadaan kami sa naaayon na proseso at panahon na bumabagay sa kahalagahan pagbabago sa Saligang Batas,,” assured Sen. Bam.
 
Earlier, the House approved Resolution No. 9, which seeks to convene Congress into a Constituent Assembly that will introduce changes in the Charter.
 
The House wants to submit a new federal charter for a referendum simultaneously with the scheduled Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections this May.
 
However, Sen. Bam said the Senate will not give in to the House’s timetable, saying a process as important as Charter change should go through the right process.
 
Sen. Bam added that the Senate will make sure that there will be a massive information dissemination to educate the public about Charter change and allow them to participate in discussions, debates and crafting of the necessary amendments to the 1987 Constitution.
 
“Tungkulin namin na ang anumang prosesong pagdadaanan ay para sa taumbayan at hindi lamang para sa mga politiko” Sen. Bam pointed out.
 
In Wednesday’s Senate hearing on proposals to amend the 1987 Constitution, Sen. Bam emphasized the need for trust-building measures, including the passage of an anti-dynasty law, before amending the Charter.

Sen. Bam on House’s plan to continue with Con-Ass even without Senate’s participation

Nagkakaisa ang Senado na hindi kami magpapa-pressure sa timetable ng House of Representatives.

Dadaan kami sa naaayon na proseso at panahon na bumabagay sa kahalagahan ng gagawing proseso ng pagbabago sa Saligang Batas.

 Higit sa lahat, sisiguraduhin namin na naiintindihan at kasapi ang taumbayan sa mga usapin, debate at desisyon.

 Tungkulin namin na ang anumang prosesong pagdadaanan ay para sa taumbayan at hindi lamang para sa mga politiko.

Sen. Bam: Build trust before Cha-cha, pass anti-dynasty law

Senator Bam Aquino insisted that without the trust in the process and the people behind it, no Charter change will be accepted by the public.
 
“Kailangan ng tiwala ng taumbayan sa proseso at tiwala sa nagsasagawa ng proseso. How do we make sure na para ito sa tao at hindi para sa pulitiko,” Sen. Bam said during the Senate hearing on proposals to amend the 1987 Constitution.
 
As part of the confidence-building measure in the process, Sen. Bam suggested that an anti-dynasty law be first enacted ahead of moves to amend the 1987 Constitution.
 
“Intensified political dynasties, even warlordism in some areas might be a drawback of a federal form of government,” said Sen. Bam, emphasizing that passing an anti-dynasty law would enhance the public’s trust in the shift.
 
Former Chief Justice Reynato Puno agreed to Sen. Bam’s pronouncement, saying the existence of political dynasties is one problem that needs to be addressed by those pushing for federalism.
 
“As it is now, these political dynasties already possess so much power. If you go to federalism, you will not only be giving them so much power, but you will be giving them sovereign powers, and that is a no-no,” said Puno.
 
Earlier, Sen. Bam objected to the House’s move to convene Congress into a Constituent Assembly.
 
Sen. Bam issued the statement after the House approved Resolution No. 9, which seeks to convene Congress into a Constituent Assembly that will introduce changes in the Charter.
 
The Senator believes that a process as important as a Constitutional Change cannot be rushed and proposed that if ever a change will be done, a Constitutional Convention process would be more acceptable to the people than a Constituent Assembly composed of politicians.

4 reforms led by Sen. Bam Aquino, among Senate priorities

Sen. Bam Aquino welcomed the Senate’s commitment to pass four measures that aim to focus on the welfare of Filipino students, scientists and strengthen support for the country’s research and development and start-ups.
 
“Masaya tayo sa suportang ipinapakita ng Senado sa mga panukalang naglalayong palakasin ang suporta sa ating mga estudyante, negosyante at scientist,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology.
 
“Nagpapasalamat din tayo sa mga kapwa ko senador na tumutulong na lalo pang mapagbuti at mapaganda ang mga panukalang ito para sa kapakinabangan ng maraming Pilipino,” he added.
 
The Senate has committed to pass a number of measures this year, among them are the Innovative Startup Act, Magna Carta for Scientists Act, Balik Scientist Bill and the Pagkaing Pinoy Para sa Batang Pinoy Act. Sen. Bam is principal sponsor of all four measures.
 
The Innovative Startup Act, Magna Carta for Scientists Act and the Pagkaing Pinoy Para sa Batang Pinoy Act will undergo period of amendments this week.
 
The Pagkaing Pinoy para sa Batang Pinoy Act aims to institutionalize a feeding program to provide proper and nutritious meals to kindergarten to Grade 6 students.  Aside from Sen. Bam, other co-authors of the measure are Senators Grace Poe, Gringo Honasan, Zubiri, Tito Sotto, Legarda, Cynthia Villar and Joel Villanueva.
 
The Innovative Startup Act aims to give necessary support for business startups to help them thrive and compete in the market. 
 
