Bam Aquino

E-Sports Interview with Bam

Q: May call na magkaroon ng parang autonomous body ang e-sports in the Philippines. Are you aware of that and how willing will you be to work with them?

 

Sen. Bam: I think it would be great na magkaroon ng association for e-sports. Earlier, we talked about possibly talking to the Philippine Sports Commission to see kung may mga paraan para ma-recognize officially sila ng gobyerno.

 

Private body would be even better and we are willing to support naman.

 

We’ve talked to the players. We’ve been supporting them for the last couple of trips nila. We’re hoping na di na maulit iyong pag-o-offload.

 

Sabi nga namin, lahat ng paperwork na kailangan, lahat ng permiso, siguraduhin na natin early on para wala na silang obstacles to get to their tournaments and training programs.

 

Q: Mas maganda mag-training sa Korea because they have better Internet. Have you also looked into that problem here na medyo sub-par ang Internet?

 

Sen. Bam: We have one of the worst Internet in the ASEAN. Actually, that’s one of our main advocacies, to improve the Internet infrastructure here in the Philippines.

 

So hopefully, if we’re able to improve [our Internet here in the country], we will develop our e-sports industry even more and we will be able to support more of our cyber athletes.

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Q: Have other government employees and offices expressed interest in helping e-sports?

 

Sen. Bam: Feeling ko wala, to be frank. Nauna na kami dahil we’ve been dealing with the Game Developers Association of the Philippines (GDAP).

 

We’ve been helping them try to get more leads and bring more companies to the Philippines kasi naniniwala kami na there’s a lot of talent and a lot of competency in the Philippines.

 

Doon nagsimula iyon. We’ve been helping them bring in companies like Sony, Microsoft, Ubisoft. We’ve been talking to these guys to set up studios here. Hopefully, may good news iyan in a couple of months.

 

Through that effort, nakilala namin ang e-sports players. That’s when they came to us and asked for help kay Team Rave. We’ve been trying to help them with their paperwork and mga permits and regulations nila.

 

Unfortunately, di sila nakipag-coordinate for their last trip to Korea. But now, we’re helping them and hopefully, maayos na iyon.

 

In fact, we organized a meeting with them and the POEA para lahat ng paperwork nga nila maayos na. Sabi nga namin, we will do our best to make sure that they travel safely to Korea, eventually to the States and be able to compete there

 

We’re proud of this team dahil they’re No. 1 in Southeast Asia, they’re the underdogs, they beat huge teams from really huge countries.

 

Kita ninyo naman, hindi pa kasi kasinlakas ang e-sports sa ating bansa compared to those countries and they’re already able to place.

 

We’re hoping that with more support from Pinoys and from different institutions that they can really bring home the gold and take the largest prize money.

 

We’re quite proud of them and we hope na they have more continued success as they continue their journey.

Bam Lauds BIR Extension for ‘No Payment’ Returns

“Salamat sa pakikinig sa ating mga Boss.”

Senator Bam Aquino lauds the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for granting a two-month reprieve to taxpayers with “No Payment” returns, a move that will benefit many small and medium enterprises and self-employed individuals.

“The extended deadline will be a big help to many of our SMEs and self-employed who are included in this category,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

Sen. Bam’s pronouncement came after BIR Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares announced that taxpayers with No Payment returns will be allowed to file manually but will be required to re-file electronically on or before June 15, 2015.

Earlier, Sen. Bam asked the BIR cancel the imposition of penalties on taxpayers covered by the Electronic Filing and Payment System (eFPS) or Electronic BIR Forms (eBIRForms) who failed to file tax returns under the electronic systems.

In his letter, Sen. Bam called on Henares to suspend imposition of penalties under Revenue Regulation No. 5-2015 until next year to give taxpayers enough time to familiarize themselves with the agency’s online facilities.

At the same time, Sen. Bam urges the BIR to clarify those covered by the e-filing for the guidance of the agency’s regional district offices (RDOs).

“It will be helpful if the BIR could cite some clear examples so taxpayers could assert that they are not required to e-file once they go to their respective RDOs,” Sen. Bam said.

“Based on numerous complaints from the taxpayers, the issuance of the revenue regulations and the memorandum circular has caused confusion regarding the proper implementation of the revenue regulations and the memorandum circular,” said Sen. Bam. 

