laws by bam aquino

Bam: CHED ‘out of touch’ on claim SUC students are ‘moneyed, non-poor’

Senator Bam Aquino described as “out of touch” the Commission on Higher Education’s claim that students in state colleges and universities (SUCs) are mostly moneyed and non-poor.

 “Three out of four ng estudyante sa SUC ay nagda-drop-out dahil kulang ang kanilang pambayad. Paano sila naging mayaman,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Education in the 17th Congress.

 Sen. Bam’s reaction came after CHED chairperson Patricia Licuanan said in a television interview that “only moneyed and non-poor students will enjoy the P8.3-billion budget for free tuition fee in SUCs”.

 While he admitted that the country’s “poorest of the poor” are not in college, Sen. Bam said many of the students in SUCs still come from families of minimum-wage earners.

 “Hindi masasabing sila ang poorest of the poor, pero kailangan pa rin nila ng tulong pinansiyal para makatapos ng kolehiyo,” said Sen. Bam.

As chairman of the Committee on Education, Sen. Bam said the institutionalization of free tuition in SUCs will keep students in schools and lead to more college graduates.

 “We want more people to get a degree. Sana sa tulong ng repormang ito, dumami pa ang college graduates sa Pilipinas na makatutulong sa kanilang pamilya sa malapit na hinaharap,” Sen. Bam said in a television interview.

Aquino filed Senate Bill No. 177 or the Free Higher Education for All Act giving free tuition fee to all students in SUCs.

 Aside from Sen. Bam’s bill, several senators have filed similar measures to institutionalize free college education in SUCs beyond the allocation of P8.3 billion in the 2017 budget.

“We’re very positive about it, we’re very hopeful about this bill, and we’re getting a lot of cross-party support. We hope to pass it as soon as possible,” said Sen. Bam.

Aside from free tuition fees in SUCs, Sen. Bam has also filed other education-related bills in the 17th Congress.

 Among them is the Senate Bill No. 1278 or Trabaho Centers in Schools Act, which recently hurdled the committee level and will be discussed in plenary this year.

Sen. Bam also wants to give out of school youth (OSY) in the country access to education through his Senate Bill No. 171 or the Abot Alam Bill, which seeks to institutionalize alternative learning system (ALS).

Bam: Microfinance NGOs Act to help eradicate “5-6”

The Microfinance NGOs Act will help the government’s plan to eliminate loan sharks or “5-6” as it will provide the poor with alternative low-interest, no-collateral financing, according to Sen. Bam Aquino.

 

“Sa Microfinance NGOs Act, may alternatibong malalapitan ang mahihirap at maliliit na negosyante para makakuha ng pautang sa mababang interes,” said Sen. Bam.

 

“Sa batas na ito, mailalayo ang mahihirap sa malaking interest na sinisingil ng loan sharks at masusuportahan ang pagnanais ng gobyerno na mabura ang 5-6,” the senator added.

 

During the 30th anniversary of 30th Anniversary of Center for Agriculture and Rural Development Mutually Reinforcing Institutions or CARD-MFI, one of the biggest MFI-NGO in the Philippines, Sen. Bam hailed the MFIs’ role in helping Filipino women entrepreneurs.

 

“When you look at the stories na lumalabas, apat na milyong kababaihan ang natutulungan na magnegosyo at makakuha ng tulong para sa kanilang, mas malaking income para sa kanilang mga anak,” said Sen. Bam.

 

“Maganda mapag-usapan ang kuwentong ito na nagdadala ng pag-asa sa kabila ng kuwentong patayan at tungkol sa drugs,” added Sen. Bam, who worked closely with MFIs as a social entrepreneur prior to being a senator.

 

Sen. Bam pushed for the passage of the Microfinance NGOs Act or Republic Act 10693 as co-author and principal sponsor in the Senate during his term as chairman of Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship in the 16th Congress.

 

In turn, MFI NGOs give Filipinos access to low-interest, no collateral loans to pay for housing, medical, and educational needs as well as loans for small businesses.

 

The law gives incentives to microfinance NGOs to continue helping Filipinos overcome poverty not just through financing but also through financial literacy, livelihood, and entrepreneurship training.

 

The law also provides microfinance NGOs needed support and incentives that includes access to government programs and projects, technical assistance and exemption from taxes.

 

“MFI NGOs aid our poor countrymen in times of inflation and price increases. They also provide financing and training for livelihood and small businesses so families can overcome poverty,” he said.

 

“Now that the MFI NGOs Act has been passed and the IRR signed, let’s push for its quick and effective implementation,” he added.

