Bam Aquino

Resolution Honoring And Commending The Ten (10) Outstanding Teachers Of 2016 Awarded By The Metrobank Foundation, Inc.

Good afternoon, Mr. President and my distinguished colleagues. Magandang hapon po sa ating lahat, mga kaibigan, mga kababayan!

It is a distinct honor to be addressing you today in support of the Resolution Honoring and Commending the Ten Outstanding Teachers of 2016 by the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. or R.S.N. 116.

As the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education, Culture and the Arts, I am elated to present to you 10 Filipino teachers – 10 extraordinary men and women that make an invaluable difference in the lives of their students and their student’s families.

Please join me in commending them:

Mrs. Winona Y. Diola, a grade school teacher at De La Salle Santiago Zobel School in Muntinlupa City

Ms. Rujealyn R. Cancino, a master teacher II at Lingayen I Central School in Lingayen, Pangasinan

Mr. Arnol M. Rosales, a master teacher I at the Francisco Melgar Memorial School in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro

Mrs. Josephine Chonie M. Obsenares, a master teacher I from the Butuan City Special Education Center in Butuan City

Dr. Roy B. Basa, a master teacher I from the Negros Occidental High School in Bacolod City

Mr. Nelson G. Agoyaoy, the coordinator of student concerns and activities from the University of the East Caloocan Elementery and High School Department

Mrs. Ma. Regaele A Olarte, a teacher I in Muntinlupa National High School in Muntinlupa City

Dr. Katherine Faith M. Bustos, a master teacher I at the Nueva Vizcaya General Comprehensive High School in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya

Dr. Ernelea P. Cao, a professor XII at the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City

And Dr. Mark Anthony J. Torres, an associate professor V at the Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology in Iligan City

Maraming maraming salamat sa inyong lahat. Mabuhay po ang ating ten outstanding teachers for 2016!

 

Mr. President, yesterday I shared a little known fact about my family and that is my mother’s parents who are actually teachers.

Segundo and Victoria Aguirre moved to Davao from Luzon after the Second World War with a dream. And that dream was to take part in building a better future for young Mindanaoans through education.

So, they rolled up their sleeves and helped start the University of Mindanao.

Hanggang po sa huli, na naging chairperson ng Filipino department ang aking lola at naging principal ng University of Mindanao ang aking lolo, hindi po nila binitawan ang kanilang bokasyon sa edukasyon.

Mr. President, teaching is a vocation and to educate is a mission.

Tungkulin po ng bawat guro ang pagandahin ang kinabukasan ng bawat batang Pilipino at pagandahin ang kinabukasan ng Pilipinas sa pamamagitan ng edukasyon.

Layunin po nilang palitawin ang husay at talino ng kabataan upang paramihin ang dakilang Pilipinong mag-aambag sa kasaganaan ng ating minamahal na bansa.

At ito po’y hindi madali.

Hindi po madaling magising bago sumikat ang araw para paghandaan ang mga aralin.

Hindi po madaling magpuyat para mag-tsek ng ga bundok na mga test paper.

Hindi po madaling ngumiti at maging bibo sa classroom kahit masama ang pakiramdam.

Hindi po madaling pagsabihan ang batang hindi nakikinig pag alam mo namang hindi pa sila nag-aalmusal.

Hindi po madaling maging guro sa Pilipinas, Mr. President. At lalong hindi madaling magsikap upang maging isang katangi-tanging guro sa ating bansa.

So today, Mr. President, we honor this year’s Ten Outstanding Teachers and we honor every Filipino who has chosen teaching as a vocation.

Mr. President, it is apparent that the reforms we are pushing for in the Committee on Education, Culture and the Arts to improve access to quality education in our country hinge on our teachers’ willingness to step up and strive for excellence.

And Mr. President, the ten that we have here today are the examples for that excellence that we seek. So, Mr. President it is my honor to co-sponsor this resolution honoring these ladies and gentlemen – these proud Filipinos behind me. Maraming salamat, Mr. President, thank you very much!

 

Senate Bill No. 688: Big Data Act

The world we live in is in constant change. With these changes, more data are being collected, stored, accessed, analyzed, re-analyzed and disseminated.

