ICT

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. 701: Penalties or Fines Against Erring Public Telecommunications

For years, Filipinos have been suffering from slow and expensive Internet as they struggle to communicate with loved ones living abroad, forge deals with potential business partners and clients around the world, or simply get work done and sent quickly and efficiently.

Our collective frustrations over our country’s Internet quality has been justified by studies on Internet speed and cost per country, putting the Philippines as slowest and most expensive in the region.

Being the fastest growing economy in the ASEAN, this is clearly unacceptable and measures to improve our Internet quality while driving down its cost must be prioritized.

One of the many steps we must take is to update current policies to ensure that Internet providers are held accountable for their activities.

Thus, this measure seeks to empower the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) by increasing the penalties and fines for violations against the authority of the NTC and its released certificates, orders, decisions, resolutions, or regulations. With heavier penalties, NTC can expect greater compliance from Internet providers to standards and regulations that have been set to advance Internet quality in the Philippines.

Now, with the promise and potential of innovations coming from all corners of the world, we must band together to create a framework for the constant improvement of our internet services for the benefit of all Filipinos, especially those engaged in commerce.

When it comes to public services, we must do more than just keep up with the development of our neighbors, but exceed them. Let us band together to significantly improve our Internet services in the Philippines

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

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Senate Bill No. 353: Internet Shared Infra

As our island nation continues to build roads that connect communities and expand logistics, we also have an opportunity to improve our information and communications technology (ICT) and boost access to the information superhighway.

Imagine working CCTV cameras at every corner, roads designed with fiber optic cables and electrical networks beneath them, and stop signs that radiate mobile data signals.

No longer relegated to the pages of a sci-fi novel or the screening of a futuristic movie, this level of design and technology is in the here and now, readily available for our utilization. Why not take advantage of today’s technology and design infrastructure to deliver as many services as it can to our citizens?

The Shared Infrastructure for ICT Bill encourages us to rethink and maximize our infrastructure projects to include features that advance our ICT.

This measure pushes for the inclusion on shared utility corridors for fiber optic cables in road networks in the hopes of improving connectivity and increasing competition for Internet service providers while generating additional revenue for the government.

Let’s make the most of our infrastructure projects and endeavor to provide quick, quality access to ICT services to every Filipino.

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

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Senate Bill No. 171: Open Access in Data Transmission

 

We live in the information age where instantaneous access to reliable data can save you money, get you your dream concert tickets, save lives in times of calamity, and even spark a political revolution witnessed all around the world.

Technology has refashioned our world, empowering us with information at our fingertips.

What many of us don’t see are the multiple levels and layers that data zips through to move from one point to another, from one user to the next.

If this complex data network is not designed and managed properly, it may cost users’ time and money. And for a nation with a pressing problem with slow and expensive Internet services, it is imperative that we explore all avenues to improve data transmission.

This measure sets the regulatory framework to promote effective data transmission, taking into account the ever-changing nature of technology.

This bill will bolster the powers of the National Telecommunications Commission to create a healthy environment for the development and growth of data networks and their associated industries to improve access to information for every Filipino.

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

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BIDA KA!: Isang Simpleng Parangal sa ating Big Brother

Mga bida, isa sa mga hinahangaan at tinitingala kong personalidad ay si dating Education Sec. Bro. Armin Luistro, isa sa pinakamasipag na miyembro ng Gabinete sa nakaraang administrasyon.

Nagsimula si Bro. Armin bilang religion teacher sa De La Salle Lipa noong dekada otsenta. Mula noon, umangat siya sa posisyon at naging pinuno ng walong institusyon ng De La Salle bilang pangulo at CEO ng De La Salle Philippines (DLSP).

***

Noong 2010, sa unang pagkakataon ay sumabak si Bro. Armin sa paglilingkod sa gobyerno nang italaga siyang kalihim ng Department of Education (DepEd).

Agad napasabak sa mga hamon si Bro. Armin. Sinalubong siya ng katakut-takot na problema, gaya ng kakulangan na 61.7 milyon sa libro, 2.5 milyon sa upuan, 66,800 silid aralan at 145,827 guro.

Maliban pa rito, si Bro. Armin din ang naatasan sa preparasyon at paglalatag ng kontrobersiyal na K to 12 Program.