The amendments to the Magna Carta for Scientists aim to streamline the process of providing benefits and incentives to S&T government personnel. Aside from Sen. Bam, other co-authors of the measure are Senators Loren Legarda, Sonny Angara, Koko Pimentel, Juan Miguel Zubiri and Sherwin Gatchalian. 
 
Passed on third and final reading and just awaiting the start of the bicameral conference committee, the Balik Scientist Bill seeks to provide overseas Filipino scientist with financial benefits and incentives to encourage them to return to the Philippines and help boost the country’s research and development.
 
Principal sponsors have the responsibility of prioritizing bills in their respective committees, conducting hearings on bills assigned to their committee, defending the measures during the period of interpellation, consolidating proposals and amendments to their reforms, and leading the bicameral conference before a bill is passed into law.
 
In his four years as senator, Sen. Bam worked for the passage of 19 laws, 11 as principal sponsor.

Sen. Bam on Charter Change, plans to abolish OVP

Proteksiyon laban sa diktaturya ang karapatan ng Pilipinong maghalal ng Bise Presidente mula sa iba, kahit pa kalabang partido ng Pangulo. 
 
Ang diwa ng ating demokrasya ay nakalantad sa mga checks and balances tulad nito sa ating Konstitusyon.
 
Sa pagtalakay natin sa Charter Change, kailangang tiyakin na ang mga proteksiyong ito ay mananatili o hihigitan pa, ngayon na mas kailangan natin ito.

Sen. Bam on the resignation of CHED chairperson Patricia Licuanan

Higher education has lost a dependable ally with the resignation of CHED Chairperson Patricia Licuanan. 
 
As former chairman of the Committee on Education, we can attest to her dedication to improve access to quality education as we worked closely to pass the free college law.
 
We thank Chairperson Licuanan for her immeasurable service to Filipino students and for all her help in crafting the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.
 
At the same time, we call on Malacanang to appoint an immediate replacement with the ability and the will to effectively implement this critical reform.
 
We look forward to working with yet another staunch advocate for quality education in the Philippines.

Sen. Bam continues work on reforms for Filipino scientists and start-ups

Despite the enactment into law of one of the committee’s landmark measures — Free Internet in Public Places Act, the Committee on Science and Technology, spearheaded by Sen. Bam Aquino, will not rest on its laurels. 
 
When session resumes on Monday (January 15), Sen. Bam will continue to work on other important bills that will benefit Filipino scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs.
 
“While we consider the Free Internet Law as a major accomplishment of the science and technology committee, we are still eager to work on reforms for scientists and startups,” said Sen. Bam.
 
These measures include the Innovative Startup Act and the amendments to the Magna Carta for Scientists. The Senate recently approved on third and final reading the Balik-Scientist Act via a 13-0 vote.
 
On Monday, Sen. Bam will spearhead the period of amendments for the Innovative Startup Act and the Magna Carta for Scientists as principal sponsor of the measures.
 
The Innovative Startup Act, for its part, seeks to give necessary support for business startups to help them thrive and compete in the market.
 
The amendments to the Magna Carta for Scientists aim to streamline the process of providing benefits and incentives to S&T government personnel.
 
The Balik Scientist Bill seeks to provide overseas Filipino scientist with financial benefits and incentives to encourage some to return to the Philippines and help boost the country’s research and development.
 
The measure aims to institutionalize the Balik Scientist Program of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), which successfully encouraged some of our scientists to return and contribute to research that will address development gaps in the Philippines.
 
Also on Monday, Sen. Bam will lead the period of amendments for the Pagkaing Pinoy Para sa Batang Pinoy Act, of which he was a principal sponsor and co-author during his time as chairman of the Committee on Education.
 
In his four years as senator, Sen. Bam worked for the passage of 19 laws, 11 as principal sponsor.
 
Principal sponsors have the responsibility of prioritizing bills in their respective committees, conducting hearings on bills assigned to their committee, defending the measures during the period of interpellation, consolidating proposals and amendments to their reforms, and leading the bicameral conference before a bill is passed into law.

Sen. Bam congratulates UNIFAST, CHED for crafting IRR on free tertiary education

We laud the Unified Student Financial Assistance for Tertiary Education (UNIFAST), led by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) with education stakeholders, for crafting the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for Republic Act No. 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, of which I am a principal sponsor and co-author in the Senate. 
 
This ensures that Filipino students will enjoy free education in state universities and colleges, CHED-accredited local universities and colleges and TESDA-accredited technical-vocational institutions. 
 
This would also give support to underprivileged students in private colleges and universities through a Tertiary Education Subsidy and a Student Loan Program.
 
CHED-UNIFAST should make sure that the intent of the law to cover the second semester of Academic Year 2017-2018 is reflected in the IRR.
 
I am hoping that the CHED will iron out this issue at the soonest possible time so our Filipino students won’t have to wait until the next school year to benefit from this landmark legislation.
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