Big Data has risen as an alternative source of information. It refers to datasets whose volume is beyond the ability of typical database software tools to capture, store, manage and analyze within a tolerable elapsed period of time.

Today, Big Data from information-sensing smart phones, social media and the Internet, remote sensing and climate sensors is more available and accessible.

Thus, establishment of a technology center that facilitates Big Data is proposed in order for policy and services to be more relevant to the changing needs of the people.

With the help of the Philippine Big Data Center, disaster response teams will be armed by important information and other data needed during emergency situations and calamities.

The Bill proposes an infrastructure where Big Data is utilized for research and development, and invention and innovation.

The Center will develop a range of standards to use software and tools for analytics on massive amounts of data being generated from the use of the Internet and other technology.

The Center will also be responsible for disseminating and communicating the knowledge gained from its research activities to its stakeholders in both the public and private sectors. The analysis from Big Data will help policy makers to be more responsive to the needs of the public.

Furthermore, the Center will respect the right to privacy of the Filipinos, ensuring data anonymity, establish opt-in permissions and uphold transparency in its data analytics processes. 

The passage of this bill will pioneer and institutionalize a technological breakthrough that will support the public and private sectors. It boosts the efforts of the State for more advanced, sustained and inclusive developmental progress. 

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 

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Senate Bill No. 652: Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Program Act

There is tremendous potential in the bamboo industry. Globally, the value of exports of bamboo and bamboo products is estimated to be US$12 billion. Locally the reported value of exports of bamboo and bamboo products in 2014 was US$ 10 million. Bamboo production and processing has provided direct and indirect employment to an estimated 190,000 people and these numbers can continue to climb, with the right support systems in place for the industry.

However, bamboo is officially classified as a minor forest product by virtue of PD No. 705 otherwise known as the Revised Forestry Code. As a consequence of this classification, the main considerations and attention of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has been focused on timber and timber products, which is understandable because of timber’s sizable economic contributions.

But with the destruction of our forests and the diminution of the supply of wood and wood products for construction, there are attempts to fill the void with suitable substitutes such as bamboo.

Bamboo has always been an important construction material in the rural areas. Because of its versatility it has found applications in many uses, from house construction, farm implements, kitchen utensils, furniture and handicrafts. Bamboo is also relatively cheap given its ubiquity and ready availability in the rural areas. However, its low price is also a result of low natural durability against agencies of deterioration and its poor reputation as a material for construction.

Fortunately, the research sector has been working on technologies to lengthen the service life of bamboo and has developed new bamboo products such as engineered bamboo, which can take the place of wood as panel products and for structural purposes. Today, furniture and handicraft manufacturers incorporate bamboo in the design of their products with amazing results, even attracting foreign buyers. Bamboo has also become a medium in carving and architects have designed structures entirely made of bamboo.

In the environmental front, bamboo has been found to excellently reduce erosion. It is also capable of absorbing heavy metals in mined-out areas. Studies have also shown that it can sequester carbon dioxide of about 45% of its dry weight.

An important advantage of bamboo to tree plantations is that there is a need to replant when trees in plantations are harvested. In contrast only mature culms are harvested from a clump of bamboo and if managed well a clump of bamboo can continuously provide raw materials indefinitely.

With these developments and benefits, bamboo has been gaining popularity both locally and in foreign countries. Unfortunately there is no national program on bamboo industry development.

It is recognized in the industry that there is a general insufficiency of raw materials for which reason many enterprises on bamboo processing have closed down because of lack of raw materials yet there is little initiative in bamboo plantation development. Support to research and development is sorely insufficient and product marketing is left generally to the private sector.

In order for the country to be more competitive in foreign markets, capture a sizeable portion of the global market, provide livelihood to rural communities, and take advantage of the environmental contributions of bamboo to rehabilitate degraded watersheds, sequester carbon dioxide, and assist in the mitigation of climate change, it is necessary to have an organized and well managed bamboo industry development program.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.


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Senate Bill No. 695: Ammendments to the Public Service Act

Public utilities or public services are business activities generally characterized as natural monopolies with large sunk costs. They are allowed to operate as regulated monopolies since they provide services that are indispensable or necessary to everyday life.