 

In 2013, MFI NGO members of the Microfinance Council of the Philippines, Inc. (MCPI) had a gross loan portfolio of over 15.26 billion pesos catering to more than 2.7 million micro-entrepreneurs.

 

Bam: Look after children during state of lawlessness, armed conflict

A senator called on concerned government agencies to ensure the welfare and safety of civilians, especially the children, affected by the administration’s drive against the Abu Sayyaf in Mindanao and the perpetrators of the Davao bombing.

 “The welfare of our Filipino children should be the utmost priority since they are one of the most vulnerable sectors during these times of lawlessness and armed conflict,” said Sen. Bam Aquino.

 According to Sen. Bam, Republic Act 10821, or the Children’s Emergency Relief and Protection Act provides utmost protection to Filipino children during disasters, calamities and armed conflicts.

 “Kasabay ng ating kampanya laban sa Abu Sayyaf, huwag nating kaligtaan ang kapakanan, pangangailangan at kaligtasan ng mga taong naaapektuhan ng bakbakan, lalo na ang mga bata,” said Sen. Bam, a co-author of the measure, which he filed during his tenure as chairman of the Committee on Youth in the 16th Congress.

 “Mahalagang matiyak natin na mayroon silang pansamantalang matutuluyan, pagkain, gamot, damit at iba pang pangangailangan habang naghihintay na maging normal ang sitwasyon sa kanilang lugar,” he added.

 The law gives priority to children during and after every disaster, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and man-made disasters such as war and armed conflict.

 It will also establish 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.

According to Sen. Bam, existing policies will also be reviewed to give better support to Filipino children, especially during disasters, calamities or in armed conflict to help lessen trauma, restore normalcy quickly and build their resilience better.

 “We will continue to work in protecting our Filipino children during disasters, calamities, or armed conflict, but also to reduce trauma and build their resistance to these threats,” he added.

Sufficient Change for Consumers has Come

Consumers can better demand for sufficient change from establishments now that Republic Act 10909 or the No Shortchanging Act lapsed into law last July 21, according to Sen. Bam Aquino.
 
Sen. Bam sponsored the measure penalizing establishments that shortchange consumers in the 16th Congress, during his term as chairman of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.
 
In his sponsorship speech, Sen. Bam said the Act aims to promote a culture of decency, integrity, and professionalism among Filipino businesses.
 
By giving consumers what they are due, down to the last centavo, Sen. Bam said it breeds the values of precision and fairness that should permeate through all Filipino businesses, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
 
“Naniniwala tayo na madadala at mapakikinabangan ng mga negosyanteng Pilipino ang kasanayang ito kapag lumaki at lumago ang kanilang negosyo,” Sen. Bam said.
 
The bill penalizes first-time violators with a 500-peso fine while the second offense will warrant a three-month suspension of the establishment’s license to operate along with a fine of 15,000 pesos.
 
The third violation will result in the revocation of the establishment’s license to operate and a fine of 25,000 pesos.
 
However, the law allows establishments to give more than the exact change, if situation calls for it.
 
With its passage, Sen. Bam now has 16 laws to his name, including the Philippine Competition Act, Go Negosyo Act, Foreign Ships Co-Loading Act, Lemon Law, Microfinance NGOs Act, Youth Entrepreneurship Act and Credit Surety Act.
 
As chairman of the Committee on Youth in the 16th Congress, Sen. Bam co-authored and co-sponsored the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act, the first law in the country with an anti-political dynasty provision.
 
In addition, Sen. Bam authored or co-authored other laws, such as the Act Authorizing Punong Barangay to Administer Oath of any Government Official, Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, Election Service Reform Act, Children’s Emergency Relief and Protection Act, Tax Relief for PWDs Act, Closed Caption Broadcasting for Television Act and the law establishing the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

Bam: Over 250 Negosyo Centers, Youth Entrepreneurship Act to help solve unemployment

Sen. Bam Aquino believes two of his laws in the 16th Congress — the Go Negosyo Act and the Youth Entrepreneurship Act – will help address the unemployment problem in the country through the development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

 “These two laws are aimed at generating fresh jobs and other livelihood opportunities by providing MSMEs with the right support to help them grow,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

 “By giving MSMEs a conducive environment where they can succeed, confident that they can help generate fresh jobs and other livelihood opportunities for Filipinos,” he added.

 Trade Secretary Mon Lopez, for his part, said the agency will be giving an extra push in creating more entrepreneurs and registering more enterprises that will employ more Filipinos.

 The DTI will also focus on helping MSMEs on many aspects, in terms of money and market access, according to Lopez.

