Bam Aquino Law

Sen. Bam: Lawmakers committed to fund free tertiary education completely

Sen. Bam Aquino is confident that Congress will allot the necessary budget for the free education in state colleges and universities and local colleges and universities once the measure is enacted into law. 

“The Majority and Minority are committed to fund this revolutionary initiative,” said Sen. Bam, principal sponsor and co-author of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act in the Senate.

“Upon its ratification last week, Sen. Loren Legarda, Chairman of the Committee on Finance, committed to fund this as well,” said Sen. Bam, who estimated the annual budget for free tertiary education to be between P50 to P53 billion.

 The senator is also confident that Malacanang will support the measure, being a major reform for education and poverty alleviation in the country.

 The Senate and the House have both ratified the bicameral conference committee report. It will now be transmitted to Malacanang for President Duterte’s approval.

If passed into law, education in SUCs, LUCs and vocational schools under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will be virtually free, with the government shouldering tuition, miscellaneous and other fees.

 Another salient feature of the measure is the loan program, where students can apply for financing for other education expenses.

Sen. Bam said the loans will be tied up to Social Security System (SSS) and Government Service Insurance Systems (GSIS) payments to ensure that funds for student loans will not be depleted.

“Ito’y isang paraan upang masiguro na makokolekta ang bayad sa ibinigay na loan ng gobyerno sa ating mga estudyante,” Sen. Bam said.

If passed by June or July, Sen. Bam said students will benefit from the law starting the second semester of school year 2017-18.

Sen. Bam defended the measure in plenary debates and interpellation during his stint as chairman of the Committee on Education.

 Sen. Bam was also the co-chairman of the Senate delegation to the bicameral conference committee, together with new Committee on Education chairman Sen. Francis Escudero. Other members of the Senate panel were Sens. Sherwin Gatchalian and Ralph Recto.

Sen. Bam: No political patronage in free education in SUCs, LUCs

A senator hopes free education in state universities and colleges (SUCs) and local universities and colleges (LUCs) will discourage political patronage.
 
“Unang-una, lahat ng estudyante po bibigyan ng tulong. Kaya iyong palakasan sa mga pulitiko dahil iilan lang ang mabibigyan ng tulong, hindi na valid iyan,” Sen. Bam Aquino said during a press conference discussing the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.
 
“Sa ganitong paraan, hindi na kailangang kumuha pa ng endorsement letters para magkaroon ng subsidy. Hopefully, that will help decrease patronage in the provision of scholarships,” added Sen. Bam.
 
The Senate and the House both ratified the bicameral conference committee report. It will now be transmitted to Malacanang for President Duterte’s approval.
 
According to Sen. Bam, the final version makes education in SUCs, LUCs and vocational schools under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) virtually free, with the government shouldering tuition, miscellaneous and other fees.
 
“Kapag ito’y naisabatas na, magiging state policy na libre na ang tertiary level education pagdating sa SUCs, LUCs at pati na sa vocational schools ng TESDA,” said Sen. Bam, who defended the measure in plenary debates and interpellation during his stint as chairman of the Committee on Education.
 
Sen. Bam was also the co-chairman of the Senate delegation to the bicameral conference committee, together with new Committee on Education chairman Sen. Francis Escudero. Other members of the Senate panel are Sens. Sherwin Gatchalian and Ralph Recto.
 
If enacted into law, it will institutionalize free tuition and other fees in SUCs and LUCs all over the country, giving underprivileged students a chance to earn a college degree.
 
It will also make scholarship grants available to students of both public and private college and universities.

Sen. Bam: Implement law, prioritize children in Lanao del Sur

Sen. Bam Aquino called on concerned government agencies to implement a law that prioritizes the welfare and safety of children during conflicts and disasters amid the ongoing clash between government troops and the Maute group in Marawi City.

 The senator was referring to the Republic Act 10821 or the Children’s Emergency Relief and Protection Act. He was the co-author of the measure during his time as chairman of Committee on Youth in the 16th Congress.

“Ang pinaka-kawawa talaga sa mga sakuna at labanan ay ang mga bata. We passed this law to ensure they are protected,” said Sen. Bam.

 “May mga batang nawawalan ng tahanan at may mga nakakasaksi sa karahasan. Alagaan natin sila, tiyakin na sila’y ligtas at ibigay ang lahat ng kanilang pangangailangan,” he added.

Sen. Bam said the Department of Social Welfare and Development is mandated by law to enforce an emergency program for children during disasters and conflicts.

