Bam Aquino

Sen. Bam: Youth Entrepreneurship Act implementation long overdue

A legislator called on the Department of Education (DepEd) to implement the law encouraging students and graduates to venture into business.
 
“Nananawagan tayo sa Department of Education na ilabas na ang Implementing Rules and Regulations para sa Youth Entrepreneurship Act upang mapakinabangan na ng ating mga kabataan,” said Sen. Bam Aquino.
 
The Youth Entrepreneurship Act or Republic Act No. 10679 was passed August 2015 but no IRR has been released. The law mandates that the IRR be promulgated within one hundred twenty (120) days from its effectivity.
 
The law encourages young would-be entrepreneurs to establish their own business by providing them access to capital and other support.
 
It also creates financial literacy modules in all levels of Philippine education, to inculcate a culture of enterprise development among the Filipino youth.
 
“Gusto nating makakita ng trabaho ang ating mga graduates ngunit mayroon din silang opsiyon na pumasok at magtagumpay sa pagnenegosyo. Matutulungan sana ang ating kabataang magtagumpay sa negosyo kung ma-implement ng maayos ang iilang mga batas na ating isinulong noong 16th Congress,” said Sen. Bam.
 
Sen. Bam was the author and principal sponsor of the Go Negosyo Act (Republic Act 10667), his first law in the 16th Congress, and the co-author and principal sponsor of the Youth Entrepreneurship Act.
 
The senator pursued the passage of these two laws during his time as chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship in the 16th Congress to cater to the needs of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
 
“These two laws provide MSMEs a conducive environment they need to succeed. At the same time, they also help provide fresh jobs and other livelihood opportunities for their fellow Filipinos,” stressed Sen. Bam, adding that MSMEs account for 66 percent of jobs in the country.
 
At present, Sen. Bam said 470 Negosyo Centers are already up and running in different parts of the country, catering to the needs of MSMEs.
 
In the 17th Congress, Sen. Bam filed Senate Bill No. 169 or Small Business Tax Reform Act, which provides small businesses with lower income tax rate, VAT exemption and other privileges.
 
Sen. Bam has also submitted Senate Bill No. 175 or the Innovative Startup Act seeking to ease restrictions and provide incentives for startups in the Philippines.

Sen. Bam: Game development, esports gaining momentum in PH

A senator believes that esports and game development in the country are gaining momentum towards being a source of honor and employment opportunities for Filipinos.

Sen. Bam Aquino based his pronouncement on recent developments that put esports and the country’s game development industry on the spotlight.

Recently, esports was included in the Asian Games as demonstration sport in the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia. In 2022, esports will be an official medal event at the 2022 Hangzhou Games.

 In addition, the Mandaue-based University of The Visayas New School included esports and game development in its Senior High Arts and Design track.

 “I believe that if we strengthen academic-industry linkages and work with our schools to develop the skills and creativity of future Filipino game developers, we will be able to grow this industry more,” said Sen. Bam, a staunch supporter of esports and game development industry in the country.

The university said it will teach game strategy for Dota 2, game design and development animation and 2D and 3D animation and game creation. After two years, the students can either choose to be game creators, designers, or e-sports players in the professional league.

 The senator has been supporting Filipino esports athletes, who have excelled in previous international events, including the prestigious International DOTA 2 Championship event inSeattle where Filipino squad TNC finished eighth.

Sen. Bam helped establish Philippine esports Association (PeSPA) to strengthen the foundation of esports in the country, look after the welfare of cyber athletes and stakeholders and promote esports in the country.

 Aside from this, Sen. Bam is also an ardent of the video game development industry in thePhilippines due to its tremendous potential to create fresh employment opportunities for Filipinos.

“All the ingredients are there to really make this work and primary of which is the Filipinos’ combination of artistry and technical know-how that can be the foundation for the game development industry in the Philippines,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam: PH lacks 19,000 scientists, lags behind in R&D

The Philippines needs 19,000 more scientists working in both government and private sector to turn the country into a significant force in research and development, according to Sen. Bam Aquino.
 
During the hearing of the Committee on Science and Technology, chaired by Sen. Bam, on the Balik Scientist Bill, it was discovered that the Philippines has 189 scientists per million, far from the ideal target of 380 per million.
 
