Bills by Bam Aquino

Sen. Bam Aquino’s Sponsorship Speech for Philippine Space Agency

Magandang hapon, Mr. President, majority floor leader at mga kasama sa Senado.

I address you today to sponsor Senate Bill No. 1983 under Committee Report No. 434 entitled An Act Establishing The Philippine Space Development And Utilization Policy And Creating The Philippine Space Agency, And For Other Purposes, otherwise known as the Philippine Space Agency Act.

Have you ever looked out of the window of an airplane during take off?

Habang pataas ng pataas ang eroplano, paliit ng paliit ang mga building, mga bahay, at mga tao.

Habang palayo po kayo ng palayo sa lupa, para bang naiiwan mo na din ang problema ng bayan.

I was reminded of that feeling while reading responses to one of our online polls that asked if our country should invest in a Philippine Space Agency.

Madami po ang nagsabi na kailangan po muna natin ayusin ang ating mga problema sa lupa, bago tayo tumingin sa outer space.

Naiintindihan po natin sila. Marami nga tayong problema na kailangan ayusin ngayon.

Tuwing may bagyo, may matinding pagbaha. Araw-araw, walang katapusan ang trapik. Pataas ng pataas ang presyo ng bilihin at parang hindi po natin matuldukan ang kahirapan sa ating bansa… Bakit tayo gagawa ng isang Space Agency?

Pero natuwa ako sa sagot ng isang Mikael Francisco. Sinagot po niya ito sa ating social media platform. Sabi po niya, “Malaki ang maitutulong ng Space Program sa agrikultura, sa pag-ayos ng traffic, pagpo-forecast ng bagyo, at marami pang iba.”

Doon po sa kanyang sagot, nag-link pa siya sa isang article sa GMA Network na may pamagat: “Why the Philippines Needs a Space Agency”.

Natuwa po akong makakita ng Pilipinong nangangarap ng malaki para sa ating bayan. Natuwa ako na hindi pa nawawalan ng pag-asa ang iilan nating kababayan sa paghahanap ng solusyon sa mga problema ng ating bansa.

Hindi man masosolusyunan ng isang Space Agency ang lahat ng isyu ng Pilipinas, malaki pa rin po ang maiaambag nito sa buhay ng mga Pilipino.

For one, satellites can help improve disaster management – from providing accurate information that allow early warnings and predicting of disasters to reliable and quick communication during relief and recovery operations.

Para sa bansang lagi na lang natatamaan ng mga bagyo at pagbaha, malaking tulong po ang Philippine Space Agency para siguraduhing ligtas ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino.

Space technology also enhances production and profitability of agribusinesses thanks to soil and weather monitoring and assessment.

Ang nakukuha pong data ng isang Space Agency ay makatutulong sa mga magsasaka na planuhin ang timing ng kanilang pagsaka at irigasyon nito para dumami ang kanilang ani.

Para naman sa mga nagmamahal sa kalikasan, gaya nina Sen. Legarda at Villar, makakatulong din po ang Space Agency sa environmental conservation.

It can even improve urban planning, transportation and communication networks para mabigyan ng ginhawa ang mga Pilipinong nawawalan na ng pasensya dahil sa trapik at sa bagal ng internet.

Malayo man ang outer space sa Pilipinas, kung nasa puso naman ng Philippine Space Agency ang pagserbisyo sa ating mga kababayan at pagsuporta sa pag-unlad ng bayan, hinding hindi po ito masasayang.

Mr. President, esteemed colleagues, launching a Philippine Space Agency will give us a new perspective and valuable insights that can help solve some of our country’s biggest problems.

A solid space program can improve disaster management, enhance the lives of Filipino farmers, speed up our internet and telecommunications systems, and help us build more livable cities.

So let’s continue to dream big for our country! And let’s never tire of finding better solutions for our countrymen.

Mga kaibigan, ipasa po natin ang Philippine Space Agency Act!

Sen. Bam: Nasaan ang liderato sa isyu ng BP, Bigas at Presyo?

Sen. Bam Aquino called on the government to immediately address the issue of high BP or “Bigas at Presyo”, which currently affects millions of Filipinos, especially the poor.