“Tulungan natin ang ating maliliit na negosyante at hindi tayo maging pahirap sa kanilang mga negosyo,” added Sen. Bam.

Mission statement

For seven years, before joining the Senate, I was a social entrepreneur, working in microfinance and micro enterprise programs in rural parts of the Philippines. Our institution primarily worked with women sari-sari storeowners, providing them financing support; training and linking them to companies they otherwise would not have access to.

Through the years, we came to a conclusion that many other social enterprises started after ours would also adhere to – if you provided access to opportunities, Filipinos would step up, take these opportunities and do well for themselves and their families.

We witnessed for ourselves how our nanay-partners improved themselves through our program and that of our microfinance partners. Many of them who didn’t finish high school and had humble beginnings were slowly but surely becoming savvier entrepreneurs who were providing more for their families through their micro businesses.

The Filipino that we saw was not lacking in talent or drive, but rather, just lacking in opportunities. There were of course individuals that refused to work hard and learn, but they were always in the minority; the majority recognized and wanted the opportunities and at the end of the day, did well with them.

It was the same case for our work with the youth. The more popular image of the Filipino youth is involved with teenage pregnancies, drug abuse, violence in gangs and too much DOTA-playing.

Yet, in our years serving the sector, we found thousands of outstanding youth organizations serving their communities, a brotherhood assisting the welfare of indigenous peoples, former street children teaching arts education to their peers, transformed tambays training for disaster rescue, and a group of young people teaching financial literacy and entrepreneurship to former combatants and children of war.

It’s the same formula for the Filipino youth. Give them the proper guidance and mentoring, show them that they can do something worthwhile for themselves and for other people and see them grab these opportunities and make the most out of it.

I’ve been both a witness and an advocate of this fundamental truth that Filipinos can achieve if given the right tools and support. But unfortunately, still to this day, a number of our countrymen do not believe in our own capacity for goodness and greatness.

For every believer in entrepreneurship, there are those that say that Filipinos are Juan Tamads and not built to be our own bosses. For every advocate of the Filipino youth, there are those that believe that the youth are useless, apathetic and only concerned with their Facebook and video games.

With regard to the Bangsamoro Basic Law, the same opposing perspectives apply. There are those who believe that development in the area cannot be achieved under Moro leadership, while there are those that believe that our Moro people can reverse the vicious cycle of poverty and violence through their self-determination.

There are those that speak with certainty that funds given to the Bangsomoro will be used primarily for guns and to line the pockets of corrupt politicians, while there are those who see classrooms and hospitals being built, water systems, electricity and social services finally being delivered to the communities.

Somewhere between these two perspectives lies the best course of action – a careful optimism that sees all angles but has that positive outlook at its heart and as its driving force.

Make no mistake though, action, reform and change can only happen if you start from a perspective of hope, rather than one of distrust, discrimination and pessimism.

We don’t talk enough about the politics of hope. In our minute-by-minute, 140-character, news cycle-led world, it seems that the politics of hope has become passé or even considered naive by the armchair analysts.

Optimism has seemingly lost its luster amidst the talk of vengeance, distrust and disappointment with our leaders.

But the truth is that in my line of work, I have been blessed to come across stories of change and hope, of true political action and reform, of new translations of people power, of unsung and unmentioned heroes who, like me, still believe in what the Filipino can be.

This column will hopefully be that oasis for fellow optimists and hopeful out there.


First published on Manila Bulletin

 

 

NEGOSYO, NOW NA!: Mahabang Pasensiya

Mga Kanegosyo, noong naka­raang linggo, pinag-usapan natin ang kahalagahan ng sariling interes sa pagnenegosyo upang magtagumpay ang ating pinatatakbong negosyo.

 

Kung nasa isip natin ang ating ginagawa o mayroon tayong enterprising mindset, masasamantala nating ang magagandang pagkakataon upang mapalaki ang ating kita.

 

Ngayong linggo, pag-uusapan naman natin ang mahabang pagpapasensiya, na isang mahalagang katangian sa pagnenegosyo.

 

Mahalaga na mayroon tayong mahabang pisi habang pinalalaki pa natin ang ating negosyo, lalo na sa pagpapaikot ng pera. Sa una, mukhang wala nang katapusan ang gastos dahil puro palabas lang nang palabas.

 

Naririyan ang pagbili ng mga gamit para sa opisina tulad ng computer at printer, mesa at upuan, sasakyan para sa delive­ry at ‘di inaasahang gastos tulad ng repair ng puwestong rerentahan.