 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 (Republic Act No. 10679).

 Sen. Bam’s pronouncement came after a Social Weather Stations (SWS) revealed that some 11 million adults were without work in the first quarter of 2016, about two million more than the previous quarter.

 The SWS first quarter poll pegged the joblessness rate at 23.9 percent, compared to 2015’s fourth quarter rate of 21.4 percent or equivalent to 9.1 million adults unemployed. It was also the highest since 2014’s fourth quarter rate of 27 percent.

 At present, Sen. Bam said 252 Negosyo Centers are already up and running, catering to the needs of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in different parts of the country.

 The Youth Entrepreneurship Act, for its part, encourages young would-be entrepreneurs to establish their own business by providing them access to capital and other support.

 The law creates financial literacy modules in all levels of Philippine education, to inculcate a culture of enterprise development among the Filipino youth.

 Aside from the Go Negosyo Act and the Youth Entrepreneurship Act, Sen. Bam also worked for the passage of other MSME-related laws such as Philippine Competition Act, Microfinance NGOs Act, Credit Surety Act and the Foreign Ships Co-Loading Act or Amendments to the Cabotage Policy.

 In the 17th Congress, Sen. Bam has already filed the 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. 170 or Trabaho Center in Schools Bill to create a job placement office or Trabaho Center to assist Senior High School graduates who opt to find employment and help them find those opportunities.

Bam fulfills campaign promise to alleviate poverty through Entrepreneurship, Employment and Education

In 2013, Sen. Bam Aquino ran with a campaign promise of uplifting lives of Filipino families and fighting poverty through education, employment, and entrepreneurship or the 3Es.

 In his first three years, Sen. Bam Aquino laid the foundation for the growth of micro and small businesses, improved access to financing for entrepreneurs, lowered logistics costs for imported and exported goods, and ensured the financial literacy of generations to come.

 During the 16th Congress, he worked for the passage of 14 laws in line with his commitment to the Filipino people. Nine of these laws were aligned with his advocacy to build an effective support network for local business, particularly the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and promote ease of doing business.

 These are the landmark Philippine Competition Act, Go Negosyo Act, Foreign Ships Co-Loading Act or Amendments to the Cabotage Policy, Youth Entrepreneurship Act, Microfinance NGOs Act, Credit Surety Act, Lemon Law, the Customs Modernization and Tarrif Act, and the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) Act.

 After gathering dust for more than two decades, the Philippine Competition Act was finally enacted into law thanks to Sen. Bam Aquino’s efforts as co-author and principal sponsor in the Senate.

 Dubbed by Sen. Bam as a “historic, game-changing legislation for the economy”, the Philippine Competition Act or Republic Act 10667 provides a level-playing field for all businesses and penalizes bad market behavior and abuse of dominant positions.

 The law expected to improve the quality and lower the prices of goods and services by eliminating cartels, and penalizing anti-competitive agreements and abuses of dominant players in the market.

 The Go Negosyo Act, the first law passed by Sen. Bam in the 16th Congress, mandates the establishment of Negosyo Centers in all municipalities, cities and provinces that will assist micro, small and medium enterprises in the country.

 “This is a part of our pledge to work for the development of MSMEs to help create jobs and livelihood for many Filipinos and spur the country’s economy,” said Sen. Bam, the youngest senator in the 16th Congress.

 There are already 200 Negosyo Centers catering to the needs of struggling entrepreneurs in the country, from returning OFWs and carinderia owners to farmers and social entrepreneurs.

 As chairman of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship, he also initiated investigations into the slow and expensive Internet in the country and the congestion in the Port of Manila.

 The investigation produced several triumphs that will help improve the Internet service in the country, including the much-awaited IP Peering between Globe and PLDT.

 In the 17th Congress, he is expected to head the Committee on Education, hoping to elevate the quality of Philippine education, particularly in our public schools to global standards so that more young Filipinos can build a brighter future for themselves and their family.

 Sen. Bam has already filed four education-related measures such as the Free Education in State Colleges and Universities (SUCs), Free Education for Children of Public School Teachers’ Children, Abot Alam, and the Trabaho Center in Schools bills.

 Even with education on his mind, he continues to push for his social entrepreneurship advocacy and is still building a robust support system for small business with the filing of bills to support Small Business Tax Reform, Startups, and Social Enterprises, among others.

 Sen. Bam is relentless in his pursuit to fulfill his campaign promise of the 3Es to achieve inclusive growth and help Filipino families overcome poverty.

BIDA KA!: Unang tatlong taon

Mga Bida, napakabilis talaga ng takbo ng panahon.

