laws by bam aquino

Free nutritious meals for students get full support in Senate

Kindergarten and elementary schools students will soon enjoy free nutritious meals after the Senate approved on third and final reading a measure that will establish a national feeding program in public schools.

 Sen. Bam Aquino, principal sponsor and co-author of the measure, thanked his colleagues for unanimously approving Senate Bill No. 1279, otherwise known as the Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act, via an 18-0 vote.

 “Ito’y napakalaking tulong para mabigyan ng sapat na nutrisyon ang ating mga estudyante para sila’y mabusog, lumusog at lalong tumalino,” said Sen. Bam, who pushed for the measure’s passage during his term as chairman of the Committee on Education.

 Aside from addressing malnutrition among schoolchildren from kindergarten to Grade 6, the measure also aims to boost the livelihood of local farmers, where the needed supplies for the feeding program will be sourced from.

 “Kasabay ng pagtugon natin sa problema sa malnutrisyon, binibigyan din natin ng kabuhayan ang mga lokal na magsasaka. Makatutulong ang programang ito para magkaroon sila ng regular na pagkakakitaan,” said Sen. Bam.

 If enacted into law, Sen. Bam said that a National School-Feeding Program that is properly funded will be established.

 The senator added that an initial appropriation would be sourced from the initial budget allocation of Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Aside from Sen. Bam, the bill was also authored by Senators Grace Poe, Gregorio Honasan II, Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, Loren Legarda, Cynthia Villa, Joel Villanueva, Sherwin Gatchalian, Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto, Senate Majority Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon.

Sen. Bam: Free college is a courtesy, not hush money

The government should not use free education to gain political loyalty or prohibit students from exercising their right to free expression and dissent, according to Sen. Bam Aquino.

 “Walang kapalit ang libreng kolehiyo. Hindi dapat nilalagyan ng pamahalaan ng limitasyon ang karapatan ng mga estudyante kapalit ng libreng edukasyon sa pampublikong unibersidad at kolehiyo,” said Sen. Bam, principal sponsor and co-author of RA 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.

 “The free college law is a form of benefit to the Filipino people, and should not be used for blackmail or as hush money,” added Sen. Bam.

 Sen. Bam stressed that students in SUCs must not surrender their right to speak and dissent just to enjoy free education.

 “We commend the Filipino youth who continue working for a cause, speaking up and speaking out against policies that are counter to their values and beliefs,” said Sen. Bam.

Also, Sen. Bam is confident that Filipino students are responsible enough to know their limitations or if their actions are affecting their studies or not.

 “Tiwala ako na responsable na ang ating mga estudyante. Hindi nila hahayaang makaapekto ang kanilang pagpapahayag ng saloobin sa kanilang pag-aaral,” said Sen. Bam, allaying fears that protesting students are a waste of taxpayers’ money.

 The Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act provides free education to students in SUCs, local universities and colleges (LUCs) and TESDA-run vocational schools. Aside from tuition fees, the government will shoulder miscellaneous and all other mandatory fees.

 Scholarship grants will be made available to students of both public and private college and universities. It also provides a new and improved student loan program, where students can apply for financing for other education expenses.

Also, the law allows students taking post-graduate studies to avail of the new and improved student loan program and scholarships under the law.

Sen. Bam is one of the co-authors and the sole principal sponsor of the free college law in the Senate.

 

Sen. Bam: Family expenses rising, implement free college law now

Senator Bam Aquino called out the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for its failure to fully implement the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, which provides for free tuition and other miscellaneous expenses in state universities and colleges (SUCs). 

Sen. Bam, principal sponsor and co-author of RA 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, reminded CHED that the law became effective last August 18, 2017, and should already cover the 2nd semester of school year 2017-2018 as manifested both during the bicameral conference and the ratification of the bill in the Senate.

 In addition, CHED also committed to this to Sen. Aquino’s office during the budget deliberations. The Congress and Senate allotted P40 billion in the 2018 national budget for its implementation.

 “Mahalagang maipatupad na ang free college law sa public universities and colleges, lalo pa’t nararamdaman na ng taumbayan ang epekto ng TRAIN sa presyo ng mga bilihin,” said Sen. Bam, referring to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) that was recently enacted into law by the Duterte government. 

 “Tumataas na nga ang presyo ng bilihin, pinagbabayad pa rin ng mga eskuwelahan ang ating mahihirap na pamilya samantalang libre na dapat ang tuition, pati miscellaneous fees,” said Sen. Bam, who voted against the ratification of TRAIN. 

The law provides free education to students in SUCs, local universities and colleges (LUCs) and TESDA-run vocational schools.

 Aside from tuition fees, the government will shoulder miscellaneous and all other mandatory fees.

Scholarship grants will be made available to students of both public and private college and universities. It also provides a new and improved student loan program, where students can apply for financing for other education expenses.