 

Kailangang tipirin at balansehin ang mga gastos habang hindi pa kumikita. Baka malunod sa gastos at lalo lang tayong maubusan ng pasensiya sa bagal ng pagpasok ng pera.

 

Isa pang realidad sa pagpapapasensiya ang kailangan na­ting tanggapin — hindi lahat ng naisip nating negosyo ay baka pumatok at makagawa kaagad ng marka sa merkado.

 

Kung maikli ang pasensiya ng isang negosyante, hindi na ito magtitiyagang maghintay pa bago makilala ang kanyang negosyo o produkto. Isasara na lamang niya ito at baka hindi na sumubok ng iba pa.

 

***

 

Tulad na lang ni Justin Uy, may-ari ng Profood Internationa­l Corporation na nakabase sa Cebu City.

 

Noong Dekada ‘70, sinubukan niyang pumasok sa negosyo sa murang edad na 15-anyos para makatulong sa ama’t ina at 10 kapatid.

 

Una, pinasok nito ang shell crafting bago sinubukan ang paggawa ng fashion jewelry, manukan, pagtatanim ng kabute at iba’t iba pang maliliit na negosyo.

 

Maliban sa kulang sa puhunan, hindi rin nagtagal ang kanyang mga negosyo dahil sa kawalan ng maganda at matibay na merkado.

 

Sa negosyo naman niyang manukan, naubos din ang kapi­tal niya dahil kinailangan pa niyang gumastos sa patuka ng mga manok. Bukod pa rito, matagal pa ang paghihintay bago mangitlog ang mga manok.

 

Noong Dekada ‘80, napansin nito na nagkalat ang mangga sa kanilang lugar at hindi pinapansin ng mga magsasaka dahil walang gustong bumili.

 

Kung patuyuin kaya niya ang mga manggang nakakalat? Pinasok niya ang pagtitinda ng dried mangoes, na kalat na sa Cebu noon pang ­Dekada ‘50 ngunit karamihan sa mga ito’y home-based lang.

 

Doon na nagsimul­a ang Profood Inter­natio­nal Corporation.

 

Dahil latecomer na sa dried mangoes industry, nahirapan siyang pasukin ang lokal na merkado. Kaya ibinenta niya ito sa Europe, United States at Japan.

 

Ngunit hindi ito na­ging madali para sa kanya dahil mahirap para sa isang papasimula pa lang na kumpanya ang magbenta ng produkto sa isang maunlad na bansa.

 

Sa halip na mawalan ng loob, gumawa siya ng ilang mga hakbang para maging katanggap-tanggap ang kumpanya sa ­international market.

 

Pinasok niya ang toll packing para sa ibang kumpanya tulad ng Del Monte, Nestle at Coca-Cola.

 

Maliban pa rito, ginawa niyang moderno ang kanyang planta at tinuruan ang kanyang mga tauhan ukol sa international standards ng pagpoproseso ng produkto para makakuha ng international certification.

 

Tatlumpu’t apat na taon ang binuno niya bago nailagay ang Profood International Corporation bilang pinakamalaking dried fruit producer sa country.

 

Mula sa mangga, nasa 15 nang tropical fruits ang kanilang pinapatuyo at ibinebenta. Target din nito na makapaglabas ng walong bagong produkto sa mga susunod na taon.

 

Kung naubos lang ang pasensiya ni Justin sa mga pagsubok na kanyang naranasan, hindi niya maabot ang titulong “Dried Mango King” ng Pilipinas.

 

First published on Abante

 

 

Bam on the Committee Report regarding the Mamasapano Hearings

I have signed the committee report with reservations and with an intention to propose amendments.

As much as we agree with majority of observations found in the committee report on the Mamasapano incident including the President’s responsibility which he himself stated in a public address last month, we feel that there were conclusions made on matters that were beyond the scope of the hearing.

Primarily, these include conclusions made regarding the peace process, the actions of the Government Peace Panel and regarding the Bangsamoro Basic Law in general.

We have sent a letter to the committee seeking clarification on these matters. And if need be, we will propose amendments to the committee report when it is tackled on the floor.

Republic Act 10905: Closed Caption Broadcasting of Television Programs

An act requiring all franchise holders or operators of television stations and producers of television programs to broadcast or present their programs with closed captions option, and for other purposes.