Parang kailan lang, kasisimula lang ng ating anim na taong termino bilang inyong mambabatas. Sariwa pa nga sa ating isip noong tayo’y iproklama bilang isa sa mga nagwaging senador noong 2013.

Pagsapit ng Hulyo a-uno, mangangangalahati na ang ating panununungkulan sa Senado.  Tama nga ang kasabihang lumilipad ang oras kapag nag-e-enjoy tayo sa ating trabaho, lalo na kung ito’y para sa bayan.

Nais nating ibalita sa inyo ang mga batas na ating iniakda, isinumite at naisabatas sa nakalipas na tatlong taon.

Labing-apat sa mga panukala na ating iniakda o inisponsoran ang naisabatas, kabilang dito ang Go Negosyo Act, Fair Competition Act, Foreign Ships Co-Loading Act, Lemon Law, Microfinance NGO Act, Youth Entrepreneurship Act, Credit Surety Act, SK Reform Act, An Act Authorizing Punong Barangay to Administer Oath of any Government Official;

Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, Election Service Reform Act, Children’s Emergency Relief and Protection Act, Tax Relief para sa PWDs at ang pagtatatag ng Department of Information and Communications Technology.

Walo sa mga ito ay dumaan sa ating kumite, ang Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship, habang ang iba naman ay dininig ng iba pang komite sa Senado.

May tatlo pang naghihintay ng pirma ni Pangulong Aquino.  Ito ay ang Anti-Discrimination Law, Closed Caption Broadcasting for Television at No Shortchanging Act, kaya may tsansa tayo’y magkaroon ng labimpitong batas sa pagpasok ng 17th Congress.

***

Una sa listahan natin ay ang ating kauna-unahan at paboritong panukalang Go Negosyo Act, na nagtatakdang magtayo ng mga Negosyo Centers na tutulong a ating mga negosyanteng mapalago ang kanilang mga kabuhayan at makadagdag ng trabaho para sa ating mga kababayan.

Sa kasalukuyan, nasa 170 na ang Negosyo Centers sa bansa at inaasahan pa ang pag-akyat ng bilang nito ngayong may inilaang P394 million sa 2016 budget para sa paglalagay ng dagdag na sangay ngayong taon.

Noong nakaraang taon din, naisabatas din natin ang Philippine Competition Act makalipas ang halos 30 taong paghihintay.

Ang nasabing batas ay maituturing na makasaysayan at game changer para sa ekonomiya ng bansa dahil mawawala na ang anumang kartel at pang-aabuso sa maliliit na negosyo tulad sa industriya ng sibuyas at bawang.

Dahil may kumpetisyon sa merkado, magreresulta ito sa abot-kaya at de-kalidad na produkto at serbisyo at magkakaroon ng maraming pagpipilian ang mga mamimili tulad sa industriya ng Internet connection, na sa ngayo’y napakabagal at napakamahal.

***

Sa unang pagkakataon din, nakapagpasa tayo ng batas na may anti-dynasty provision sa SK Reform Act o Republic Act No. 10742.

Sa SK Reform Act,  bawal nang tumakbo ang mga kamag-anak ng nahalal at nahirang na opisyal bilang miyembro ng SK, hanggang sa tinatawag na second level of consanguinity.

Itinaas din ang edad ng SK officials patungong 18 hanggang 24 taong gulang, upang maging ligal ang pagpasok nila sa mga kontrata at mapapanagot sa kanilang aksiyon.

Kailangan na ring sumailalim sa leadership training programs ang mga SK official upang magkaroon sila ng sapat na kaalaman sa pagtupad sa tungkulin.

Maliban dito, itinatakda ng SK Reform Act ang pagtatatag ng Local Youth Development Council (LYDC), na siyang tutulong sa mga pinuno ng SK sa pagbalangkas ng mga programa’t proyekto para sa mga kabataan at titiyak sa paglahok ng mas maraming grupo ng mga kabataan.

***

Noong Agosto 27, 2015 naman, naibatas ang Youth Entrepreneurship Act, na layong bawasan ang lumalaking bilang ng kabataang walang trabaho sa bansa.

Sa Youth Entrepreneurship Act, maglalagay ng mga module ng financial literacy at pagnenegosyo sa curriculum ng elementary, secondary at tertiary schools sa buong bansa.

Sa tulong ng batas, bibigyan din ang mga kabataang nais magsimula ng negosyo ng access financing, training, market linkages at iba pang tulong na kailangan sa pagpapatakbo ng negosyo.