  “We must ensure that this law is fully implemented as it prioritizes the children during these times of armed conflict,” Sen. Bam stressed.

 Sen. Bam made the pronouncement after the United Nations Children’s Fund reported that a child was killed while 50,000 have been displaced in the Marawi conflict.

 Republic Act 10821 provides utmost priority to children during and after every disaster as they are the most vulnerable and are worst affected during disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and flash floods and areas of armed conflicts like Marawi City.

It also establishes child-centered training to disaster first responders, teachers, psychologists and other volunteers in disaster recovery, relief and rehabilitation, with special modules for different stages of children and youth development.

It mandates the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to formulate a Comprehensive Emergency Program for Children and local government units to integrate the said program in their development and Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (LDRRM) plans and budget.

 “The law also provides for immediately heightened comprehensive measures by DSWD and the AFP to protect women and children from sexual violence and abuse in the affected areas,” said Sen. Bam.

 

Sen. Bam: Students to enjoy free SUCs starting 2nd sem of school year 2017-18

A senator expects students to benefit from the free education in state universities and colleges (SUCs) and local universities and colleges (LUCs) beginning the second semester of school year 2017-18.

 “Napag-usapan sa bicam na it will be effective second semester ng school year 2017-2018 because by the time na ma-publish ito at maging batas, baka tapos na ang enrollment ng first semester,” said Sen. Bam Aquino, the principal sponsor and co-author of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act in the Senate.

 “We’re hoping that by November or second semester, libre na ang tuition at iba pang bayarin sa ating SUCs,” the senator added.

 As one of its major salient points, the measure prohibits SUCs from collecting other fees from students, making tertiary education totally free for underprivileged students.

 “Kapag napirmahan na ito bilang batas, magiging state policy na libre na ang tertiary level education pagdating sa SUCs at LUCs natin,” said Sen. Bam, who defended the measure in plenary debates and interpellation during his stint as chairman of the Committee on Education.

 Sen. Bam was also the co-chairman of the Senate delegation to the bicameral conference committee, together with new Committee on Education chairman Sen. Francis Escudero. Other members of the Senate panel are Sens. Sherwin Gatchalian and Ralph Recto.

 If enacted into law, it will institutionalize free tuition and other fees in SUCs and LUCs all over the country, giving underprivileged students a chance to earn a college degree.

 It will also make scholarship grants available to students of both public and private college and universities.

The final version of the measure has been ratified by the Senate on Tuesday.

Sen. Bam: Free education in SUCs, LUCs a milestone in PH learning system

If enacted into law, the measure providing free education in state universities and colleges (SUCs) and local universities and colleges (LUCs) will be a major reform in the country’s education system, as it will open up tertiary level education to more Filipinos.

“This is a huge reform for struggling students and their hard working parents. I became a legislator because I wanted to spearhead initiatives like this that can help our countrymen reach their hopes and dreams,” Sen. Bam Aquino, the principal sponsor and co-author of the measure, now known as the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, in the Senate.

The bicameral conference committee approved the report Monday. Once it is ratified by both Houses, it will be transmitted to Malacanang for President Duterte’s approval.

“All it needs is the President’s signature to make tuition and other fees in SUCs and LUCs free, and financial support for students in private colleges and universities through grants and loans accessible and available,” said Sen. Bam

The measure, once passed into law, will complete the chain in the country’s educational institutions and give more Filipinos access to quality education.

“Noong dekada otsensa lang naging libre ang high school sa Pilipinas. Thirty years later, magiging libre na rin ang tertiary o college sa SUCs at LUCs. We’re really making educational institutions accessible to more Filipinos,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam defended the measure in plenary debates and interpellation during his stint as chairman of the Committee on Education. He was also the co-chairman of the Senate delegation to the bicameral conference committee, together with new Committee on Education chairman Sen. Francis Escudero. Other members of the Senate panel are Sens. Sherwin Gatchalian and Ralph Recto.

If approved, it will institutionalize free tuition and other fees in SUCs and LUCs all over the country, giving underprivileged students a chance to earn a college degree.

It will also streamline and strengthen all Student Financial Assistance Programs (StuFAP), making it available to students who want to pursue higher education in private institutions, as well as subsidizing other expenses of SUC students.

Sen. Bam: Free internet in public places now a signature away from becoming law

The measure providing Filipinos free internet access in public places is now one signature away from becoming a law after the Senate ratified its final version Wednesday, Sen. Bam Aquino announced.

