Bills by Bam Aquino

Sen. Bam Aquino, AFP join forces to empower more reservists

All three branches of service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) expressed full support behind Sen. Bam Aquino’s bill to provide AFP reservists with job security while rendering military service for the country.
 
“This is one of the ways we show our gratitude for the service you provide,” Sen. Bam Aquino expressed to the AFP during the hearing of the Subcommittee for Labor and Employment on Senate Bill No. 1607 or the Reservist Employment Rights Act.
 
Ranking officials from the Air Force, Army and Navy, as well as other stakeholders expressed their full backing of Senate Bill No. 1607, authored by Sen Bam, and all committed to work together to encourage more Filipino reservists to be more active in rendering service to the nation.
 
According to Rear Admiral Roberto Empedrad, the AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Reservists and Retiree Affairs, SBN 1607 is the much needed reinforcement to fully implement Section 32 of RA 7077.
 
The AFP official said that the concern of reservists regarding their security of tenure in their civilian jobs hinder the mobilization and training of the kind of reservists most needed by the AFP. 
 
Rear Admiral Robert Empedrad said Senate Bill No. 1607 authored by Sen. Bam amplifies and puts flesh to the provision of Section 32 of RA 7077, which provides for security of tenure for reservists in their civilian jobs.
 
“The enactment of Senate Bill No. 1607 is very important to us since it will help in the administration of our unsung heroes, our volunteer reservists,” said Rear Admiral Empedrad.
 
Air Force Vice Commander, M/Gen. Jose Tanjuan said Senate Bill 1607 is in harmony with the general provisions of RA 7077, as it particularly strengthens its manpower development provision. He added that the measure also supports the Labor Code’s provision covering the security of tenure on employment of reservists undergoing annual duty training and mobilization.
 
“With the enactment of bill, reservists shall be more motivated and focused on their task since they will be unburdened with the problem of security of tenure and compensation,” said M/Gen. Tanjuan.
 
B/Gen. Gilbery Gapay, chief of staff of the Philippine Army, also expressed full support for the enactment of the measure into law, saying it will help in enhancing one of the most important programs in the Army.
 
Concerned government agencies, such as Government Service Insurance System, Department of Labor, Social Security System and PAG-IBIG Fund also expressed willingness to help enhance the measure, making it attuned to the present needs of reservists.
 
Under Sen. Bam’s measure, reservists shall be entitled to their original position, or to a substantially equivalent position, without loss of seniority rights, and diminution of pay.
 
The bill also ensures that companies cannot require reservists to use their standard leave credits entitled them for absences, for the military service they are required to render.
 
Furthermore, the bill protects reservists who suffered any injury or disability as they would still be entitled to reinstatement as long as they can perform the essential function of their original employment.
 
The measure also gives adequate training for reservists, compensation for non-reinstatement and military service and penalties employers in case of discriminating any employee or job applicant for being a reservist.
 
Sen Bam said that this bill is intended to bolster further the Reserve Force Development program of the AFP and ensure that we encourage more professionals, specialists, and subject matter experts to help in our national security by being active reserve officers of the AFP. 
 
“With this bill, we hope that the Category One types, ages 18 – 35 years old, who are most needed will be more encouraged to sign up and be active,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam pushes for more players in internet, telco sector

In celebration of the World Competition Day, Sen. Bam Aquino announced that the Senate is moving forward with measures to remove barriers to competition in telecommunications and data transmission services.
 
“I am happy to announce that the Senate will start tackling the Open Access Bill in my Committee next week.” said Sen. Bam Aquino, the principal author of Senate Bill No. 171, otherwise known as the Open Access in Data Transmission Bill.
 
On Tuesday, the Committee on Science and Technology, chaired by Sen. Aquino, will hold its first hearing on the Open Access in Data Transmission Bill, which will formulate regulations to encourage the entry of more players in different segments of our telecommunications and data transmission industry, while ensuring that safeguards are in place to maintain fair competition.”
 
“The price of internet service in our country has been tagged as one of the most expensive in our region. Healthy competition is our best bet to promote affordability and finally improve services for the Filipino consumers,” said Sen. Bam, who is the principal sponsor and co-author of Republic Act 10667 or the Philippine Competition Act in the Senate during the 16th Congress.
 
It was during Sen. Bam’s tenure as chairman of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship that the Philippine Competition Act was passed into law. This landmark legislation took twenty-five (25 years) to pass.
 