The country pales in comparison with other countries as South Korea and United States have 5,300 and 3,500 scientists per million, respectively. Malaysia, for its part, has 2,000 scientists per million.
 
“Paano tayo makakasabay sa ibang bansa pagdating sa research at development kung kulang tayo ng 19,000 scientists,” said Sen. Bam, author of Senate Bill No. 1183 or the Balik Scientist Bill. 
 
According to Assistant Secretary Teodoro Gatchalian of the Department of Science and Technology, the agency has a budget of P25 million for the Balik Scientist Program. If the bill is approved, the budget will increase significantly, enabling the DOST to attract more Filipinos to return home and serve the country.
 
Sen. Bam hopes that the measure will help address the lack of scientists, caused by the exodus of scientists and researchers to other countries to look for greener pastures.
 
“Sa tulong ng panukalang ito, mahihikayat natin ang mga Filipino scientist sa ibang bansa na bumalik sa Pilipinas at tumulong sa pagpapaunlad ng ating research and development,” said Sen. Bam.
 
The Balik Scientist Bill seeks to provide overseas Filipino scientist with financial benefits and incentives to encourage 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.

Sen. Bam consults students and AFP to craft effective ROTC program

Sen. Bam Aquino organized a workshop to consult students, members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other stakeholders regarding proposals to revive the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) in schools to help craft an effective program that “will reflect the true purpose of ROTC”.

“The ROTC is a priority legislation of this government. We want to set aside our pre-conceived notions. We’re here to listen to each other,” said Sen. Bam in his opening address.

“This is an open discussion to learn directly from the people that will be affected by ROTC reforms. By the end of this, we should have a deeper understanding of the needs of our reserve force and find potential improvements to the ROTC program,” added Sen. Bam.

The discussion is also expected to tackle whether Senior High School is the best place to revive the program and whether it should be mandatory or not.

During his eight-month tenure as chairman of the Committee on Education, Sen. Bam committed to reach out to different sectors regarding the proposal to revive ROTC in schools.

He visited the Army Reserve Command (ARESCOM) of the Philippine Army at Camp Reigo De Dios in Tanza, Cavite to get input from officials and professionals who have been undergoing training as reserve officers.

Sen. Bam met with ARESCOM officials, led by Commandant Rito Petinglay and Col. Bernie Langub, where they discussed the importance of reserve officers’ role in the context of national security in this present situation.

The senator also discussed increasing the budget to provide better training and a better program for the reserve corps. “We talked about modernizing and updating the ROTC, taking into account national security, counter-terrorism and cyber security,” the senator said.

During his visit, Sen. Bam also raised the possibility of professionals beefing up the country’s reserve force.

“We should look to professionals as a source for reserve forces. We can encourage them to join by giving incentives and other benefits,” said Sen. Bam.

In addition, Sen. Bam said there are volunteers who wish to join the reserve corps.

Three bills calling for the revival of the ROTC are pending with the Committee on Education – Senate Bills 1131, 200 and 189, authored by Sens. JV Ejercito, Sherwin Gatchalian and Manny Pacquiao, respectively.

The ROTC became optional in 2002 through Republic Act 9163 or the National Service Training Program (NSTP) Act of 2001.

BIDA KA!: Lulusot ba si Napoles?

Mga Bida, naalala niyo pa ba ang pagbuhos ng galit ng taumba­yan ukol sa isyu ng maanomalyang paggamit ng P10 bilyong pork barrel fund?

Apat na taon ang nakalipas, ­libu-libo katao ang lumabas sa kalsada upang tuligsain ang katiwaliang ito kung saan nawaldas ang kaban ng bayan at napunta lang sa bulsa ng mga tiwaling pulitiko.

Imbes na pakinabangan ng totoong nangangailangan, si Napoles lang at kanyang mga kasabwat lang ang nakinabang sa salaping dapat sana’y nagamit sa pagbibigay ng pangunahing serbisyo sa taumbayan.

Sino ba ang makakalimot sa mga larawan ng mga kaanak ni Napoles na nakahiga sa bathtub na puno ng pera?

Habang maraming tao ang nagugutom, nakasuot ang mga miyembro ng pamilya ni Napoles ng maluluhong damit at alahas habang nakasakay sa mamahaling sasakyan sa ibang bansa.