PDFicon DOWNLOAD RA 10905

Republic Act No. 10756: Election Service Reform Act of 2014

About 250,000 public school teachers sit as chairmen or member of the board election inspectors when Filipinos elect their president, vice president, senators, and members of Congress, governors, mayors and councilors.

Taking part in upholding the right of the Filipino to suffrage is not that Simple for these teachers. After tirelessly working for the preparation, conduct and counting of votes of the elections, teachers receive insufficient compensation for their service. This is further aggravated by the delay in the release of their honoraria, even taking months.

Teachers are also exposed to high security risks as they perform their election duties, having alarming instances of harassment, violence and death, especially in election hotspot areas. According to a national paper, there were five casualties among the teachers in the 2010 elections.

Moreover, about a hundred teachers end up getting charged before Comelec by losing candidates. These candidates contest the results as they complain about the teachers’ conduct of the elections.

In addition, their mandatory duties have prevented the teachers from voting because most of them are assigned in precincts that they are not registered as voters.

It is essential that assistance be provided to the teachers who have selflessly performed this important task every election year, even as they have developed a moral responsibility for doing it.

The BEl reform bill has had earlier versions in the past Congresses. HB 4096 promoted the voluntary election services and HB 6528 promoted an insurance package for BEl members. This bill aims to integrate the provisions of the two earlier versions into a comprehensive package of reform policy.

The bill attends to the key problems of the BEl members; they are to receive a minimum honoraria, insurance, equitable legal package commensurate of their service, and voting privileges.

The proposed amendment also gives the teachers the liberty to choose whether or not to serve in the elections. This allows them to protect themselves from political pressures and consider their personal welfare.

As teacher training and election operations are straining for the Department of Education’s resources, the rich reservoir of civic volunteers can be tapped as alternative source of manpower for BEl members and poll staff.

Due to their experience in election monitoring the past elections, they have the competence and integrity operating the polls. The government then allows its citizens to further participate in the ensuring the legitimacy of the election process.

The proposed amendment builds on the recognition of its teachers as they play an important role in the conduct of the democratic processes of the Filipinos and extends the space where citizens can actively participate in the reform of institutions.

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

 

PDFicon DOWNLOAD RA 10756

Transcript of Sen. Bam’s Interview in Davao

On Street Children and Juvenile Justice

Q: Sir, salamat po sa panahon. Would you like to share to us, Sir, kung anong ginawa ng Senado, or in your personal capacity, ano ho ang mga nagawa natin para sa mga streetchildren sa bansa?

Sen. Bam: Actually, tuluy-tuloy po ang pagtalakay sa isyu ng streetchildren sa Senado. In fact, iyong last hearing po tungkol diyan, iyong nabalita na noong pagdating ni Pope na may mga nilipon na mga street children tsaka street families.

We had a hearing about that noong nakaraang buwan.

Sa totoo rin lang po, ang isyu po ng street children po natin, nandiyan po iyan sa Committee on children. Hindi po ako ang chairman niyan, tayo po ang chairman ng Committee on Youth.

Kami naman po, we also tackle iyong mga gangsterism, napag-uusapan natin na kung hindi maalagaan ang street children natin, baka umabot sila sa mga gangs.

Tingin ko naman po, at the end of the day, babalik at babalik pa rin po tayo sa economic reasons kung bakit po may street children.

Kung mayroon pong magandang trabaho o negosyo ang kanilang mga magulang, they’ll be less likely to be street children, magkakaroon po sila ng pagkakataon para makapag-eskuwela.

That’s really where they should be.  Kung saan po talaga dapat iyong mga kabataan natin. Hindi ho dapat talaga nasa kalsada. Dapat po nasa eskuwelahan.

Kung mayroon pong mga programa para makakuha ng trabaho ang kanilang mga magulang, magandang negosyo.
In fact, iyong 4Ps program natin, iyong DSWD program, tinatawag po iyang conditional cash transfer, iyong kondisyon po riyan, ang mga anak po ninyo wala dapat sa kalsada, dapat nasa eskuwelahan.

May mga programa naman po tayo, but I guess, pagdating sa implementasyon, kailangan talagang ma-fast track natin na mas maraming trabaho at negosyo iyong ating mga pamilyang Pilipino para less po ang pagkakaroon ng street children sa ating mga lungsod.

