Yolanda

Senate Bill No. 689: Rationalizing the Taxes Imposed on Non-Life Insurance Policies

Water-logged vehicles, homes swallowed by the earth, valuables blown over and washed away – these are scenes from the various calamities experienced by Filipinos over the past years.

From Ondoy in Metro Manila to the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Bohol and super­ typhoon Yolanda in Leyte, what Filipino families had spent decades working for was taken away and families without the protection of insurance had no recourse but to begin again from scratch.

Non-life insurance policies in the Philippines bear a value-added tax (VAT) of 12% amongst an array of other taxes, such as documentary stamps, fire service and local government taxes bringing the total tax burden to 27.2% per policy. In comparison, life insurance policies carry only 2% VAT after enjoying a 5% reduction thanks to RA 10001.

The prohibitively high taxation rates on non-life insurance have caused Filipino consumers and businesses alike to shy away from this key necessity, placing their hard- earned investments at risk in our disaster-prone nation.

In order to empower our citizens and local businesses to protect hard earned assets and encourage more Filipinos to think long-term, we must pursue the reduction of taxes for non-life insurance policies in the country.

What’s more, as the Philippines enters the ASEAN Integrated Economic Zone, we have a responsibility to strengthen local industries, including our insurance sector who will be contending with foreign competitors who offer non-life insurance policies at 0.4-7% VAT.

This measure will not only safeguard the valued possessions of our hardworking countrymen; it won’t Just shield businesses from the risk of failure after catastrophes beyond their control, but will also create a thriving non-life insurance sector in the Philippines as it competes on a larger stage in the ASEAN.

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


PDFicon DOWNLOAD SBN 689

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.
PDFicon DOWNLOAD SBN 651

Senate Bill No. 703: Community Disaster Warehouse Bill

In the past few years, the country has been battered by more than twenty typhoons a year, with an increasing number in the super-typhoon category.

As super-typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) hit Eastern Visayas, particularly Leyte, last year, Filipinos who were seriously affected needed to contend with an insurmountable shortage of food, clean water, medicine and first aid, and clothing to weather the storm. Supplies weren’t able to reach the survivors immediately due to wrecked ports, airports and roads.

Thus, it is important that every community in the country be equipped and prepared for disasters, and make relief and basic goods as accessible as possible. The first few days after storms or earthquakes hit are crucial in mitigating further tragedies to individuals and families.

Hence, the establishment of community disaster warehouses aims to extend assistance to survivors of calamities, natural or man-made, by ensuring access to basic goods and prime commodities.

It intends for goods sold in these warehouses to be tax-exempt, and ensure that goods in the market would be available to avoid hoarding in affected areas. Furthermore, it seeks to protect citizens from price manipulation during times of crisis.

This intervention is important for the days and weeks right after the calamity to enable people and communities to start rebuilding and normalizing their lives.

Equipping communities with proper mechanism to assist its people during adversity is empowering and inclusive towards a nation that works for all.

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

PDFicon DOWNLOAD SBN 703

BIDA KA!: Alaala ng Bagyong Yolanda

Aabot naman sa halos P100 bil­yon ang halaga ng ari-ariang sinira ni ‘Yolanda’, kabilang na ang mga mahalagang imprastruktura at kabuhayan ng libu-libong katao.

Nag-iwan man ng malaking pinsala ang Yolanda, hindi nito nagiba ang tapang, pag-asa at pananalig sa Diyos ng mga Pilipino.

Katunayan, sampung araw lang pagkatapos ng hagupit ni Yolanda, nagsagawa agad ang daan-daang residente ng Tolosa, Leyte ng isang prusisyon.

Bitbit ang iba’t ibang imahen ng Sto. Niño, nagpakita ang mga residente ng matibay na pananampalataya at bagong pag-asa sa harap ng matinding pagsubok na kanilang nararanasan.

Kinilala ang larawang ito ng Time Magazine bilang isa sa pinakamagandang kuha noong nakaraang taon at nagwagi rin ito bilang ‘photo of the year’ sa iba’t ibang kumpetisyon.

Ngunit higit pa rito, ang larawang iyon ay tumatak at nagsilbing magandang inspirasyon sa mga Pilipino para magtulung-tulong at muling tumayo.

***

Sa paghagupit ng bagyong Yolanda, muling umusbong ang diwa ng pagtutulungan at bayanihan na likas sa ating mga Pili­pino.

Maliban sa pamahalaan, kabi-kabilang korporasyon at non-government organization ang nagpaabot ng tulong upang maibalik sa normal ang kalagayan ng mga nasalanta ng Yolanda.

Halimbawa na rito ang Project Bagong Araw, sa pamumuno ng programang Hapinoy, na aking itinayo ilang taon na ang nakalipas.

Dalawa sa mga natulungan ng programang ito ay sina Aling Weni ng Palo, Leyte at Aling Rena ng Tacloban, na parehong nawalan ng kabuhayan sa pagtama ng bagyo.

Noong una, parang pinagsakluban ng langit at lupa ang dalawa. Nag-aalala kung paano bubuhayin ang kani-kanilang pamilya ngayong nawala na ang kanilang pagkukunan ng ikabubuhay.

Sa tulong ng Project Bagong Araw, nabigyan ng pagkakataon sina Aling Weni at Aling Rena na maitayo ang kani-kanilang kabuhayan.