“Mahalagang mabigyan na ito ng lunas dahil malaking isyu po ang BP o bigas at presyo. Kapag masyadong mataas ang BP, nanganganib ang kabuhayan natin. Pababain na ang BP,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

“Ang hinahanap natin, lalo na sa isyu ng bigas, ay leadership. Seryosohin sana ng pamahalaan ang pahirap na ito sa mga Pilipino,” added Sen. Bam.

 Sen. Bam said the leadership of National Food Authority (NFA), led by administrator Jason Aquino, has failed to ensure enough supply of affordable rice for the poor in the last two years.

“Sino ba ang lider na sosolusyunan ito? Nagmumukhang hindi talaga kaya ng NFA administrator natin na resolbahin ang kasalukuyang problema,” added Sen. Bam.

“Hindi maayos ang pamamalakad sa importation at distribution.  Magsisimula ang solusyon sa pagpalit ng liderato. Maghanap tayo ng mga taong kayang gawin ang trabaho nila,” said Sen. Bam.

Also, Sen. Bam renewed his call for the passage of his Senate Bill No. 1798 or the Bawas Presyo Bill to help lower the prices of goods and services.

Sen. Bam’s measure aims to suspend the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law when the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

Vice President Leni Robredo backed the passage of the measure while members of the minority in the House — Miro Quimbo, Jorge “Bolet” Banal, Jose Christopher Belmonte, Gabriel Bordado Jr., Raul Daza, Jocelyn Limkaichong, and Josephine Ramirez-Sato — have filed their own version of the bill.

Sen. Bam underscored the importance of the measure’s passage, saying there is a second tranche of excise tax increase on petroleum products under the TRAIN Law in January 2019.

Sen. Bam: Bawas Presyo Bill, certified urgent by Filipinos

Filipino families, especially the poor, are pushing for the immediate passage of the “Bawas Presyo Bill”, saying the measure can help alleviate their suffering from high prices of goods due to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

“Kung ayaw man ito pansinin ng administrasyon, ang taumbayan na ang nagsasabi na certified urgent ang Bawas Presyo Bill. Hindi na raw sila makahinga sa taas ng presyo. Kahit anong kayod, hindi na makaahon ang mga pamilya,” said Sen. Bam Aquino, referring to his Senate Bill No. 1798.

Sen. Bam’s measure seeks to suspend the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law when the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

“Nasa harap na natin ang solusyon pero ayaw tumbukin ng economic managers ng gobyerno,” said Sen. Bam.

According to Sen. Bam, he has been receiving the same complaint from Filipino families about the burden of high prices of goods and services during his consultations with various sectors in different parts of the country.

“Tuwing bumibisita ako sa mga komunidad sinasabi ng ating mga kababayan na nalulunod na sila sa mataas na presyo ng bilihin,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law.

“Ang sabi ni Mang Siming na tricycle driver sa Isabela, ang mga suki niya dati, naglalakad na lang kahit tirik ang araw para makatipid. Kumokonti ang kaniyang kita, tumataas pa ang presyo ng gasolina,” said Sen. Bam.

“Si Mang Mike naman, na magsasaka at may dalawang anak sa high school at dalawa sa kolehiyo, nababawasan na ang binibigay na baon at pamasahe sa kanila araw-araw,” added Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam stressed that the “Bawas Presyo Bill” could alleviate the plight of poor Filipino families, jeepney and tricycle drivers, farmers and fishermen.

“Sa Bawas Presyo Bill, bababa ang presyo ng diesel, gasoline at kerosene para mabigyan ng ginhawa ang mga Pilipino sa taas-presyo,” said Sen. Bam, adding that the government should address the rising inflation by supporting the passage of his measure.

Sen. Bam said the immediate passage of the measure is vital since the second round of increase in excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law will take effect in January 2019.

Sen. Bam: Working Filipinos should be supported, not burdened further

In commemoration of Labor Day, Senator Bam Aquino called on the government to prioritize the welfare of Filipino workers and protect their livelihood through sound policies and actions.