Q: Iyon pong mga revision sa juvenile justice law, lalong lalo na sa age, what do you say?

Sen. Bam: Ako, I’m not in favor of that. Alam ko naging mainit na usapin iyan dito. Ngayon po kasi nasa 15 years old iyong age of discernment.

May mga grupong nagbabalak na gawin iyong 12 years old. Pero parang mabigat naman po yata masyado na 12 years old pa lang, bibigyan mo na ng penalties ang isang bata na kaparehas ng penalties ng isang adult.

I think kailangan ho nating ma-implement nang maayos  iyong ating juvenile justice law.

Nakalagay po roon na dapat may mga sentro, mga rehabilitation center para sa mga kabataan natin. Masasabi naman natin na hindi pa gaanong ka-implemented iyon.

Iyong paghihiwalay sa mga bata sa matatanda kapag hinuhuli, hindi naman ito nai-implement sa ibang lugar. Kailangan pong ma-implement iyon nang maayos.

Anyway po, iyong 12 years old to 15 years old, puwedeng tingnan talaga ang krimen ang ginawa. Pero just to bring it down to 12, palagay ko kailangan munang ma-implement ang batas na iyon.

On BBL

Q: May I segue sa hottest na tanong ngayon. Ano ho ang peg ng mga senador natin sa Bangsamoro Basic Law vis a vis sa Board of Inquiry. Mayroon na po ba kayong kopya ng resolusyon?

Sen. Bam: Wala pa po. Tuluy-tuloy pa po ang mga imbestigasyon. Sa amin po sa Senado, natapos na po ang hearing. I think the committee report of the committee on public order, lalabas na po iyon in the next couple of weeks.

Marami pong nag-aabang ngayon doon. Doon sa committee report na iyon, talagang mapagdu-dugtong dugtong iyong mga kuwento at masasabi ho natin kung sino ba ang accountable at ano pa po ang kailangang next steps para makakuha tayo ng hustisya para sa ating kapulisan.

Pagdating naman po sa BBL, tuluy-tuloy naman po iyong pag-uusap tungkol diyan. I think iyong isang misconception ng maraming mga kapwa Pilipino po natin, na all or nothing itong batas na ito.

Kumbaga po, either 100 percent o zero percent. But the truth is, ang proseso po ng pagtalakay nito ay dadaan talaga sa tamang proseso.

So magkakaroon pa po iyan ng amendments, magkakaroon ng mga  pagbabago, papalakasin, lilinawin, ang ibang kataga at salita diyan.

Even the Senate President po natin, sinabi rin niya na kailangang maayos ang constitutionality issues.

Kung mayroong mga bagay-bagay na hindi tumutugma sa ating Constitution, kailangan talaga munang ayusin bago lumabas.

So, I predict ho na mahaba-haba pa po ang prosesong iyan. Kailangan talagang talakayin. In fact, bago pa po nangyari ang trahedya sa Mamasapano, marami na pong IP groups ang lumapit sa amin.

Alam ninyo, adopted po ako ten tribes ng Davao City. Kaya malapit na malapit po ang IPs sa akin. Sabi nila, Senator Bam, siguraduhin mo naman sa BBL, hindi mapeperhuwisyo ang ating indigenous people.

Marami naman po talagang mga pagdadaanan pa. Ang mahalaga po ngayon, kung ang taumbayan nga nakatutok po dito, huwag lang po sanang all or nothing.

Tingnan po muna natin kung ano sa mga probisyon ang dapat ituloy, dapat baguhin, dapat palakasin o di kaya’y dapat tanggalin.

I think that process, kung lahat po ng taumbayan nakatingin po, posible pong mas magandang batas ang ilalabas ng Senado at Kongreso.

Q: I hope the MILF also acknowledges the need na siyempre may mga amendments din naman.

Sen. Bam: I think, at the end of the day, kung dadaan ka sa proseso ng Senado at Kongreso, wala namang lumalabas diyan na as is. Kaya nga kami nandito, kung as is yan, nagka-Senado at Kongreso ka pa.

Kailangan talagang dumaan iyan sa proseso and ngayon nga pong mainit ang usapin, maganda pong mag-voice out ang mga kababayan po natin tungkol dito.

Iyong mommy ko po taga-Davao so iyong Mindanao bloc po ng mga senador, nandiyan po si Senator Pimentel na Cagayan de Oro, si Sen. Guingona ng Bukidnon and I consider myself as part of Davao.