Maliban sa puhunan, nagkaroon pa sila ng dagdag na kaa­la­man sa tamang pagpapatakbo ng negosyo na kanilang nagamit para mapalago ang kanilang mga tindahan.

Sa kasalukuyan, nabayaran na ni Aling Weni ang lahat ng kanyang utang at ngayo’y nagsisimula na ng e-loading business. Gamit ang kanyang natutunan, si Aling Rena naman ay unti-unti nang nakakapag-ipon para sa planong Internet café.

Sina Aling Weni at Aling Rena ay dalawa lang sa magandang halimbawa ng pagiging matatag sa harap ng matinding pagsubok. Napatunayan lang na kaya ng sinuman na makatayo sa sariling paa sa pamamagitan ng tamang suporta at pagkakataon.

***

Matinding pagsubok man ang tumama sa bansa, hindi pa rin nagiba ang mala-pader na dibdib ng mga Pilipino.

Sa katunayan, humanga ang maraming dayuhan at international organization sa katatagan ng mga nasalanta ng Yolanda.

‘Ika nga ni CNN reporter Anderson Cooper: “Can you imagine the strength it takes living in a shack, to be sleeping on the streets next to the body of your dead children? Can you imagine that strength? I can’t. And I’ve seen that strength day in and day out here in the Philippines.”

Marami pang kailangang gawin para maibalik sa normal ang buhay sa mga lugar na binayo ni Yolanda.

Kailangang magtulungan at magsama-sama ang lahat ng mga sektor – pambansa at lokal na mga pamahalaan, mga negos­yante, mga simbahan at mga socio-civic organizations – upang mas mapabilis pa ang rehabilitasyon ng mga lugar na naapektuhan.

Ang pag-asa na mangyayari ang mga ito ay maaaninag natin sa puso ng mga Pilipinong nasalanta na patuloy sa paglaban at pagkayod para sa kanilang mga pamilya.

 

First Published on Abante Online

Learn from P500B Yolanda Loss – Sen. Bam

Senator Bam Aquino is pushing for innovative, sustainable and cheaper ways to mitigate devastating impacts of natural disasters and calamities that usually lead to loss of lives, livelihood and income opportunities for businesses.

In his Senate Bill No. 2179 or the National Coastal Greenbelt Act of 2014, Aquino calls for the establishment of 100-meter greenbelts of mangroves and beach forests along coastlines to mitigate the devastating impacts of waves and storm surges.

“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,” Aquino said.

Aquino made the proposal in the aftermath of super-typhoon Yolanda that killed thousands of people and left billions of pesos in damages in Eastern Visayas, particularly in Leyte.

“Aside from high number of casualties, the super typhoon also caused the shutdown of businesses and loss of jobs and other livelihood in devastated areas,” Aquino said.

The lawmaker stressed that 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.

“The Philippines is battered by more than 20 typhoons a year, with an increasing number in the super-typhoon category,” Aquino said.

“These could bring as much damage as Yolanda, which inflicted an economic loss of more than P500 billion.”

Compared to the cost of destruction brought by typhoons, Aquino said total valuation of mangroves is estimated at US$14,000-16,000 per hectare, of which about 80 percent is for coastal protection value.

Based on scientific studies, Aquino explained that a 100-meter greenbelt of mangroves could reduce wave height of wind and swell waves by 13-66 percent while storm surge can decrease by 5-50 centimeters per kilometer width of mangroves.

Also, surface wind waves can be reduced by more than 75 percent over one kilometer of mangroves while storm surges can be lessened by 50 percent by 7-kilometer band of mangroves.

Aquino added that coastal forests could reduce the force, depth and velocity of a tsunami, lessening damage to property and reducing loss of life.

“We set aside 130 billion pesos in the 2014 budget for the rehabilitation,” Aquino said.  “We should definitely set aside in the greening of our coastline.”

The bill also mandates the creation of the National Coastal Greenbelt Program shall provide the agency mandates, funding, and general guiding principles for implementing a science-based and cost-effective program.

Community Disaster Warehouses to Combat Hoarding, Price Manipulation – Sen. Bam

Senator Bam Aquino believes the establishment of community disaster warehouses is an effective way to combathoarding, price manipulation and inflation during calamities.

In his Senate Bill No. 2215, Aquino said community disaster warehouses would provide survivors of natural or man-made calamities quick access to affordable basic goods and other prime commodities.

“Community disaster warehouses will ensure that goods in the market would be available to avoid hoarding in affected areas and protect the survivors from price manipulation during times of crisis,” said Aquino, chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

“This measure is important for the days and weeks right after the calamity for communities to be able to smoothly transition to rehabilitation mode and for people to start rebuilding and normalizing their lives,” the senator added.

Aquino stressed that every community in the country must be equipped and prepared for any disaster, including the immediate availability and delivery of basic goods.

“The first few days after storms or earthquakes hit are crucial in mitigating further tragedies to individuals and families,” said Aquino.

The senator added that the measure is important with the rainy season just weeks away.

The need for community disaster warehouses was underscored after super typhoon Yolanda devastated major parts of Eastern Visayas, including Leyte and Samar.

“Yolanda survivors needed to contend with an insurmountable shortage of food, clean water, medicine and first aid, and clothing to weather the storm,” the senator said.

 

Photo source: Gov.ph Twitter

 

 

Scroll to top