 “Dapat isipin ng pamahalaan sa bawat desisyon at reporma ang kapakanan ng mga Pilipinong nagtatrabaho tulad ng mga magsasaka, mangingisda at OFWs. Subalit sila ngayon ang binibigo ng administrasyon,” said Sen. Bam, one of four who voted against the ratification of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act.

Sen. Bam insisted that the recent tax reform packages proposed by the government only burden the working class with increasing prices of goods and potential loss of livelihood.

 The administration’s push to enact the second tax reform package, which will remove incentives for companies, could lead to loss of jobs for many Filipinos.

“Nagdurusa na nga ang marami nating mga kababayan sa mataas na presyo ng bilihin sa unang bugso ng tax reform ng gobyerno, ngayon naman aalisan natin sila ng ikabubuhay,” said Sen. Bam, referring to the TRAIN Act.

Sen. Bam has filed Senate Resolution No. 704, calling for a review of the TRAIN Law, claiming it greatly contributes to the increase in prices of goods and services that burdens Filipinos, especially ordinary workers.

Sen. Bam also submitted Senate Resolution No. 597, urging the appropriate Senate committee to scrutinize the implementation of the unconditional cash transfer to ensure that it is sufficient to cover the increase in prices of goods and other services.

 In addition, Sen. Bam pointed out that the government’s decision to remove restriction on rice importation could be detrimental to the work of Filipino farmers, who rely heavily on their harvest for their livelihood.

“Posibleng makasama pa sa ating mga magsasaka ang ura-uradang desisyon ng deregulasyon ng rice imports. Hindi quota ang problema natin kundi ang kakayahan nga NFA na gawin ang kanilang trabaho,” said Sen. Bam.

 In the 17th Congress, Sen. Bam has filed several measures that focus on the welfare of Filipino workers, includingg overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), freelancers and reservists.

Sen. Bam: Balik-Scientist Act one signature away from becoming law, to boost country’s R&D

Senator Bam Aquino expects the country’s research and development to get a much-needed boost, now that the Balik-Scientist Act is one signature away from becoming a law.

“This is our way of supporting the field of research, science and technology in the country, which has been undervalued for too long. We hope the President can sign this into law and show his support and appreciation for Filipino scientists,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology.

The Senate and House both ratified the bicameral conference committee version, which will now be transmitted to Malacanang for President Duterte’s signature.

Once it becomes a law, Sen. Bam said it will help address the country’s lack of scientists. As of last tally, the country has 189 scientists per million, a far cry from the ideal ratio of 380 scientists per million.

Sen. Bam pointed out that the Philippines falls behind South Korea and United States, which have 5,300 and 3,500 scientists per million, respectively. Malaysia, for its part, has 2,000 scientists per million.

 “With the Balik-Scientist Act, we expect Filipino scientists to return to the Philippines and help strengthen our research and development,” said Sen. Bam, the principal sponsor of the measure in the Senate.

If enacted into law, the Balik Scientist Act will provide overseas Filipino scientists with financial benefits and incentives to encourage them to return to the Philippines and help boost the country’s research and development.

Sen. Bam is also the principal sponsor and co-author of the Amendments to the Magna Carta for Scientists, Engineers, and Researchers bill and the Innovative Start-up Act, which is currently being tackled in the plenary.

Sen. Bam has passed 19 laws in over 4 years as a senator.

Sen. Bam: Employment rights for military reserve forces gets full support of Senate

The Senate on Monday passed on third and final reading the measure that will provide job security and other benefits for military reservists, according to its principal sponsor and co-author, Sen. Bam Aquino.
 
Via 16-0 vote with no abstention, the Senate approved Senate Bill No. 1698 or the Reservist Employment Rights Act, which promotes the welfare of military reservists in return for their service to the country.
 
“Ito’y pagkilala natin sa malaking tulong ng ating reservist sa militar, lalo na kapag may kalamidad at sa paglaban sa terorismo,” said Sen. Bam. 
 
Sen. Bam said reservists played a key role in the fight to free Marawi City from the clutches of the Maute Group and in rescue and rehabilitation efforts during calamities.
 