Sabi ko, siyempre dapat taga-Mindanao din ang nagli-lead dito, sa usaping ito. Hindi naman maganda na ang BBL, na ang apektado ay taga-Mindanao, ay mga taga-Metro Manila iyong nag-uusap.

I think, the voice of Mindanao should really come out, hindi lang sa Muslim areas natin kundi sa buong Mindanao talaga. The voice should come out para mas maayos na batas ang BBL.

Q: Would you like to react on those who call for the President to say I’m sorry and even to the extent of resigning.

Sen. Bam: Unang una po, I think within a few days, sinabi naman po ni Presidente Aquino na he is responsible for everything. Sinabi na ho niya iyan. Ako ang responsable dito, ako ang commander in chief.

Baka nakalimutan lang ho nakalimutan lang ng mga taong nagtatawag na he takes accountability na nasabi na ho niya iyan. Sabi nga ho nila, action speaks louder than words.

Makikita naman po natin iyong dami ng oras na talagang binigay niya doon sa ating SAF, doon sa pamilya ng ating fallen policemen. Tingin ko naman po, the sincerity is there.

Doon naman po sa pagtawag ng pag-resign o ouster o coup d’etat, palagay ko naman po hindi iyan ang solusyon para makakuha ng hustisya sa ating kapulisan. Hindi po iyon ang solusyon para makakuha ng kapayapaan.

To be very frank rin, if we’re looking at our country, iyong takbo po ng ekonomiya, ito pong Davao City, booming na booming po talaga, napakaganda po ng takbo. Hindi po talaga makakabuti ang ganoong klaseng instability.

I think ang mahalaga po diyan, iyong ating institutions, kung mature na po tayo na demokrasya, kailagang ipakita na ang institusyon natin, may kakayahang magdulot ng hustisya para sa ating kapulisan.

They should be able to provide the justice, and at the end of the day, iyong iba’t ibang institusyon, nandiyan naman po ang Senado, Kongreso, BOI po ng PNP, tuluy-tuloy naman po iyong aming pagtatrabaho.

We will ensure that there is justice for the SAF 44 and at the same time, magkaroon po tayo ng lasting peace. Hindi po ang pag-resign ng presidente ang solusyon diyan.

On Duterte 2016

Q: You see Mayor Duterte in the horizon in 2016 perhaps. Anong tsansa na may isang Mindanaoan na sasali naman?

Sen. Bam: Alam ninyo, ako pangarap ko talaga na lahat ng tumatakbo para pagka-presidente, lahat ho magagaling. At iyong taumbayan, pipili na lang sila kung ano ang gusto nila.

Usually ho ang eleksyon sa Pilipinas, sino ba dito ang magnanakaw, sino iyong ang hindi magnanakaw.

It talks of mature democracy kung iyong mga tumatakbo iba iba talaga ang maibibigay nila sa ating bayan.

I think si Mayor po, pag andito naman ako sa Davao, lagi naman po kaming nagkikita rin. Iyong mommy ko po, naging teacher iyong nanay niya. Iyong lolo’t lola ko, naging teacher din niya.

If he throws his hat into the ring, I think it will be a welcome addition. At least iyong taumbayan po natin, magkakaroon ng options, magkakaroon ng pagpipilian na magagaling.

Of course, sasabihin ko lang po na kasama po ako sa partido but kung tatakbo po siya, it would be very welcome sa ating bansa.

Q: Any parting word po para sa mga taga-Davao, who’s watching the Senate in action?

Sen. Bam: Kadalasan po, kung babasahin po natin iyong diyaryo, feeling ho natin na ang trabaho ng Senado, puro lang imbestigasyon.

But actually marami naman po kaming tinatalakay. Last year, napasa po natin ang Go Negosyo Act, iyong isang batas na tutulong sa ating maliliit na entrepreneur.

Sabi nga natin kanina, iyong mga street children, kung may mga trabaho at negosyo ang kanilang pamilya, walang street children tayo. So may focus pa rin po tayo pagdating sa economic benefits ng ating bayan.

Napasa rin po naming ang Philippine Lemon Law, ang batas na nagpoprotekta sa mga bumibili ng kotse.

This year, may mga napasa na rin tayo on third reading. Hinihintay na lang po natin ang Congress version.