The Philippine Competition Act is expected to eliminate cartels, and penalize anti-competitive agreements and abuses of dominant players in the markets that lead to high prices of goods and services.
 
In addition, the law promotes a culture of healthy competition that inspires ingenuity, creativity, and innovation in addressing market needs.
 
The measure will also prohibit anti-competitive agreements and abuses of dominant position that distort, manipulate, or constrict the operations of markets in the Philippines.

Sen. Bam: Balik Scientist Bill hurdles Senate on third and final reading

The Senate has passed on third and final reading a measure seeking to attract scientists and experts of Filipino descent residing overseas to return to the Philippines and help boost the country’s research and development, according to Sen. Bam Aquino.

Principally authored and sponsored by Sen. Bam, Senate Bill No. 1533 under Committee Report No. 143, or the Balik Scientist Bill, hurdled the third and final reading via a 13-0 vote.

 “This is a step towards improving the country’s research and development sector. We must support more initiatives to empower our scientists and researchers,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology.

 The measure aims to provide overseas Filipino scientists with financial benefits and incentives to encourage them to return to the Philippines and help boost the country’s research and development.

 It seeks 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 help address development gaps in the Philippines.

 If enacted into law, Sen. Bam hopes that it will also address the lack of science professionals caused by the exodus of scientists and researchers to other countries.

 In a recent committee hearing spearheaded by Sen. Bam, it was revealed that the Philippines has 189 scientists per million, a far cry from the ideal ratio of 380 scientists per million.

Compared to other countries, the Philippines lags behind South Korea and United States, which have 5,300 and 3,500 scientists per million, respectively. Malaysia, for its part, has 2,000 scientists per million.

 A Balik Scientist is a science and technology expert or professional, as certified by the DOST, who is currently or who was formerly a Filipino citizen or a foreigner of Filipino descent, residing abroad, and contracted by the government to return and serve in the Philippines along his or her field of expertise under short, medium, or long term engagement.

Food bank bill, casualty of fake news

As we celebrate World Food Day today (Monday), Senator Bam Aquino pointed out that the food bank bill is yet another casualty of fake news.

“Dahil sa paggamit ng fake news laban sa akin, pati ang mabuting reporma, siniraan na. Sayang ang Zero Food Waste bill na magpapatayo sana ng mga food banks sa bansa,” said Sen. Bam Aquino, referring to his Senate Bill No. 357.

If passed into law, the measure would create a National Anti-Food Waste Scheme, with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as coordinating agency between food businesses, such as food manufacturers, supermarkets, restaurants, cafeterias, and hotels, and food banks.

 The measure mandates restaurants and supermarkets to give unserved food, such as canned goods and uncooked rice, to food-distribution charities or “food banks” to provide food to the poorest Filipino families.

 Sen. Bam said the scheme will set guidelines and standards for the collection, storage, and distribution of edible food donated to food banks.

 Cooked food or food waste would not be served but, instead, will be recycled into fertilizer or compost.

 Unfortunately, several dubious​ websites ​and blogs falsely branded the bill, making it appear that it was meant to serve leftover food to the poor. Those websites even carried a fake quote from the senator.

“I can overlook the name-calling, pero sayang naman ang panukalang ito na makakatulong sa mga Pilipinong nagugutom. Nakain na ng fake news ang food bank bill,” Sen. Bam lamented.

 The senator still hopes this reform can be resurrected and heard in the Senate to help address hunger in the country as well as reduce the wastage of food.

You can give CHR 5% of your taxes with Sen. Bam’s People’s Fund Bill

Amid the public outcry over the P1,000 budget given by the House of Representatives to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Sen. Bam Aquino has renewed his push for the approval of his measure that gives taxpayers a chance to decide to which agency they want their taxes to go.

“We want Filipinos to get involved in governance and the budget process. The People’s Fund Bill gives them the chance to do that,” said Sen. Bam, referring to Senate Bill No. 699 that he filed last July 20, 2016.

 “Galing sa pinaghirapan ng taumbayan ang ginagamit na pondo ng pamahalaan kaya nararapat lang natin silang konsultahin kung paano ito gagamitin,” added Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam made the pronouncement after netizens started the “#GiveMyTaxToCHR” campaign after the House gave the CHR a 1,000-peso budget for 2018. Netizens have demanded that their tax be given to the CHR instead to the PNP’s Oplan Tokhang, which was handed a P900-million budget for 2018.