Sen. Bam pushed for the bill’s passage after he was informed during dialogues with members and officials of the Army Reserve Command that some reservists are in danger of losing their jobs as they perform their duty to the country.
 
“While they risk their lives for the country, they are at risk of losing their livelihood, which should not be the case,” said Sen. Bam, referring to reservists who are entrepreneurs, I.T. professionals, teachers, doctors, lawyers, nurses, sales agents, security guards and employees of different government agencies.
 
If enacted into law, the Reservist Employment Rights Act will ensure proper training and compensation for reservists, on top of protection from discrimination in job hiring, reintegration, promotion, or any benefit of employment.
 
The measure also protects reservists who suffer any injury or disability during their service, ensuring their reintegration to the civilian work force, so long as they can perform the essential function of their original employment.
 
“Our reservists chose to put their lives on the line for our safety and security. We owe it to them to professionalize the Reserve Force and assure them their employment rights,” stressed Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam: Scientists now one step closer in securing well-deserved benefits

The measure that will streamline the process of providing benefits and incentives to Science and Technology (S&T) government personnel has been approved by the Senate on third and final reading.

Via a 15-0 vote, the Senate approved Senate Bill No. 1534, which seeks to amend Republic Act 8439 or the Magna Carta for Scientists to enable government to give benefits and incentives to scientists, engineers, researchers and other (S&T) government personnel.

 “Ngayong pataas ng pataas na ang presyo ng bilihin, kailangang i-secure ang kabuhayan at benepisyo ng mga Pilipino, kabilang na riyan ang ating mga scientist, engineer at iba pang may kinalaman sa pagsasaliksik,” said Sen. Bam, the principal sponsor and co-author of the measure as chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology.

“As SciTech Chair, we must show our scientists, engineers and researchers that they are valuable by ensuring they get the right support and the right benefits,” stressed Sen. Bam, adding that he will continue to push for programs and measures to support research and development opportunities in our country.

Sen. Bam saw the need to amend RA 8439 to avert the exodus of S&T professionals from crucial government agencies such as PAGASA and PHILVOLCS for greener pastures abroad. Among the reasons mentioned for their departure are uncompetitive local compensation and protracted processing of hazard pay.

If enacted into law, Senate Bill No. 1534 will remove set limits on honoraria for S&T professionals in government even when sourced from external grants and foster ease in accessing benefits for S&T personnel in departments and agencies other than the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

 “It is high time we deliberately retain and empower our Filipino scientists, engineers, researchers and other S&T practitioners, so we may harness the benefits of S&T to further our national agenda,” said Sen. Bam.

 

Sen. Bam supports military through Reservist Employment Rights bill

A measure promoting the welfare of military reservists has passed the committee level and is now up for plenary deliberations in the Senate.

In his co-sponsorship speech for Senate Bill No. 1698 or the Reservist Employment Rights Act, Sen. Bam Aquino underscored the importance of reservists in today’s issues, such as disaster preparedness and the anti-terrorism drive.

“Now, more than ever, the AFP needs a dedicated, experienced and sophisticated reserve force – comparable to the Reserve Forces of other great nations,” said Sen. Bam, the co-sponsor and co-author of Senate Bill No. 1698.

The measure was a fruit of Sen. Bam’s dialogues with members and officials of the Army Reserve Command and other government officials and hearing he spearheaded as sub-committee chairman of the Committee on Labor.

During the course of his dialogue with reservists, Sen. Bam discovered that some of the reservists are entrepreneurs, I.T. professionals, teachers, doctors, lawyers, nurses, sales agents, security guards and employees of different government agencies.

Sen. Bam said some of the reservists are in danger of losing their jobs while doing great service to the country. “While they risk their lives for the country, they are at risk of losing their livelihood, which should not be the case,” said Sen. Bam.

The Reservist Employment Rights Act will ensure proper training and compensation for reservists, on top of protection from discrimination in job hiring, reintegration, promotion, or any benefit of employment.

“We must pass this measure to guarantee that at the end of their required military service, reservists will be reinstated to their civilian careers, and to an equivalent position without loss of seniority or decreased pay,” said Sen. Bam.