Iyong Youth Entrepreneurship Bill na magbibigay ng tulong sa mga kabataan na makapag-negosyo, malapit na pong maging batas, pagdasal po natin.

Iyong Competition Bill, iyon ho, anti-monopoly, anti-trust bill. Seventy years in the making na po iyan, napasa po natin iyan sa Senado.

Iyong batas po na magbubukas ng ports natin sa foreign ships, napasa po namin iyan sa Senado.

If that becomes law at magkaroon po ng Congress version, iyong ating Davao port dito, puwede nang puntahan ng foreign ships. Mas magmumura ang ating importing at exporting. Posible pong magmura ang presyo ng ating mga bilihin.

These are important laws, aside from the investigations, lahat po iyan ginagawa po naming para sa taumbayan.

Q: One follow up sir, SK reform?

Sen. Bam: Yes, napasa rin po natin iyan. Alam ninyo po, dahil nga po sa trahedya sa Mamasapano, hindi na po napag-uusapan ang ginagawa ng Senate.

We passed on third reading napasa na po sa Senado, hinihintay na lang po naming ang Congress version.

Iyong SK Reform Bill, tinataas po iyong edad from 15 to 17 to 18 to 24. Naglagay po kami ng anti-dynasty provision sa SK, hindi na po puwede na anak ng barangay captain or anak ng councilor o mayor.

Mandatory training tsaka ang tinatawag nating Local Youth Development Council na tutulong sa SK para magawa ang kanyang trabaho.  Iyon po, composed ng youth leaders mula sa eskuwelahan, simbahan at iba’t ibang community organizations.

Kung maging batas po ito, next time  na magkaroon tayo ng SK, which is 2016, mas magiging epektibo po sila at mas mapoprotektahan sila sa traditional politics.

Sen. Bam Aquino’s Speech During the TAYO 12 Awarding Ceremony

Magandang hapon sa ating lahat, mga kaibigan, mga kababayan.

 

In February 1986, all of humanity watched as a peaceful revolution in our island nation called the Philippines brought democracy back to our land.

 

This revolution didn’t happen in a day; nor was it hatched by one single person. This revolution was a result of millions of voices in protest backed by concrete and non-violent action.

 

That was 29 years ago, and I was only eight years old then, but I recall being a witness and willing participant in a turning point in Philippine history.

 

Leading up to the EDSA Revolution, the winds of change were already howling.

 

And the culmination of this revolutionary energy was over 2 million Filipinos, from all ages and all walks of life, taking to the streets amid threats of military action.

 

I vividly recall eating ice buko and sharing sandwiches my family had prepared with the other protesters at the corner of Annapolis and EDSA during the four days of the People Power Revolution.

 

Along EDSA, Filipinos found common ground in their yearning for truth, justice, freedom, and, most importantly, peace. The crowd stood their ground, arms linked in solidarity, even as tanks threatened to shoot them down and run them over.

 

We offered ourselves to the Philippines – to freedom, justice, democracy, and peace.

 

That was the EDSA People Power Revolution. And the rest, as they say, is history.

 

That was 29 years ago.

 

Today, I still have that yearning, as I’m sure many of you do, to build a Philippines that honors truth, upholds justice, and creates prosperity for all, not just the chosen few.

 

And a lot has changed since the 1980s.

 

We have evolved from analog to digital, from sending postcards to photo and video messaging, from joining street protests to signing online petitions and sharing #hashtags with a cause.

 

The spirit of People Power has evolved.

 

Filipinos who are creative, innovative and resourceful have found many ways to come together to help build, and rebuild, our nation.

 

Naaalala ninyo pa ba nang nabigla tayo sa matinding pagbabaha noong bagyong Ondoy sa Mega Manila?

 

O di kaya ang mas sariwang lungkot na naranasan ng Pilipinas noong tumama ang bagyong Yolanda sa Eastern Visayas?

 

Maraming nawalan ng tahanan at kagamitan.

 

Maraming nawalan ng bahay at buhay.

 

Ngunit, hindi nabigo ang sigla ng nakararami.

 

Punung-puno ang mga unibersidad, mga basketball court, at iba’t ibang mga headquarters ng mga donasyon at volunteers.

 

Sa tuwing mayroong lindol, bagyo, storm surge o anumang trahediya, wagas ang pagtulong ng mga Pilipino – lumalabas ang diwa ng bayanihan ng bawa’t isa.