 If approved, the People’s Fund Bill creates mechanisms for an individual taxpayer to allocate five percent (5%) of his or her income tax for any of the following: (1) an accredited charity or civil society organization; (2) a priority national or local government project; or (3) a legitimate political party.

Under this bill, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) shall establish the mechanism that would enable individual taxpayers to select beneficiaries upon filing of their annual income tax returns.

Meanwhile, an inter-agency committee led by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall determine the eligibility of respective organizations, and shall likewise set the conditions, guidelines, and reporting requirements for the receipt and use of the funds by the benefitting organizations.

 “Kapag ito’y naisabatas, may kapangyarihan na ang taxpayer na piliin kung saan pupunta ang porsyento ng perang ito. Ginagawa na ito sa ibang mga bansa at panahon nang gawin ito sa Pilipinas,” Sen. Bam said.

Sen. Bam defends measures for start-ups, scientists and researchers

The Senate on Wednesday started plenary discussions on three measures that aim to provide needed assistance to innovative start-ups and benefits to support Filipino scientists and researchers.

Senator Bam Aquino, chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology, defended the three measures — Innovative Startup Act, Balik Scientist Act and Magna Carta for Scientists — during period of interpellation.

 Sen. Bam, who stood as principal sponsor and co-authors of the said measures, underscored the importance of providing support to around 200,000 innovative start-ups in the country.

 Innovative start-ups are businesses that provide unique and relevant solutions to pressing problems, from a simple application for finding a taxi and other systems for improving healthcare, supporting Filipino farmers and addressing unemployment.

“Our country has a number of promising start-ups and we need to provide them with the environment where they can grow and succeed, just like what their counterparts in other countries like United States and Israel are enjoying,” said Sen. Bam.

“Hopefully, this measure will unlock the potential of this sector. A lot of Filipino innovators are looking forward to this bill,” added Sen. Bam.

 If enacted into law, innovative startups will enjoy benefits such as tax breaks and grants and other forms of assistance, including a faster process for business registration.

 Innovative start-ups could also avail of technical assistance and training programs, free use of equipment, facilities and support for patenting or licensing of their product through the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines.

 Aside from the Innovative Start-up Act, the Senate also tackled the Balik Scientist Act and Magna Carta for Scientists, which both aim to ramp up support to Filipino scientists, engineers and researchers.

After the period of interpellation, the Senate will continue discussions on the said measures next month during period of amendments.

Sen. Bam sponsors start-up bill in Senate

Senator Bam Aquino sponsored a measure that will give over 200,000 innovative start-up businesses in the country a better chance of succeeding through tax breaks and other forms of assistance, including a P1 billion venture fund where they can apply.

 In his sponsorship speech for Senate Bill No. 1532, Sen. Bam lauded innovative start-up businesses for finding solutions to the country’s problems.

 “These are startups that provide unique and relevant solutions to our problems, from daily hassles, like finding a taxi during rush hour, to improving the delivery of healthcare, providing support for our farmers, and addressing unemployment,” said Sen. Bam, the principal sponsor and author of the measure as chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology.

As sponsor of the measure, he said the Innovative Startup Act will reduce barriers that hamper the start-ups’ march to success.

“Let’s take this opportunity to empower our innovators and entrepreneurs with a heart for nation-building. Ipasa po natin ang Innovative Startup Act at himukin ang ating mga makabagong negosyante na lumikha ng mga solusyon para sa bayan,” said Sen. Bam.

 Sen. Bam said the measure will provide support innovative startups through financial subsidies like tax breaks and grants and ease of red tape in business registration. Start-ups will also get technical assistance and training programs that can help them flourish

 If enacted into law, innovative startups will also benefit from free use of equipment, facilities, and other services from government agencies, such as testing and fabrication facilities. They will also get assistance from the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines for the patenting or licensing of their product.

As a former social entrepreneur before he joined the Senate, Sen. Bam has been working for the welfare of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and start-ups by giving them an environment conducive for growth.

Sen. Bam worked for the passage of Republic Act 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act to provide access to markets and financing for businesses, training programs, and a simplified business registration process, helping ease of doing business and hastening government processes in putting up a business.