The Public Service Act (Commonweaith Act No. 146) remains the principal law that enumerates business activities classified as public utilities or public services. It was enacted in 1936 based on even older statutes in the United States and in the Philippines. Since then, vast advances have taken place in technology and modes of delivery of services. Capital and other requirements and ways of doing business, among others, have drastically changed as well. These require a review of the Public Service Act and the introduction of greater market competition with a view to attaining more effective and efficient services to the public, reducing socio-economic inequities and alleviating poverty.

This bill is introduced in order to update the coverage of public utilities or public services in the Public Service Act, reserving it to business activities exhibiting the simultaneous characteristics of natural monopoly and vital public necessity, and to ensure that every Filipino has access to the best quality, value-for-money essential services that effective competition can provide.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.


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Senate Bill No. 646: Crowdsourcing Act

The Philippines is one of the most active nations on Facebook with 30 million Filipinos registered to the popular social media website. On the Internet, Filipinos are able to share personal stories, talents, products, appeals for donations, and grievances. And in the May 2016 elections, ideas on politics, governance and legislation flooded our social media feeds.

The Internet has proven time and again, through elections, natural disasters, public scandals, and the like, that it has the power to unite public efforts. The Internet has a power that we harness during times of need and that we ought to maximize for the betterment of our country.

This bill seeks the creation of an online platform for ordinary citizens to create petitions for both Houses of Congress to review, amend, repeal or create a law. This platform shall be launched and maintained by the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office and it shall serve as a direct communication channel between the legislative branch of government and the general public. Petitions launched on the website should need to have been electronically signed by at least 300,000 before the proposed measure will be forwarder to the relevant committees in both Congress and the Senate.

In our nation, we strive to achieve full participation in the democratic process. With the advent of widespread Internet access, it has never been easier to improve and democratize our legislative process than it is now, utilizing a fast, efficient, and transparent technology to hear the voice of ordinary citizens.

In view of the foregoing, the passing of this bill is earnestly sought.


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Senate Bill No. 654: Tax Exemption Act for All Donations, Grants or Gifts to Non-Stock and Non-Profit Educational Inst.

The quest to improve the quality of education and improve the facilities of our schools and institutions is a collective effort that drav\/s like-minded advocates from government, civil society, and the private sector.

In many cases, the non-government sector is enthusiastic to assist the development of education in the Philippines with the hope that the next generation of well-educated Filipinos hold the key to leveling up the country and finally putting an end to longstanding issues that have plagued our nation, such as hunger, poverty, public transport, and even the patronage system that is entrenched in our culture.

It is our responsibility to encourage this enthusiasm and incentivize donations to non-stock and non-profit educational institutions in order to further our cause for improved education and educational facilities across the country.

While non-stock and non-profit educational institutions benefit from tax exemptions, donors aren’t granted similar incentives. This measure extends tax exemptions to donors, mandating that all contributions to non-stock and non-profit educational institutions be tax-exempt and deductible from their taxable income.

Through this bill, citizens with a heart for education can opt to donate hard-earned money, property, or other assets to the cause of education in lieu of contributing tax payments to the State.

Let’s embolden Filipinos to take a more active role in nation-building and have a choice in who benefits from their contributions. Together, all sectors of society can further the cause of quality education in the Philippines and produce intelligent, skillful, and conscientious young Filipinos.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.


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7 na bago sa UAAP Season 79

UAAP Season na naman! Sa katunayan, last week ay nagsimula na ang pinakabagong season na pinangunahan ng host na UST. Tiyak na magiging usap-usapan na naman ang men’s college basketball sa mga darating na araw dahil nagbalik na din ang senior basketball competition. Narito ang ilan sa mga bagong aabangan sa UAAP court sa darating na mga araw .

 

1.New courtside reporters. Hindi pa man naglalabas ng complete line up ang mga schools na kasali sa UAAP, ipinakilala na ang mga courtside reporters na syang tututok at sasama sa bawat laban ng basketball team ng mga schools. Karamihan sa kanila ay nagbabalik lang pero meron pa ring fresh faces na pwedeng abangan ng mga fans tulad nina Denice Dinsay ng Ateneo at Bea Escudero ng DeLa Salle.