 “Isang pirma na lang po at magiging batas na ito. This measure will empower Filipinos with internet access to education, information, jobs and business,” said Sen. Bam, the principal sponsor and co-author of the measure in the Senate in his capacity as chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology.

“We hope that this can be a step towards improving internet services in the Philippines, which, of course has become a main point for many of our countrymen,” he added.

 The final version, which was also ratified by the House, will be submitted to Malacanang for President Duterte’s signature. If approved, this will be Sen. Bam’s 1st law in the 17th Congress and 18th in his four years as senator.

Sen. Bam hopes that internet service will improve with the successful implementation of the free internet access in public places, together with parallel efforts such as the National Broadband Plan and the entry of new players in the telecommunications industry.

 “Let’s work together to achieve our goal of faster, cheaper, more reliable internet services for every Filipino,” said Sen. Bam.

 Sen. Bam thanked co-authors Sens. Francis Pangilinan, Manny Pacquiao and Sen. Ralph Recto, co-sponsors Sen. Grace Poe and Recto and members of the Senate panel in the bicameral conference committee, including Sens. JV Ejercito, Nancy Binay, Joel Villanueva and Recto for helping develop and strengthen the measure.

The measure aims to provide internet access in all national and local government offices, public schools, public transport terminals, public hospitals and public libraries.

 Under the measure, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will be mandated to craft a plan and a timeline for the rollout of this program.

Sen. Bam: Bicam to tackle free tuition in SUCs

The Senate and House will hold a bicameral conference committee tomorrow (Wednesday) to reconcile their respective versions of the measure that will provide free tuition fee in state colleges and universities (SUCs).

“We hope to finalize a version that will fulfill the intention of the measure to provide underprivileged students a chance to finish college and give them a better chance for a brighter future,” said Sen. Bam Aquino, principal sponsor and co-author of Senate Bill No. 1304.

Once the bicameral conference approve the final version, it will be ratified by both Houses of Congress before transmitting to Malacanang for President Duterte’s signature.

“Umaasa tayong maisasabatas ito sa lalong madaling panahon upang mapakinabangan na sa susunod na school year,” added Sen. Bam, who defended the measure in plenary debates and interpellation during his short stint as chairman of the Committee on Education.

 Sen. Bam will be the co-chairman of the Senate delegation to the bicameral conference committee, together with new Committee on Education chairman Sen. Francis Escudero. Other members of the Senate panel are Sens. Sherwin Gatchalian and Ralph Recto.

 The measure aims to institutionalize free tuition in SUCs all over the country, giving underprivileged students a chance to earn a college degree.

It will also streamline and strengthen all Student Financial Assistance Programs (StuFAP), making it available to students who want to pursue higher education in private institutions, as well as subsidizing other expenses of SUC students.

 “Sa pamamagitan nito, magkakaroon na ng katuparan ang hangaring mabigyan ng edukasyon ang lahat ng Pilipino,” said Sen. Bam.

 

Sen. Bam opens ARMM’s first Negosyo Center in Marawi City, now over 500 nationwide

The first Negosyo Center in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has been inaugurated in Marawi City, giving entrepreneurs in the city and nearby areas a reliable ally in helping them start and develop their business.

“Ngayong mayroon na tayong Negosyo Center sa Marawi City, inaasahan na natin ang paglago ng negosyo sa siyudad at sa mga kalapit pang bayan,” said Sen. Bam, who led the inauguration together with DTI and local officials, headed by Lanao del Sur vice governor Bombit Adiong.

The Marawi City Negosyo Center is the 508th Negosyo Center established since the passage of Republic Act No. 10644 in 2014. It is located at TLDC Building, Lanao People’s Park in Marawi City.

“Matagal na naming tinatrabaho ito with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) kaya natutuwa tayong ito’y naging isa nang katuparan,” added Sen. Bam, principal author and sponsor of the Republic Act No. 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act in the Senate. It was the first of 17 laws passed by Sen. Bam in the 16th Congress.

Vice governor Adiong expects the Negosyo Center will help local products flourish, not just in nearby markets, but also in the national stage.

Local officials and the military said the Negosyo Center can also boost local economy, which will ultimately pave way for peace in the area.

Before attending the Marawi City Negosyo Center inauguration, Sen. Bam visited the Negosyo Center situated at the MSU Iligan Institute of Technology.

During his visit, Sen. Bam witnessed how the Negosyo Center’s digital fabrication laboratory or FabLab helps entrepreneurs in creating designs for their products. Sen. Bam also interacted with Iligan City entrepreneurs, who are regular clients of the Negosyo Center.