***

Hindi naman nagpatinag si Bro. Armin sa mga gabundok na problema na sinalo ng Aquino government na kailangan niyang tugunan.

Hinarap niya ang mga problemang ito para na rin sa kapakanan ng milyun-milyong estudyante sa buong Pilipinas.

Sa gitna ng batikos sa kanyang bawat kilos at galaw, epektibo at tahimik na nagampanan ni Bro. Armin ang tungkulin.

Sa isang panayam kay Bro. Armin bago siya bumaba sa puwesto, sinabi niyang nabura ang backlog sa silid aralan nang makapagpatayo ang ahensiya ng 118,000 bagong classrooms mula 2010 hanggang 2016.

Maliban dito, may 66,000 pang classrooms ang kasalukuyan nang itinatayo kaya aakyat sa 185,000 ang silid aralan na naipatayo sa ilalim ng dating administrasyon.

Nasolusyunan din ang kakulangan sa guro sa pagkuha ng mahigit 258,000 guro mula 2010 hanggang 2016.

Isinulong din ni Luistro ang pagpapaganda ng pasilidad, paglalagay ng internet at ICT at makabagong modules para mapaganda ang kalidad ng edukasyon sa bansa.

Pinangunahan din ni Luistro ang maayos na pagpapatupad ng K to 12 Program, kabilang ang pagsisimula ng unang batch ng Grade 11 noong Hunyo.

Nabawasan din ng halos kalahati ang bilang ng out-of-school youth sa bansa sa pamamagitan ng Abot Alam Program.

Dahil nakita kong epektibo ang nasabing programa, isinumite ko ang Senate Bill No. 172 o ang Abot Alam Bill upang maipatupad ito sa buong bansa.

Kapag naisabatas, tutugon ito sa pangangailangan ng mga kabataang Pinoy na may edad pito hanggang 24 na hindi nag-aaral sa paglikha ng programa na magbibigay ng edukasyon sa bawat Pilipino, lalo na ang out-of-school youth (OSY).

***

Naisip ko na bakit hindi ipinagmamalaki ni Bro. Armin ang kanyang mga nagawa.

Pero naalala ko ang kanyang binanggit noon na ito’y tungkulin natin bilang lingkod-bayan at hindi dapat mag-antay ng anumang kapalit at mga papuri dahil ito’y para sa pangangailangan at kapakanan ng taumbayan.

Maliban pa rito, palagi ko ring naririnig na sinasabi ni Bro. Armin na kahit maraming batikos sa pagganap niya ng tungkulin na makapaglingkod sa kapwa, lalo siyang napapalapit sa Diyos.

Ang tagumpay ni Bro. Armin sa kabila ng mabigat na hamon ay nagbibigay sa akin ng inspirasyon upang pagbutihin pa ang paglilingkod sa taumbayan.

Umaasa tayong marami pang Bro. Armin ang lilitaw at magsisilbi sa pamahalaan.

Article first published on Abante Online

 

Not a Victimless Crime

Boardrooms, dinner tables, and coffee shops are abuzz with theories explaining the $81-million heist, which involved funds of the Bangladesh central bank being transferred to local RCBC accounts and eventually into our Philippine casinos.

The public is visibly intrigued and the media has covered the story as eagerly as our national campaigns.

Who were involved? Who is the mastermind? Who are the hackers and how did they get past the U.S. financial system’s safeguards? What does the branch manager know? Are bank officials involved? Who profited from this audacious crime? Is there a political angle to this heist?

These and many more questions have our minds occupied and keep casual conversations lively and engaging.

We are hopeful that throughout the course of our investigation in the senate, the truth will be revealed, the perpetrators will be brought to justice, and most of these questions will be answered.

But, sadly, no one is asking about Bangladesh.

So for the next few paragraphs, allow me to write about the real victims of this crime – the Bangladeshi people.

There are nearly 160 million people in Bangladesh as of 2015 with over 30% or 48 million living in poverty. In the 2015 Rankings of the Poorest Countries in the World based on GDP, Bangladesh ranked 46th poorest, while the Philippines ranked 68th.

Like in the Philippines, Bangladesh is dealing with issues that are rooted in poverty, such as hunger, sanitation, improved access to education, severe congestion of urban areas, and delivery of basic government services, among others.

The Bangladesh government and civil society groups are aggressive in their efforts to create better opportunities and greater wealth for the masses and they have churned out interesting, effective solutions.