Habang maraming Pilipino ang walang bubong na masisilungan, ang isang miyembro ng pamilya ni Napoles ay naka­tira sa mamahaling condominium katabi ang mga sikat na ­celebrity at personalidad sa Amerika.

Kaya naman nagsaya ang taumbayan nang mailagay sa likod ng rehas na bakal si Janet Lim Napoles, ang sinasabing mastermind sa katiwaliang ito bunsod ng kabi-kabilang kaso ng plunder. Para sa atin, ito’y isang napakalaking panalo ­laban sa katiwalian.

Maliban sa santambak na kasong pandarambong, noong 2015 ay nahatulan si Napoles ng reclusion perpetua o habambuhay na pagkabilanggo sa serious illegal detention ng kanyang dating aide na si Benhur Luy.

Nabuhay ang tiwala ng taumbayan sa sistema ng hustisya sa bansa. Sa wakas, may malaking isda nang nabilanggo ­dahil sa katiwalian.

***

 

Ilang buwan ang lumipas, nag-iba ang ihip ng hangin dahil kamakailan lang, pinawalang-sala ng Court of Appeals (CA) si Napoles sa kasong serious illegal detention.

Ang masakit dito, administrasyon pa, sa pamamagitan ng Office of the Solicitor General, ang kumilos para maabsuwelto itong si Napoles sa kasong maglalagay sa kanya nang habambuhay sa bilangguan.

May ilang abogado ang nagsabing hindi pa rin lusot si Napoles sa kasong plunder na kanyang kinakaharap. Anila, walang epekto ang desisyon ng CA sa asunto at patuloy pa ring maghihimas ng malamig na rehas na bakal itong sa Napoles.

Para naman sa ibang abogado at legal experts, malaki ang epekto nito sa kasong plunder ni Napoles. Sa desisyon ng CA, sinabi nilang humina ang kredibilidad ni Luy bilang pangunahing saksi at posibleng makalusot si Napoles sa kaso.

Sa gitna ng palitan ng legal na opinyon, lumutang ang bali­tang sweetheart deal sa pagitan ng pamahalaan at Napoles upang siya’y maging state witness. Ngunit mariin na itong itinanggi ng Malacañang.

***

Tulad ko, napapakamot din ba kayo ng ulo sa nangyaring ito?

Hindi mo talaga maiwasang magtaka at mapailing na lang sa nangyaring ito kay Napoles na binansagang “Pork Barrel Queen”.

Nagsikap ang nakaraang administrasyon upang mapapanagot ang mga nagwaldas ng salapi ng taumbayan, sa pangu­nguna ni Napoles.

Ngunit sa isang iglap lang, nasayang ang kanilang pagod nang mapawalang-sala itong si Napoles.

Mapapakamot ka talaga ng ulo sa nangyaring ito.

Bam: Ensure resiliency of structures, houses against strong tremors

Due to its density, an estimated 23,000 people will perish if the magnitude 6.7 earthquake that struck Surigao del Norte in February happened in Metro Manila.

According to Sen. Bam Aquino, around half of that number belong to the so-called informal settlers, whose houses are not structurally sound to withstand strong tremors.

Nine people were killed in the Surigao del Norte quake that occurred last February 10, 2017.

“Kung nangyari sa Metro Manila ang lindol na tumama sa Surigao, nasa 23,000 ang namatay. Ang nakakabahala pa rito, karamihan sa mga iyon ay mga kababayan nating informal settlers,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology.

 Sen. Bam emphasized that this could be avoided if structures and residential houses will only comply with the Building Code, enabling them to withstand earthquakes of up to magnitude 8 to 9.

 “We need to conduct a periodic review of the resiliency of our structures, especially houses, to ensure that it can withstand strong tremors and avoid loss of lives,” he said.

The senator called on concerned government agencies and local government units (LGUs) to make sure that buildings, houses and other structures can withstand strong earthquakes.

 PHIVOLCS Director Renato Solidum echoed Sen. Bam’s statement, saying he has been pushing for inspection and periodic evaluation of buildings and houses for resiliency.

Sen. Bam also called on Congress to conduct a periodic review of Republic Act 10121 or the Act Strengthening the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System to make it attuned to present needs.

 “Kailangang ang mabilis na aksiyon upang matiyak ang kaligtasan ng mga istruktura sa ating bansa upang maiwasan ang pagkawala ng buhay at malawakang pinsala,” said Sen. Bam.