 In addition, students taking post-graduate studies can avail of the new and improved student loan program and scholarships under the law. 

The measure was languishing in the legislative mill for years before it was passed during Sen. Bam’s time as chairman of the Committee on Education in the 17th Congress. This was Sen. Bam’s 19th law in his four years as senator.

4 reforms led by Sen. Bam Aquino, among Senate priorities

Sen. Bam Aquino welcomed the Senate’s commitment to pass four measures that aim to focus on the welfare of Filipino students, scientists and strengthen support for the country’s research and development and start-ups.
 
“Masaya tayo sa suportang ipinapakita ng Senado sa mga panukalang naglalayong palakasin ang suporta sa ating mga estudyante, negosyante at scientist,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology.
 
“Nagpapasalamat din tayo sa mga kapwa ko senador na tumutulong na lalo pang mapagbuti at mapaganda ang mga panukalang ito para sa kapakinabangan ng maraming Pilipino,” he added.
 
The Senate has committed to pass a number of measures this year, among them are the Innovative Startup Act, Magna Carta for Scientists Act, Balik Scientist Bill and the Pagkaing Pinoy Para sa Batang Pinoy Act. Sen. Bam is principal sponsor of all four measures.
 
The Innovative Startup Act, Magna Carta for Scientists Act and the Pagkaing Pinoy Para sa Batang Pinoy Act will undergo period of amendments this week.
 
The Pagkaing Pinoy para sa Batang Pinoy Act aims to institutionalize a feeding program to provide proper and nutritious meals to kindergarten to Grade 6 students.  Aside from Sen. Bam, other co-authors of the measure are Senators Grace Poe, Gringo Honasan, Zubiri, Tito Sotto, Legarda, Cynthia Villar and Joel Villanueva.
 
The Innovative Startup Act aims 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. Aside from Sen. Bam, other co-authors of the measure are Senators Loren Legarda, Sonny Angara, Koko Pimentel, Juan Miguel Zubiri and Sherwin Gatchalian. 
 
Passed on third and final reading and just awaiting the start of the bicameral conference committee, the Balik Scientist Bill seeks to provide overseas Filipino scientist with financial benefits and incentives to encourage them to return to the Philippines and help boost the country’s research and development.
 
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.
 
In his four years as senator, Sen. Bam worked for the passage of 19 laws, 11 as principal sponsor.

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.

Sen. Bam congratulates UNIFAST, CHED for crafting IRR on free tertiary education

We laud the Unified Student Financial Assistance for Tertiary Education (UNIFAST), led by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) with education stakeholders, for crafting the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for Republic Act No. 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, of which I am a principal sponsor and co-author in the Senate. 
 
This ensures that Filipino students will enjoy free education in state universities and colleges, CHED-accredited local universities and colleges and TESDA-accredited technical-vocational institutions. 
 
This would also give support to underprivileged students in private colleges and universities through a Tertiary Education Subsidy and a Student Loan Program.
 
CHED-UNIFAST should make sure that the intent of the law to cover the second semester of Academic Year 2017-2018 is reflected in the IRR.
 
I am hoping that the CHED will iron out this issue at the soonest possible time so our Filipino students won’t have to wait until the next school year to benefit from this landmark legislation.

Sen. Bam: All systems go for free college education!

Sen. Bam Aquino happily announced that the revolutionary reform for free college education has been funded by Congress, as he voted in support of the ratification of the 2018 national budget.

“Ngayon na may pondo na ng 40 bilyong piso para sa libreng kolehiyo, maaasahan ng mga estudyante na magiging libre na ang tuition at miscellaneous fees sa mga pampublikong unibersidad at kolehiyo,” said Sen. Bam Aquino, the principal sponsor and co-author of Republic Act 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act in the Senate.

“Natutuwa tayo na mas maraming Pilipino na ang makaka-graduate sa kolehiyo salamat sa tulong ng gobyerno,” added Sen. Bam.

According to Sen. Bam, the bicameral conference committee allotted P40 billion in the 2018 budget for free college education in state universities and colleges, local universities and colleges and TESDA-run vocational schools.

“We thank the members of the bicameral conference committee for prioritizing education. Our sincerest gratitude to our Finance Committee chairperson, Sen. Loren Legarda for defending and working to keep the budget for free education,” said Sen. Bam.

However, Sen. Bam said there’s still work to be done once the law is rolled out. “We must ensure that the law is implemented properly for the benefit of our students,” said Sen. Bam.

Thanks to the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, tuition fees will be free in SUCs, LUCs and TESDA-run technical vocational schools.

Students will also be spared from paying miscellaneous and all other mandatory fees while scholarship grants will be made available to students of both public and private college and universities.

Under RA 10931, students can also avail of the new and improved student loan program, where they can apply for financing for other educational needs.