“Ito pong pag-iikot natin ay upang matiyak na nabibigyan ng Negosyo Center ng karampatang serbisyo at tulong ang mga maliliit na negosyante sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng bansa,” said Sen. Bam.

The Go Negosyo Act mandates the establishment of Negosyo Centers in all municipalities, cities and provinces that will assist micro, small and medium enterprises in the country.

The Negosyo Center will provide access to markets and financing for businesses, training programs, and a simplified business registration process, thus helping ease of doing business and fast-track government processes in putting up a business.

Sen. Bam: Gov’t, private sector no more excuses for poor Internet quality

With the imminent passage of the Free Internet in Public Places Act, the implementation of the Philippine Competition Act and the proposed National Broadband Plan (NBP), the government and the private sector will have the necessary platform to improve the country’s internet quality and access.

“We’re breaking down barriers to improving the Internet through our policies. Now, the ball is in the executive and private sector’s court,” said Sen. Bam Aquino, chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology. He also pushed the measure in the Senate as principal sponsor and co-author.

 “Our hearings have exposed the lack of infrastructure that we have. So we’re reducing red tape for the private sector and we’re also allotting the necessary budget para ang gobyerno mismo ang mamuhunan sa internet infrastructure sa ibang lugar,” said Sen. Bam.

 The senator said the challenge of implementation now falls on the shoulders of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the private sector.

“The DICT needs two-and-a-half years for the NBP while the sector needs to be opened up to new players to strengthen competition in the market,” said Sen. Bam.

The final version of the Free Internet in Public Places Act has been approved by the bicameral conference committee. After the final version is ratified by both houses of Congress, it will be transmitted to Malacanang for President Duterte’ signature.

 Sen. Bam also believes that the Republic Act 10667 or the Philippine Competition Act will encourage the entry of more players in the telecommunications industry, leading to improved Internet service at affordable prices.

“The Philippine Competition Act will usher in such competition for the benefit of Filipino consumers for the long term,” said Sen. Bam, principal sponsor and co-author of Republic Act 10667 or the Philippine Competition Act

 If finished quickly, the NBP can hasten the rollout of the implementation of the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act. It will be put up starting 2018 and expected to be fully operational by 2020.

Sen. Bam: Youth Entrepreneurship Act implementation long overdue

A legislator called on the Department of Education (DepEd) to implement the law encouraging students and graduates to venture into business.
 
“Nananawagan tayo sa Department of Education na ilabas na ang Implementing Rules and Regulations para sa Youth Entrepreneurship Act upang mapakinabangan na ng ating mga kabataan,” said Sen. Bam Aquino.
 
The Youth Entrepreneurship Act or Republic Act No. 10679 was passed August 2015 but no IRR has been released. The law mandates that the IRR be promulgated within one hundred twenty (120) days from its effectivity.
 
The law encourages young would-be entrepreneurs to establish their own business by providing them access to capital and other support.
 
It also creates financial literacy modules in all levels of Philippine education, to inculcate a culture of enterprise development among the Filipino youth.
 
“Gusto nating makakita ng trabaho ang ating mga graduates ngunit mayroon din silang opsiyon na pumasok at magtagumpay sa pagnenegosyo. Matutulungan sana ang ating kabataang magtagumpay sa negosyo kung ma-implement ng maayos ang iilang mga batas na ating isinulong noong 16th Congress,” said Sen. Bam.
 
Sen. Bam was the author and principal sponsor of the Go Negosyo Act (Republic Act 10667), his first law in the 16th Congress, and the co-author and principal sponsor of the Youth Entrepreneurship Act.
 
The senator pursued the passage of these two laws during his time as chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship in the 16th Congress to cater to the needs of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
 
“These two laws provide MSMEs a conducive environment they need to succeed. At the same time, they also help provide fresh jobs and other livelihood opportunities for their fellow Filipinos,” stressed Sen. Bam, adding that MSMEs account for 66 percent of jobs in the country.
 
At present, Sen. Bam said 470 Negosyo Centers are already up and running in different parts of the country, catering to the needs of MSMEs.
 
In the 17th Congress, Sen. Bam filed Senate Bill No. 169 or Small Business Tax Reform Act, which provides small businesses with lower income tax rate, VAT exemption and other privileges.
 
Sen. Bam has also submitted Senate Bill No. 175 or the Innovative Startup Act seeking to ease restrictions and provide incentives for startups in the Philippines.
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