 

Hindi po ba’t People Power iyon?

 

Tuwing nagsasama-sama ang komunidad, mga magulang, mga guro, mga mag-aaral at iba pa para ihanda ang mga public schools bago magpasukan, para pinturahan ang mga bubong at dingding, linisin ang mga estero at hardin, ayusin ang mga mesa, silya’t blackboard sa Brigada Eskwela ng DepEd.

 

Hindi po ba’t People Power iyon?

 

Noong dumating si Pope Francis, kay daming Pilipino ang nagvolunteer, ilang gabing nagpuyat, napagod at nabasa ng ulan para maging maayos at makabuluhan ang pagbisita ng ating Santo Papa

 

Hindi po ba’t People Power iyon?

 

Puntahannatin ang ilang past TAYO winners.

 

Ang Hayag Youth Organization tinuruan nila ang mga kabataan sa Ormoc ng paglangoy, first aid at iba pang disaster preparedness skills.

 

At nang tumama ang Bagyong Yolanda sa kanilang lungsod, walang nasawi sa kanilang mga miyembro.

 

Hindi po ba’t People Power pa rin iyon?

 

Nandiyan din ang Dire Husi sa Cagayan de Oro. Kanilang tinipon ang mga batang kalye at tinuruan sila ng sining upang mailayo sila sa bisyo ng pag-rurugby at krimininalidad.

 

Hindi po ba’t People Power pa rin iyon?

 

At ang mga kabataang taga-Cebu na Gualandi Volunteer Service Program, kung saan umiikot sila sa kanilang lungsod na nangangampanya para protektahan ang mga PWDs laban sa diskriminasyon at pang-aabuso –

 

Hindi po ba’t People Power pa rin iyon?

 

Buhay na buhay po ang diwa ng People Power sa ating bayan at sa ating kabataan.

 

Habang mayroong mga Pilipinong nagsasama-sama, kabila ng pagkaka-iba sa paniniwala, upang isulong ang kapakanan ng mga komunidad sa Pilipinas, naroroon ang diwa ng People Power.

 

The Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) Awards Foundation is a witness to this spirit of nation building.

 

And on the 29th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, we celebrate the youth organizations that have best exemplified People Power in our communities through the TAYO Awards.

 

On its 12th year, the TAYO Awards continues to recognize the youth’s efforts to improve the lives of our fellow Filipinos today.

 

This year alone, we received around 400 entries – each entry, a youth group’s project that contributes to the development of our country; each entry, proof that the spirit of People Power persists in the youth of today.

 

We would like to thank you, TAYO finalists, for embodying the spirit of People Power and renewing the fire of nation building!

 

You, who have made a palpable impact on society, can serve as an inspiration to even more people to join the fight for a better Philippines.

 

People Power led us to victory against an unbeatable foe in 1986.

 

Today, we oppose even more formidable and seemingly faceless adversaries like poverty, climate change, social injustice, discrimination, indifference, and even hatred.

 

Buo ang aking tiwala na gaya ng dati, kakayanin natin ang mga ito – kung sama-sama tayo, kung tayo’y magtutulungan, kung ang diwa ng People Power ay buhay sa ating lahat.

 

Maraming salamat po.

 

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

Republic Act No. 10744: Credit Surety Fund Act of 2014

For a developing country like the Philippines, majority of its businesses come from the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). As of 2011, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) accounts that 99.6% are MSMEs, employing about 62% of the Philippine workforce. With that, the sector is a major stakeholder in the economic development of the people.

Yet, one of the roadblocks for the continued growth of the MSMEs is access to financing. The existing requirements for credit do not consider the nature and stature of these micro and small businesses. Current prerequisites for financing are marginalizing the sector, which provides jobs and livelihood to the majority of Filipinos.

It is high time that a structure of extension of credit for MSMEs be developed to further grow micro and small enterprises all over the country.

Thus, the bill proposes the establishment of the Credit Surety Fund (CSF) mechanism to enhance the credit worthiness of MSMEs, broa~en their access to credit facilities, and sustain the continuous flow of credit in the countryside. This will generate more employment and alleviate poverty through increased investments and economic activities.

The challenge is to grow micro businesses into small enterprises and small enterprises to medium enterprises. If this challenge is addressed, we would better enable the kind of economic growth that not only benefits the few rich, but also the majority of the people, including the poorest Filipino.

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

 

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