 

NEGOSYO, NOW NA!: Negosyong palamuti

Mga Kanegosyo, sa pagdalo ko sa iba’t ibang trade fair at pagbubukas ng Negosyo Center, isa sa mga napansin kong patok na negosyo ay ang mga lokal na fashion accessories kung saan nakikita ang pagiging malikhain ng mga Pilipino.

Natutuwa akong makita na maraming kababayan na natin ang umasenso sa paggawa ng iba’t ibang disenyo ng bracelet, kuwintas, hikaw, at iba pang uri ng palamuti.

Kahit nga misis ko, naaaliw sa pagbili ng mga fashion accessories na produkto ng iba’t ibang mga papausbong na negosyo sa bansa.

Isa sa mga ito si Gladys Sharon Estes sa isang dayuhang kompanya sa Subic, Zambales.

Bago nagnegosyo, si Gladys ay empleyado ng isang dayuhang kompanya sa lalawigan.

Bahagi ng kanyang trabaho ang magsuot ng magagarang kasuotan, lalo na kung humaharap sa mga kliyente at iba pang mga katran­saksiyon ng kompanya.

Isang araw, natanong ni Gladys sa sarili kung bakit siya gumagastos ng libu-libo para sa accessories gayong puwede naman siyang gumawa ng sarili niyang mga palamuti.

Mula noon, nabuo na ang pangarap ni Gladys na magtayo ng negosyo na may kinalaman sa paggawa ng fashion accessories.

Nais niyang kilalanin ang negosyo bilang pangunahing gumagawa ng fashion jewelry, fashion accessories at custom design souvenir items sa bansa.

Kasama ang asawang si Gerald, nagsimulang gumawa at magbenta si Gladys ng handmade accessories sa isang beach ­resort malapit sa kanilang tahanan sa tulong ng puhunang P5,000.

 

Sinabayan ito ng kanyang asawa ng paggawa ng woodcrafts na isinama niya sa mga ibinebentang fashion accessories.

Sa paglipas ng mga araw, unti-unti nang dinagsa ng mga turista, maging Pinoy man o dayuhan, ang kanyang maliit na tindahan.

Kahit napakarami nang tanong mula sa mga dayuhang bisita, naglaan si Gladys ng panahon upang sila’y kausapin at ipaliwanag ang kanyang mga ibinebentang produkto.

***

Dahil sa magaganda nilang produkto, na sinamahan pa ng maayos na pakikitungo sa mga customer, kumalat ang balita ukol sa negosyo ni Gladys.

Kasabay ng pagdagsa ng mga customer, dinagdagan din ni Gladys ang kanyang mga produkto. Sinamahan na niya ito ng freshwater pearls, chip stone turquoise, jade, at gemstones.

Dahil lumalaki na ang negosyo, naisip ni Gladys na bigyan na ito ng pangalan at iparehistro na sa Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Nagtungo si Gladys sa Negosyo Center sa Olongapo City upang magpatala ng pangalan sa kanyang negosyo.

Naglagay na rin si Gladys ng sangay sa labas ng Royal Duty Free sa Subic Bay Freeport Zone. Sa kasalukuyan, ito’y gumagawa ng handcrafted fashion accessories tulad ng bracelets, hikaw, kuwintas at anklets.

Maliban dito, mayroon din silang mga produktong gawa sa kawayan, niyog at kahoy, gaya ng frame, pencil holder, at table lamp.

***

Maliban sa pagtulong sa pagpaparehistro, hinikayat din siya ng Negosyo Center na sumali sa Gawang Gapo  isang livelihood program para maitaguyod ang mga produktong gawa sa siyudad ng Olongapo. 

Dahil dito, nabuksan ang iba pang oportunidad para sa kanyang negosyo. Inalok siya ng DTI at Department of Tourism ng tulong para makasali sa trade fairs.

Habang tumatagal, nadadagdagan ang mga pagkakataon upang makilala pa ang kanyang produkto at negosyo.

Ngayon, kumikita na sila ng P20,000 hanggang P30,000 kada buwan, hindi pa kasama rito ang kita niya sa trade fairs at iba pang event.

***

Dahil unti-unti nang lumalaki ang kanyang negos­yo, nadadagdagan ang kanyang mga responsibilidad.

Ngunit kalmado lang si Gladys dahil alam niyang naririyan lang ng DTI at Negosyo Center para tulungan siyang harapin ang mga darating na pagsubok at problema.

***

Higit sa 500 na ang mga Negosyo Center sa Pilipinas salamat sa Republic Act No. 10644 o Go Negosyo Act, ang kauna-unahan kong naipasang batas bilang senador.