One example is the world-renowned Grameen Bank spearheaded by economist and social entrepreneur Muhammad Yunus that pioneered the principles of microcredit and microfinance utilized around the world today

The government has also made leaps in improving access to government services with their ‘Digital Bangladesh, Vision 2021’ program that seeks to make all government services, public records, and even text books accessible through online channels by 2021, which sounds like the Freedom of Information (FOI) and the Open Government Partnership efforts.

They hope that ICT and an all-encompassing digital system in government will curb corruption – another one of our common adversaries.

Naturally, like in the Philippines, there is still a lot of work to be done before Bangladesh can eradicate poverty. But a key element to getting things done is adequate funding.

Can you imagine how far the stolen 81-million US dollars, which is equivalent to 6.35-billion Bangladeshi taka, could have gone to address hunger, livelihood, education, or health?

Now imagine if the tables were turned.

Think of billions of pesos worth of Philippine tax money stolen and siphoned off to the pockets of unscrupulous foreigners.

Billions of pesos that could have been used to fund infrastructure projects, livelihood programs, or improvements in government services are hacked then digitally wired to foreign nationals.

Picture the outrage in our streets and the frenzy on our social media feeds. What racist remarks will spew? What will the Philippine public demand? And what could ever appease hearts broken by this injustice?

Many of us, including politicians like myself, are caught up with the audacity of this heist, the intriguing anecdotes of the revealed personalities, and the tarnished image of the Philippines.

It is our nature to focus on the Filipino side.

But as a member of the global community and as a country known for its heart and compassion, we must realize how valuable the stolen money is in improving the lives of the millions of poor Bangladeshis.

With this in mind, it is imperative that we continue to push for reforms in our financial system, institute tighter and stricter policies, ferret out the truth, bring the perpetrators to justice, and most importantly return the stolen 81-million US dollars to the Bangladeshi people.

If this happened to us, we would expect nothing less.’

First Published on Manila Bulletin

SRN-101: Rule X of Senate Rules

RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE FOR A SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRADE, COMMERCE, AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND DEFINING ITS JURISDICTION, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 13 (9) RULE X OF THE SENATE RULES

Whereas, the Committee on Trade and Commerce is one of the regular standing committees of the Senate to address, among others matters relating to domestic and foreign trade and private corporations;

Whereas, the conduct of trade and commerce in the Philippines, both domestic and foreign, involves not only private corporations but also small and medium enterprises run by private individuals;

Whereas, the evolution of business and entrepreneurial practice, both domestic and foreign, has opened up new platforms and models of conducting business, trade, and commerce, including but not limited to: e-commerce sites, outsourced services delivered through Internet and communications technologies (ICT), telecommuting, home-based enterprises, social enterprises, and other models not formerly covered by the Senate Committee on Trade and Commerce, as earlier defined;

Whereas, in recognition of the fact that over 90 percent of trade and commerce in the Philippines is conducted through micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs); and, moreover, of the fact that entrepreneurs have unique concerns apart from those of private corporations;

Whereas, in recognition of the fact that a new business model called the “social enterprise” has arisen and has taken root in the Philippines, fusing traditional for-profit goals and mission-oriented objectives of uplifting Filipino communities as an integral part of business operations and strategy;

Whereas, the proposal to provide for a Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship will be consistent with the Senate Rules that describe the committee to have jurisdiction over significant matters and a wide array of issues on trade, commerce, and business, and the concerns of both corporations and MSMEs alike.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, as it is hereby resolved to provide a Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship and defining its jurisdiction, amending for the purpose

Section 13 (9) Rule X of the Senate Rules to read as follows: “Section 13. After the organization of the Senate in the manner provided in Rule IX, the following permanent committees shall be formed, with the duties and general jurisdiction specified hereunder:

1) Committee on Rules. — xxx

2) Committees on Ethics and Privileges – xxx

xxx

xxx

xxx

9) Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship – Nine (9) members. All matters relating to domestic and foreign trade and private corporations; micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs): social enterprises; the promotion of entrepreneurship and the regulation of entrepreneurial practice; patents, copyrights, trade names and trademarks; standards, weights, measures and designs; quality control; control and stabilization of prices of commodities; consumer protection; handicraft and cottage industries; and marketing of commodities.

xxx”
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