“Now that more Filipinos have access to a college education, let’s work on improving the quality of public education in the country,” stressed Sen. Bam.

 

 

Sen. Bam pushes for more players in internet, telco sector

In celebration of the World Competition Day, Sen. Bam Aquino announced that the Senate is moving forward with measures to remove barriers to competition in telecommunications and data transmission services.
 
“I am happy to announce that the Senate will start tackling the Open Access Bill in my Committee next week.” said Sen. Bam Aquino, the principal author of Senate Bill No. 171, otherwise known as the Open Access in Data Transmission Bill.
 
On Tuesday, the Committee on Science and Technology, chaired by Sen. Aquino, will hold its first hearing on the Open Access in Data Transmission Bill, which will formulate regulations to encourage the entry of more players in different segments of our telecommunications and data transmission industry, while ensuring that safeguards are in place to maintain fair competition.”
 
“The price of internet service in our country has been tagged as one of the most expensive in our region. Healthy competition is our best bet to promote affordability and finally improve services for the Filipino consumers,” said Sen. Bam, who is the principal sponsor and co-author of Republic Act 10667 or the Philippine Competition Act in the Senate during the 16th Congress.
 
It was during Sen. Bam’s tenure as chairman of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship that the Philippine Competition Act was passed into law. This landmark legislation took twenty-five (25 years) to pass.
 
The Philippine Competition Act is expected to eliminate cartels, and penalize anti-competitive agreements and abuses of dominant players in the markets that lead to high prices of goods and services.
 
In addition, the law promotes a culture of healthy competition that inspires ingenuity, creativity, and innovation in addressing market needs.
 
The measure will also prohibit anti-competitive agreements and abuses of dominant position that distort, manipulate, or constrict the operations of markets in the Philippines.

Sen. Bam calls on stakeholders, leaders to unite for education reform

After the passage of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, Sen. Bam Aquino called on different education stakeholders and leaders to unite and work together for education reform to give more Filipino students a chance at a better future. 
 
“Now that we’ve passed our major reform, giving more Filipinos access to a college education through the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, we must move to strengthen the quality of education in the country,” said Sen. Bam during his speech at the 2017 Philippine Education Summit. 
 
At the event, various stakeholders including the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills Deveopment Authority (TESDA) presented their accomplishments over the past year, the challenges that lay ahead and their plans to improve access to quality education in the Philippines. 
 
“Let’s work together to ensure that there is a seamless transition from student to employee or entrepreneur through strong academic-industry linkages,” added Sen. Bam. 
 
During his time as chairman of the Committee on Education in the 17th Congress, Sen. Bam worked with stakeholders in the crafting of reforms that can give more Filipinos access to quality education. 
 
While his chairmanship was a short one, Sen. Bam spearheaded the passage of one of the most important education reforms in the country –Republic Act 10931 or Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, which he pushed in the Senate as principal sponsor and co-author. 
 
The law provides free education to students in state universities and colleges, local universities and colleges and TESDA-run vocational schools. Aside from tuition fees, the government will shoulder miscellaneous and all other mandatory fees. 
 
Scholarship grants will be made available to students of both public and private college and universities. It also provides a new and improved student loan program, where students can apply for financing for other education expenses. 
 
In addition, students taking post-graduate studies can avail of the new and improved student loan program and scholarships under the law. 
 
During his speech, Sen. Bam has given his commitment to ensure that the law will be funded and implemented properly to ensure that “every Filipino has access to quality education and better opportunities to make a living.”

Sen. Bam pushes for more opportunities for PWDs

As the world celebrates International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Sunday (Dec. 3), Sen. Bam Aquino reiterated the call for the passage of his two measures that support Filipino PWDs and provide them with the needed assistance.

“We need to ensure that our PWDs are given proper assistance and opportunities to make a living,” said Sen. Bam, who filed Senate Bill No. 356 and 1249 in the 17th Congress.

 Under Senate Bill No. 1249, government agencies and private offices must allot two and one percent of their workforce, respectively, to PWDs.

“This bill seeks to create more job opportunities for PWDs in the workforce and provide commensurate compensation, benefits and employment terms for PWDs as any other qualified employee,” Sen. Bam said.

 Senate Bill No. 356 aims to provide mandatory Philhealth coverage for PWDs, to ensure that their health is protected.

 “Social services should be provided to those with the least in society. Health services should be provided to those who need it the most,” Sen. Bam said, referring to Senate Bill No. 356.

 The two measures aim to amend Republic Act 7277 or the “Magna Carta for Persons with Disability” to accommodate the latest benefits and privileges for PWDs.

 In the 16th Congress, Sen. Bam worked for the welfare of PWDs as co-author of Republic Act 10754 in the Senate. The law exempts PWDs from paying the value added tax (VAT) and gives tax incentives to persons with PWD dependents, up to fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity.

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