By virture of Sen. Bam’s resolution, the SciTech Committee conducted the hearing to ensure if scientific data gathered by PHIVOLCS is effectively disseminated to allay fears and combat the prevalence of false information online.

In addition, the probe was aimed at better preparing communities in the occurrence of destructive tremors.

NEGOSYO, NOW NA!: Madramang buhay ni Aling Susan

Mga kanegosyo, si Aling Susan Bantilla ay tubong Padada, Davao del Sur. Kung pakikinggan ang kuwento ng kanyang madramang buhay, puwede itong gawing telenovela na siguradong susubaybayan ng mara­ming Pilipino.

Itinakwil si Aling ­Susan ng mga magulang dahil sa kagustuhan niyang mag-aral. Paniwala kasi ng kanyang mga magulang, hindi na sila kailangang mag-aral dahil pag-aasawa lang ang kanilang kahahantungan.

Sa pagpupumilit niyang makatapos sa kolehiyo, pinalayas siya ng mga magulang at napi­li­tang mangibang-­bayan. Sa kanyang pagsisikap, nakatapos si Aling ­Susan ng kursong Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Business.

Makalipas ang ilang taon, nakapag-asawa si Aling Susan at nabiya­yaan ng tatlong anak. Ngunit nasira ang kanyang pamilya nang su­mama sa isang kulto ang kanyang asawa at dinala sa bundok ang tatlo nilang anak.

Sa kuwento ni Aling Susan, plano ng ­kanyang mister na ihandog sa pinuno ng grupo ang ka­nilang bunso na noo’y sanggol pa lang. Mabuti na lang at nailigtas ni Aling Susan ang kanyang mga anak ngunit hindi ang asawa. Mula noon, hindi na niya ito nakita.

Lumipat si Aling Susan at mga anak sa Tacurong sa Sultan Kudarat. Doon niya nakilala ang lalaki na muling nagpatibok ng kanyang puso at tumayong ama ng kanyang mga anak.

Subalit noong Nob­yembre 23, 2009, nada­may ang kanyang asawa sa mga napaslang sa Maguindanao Massacre sa Maguindanao. Sa imbes­tigasyon, napagkamalan ang kanyang asawa na kasama ng mga pulitiko kaya ito pinaslang.

Sa nangyaring ito, naiwan si Aling Susan na walang katuwang sa pagtataguyod sa kanyang mga anak.

***

Isang araw, inalok siya ng kaibigan na du­malo sa seminar ng CARD sa kabilang lugar. Matapos ang ilang ­beses na pagdalo, noong 2010 ay nagmiyembro na si Aling Susan at ­ginamit ang unang loan na P5,000 para makapagsimula ng sariling negosyo.

 

Ginamit niya ang nautang na pambili ng magaganda at imported na bulaklak at iba’t iba pang halaman at nagsimula ng maliit na flower shop. Sa kanyang pagsisikap at sa gabay na rin ng mga semi­nar ng CARD, napalago niya ang negosyo.

Nagkaroon na rin siya ng dalawang puwesto na kumikita ng hindi bababa sa P30,000 kada linggo.

Maliban sa pagpapatayo ng sarili niyang bahay, nakapagpatayo rin siya ng paupahang apartment at nakabili na rin ng videoke na kanyang pinaparentahan sa tulong ng dagdag na loan mula sa CARD.

Ngunit ang pinakamalaking biyaya para kay Aling Susan ay ang mapag-aral ang kanyang mga anak sa magandang paaralan at maibigay ang lahat nilang panganga­ilangan. Nagkaayos na rin sila ng kanyang mga magulang na matagal niyang hindi nakita at nakausap.

Bilang pagtanaw ng utang na loob sa tulong ng CARD, sumasama si Aling Susan sa mga semi­nar kung saan ibina­bahagi niya ang kanyang buhay at karanasan sa pagnenegosyo.

***

Itinuturing na pinakamalaking microfinance institution sa bansa, nagpapautang ang CARD-MRI ng puhunan sa mga nais magsimula ng negos­yo nang walang kolateral at sa mababang interes.

Mayroon na silang iba’t ibang sangay sa Pili­pinas, na ­makikita sa kanilang website na www.cardmri.com at www.cardbankph.com.