Layunin nitong maglagay ng Negosyo Center sa bawat munisipalidad, siyudad, at lalawigan sa buong bansa upang suportahan ang mga Pilipino na nais magsimula ng sariling negosyo o tulungang mapalaki ang kasalukuyan nilang negosyo.

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

NEGOSYO, NOW NA!: Kahit binagyo nang todo, tuloy ang negosyo

Mga Kanegosyo, si Mang Toto Andres ay isang dating driver at nagtrabaho rin bilang magsasaka sa kanilang bayan sa Aklan.

Upang makadagdag sa kita, pumasok siya bilang ahente ng furniture sa kanilang lugar kung saan siya ay nag-aalok ng ­ginagawang kasangkapan tulad ng mesa o silya sa mga residente sa kanilang lugar at mga kalapit na bayan.

Madalas, pinagagalitan sila ng mga bumili dahil kumpleto na ang bayad ngunit hindi pa naidi-deliver ang mga order na furniture sa due date.

Kaya naisipan ni Mang Toto na magsimula ng sarili niyang furniture shop dahil nakita niya ang potensyal na kumita mula rito.

Sa isang maliit na lugar lang sinimulan ni Mang Toto ang shop. Gawa sa pawid ang dingding nito habang isang maliit na mesa ang nagsilbing gawaan niya ng furniture.

Kinakantiyawan nga ng kanyang mga kaibigan ang puwesto ni Mang Toto dahil sa sobrang liit nito.

Ngunit tiniyaga ni Mang Toto ang nasimulang negosyo hanggang lumago ito at naging lima silang gumagawa ng iba’t ibang kasangkapan.

***

Subalit noong 2013, naglahong lahat ang pinaghirapan ni Mang Toto at kanyang mga kasama sa paghagupit ng Bagyong Yolanda sa kanilang lugar.

Ni isang gamit ay walang natira sa kanila kaya wala nang paraan para sila’y muling makapagsimula. Nawalan na rin ng pag-asa si Mang Toto na makabangon pa.

 

Isang taon ang lumipas, nagkasundo silang lima na ­ituloy ang kanilang nasimulang negosyo kahit kaunti lang ang kanilang kitain.

Noong July 14, 2016, nakumbida si Mang Toto ng isang staff ng DTI-Aklan magpunta sa Negosyo Center sa Altabas para dumalo sa isang talakayan ukol sa pagnenegosyo.

Sa una, inakala ni Mang Toto na biro lang ang lahat kaya doon siya pumuwesto sa likuran ng seminar at pasilip-silip lang kung ano ang nangyayari.

Nang magsalita na ang isang staff ng Negosyo Center, naengganyo si Mang Toto na makinig at nahikayat nang manatili sa kabuuan ng seminar.

Napaganda pa ang pagpunta ni Mang Toto dahil nalaman niya na nakatakda ring magbigay ng seminar si Reggie Aranador, isang sikat na tagadisenyo ng furniture.

Sa unang araw ng seminar, natuto si Mang Toto sa tamang paggamit ng kahoy at paggawa ng kasangkapan mula sa scrap na kahoy. Sa ganda ng seminar, naisip ni Mang Toto na dalhin ang iba pa niyang kasama sa shop.

Nalaman din nina Mang Toto ang tama at mabilis na paggawa ng mirror frame at wood lamp sa loob lang ng dalawang araw.

Hanga si Mang Toto sa sistema ng pagtuturo ni Reggie dahil lahat ng nais nilang malaman ay itinuro sa kanila.

Bilib din si Mang Toto sa ganda ng serbisyo ng mga taga-Negosyo Center sa Aklan. Aniya, isandaang porsyento ang ibinibigay nilang tulong sa mga nais magsimula ng negosyo.

Sa Negosyo Center din nakilala ni Mang Toto si Julie Antidon ng SB Corporation, kung saan napag-alaman niyang tumutulong sa pagpapahiram ng puhunan sa maliliit na negosyo.

Sa ngayon, patuloy ang paglakas ng negosyong furniture shop ni Mang Toto  na ngayo’y kilala na bilang Toto’s Woodcraft.

***

Higit sa 500 na ang mga Negosyo Center sa Pilipinas salamat sa Republic Act No. 10644 o Go Negosyo Act, ang kauna-unahan kong naipasang batas bilang senador noong 16th Congress.