The measure also protects reservists who suffer any injury or disability during their service, ensuring their reintegration to the civilian work force, so long as they can perform the essential function of their original employment.

“Our reservists chose to put their lives on the line for our safety and security. We owe it to them to professionalize the Reserve Force and assure them their employment rights,” stressed Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam to DepEd: Ensure graduates’ employability, don’t ignore employers

Senator Bam Aquino urges the Department of Education to strengthen academic-industry linkages and make sure K-to-12 graduates are ready to enter the workforce.

 “Student readiness to enter the workforce is a serious issue that is better addressed by developing strong relationships between schools and companies, what we call academic-industry linkages,” said Sen. Bam.

“Huwag natin balewalain ang kinabukasan ng mga K-to-12 graduates. Mahalagang makonsulta ang employers at mga kinatawan ng industriya upang matiyak na handa nang magtrabaho ang K-to-12 graduates,” Sen. Bam added.

Sen. Bam issued the reaction after Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) expressed concern over the lack of minimum on-the-job training requirements among the first batch of K-to-12 students.

 The PCCI said the first batch of K-to-12 students only have 80 hours or two weeks of OJT experience, making them unqualified for available jobs.

 “The Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education should have dynamic curriculum that can address concerns of current and future employers,” said Sen. Bam.

The senator also called on concerned government agencies to come up with a process that will regularly assess education curriculum vis-a-vis necessary skills needed for jobs

As former chairman of the Senate Committee on Education in the 17th Congress, Sen. Bam filed Senate Bill No. 1278 or Trabaho Centers in Schools Act, which seeks to establish job placement offices in public high schools and state universities and colleges (SUCs).

 The measure mandates the establishment of a Trabaho Center in every public high school and SUC with main services that include: 1) Industry Matching, 2) Career Counseling, and 3) Employment Facilitation.

 Trabaho Centers should address the skills mismatch and ensure employability of students upon graduation by using feedback from employers to better develop the school’s curriculum and training programs.

  Sen. Bam is also the principal sponsor of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, making college tuition and miscellaneous fees free in public universities, colleges and TESDA-run technical-vocational institutions.

Sen. Bam continues work on reforms for Filipino scientists and start-ups

Despite the enactment into law of one of the committee’s landmark measures — Free Internet in Public Places Act, the Committee on Science and Technology, spearheaded by Sen. Bam Aquino, will not rest on its laurels. 
 
When session resumes on Monday (January 15), Sen. Bam will continue to work on other important bills that will benefit Filipino scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs.
 
“While we consider the Free Internet Law as a major accomplishment of the science and technology committee, we are still eager to work on reforms for scientists and startups,” said Sen. Bam.
 
These measures include the Innovative Startup Act and the amendments to the Magna Carta for Scientists. The Senate recently approved on third and final reading the Balik-Scientist Act via a 13-0 vote.
 
On Monday, Sen. Bam will spearhead the period of amendments for the Innovative Startup Act and the Magna Carta for Scientists as principal sponsor of the measures.
 
The Innovative Startup Act, for its part, seeks to give necessary support for business startups to help them thrive and compete in the market.
 
The amendments to the Magna Carta for Scientists aim to streamline the process of providing benefits and incentives to S&T government personnel.
 
The Balik Scientist Bill seeks to provide overseas Filipino scientist with financial benefits and incentives to encourage some to return to the Philippines and help boost the country’s research and development.
 
The measure aims to institutionalize the Balik Scientist Program of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), which successfully encouraged some of our scientists to return and contribute to research that will address development gaps in the Philippines.
 
Also on Monday, Sen. Bam will lead the period of amendments for the Pagkaing Pinoy Para sa Batang Pinoy Act, of which he was a principal sponsor and co-author during his time as chairman of the Committee on Education.
 
In his four years as senator, Sen. Bam worked for the passage of 19 laws, 11 as principal sponsor.
 
Principal sponsors have the responsibility of prioritizing bills in their respective committees, conducting hearings on bills assigned to their committee, defending the measures during the period of interpellation, consolidating proposals and amendments to their reforms, and leading the bicameral conference before a bill is passed into law.
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