Mga Bida, ito’y unang tatlong taon pa lang. Asahan niyo na lalo pa nating pag-iibayuhin ang pagtatrabaho sa susunod na tatlong taon para sa inyong kapakanan.

Bam: Children now Protected during Disasters, Calamities

The measure that will provide utmost protection to Filipino children during disasters, calamities and armed conflicts is now a law, according to Sen. Bam Aquino.

In a simple ceremony in Malacanang Tuesday, President Aquino signed Republic Act 10821, or the “Children’s Emergency Relief and Protection Act.

“We welcome the enactment of this measure into law. This is timely especially with the La Nina phenomenon expected to hit the country in the coming months,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Youth and a co-author of the measure in the Senate.

The law 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.

It will also establish 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.

“While we have already made big improvements in the field of disaster risk reduction on a national and local level, now we have the opportunity to target our Filipino children, one of the most vulnerable sectors during times of calamity,” said Sen. Bam.

According to Sen. Bam, existing policies will also be reviewed to give better support to Filipino children, especially during disasters, calamities or in armed conflict to help lessen trauma, restore normalcy quickly and build their resilience better.

“We will continue to work in protecting our Filipino children during disasters, calamities, or armed conflict, but also to reduce trauma and build their resistance to these threats,” he added.

During the onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda, Aquino said an estimated six million children were affected, according to data from Save the Children. 

“A national program is crucial in the most vulnerable areas of the country, where the experience of prolonged displacement would have a profound impact on the children’s sense of security, physical and emotional well-being,” Sen. Bam said.

This is Aquino’s 13th law in less than three years as senator.

Bam: Barangay Captains Can Now Administer Oath to Next PH President

Sen. Bam Aquino’s measure empowering barangay captains to administer the oath of office to the country’s next president has been signed into law by President Aquino.
 
The Chief Executive has signed Republic Act No. 10755 last March 29, 2016, which will give barangay chairmen power to administer oath of office of any government official, including the President of the Philippines.
 
“By empowering the Punong Barangay to administer oaths is an affirmation and recognition of its critical role in our society,” said Aquino, co-author of the measure.
 
Aside from carrying out government programs and projects in the barangay level, the Punong Barangay also serves as the leader and a source of legitimacy by its constituents,” the senator added.
 
The new law will amend Chapter 1, Section 41 of Executive Order 292 to include barangay captains among officers who have general authority to administer oath.
 
Barangay captains will join other officials who have the authority to administer oath to any government official, among them the President, Vice President, Members and Secretaries of Both Houses of Congress and Members of the Judiciary.
 
Under EO 292, officials who have the power to administer oath are Members of the judiciary, department secretaries, governors, vice governors, city mayors, municipal mayors, bureau directors, regional directors, clerks of court; registrars of deeds and other civilian officers in the government whose appointments are vested in the President and are subject to confirmation by the Commission on Appointments.
 
Other constitutional officers, public attorney’s office (PAO) and notaries public are also empowered to administer oath.
 
This is Aquino’s 10th law in less than three years as senator. Recently, Sen. Bam’s measure giving value-added tax exemption to persons with disabilities has been signed into law.

Bam: Consumers now Protected against Shortchanging

Consumers will soon be protected against shortchanging with the bicameral conference committee’s approval of the measure penalizing establishments that shortchange consumers, according to the bill’s primary sponsor Sen. Bam Aquino.

The bicameral conference committee recently consolidated the versions of both houses. After both houses ratify the bicameral conference committee report, the bill will be transmitted to Malacanang for President Aquino’s signature.

The measure, known as the No Shortchanging Act, aims to promote consumer protection and the continued professionalization of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

“This measure will require that price tags reflect the exact price to remind customers to make sure they aren’t shortchanged,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

The measure prohibits the giving of insufficient or no change and the giving of change in any form other than money, such as candy or other items.

The bill penalizes first-time violators with a 500-peso fine while the second offense will warrant a three-month suspension of the establishment’s license to operate along with a fine of 15,000 pesos.

The third violation will result in the revocation of the establishment’s license to operate and a fine of 25,000 pesos.

In his sponsorship speech, Sen. Bam said the measure promotes a culture of weaving decency, integrity, and professionalism among Filipino entrepreneurs.

The senator emphasized that giving consumers what they are due, down to the last centavo, breeds a culture of precision and fairness that should permeate through all Filipino businesses.

“Naniniwala tayo na madadala at mapakikinabangan ng mga negosyanteng Pilipino ang kasanayang ito kapag lumaki at lumago ang kanilang negosyo,” Sen. Bam said.

If approved by President Aquino, this will be Sen. Bam’s 10th law for the 16th Congress.

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