Entrepreneurial Farmer

by Ambrosio R. Villorente

2 years after yolanda

    After Two (2) years on the ground, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Aklan Chapter has done so much and its works still continues.

PRC Aklan provided food items to 14,750 families while 19,217 families received non-food items like plastic mats, blankets, mosquito nets, jerry cans, tarpaulins, tents, kitchen sets, hygiene kits and shelter repair kits.

   PRC Aklan constructed core shelters in Balete - 2,331; Banga - 1,345; Lezo - 150; Libacao - 1,234; Madalag  - 1,535; and New Washington - 2,290. Moreover, it constructed six (6) health facilities: four (4) in Balete, and Two (2) in Madalag. In education, PRC Aklan put up three (3) classrooms in Balete; eight (8) in Libacao, and seven (7) in Madalag. 

    Furthermore, PRC  Aklan, to start a livelihood project, provided cash of 20,000 pesos per family in Altavas - 1,066; Balete - 1, 674; Banga - 1,634; Libacao - 669; Madalag -  1, 240; and New Washington - 449. PRC also provided skills trainings to 86 individuals, six (6) of whom are already gainfully employed. Some 4,138 individuals were trained in Disaster Risk Reduction 

All these completed projects were turned over to the recipients in a Turn Over Ceremonies held in Dumaguit, New Washington, Aklan on Thursday morning, November 12. The ceremony was presided by Hon. Richard J. Gordon, PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer with New Washington Mayor Edgar Peralta.

    In the afternoon of the same day, a simple program was held in ABL Sports Complex, Capitol Site, Kalibo, Aklan. The program was attended by representatives from Aklan, Antique, and

Capiz.

   During the program, the Livelihood Recovery Program, Skills Training and Enterprise Development, Graduation and Community Managed Livelihood Project were discussed, and the MOA Signing was held.   

     Atty. Ronquillo C. Tolentino, PRC Aklan chapter chairman, BOD welcomed the guests, visitors and participants. Mr. Dennis Saneo discussed the Livelihood Recovery Program.

Vice Gov. Billie V. Colizo-Quimpo delivered a message in behalf of Gov. Miraflores who was not able to attend the affair.  Mr. Karl  Isomaa, head of Philippine Delegation, International Federation of Red Cross also gave a message. Skills Training Beneficiaries from Aklan – Simon Sisno and Ma. Elie Abegale Cortes;  Cyferian B. Elenon – Anteque; and Capiz - Gladys B. Dichoa  gave their respective messages.

    Hon. Plaridel M. Morania introduced the guest speaker, PRC Chairman and CEO, Hon. Richard J. Gordon.

    The beneficiaries of the CMLP also gave their respective messages before the program ended who are from Brgy. Magubilan, Panay, Capiz; Brgy. Lumaynay, Altavas, Aklan; Brgy. Maria, Lauaan,  Antique; and Brgy. Idio, Sebaste, Antique.  

The program ended with the Memorandum of Agreement signing between the PRC and the Community Managed Livelihood Program. Photo session followed Ms. Jasmine Gallaza acted as Master of Ceremony. 

AMENDMENTS TO LAWS GOVERNING 

FOREIGN CORPORATIONS

    Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., through Senate Resolution No. 1623, called for a Senate inquiry to clarify the ambiguity of foreign corporations owning and operating businesses that pertain to construction in the Philippines.

 Should the inquiry result in amendments to the existing law, Republic Act (RA) No. 4566 or the Contractor’s License Law, this will most likely result to an increase in job generation and foreign direct investments, a policy that ultimately benefits Filipinos.

  Under Republic Act No. 4566, the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (as amended by Presidential Decree No. 1746) or the PCAB is authorized to “adopt reasonable necessary rules and regulations to effect the classification of contractors in a manner consistent with established usage and procedure as found in the construction business, and may limit the field and scope of the operations of a licensed contractor to those in which he is classified to engage.”

   Marcos said that the PCAB itself has proposed amendments to the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the said law to address the apparent ambiguity.

 Meanwhile, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued a legal opinion in 2009 that a 100 percent foreign-owned construction firm, without being the project proponent, can undertake the “construction stage” of an infrastructure project, subject to certain minimum paid-up capital requirements.

   “The establishment of foreign equity restrictions in certain fields of economic activity is an important question of national policy which needs to be thoroughly and extensively discussed and studied by Congress, in consultation with appropriate government agencies and key stakeholders in the Philippine construction industry and other relevant private sector groups,” Marcos concluded/MP