UAAPReporter

2.New rules. Change has come pati na rin sa UAAP. Ilan sa mga bagong rules ng UAAP basketball ngayong season ay ang pagtanggal sa thrice to beat advantage sa sinumang team na makaka-sweep ng eliminations round. Ang finals ay best-of-3 pa rin. Bukod pa dito, isang adjustment din na maeexperience ng mga fans ay ang pagkanta ng school hymn, BAGO magsimula ang laro.

School Hymn (Arvin Lim) 

3.New Players. Every season, ang mga new players o mga rookies ang di pwedeng mawala sa mga basketball team. Tuwing may gagraduate na role player, pinaghihirapan din ng bawat school ang makarecruit ng mga talents na pupuno at magpapalakas ng kanilang pwersa sa court. Ilan sa mga pwedeng abangang rookies ay sina JV Gallego (NU), Jerrick Ahanmisi (AdU), Aljun Melecio (DLSU), Shaggy Almond (ADMU), Javi Gomez de Llaño (UP) at marami pang iba.


newuaapplayers

4.New coaches. Isa sa mga exciting na pagbabago sa season na ito ay ang mga beterano nang UAAP coaches na gagabay sa bagong school na nagrecruit sa kanila. Si Coach Bo Perasol na nakilala bilang Ateneo coach ang bagong leader ng UP squad. Si Franz Pumaren na seasoned coach ng DLSU dati, ay ang negdevelop ng bagong Adamson team at si Coach Aldin Ayo naman na nagbigay ng trophy sa Letran sa NCAA, ang gagawa ng mga plays sa DLSU ngayong season. Exciting di ba?

 uAAPcoach

5.New(ly) improved players. Bukod sa mga rookies, inaasahan din sa court ang mga old and experienced players na paniguradong nagimprove mula last season. Marami sa kanila ang sabik ng ipakita ang pinakabagong version nila at the same time ay magtake on ng role as leaders ng kani kanilang team. For sure sabik din ang mga fans sa pagbabalik nina Jeron Teng (DLSU), Raymar Jose (FEU), Jett Manuel (UP), Louie Vigil (UST), Thirdy Ravena (ADMU), Papi Sarr (AdU), Alfred Aroga (NU), at Bonbon Batiller (UE)

improvedplayers 

6.New MVP. Sino nga ba sa mga college ballers ang magsstand out sa lahat sa katapusan ng season 79? Sa dame ng mga experienced players na magbabalik, mahigpit ang magiging kompetisyon. Sa mga huling season, usually hindi galing sa champion team ang pinaparangalang MVP. Maiba kaya to this year o di kaya naman patuloy itong magiging trend? Dadalhin ba ng mapipiling MVP ang kanyang team sa championship? Abangan nating lahat!

UAAP2016MVP

7.New Champion! Alam naming maaga pa para masabi or matanong ito pero ilang sports analysts na ang nagsabi na magkakaroon ng bagong UAAP champion this year. DLSU ang isa sa mga nakikita nilang may potential na makakuha ng korona pero hindi ito sapat na dahilan para maliitin ang ibang teams. Palagi namang may mga surprises sa mga nagdaang season at for sure gagawin ng defending champions na FEU Tamaraws ang lahat para protektahan ang kampeonato

lasalle versus FEU

Senate Bill No. 651: National Coastal Greenbelt Act

Last year, super-typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) hit Eastern Visayas and left thousands of people dead.  Millions more became homeless and now, are struggling to cope with the loss of loved ones, life savings and livelihood.

Previous storms, Ondoy, Pablo and Sendong have wrought havoc to other cities and provinces in the past half-decade, crippling the economic and social development of the Filipino people. The Philippines is battered by more than 20 typhoons a year, with an increasing number in the super-typhoon category.  These could bring as much damage as Yolanda. The losses attributed were caused by storm surges and strong winds coming from the open ocean.  In the age of global climate change, this has unfortunately become the new normal.

The poor coastal communities’ natural exposure to storm surges and lack of resources for preparation and recovery make them most vulnerable.

It is imperative to think of innovative, sustainable and cost-efficient ways for Filipinos to protect themselves, their properties and communities from the devastating impacts of natural disasters.