***

Ang Republic Act No. 10644 o Go Negos­yo Act ang kauna-una­han kong batas bilang senador noong 16th Congress. Layunin nito na maglagay ng Negosyo Center sa bawat munisipalidad, siyudad, at lalawigan sa buong bansa.

Upang malaman ang pinakamalapit na Negosyo Center sa ­inyong lugar, magtungo sa https://www.bamaquino.com/gonegosyoact/negosyo-center-tracker/.

Sen. Bam sees more access to higher education, high-paying jobs for Filipinos

If measure on free tuition in SUCs is enacted into law

If enacted into law, the measure providing free tuition in state universities and colleges (SUCs) will lead to more college graduates and higher paying jobs, giving underprivileged students a chance at a brighter future, according to Sen. Bam Aquino.

“We’ve already passed the Affordable Higher Education for All Act in the Senate and we’re confident it will become law within the year,” said Sen. Bam, the principal sponsor and co-author of Senate Bill No. 1304.

“Kapag ito’y naisabatas, mas malaki na ang pagkakataon ng ating mga estudyante na makatapos ng kolehiyo at magkaroon ng magandang trabaho,” he added.

During his short stint as chairman of the Committee on Education, Sen. Bam defended the measure on the floor during plenary debates and interpellation. The measure was approved by the Senate on third and final reading via an 18-0 vote.

After the House passes its own version of the bill, a bicameral conference committee will be held to consolidate both versions. If the final version is ratified by both Houses, it will be transmitted to Malacanang for the President’s approval.

The measure aims to institutionalize free tuition in SUCs all over the country, giving underprivileged students a chance to earn a college degree.

 It will also streamline and strengthen all Student Financial Assistance Programs (StuFAP), making it available to students who want to pursue higher education in private institutions, as well as subsidizing other expenses of SUC students.

Sen. Bam clarified that the measure is different from the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) released recently by the Commission on Higher Education and the Department of Budget and Management.

The senator said the IRR issued by the CHED and DBM was for the P8 billion earmarked in the 2017 budget for the free tuition fees in SUCs. 

The senator stated that under the currently allotted budget, only around half of the students in SUCs stand to benefit from free tuition.

However, if Senate Bill No. 1304 is passed into law, every SUC student can avail of free tuition. There will also be a mechanism for more financially-abled students to opt to pay for their tuition fee.

Sen. Bam: AI a threat to Philippine jobs

Is the government ready to address possible negative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on jobs in the country?

Sen. Bam Aquino has submitted Senate Resolution No. 344, to conduct an inquiry on the government’s plan and initiatives to maximize the benefits of developments in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

“We want to know how developments in Artificial Intelligence will affect jobs in the country and what government plans are to address possible negative impact on current and future employment for Filipinos,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology.

According to Sen. Bam, reports on the impact of artificial intelligence have noted an increased presence and capacity of Chatbots and the emergence of systems capable of referring questions to human operators and learning from their responses.

 “These systems use artificial intelligence and are capable of performing the tasks of human employees, putting their employment in peril,” said Sen. Bam.

 The International Labor Organization (ILO) also released a working paper in July 2016, claiming that 49 percent of all employment in the Philippines faces a high risk of automation in the next couple of decades.

“This early, we should be preparing for any eventuality that may occur when automation goes into full swing,” Sen. Bam said.

In his resolution, Sen. Bam noted that Artificial intelligence is one of the emerging technologies emphasized in the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022, with the government engaging in more collaborative research and development activities and invest in infrastructure buildup.

 The Department of Science and Technology is tasked to develop an AI Program in thePhilippines, particularly to optimize mass production and effective operations in the country’s manufacturing sector.

 

Sen. Bam on CA vote on DENR Secretary Gina Lopez

Iyong LP senators nag-decide kami na suportahan si Sec. Lopez, kasama po sina Sens. Drilon, Recto at Pangilinan.  Unfortunately, natalo po kami sa boto at marami pong nag-decide na i-reject po siya.

 Kakaiba po ang nangyari dahil ang oposisyon pa ang sumuporta kay Sec. Lopez, parang baliktad.

Ayaw ko pong pag-usapan iyong mga hindi bumoto sa kanya dahil may sarili silang isyu. Pero para naman sa amin, even if we’re in the opposition, kung tingin naman namin ay makatutulong iyong tao at makabubuti sa ating bayan, bakit hindi natin susuportahan.

Scroll to top