Month: September 2016

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. 690: Magna Carta of the Poor

The country’s economic performance in recent years has been impressive and unprecedented. Its 7.2% GDP growth in 2013 was the highest in Asia earning the country improved investment grades. Its economic climate is now attractive, viable and profitable for investors to come in – doing business has become more fun in the Philippines.

Despite the accomplishments of the country, it still does face a myriad of challenges – around three million Filipinos do not have jobs and a fifth of the populace is poor.

The daunting task for the State is how to capitalize on its outstanding growth, the critically acclaimed reform efforts and the renewed global confidence, in order to make growth more inclusive and felt by all of the one hundred million Filipinos.

In the midst of this economic progress, it is essential for the State to craft policies so that every Filipino family is recognized regardless of the socio-economic status of its members, and to take care and provide for their needs.

The proposed measure thus seeks to ensure the protection and promotion of five basic rights of every Filipino: the right to food, employment, quality education, shelter and basic health care. It supports the creation of a just and dynamic environment where prosperity is shared through provision of adequate social services and enabling a rising standard of living and improved quality of life for everyone.

As the Philippines grows, no filipino should be left behind. 

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

PDFicon DOWNLOAD SBN 690

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. 

PDFicon DOWNLOAD SBN 688

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.


PDFicon DOWNLOAD SBN 652

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.


PDFicon DOWNLOAD SBN 695

Senate Bill No. 657: Adolescents and Youth Mental Health Program Act

In 2011, the World Health Organization found that 16% of Filipino students aged 13 to 15 had contemplated suicide, whilst 13% had actually attempted suicide. Suicide, although not often publicly discussed, is closely linked to mental health disorders.

Unfortunately, mental illness is still a relatively misconstrued concept in our nation with limited public discussion on the proper management and care for those affected.

In a fast urbanizing nation, youth find themselves facing increasing amounts of pressure from the demands of school, employment, and various other social pressures. On the other hand, families now have much more diverse set-ups and and limited time, leaving the youth to be more independent in resolving their own conflicts. Unfortunately, many young people are left with few persons from whom they can seek advice when going through symptoms that are linked to mental illness. Efforts must be made to empower the youth in that mental illness is something that can be addressed without prejudice and with the full support of the community and State.

This bill proposes the creation of a Mental Health Program for the youth aged 15 to 30 years old, to be implemented by the Department of Health, in conjunction with various other government agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Education (DepEd), and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

The Mental Health Program for youth will see a widespread information drive on mental health awareness, to be implemented by all local government units. This bill also seeks for the establishment of a Mental Health Desk at all city and municipal health offices where a mental health practitioner will be able to cater to consultations and queries of adolescents and the youth. 

In addition, this bill seeks for every public or private educational institution to employ at least one qualified guidance counselor who is authorized as a mental health practitioner to provide support and advice to students. 

We must ensure that adolescents and the youth’s rights are protected and their needs addressed. By establishing the Mental Health program, we can better equip them to face the challenges of present-day realities. In doing so, we can fully harness the potential of the bright Filipino youth who are our invaluable partners in building the nation. 

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


PDFicon DOWNLOAD SBN 657

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.


PDFicon DOWNLOAD SBN 646

Senate Bill No. 656: Maritime Passenger Safety Act

A large part of Philippine trade, commerce, and travel is reliant on sea travel as we are a nation composed of islands. Many workers around the country commute to and from their jobs by Ro-Ro ships that unfortunately are often overloaded and are lacking in safety equipment and protocols. Despite numerous tragic incidents at sea involving commercial vessels, the problems still persist: many poorly maintained sea vessels are plying heavy traffic routes with inadequate safety measures on board.

This bill seeks to assign the Maritime Industry Authority, aided by the Philippine Coast Guard, to be the implementing body that shall monitor all commercial vessels that engage in the carriage of goods or passengers. Such vessels covered under this act shall be required to provide standard safety features to passengers such as an on-board informational video about the safety and emergency protocols. In addition, vessels will be required to have functional and quality safety equipment and adequate emergency features such as emergency lights and exits. This bill shall also outlaw passenger overloading and bar any vessel from departing without a prepared passenger list.

To encourage compliance with minimum safety standards, this bill seeks to penalize companies for non-compliance with a fine of PHP 50,000 – PHP 200,000 depending on the offense and how many times it has been committed. This bill also seeks to discourage repeat offenders by making the third offense punishable by imprisonment.

In a country where hundreds of thousands must travel by sea on a daily basis, we must hold companies to high standards in providing affordable and safe transport for Filipinos. Improving the safety of sea transport will further boost national business development by strengthening the transport infrastructure needed to move people and goods around. Doing so will surely help our national sail toward the path of inclusive growth.

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

PDFicon DOWNLOAD SBN 656

Senate Bill No. 653: Tax Relief in Times of Calamity

As we faced a number of terrible natural disasters in the past years, from super­ typhoons to earthquakes and flash floods, we saw the bayanihan spint of every Fihpino eager to give their time and resources to suffering Filipino families.

Unfortunately, with the Philippines being considered one of the most affected by the effects of climate change, we must brace ourselves for much more calamities in the years t0 come as well as create systems that ensure quick and efficient recovery from such disasters.

One such system that needs to be reevaluated with an eye for victims of calamities is our tax system. As such, this measure seeks to relieve our countrymen affected by terrible distress of the burden of taxes to encourage a quicker recovery.

This bill safeguards donations to victims of calamities by allowing organizations exemption from donor’s tax provided that at least 90% of the donations go directly to the affected community and not administrative costs.

In addition, this bill mandates real estate tax exemption for affected communities for two years from declaration of a state of calamity.

Lastly, in support of our local entrepreneurs who provide for their families and generate jobs within their community through business, business establishments affected by a calamity shall be exempted from tax payments for a period of one year after the

calamity.

This measure adds to the various initiatives of government, civil society, and the private sector to strengthen our resilience to adversity and invigorate the spirit o bayanihan ingrained in the collective heart of Filipinos.

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

Scroll to top