The Philippines is taking great strides in disaster preparedness. Recent laws created the Climate Change Commission (R.A. No. 9729) and strengthened the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (R.A. No. 10121).  In addition, the People’s Survival Fund (R.A. No. 10174) was created to support adaptation activities of local governments and communities to increase their resilience.

Disaster preparedness comprises a whole suite of items, such as early warning systems, elevated shelters, hard engineering (e.g., breakwaters) and green engineering/infrastructure.

An establishment of greenbelts of mangroves and beach forests along coastlines is a proven green engineering intervention. As the Philippines’ 36,000 km coastline is among the longest in the world, coastal greenbelts effectively mitigate the damaging impacts of waves and storm surges. Some of the scientifically proven benefits are:

  • Wave height of wind and swell waves can be reduced by 13-66% over 100m of mangroves;
  • Storm surge attenuation of 5-50 cm. per kilometer width of mangroves;
  • Surface wind waves can be reduced by more than 75% over one kilometer of mangroves;
  • 50% reduction in storm surges by a 7-km band of mangroves.

Furthermore, coastal forests can reduce the force, depth and velocity of a tsunami, lessening damage to property and reducing loss of life.

Coastal greenbelts are also cost-effective for disaster preparedness in the long term. The total valuation of mangroves is estimated at US$14,000-16,000 per hectare, of which about 80% is for coastal protection value. The cost of establishing coastal greenbelts to protect against storm surge and tsunami would only be a fraction of the damages that could be brought by the yearly battering of typhoons.

A number of existing laws, policies and regulations on mangroves have been issued over the years resulting in a fragmented and conflicting policy environment. This bill aims to come up with a strategic program to rationalize the development of mangroves and beach forests for coastal protection; it is anchored on a comprehensive policy framework that addresses the fragmented approach in the past.

Establishing the National Coastal Greenbelt Program shall provide the agency mandates, funding, and general guiding principles for implementing a science-based and cost-effective program. The proposed National Greenbelt Program mandates establishment of 100-meter protection zones, initially for the Eastern Pacific seaboard, where typhoons make landfall. This Program can also reap added benefits. The establishment of science-based coastal greenbelts is expected to protect biodiversity, improve fisheries productivity, and enhance the tourism and livelihood potential of the area. Transforming vulnerable coastal villages into highly resilient and sustainable communities is a step towards a nation that is inclusive for all.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
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Senate Bill No. 663: Nurse in Every Public School Act

Delivering quality education isn’t just a matter of delivering instructional modules inside the classroom. Quality education, that every Filipino child deserves, is holistic in nature. It is concerned with the whole self- physical, mental and spiritual.

With a fifth of the Filipino populace under the poverty line, health-related issues of school children abound, thus hampering their ability to learn and retain lessons and skills. Some students might even be forced to skip school days due to sickness, further impeding their ability to learn.

Thus, this measure proposes that students’ access to basic health care services in schools be assured by requiring every public school to employ at least one registered nurse to look after the health and nutritional needs of its students.

Nurses are as important as other support personnel in the school system.1 They attend to the physical and mental-health needs of students. They can even spearhead programs to promote nutrition and contribute health-related content in the curriculum.

Having a nurse in every school emphasizes the value of health, nutrition and well­ being as part of the formation of our Filipino children.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

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Senate Bill No. 662: Fare Discount for Students Act

In many areas of the country, particularly in rural towns, students must walk up to five kilometers each way to get to school. A daily tricycle ride, the only alternative, would be too costly. However, with our climate that brings either torrential rains or, extreme heat, the long and arduous walk sometimes spells the difference between pursuing and halting one’s education.

To give all Filipino students an equal opportunity to an excellent education, this bill proposes to strengthen the mandate for student discounts on transport fares. Under this act, students with valid proof of enrolment to an educational institution must be granted a 20% discount on all land, water and air transportation all throughout the year.

Additionally, this bill seeks to impose stricter penalties for transport providers who do not honor student fares with the help of a hotline through which complaints may be coursed.

Through this mandate, our most underprivileged students stand to benefit from reasonable transportation costs that will be applicable even on weekends and holidays during which students often have extra-curricular activities related to enriching their education.

The inclusion of air and sea transportation will facilitate students’ access to learning not only in the classroom but also around the Philippine islands, across our region, and beyond.

In view thereof the passage of this bill is earnestly requested.


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