Layunin nitong maglagay ng Negosyo Center sa bawat munisipalidad, siyudad, at lalawigan sa buong bansa upang suportahan ang mga Pilipino na nais magsimula ng sariling negosyo o tulungang mapalaki ang kasalukuyan nilang negosyo.

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

BIDA KA!: Tutukan ang kapakanan ng senior citizens

Mga Bida, kamakailan ay naki­pagpulong tayo sa ilang mga grupo ng senior citizens sa bansa kung saan inilabas nila ang mga problema at hamon na kinakaharap ng kanilang sektor.

Sa nasabing pulong, sinabi ni ­Oscar Ricafuerte, secretary general ng Fe­deration of Senior Citizens Associations of the Philippines (FSCAP) na hindi ganap na natutugunan ng kasalukuyang National Coordinating and Monitoring Board (NCMB) ang pangangailangan ng senior citizens.

Ayon kay Ginoong Ricafuerte, isang senior citizen lang ang miyembro ng nasabing board kaya madalas, hindi akma ang mga programang inilalatag nito para sa kanila.

Maliban pa rito, hindi rin sila nakokonsulta sa mahahalagang isyu at mga panukalang batas, tulad na lang ng Centenarians Act. 

Aniya, kung nabigyan lang sila ng pagkakataong sumali sa pagbalangkas nito, ipinanukala nila na dapat pagsapit pa lang ng 80-anyos ay binibigyan na ng cash incentive upang mapakinabangan nang husto ng mga senior citizen.

Sa isyu naman ng senior citizen’s ID, iginiit ni Ginoong Ricafuerte na dapat mabigyan ito ng seryosong pansin upang maiwasan ang pamemeke, bagay na hindi matututukan ng karaniwang board lang gaya ng NCMB.

***

Para naman kay Nanay Salve Basiano ng Pederasyon ng mga Maralitang Nakakatanda, natutuwa sila sa pagsisikap ng NCMB upang matugunan ang pangangailangan at problema ng mga nakatatanda.

Subalit para kay Nanay Salve, mas maganda kung mayroong isang komisyon na tututok sa mga totoong pangangailangan ng senior citizens sa bansa.

***

 

Tama ang puntong ito ni Nanay Salve dahil may iba’t ibang komisyon sa pamahalaan na tumututok sa partikular na sektor ng lipunan.

Para sa kabataan, mayroon tayong National Youth Commission (NYC). Pagdating naman sa kababaihan, naririyan ang National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women.

Tumututok naman sa kapakanan ng mga kapatid nating Muslim ang National Commission on Muslim Filipinos habang sa katutubo naman, mayroon tayong National Commission on Indigenous Peoples.

Bilang isang sektor na kinabibilangan ng 7.6 milyong senior citizens, nararapat lang na may tumutok na isang komisyon, lalo pa’t inaasahang dodoble ang kanilang bilang sa 14.2 milyon pagsapit ng 2030 at 22.5 million sa 2045.

***

Kaya inihain natin ang Senate Bill No. 674 na layong lumikha ng National Commission for Senior Citizens (NCSC) upang matiyak na protektado ang karapatan at naibibigay ang mga benepisyong nakalaan para sa ating senior citizens.

Kapag naisabatas, bubuwagin na ang NCMB at papalitan na ito ng NCSC, na ang pangunahing tungkulin ay tiyaking naipatutupad nang tama ang Republic Act 7432 o ang Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2015.

Bilang isang pambansang ahensiya, magbabalangkas ang NCSC ng mga polisiya, plano at programa para maitaguyod ang kapakanan ng senior citizen. Sila rin ang tutugon sa mga isyung nakakaapekto sa sektor.

Ang nasabing komisyon ay pamumunuan ng isang chairperson at commissioners mula sa listahang isusumite ng iba’t ibang grupo ng senior citizens. 

Magkakaroon din ito ng sangay sa iba’t ibang local government units na pamumunuan ng regional commissioners upang mabantayan ang kapakanan ng senior citizens sa mga lalawigan.

***

Kilala ang mga Pilipino bilang mapag-alaga sa ating mga matatanda. Sa panukalang ito, maipapakita natin na kung gaano kahalaga ang mga senior citizen. 

Ito’y pagkilala sa kanilang napakalaking sakripisyo at kontribusyon sa lipunan at sa pagpapalago ng ating bansa.

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