Editorial

SEARCHING VIABLE SOLUTIONS ON ISSUE OF INTERNAL DISPLACEMENTS

Loss of lives, properties and livelihood, fear for safety, survival, and of what the future holds. 

These are the many issues being faced by thousands of Filipinos whenever a country is hit by a natural or man-made disaster.

From the crisis brought by the Zamboanga City siege, the devastating earthquakes in Bohol and Cebu, Typhoon Yolanda destruction in Tacloban City, Aklan, and many parts in the Visayas, to the looming Typhoon Hagupit, and Mayon Volcano eruption in Albay. These events only show that the Philippines is prone to all kinds of natural calamities and man-made conflicts. The people who are caught in between these unfortunate scenarios should be assisted immediately and sufficiently.

How can the government address the plight of these people, and empower them to have their lives and dignity back?

As a Mindanaoan who experienced and witnessed the havoc brought by both natural and man-made disasters, Senator Teofisto “TG” Guingona III is pushing for the passage of the bill that aims to promote and protect the rights and dignity of internally displaced persons (IDPs) throughout the Philippines.

Senate Bill No. 2368, otherwise known as “An Act Protecting The Rights of Internally Displaced Persons and Penalizing The Acts of Arbitrary Internal Displacement,” proposes that the government should adopt as a State policy a rights-based approach to internal displacement. The bill promotes and protects the rights of IDPs in situations of armed conflict, generalized and/organized violence, clan wars (like in Libacao, Aklan), violations of human rights, implementation of development projects and human-made hazards.

“Internal displacement is a common phenomenon in the Philippines brought about mostly by long-standing insurgencies, as well as natural and man-made calamities, among others. Involuntary displacement is a serious social problem that needs to be addressed as it results in loss of lives and properties, psychological trauma, family disintegration, disruption in education, loss of employment, anarchy, and over-all vulnerability, among others,” he said.

Sen. Guingona has set a public hearing on November 27, Thursday for the proposed IDP measure to look for viable solutions on the different problems and concerns faced by thousands of displaced people throughout the country.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), there are still 38,000 people who are still displaced in Zamboanga City. In the Visayas, there are still 25,000 people who are living in transitional sites that still require inter-sectoral assistance, and another 95,000 households (475,000 people) are living in unsafe or inadequate makeshift shelters. In Albay, there are 53,000 evacuees living in 50 evacuation centers.

The issues on food and water safety, privacy, rape, trafficking, prostitution, and shelter, among others are the concerns that affect the IDPs, especially the women, children, senior citizens and people with disabilities.

Sen. Guingona’s bill proposes to address the many conditions now being faced by many of our countrymen in different parts of the Philippines.

“IDPs should not be considered merely as ‘collateral damage’ of armed conflict or other humanitarian emergencies, as each one of us has a stake in human security and development. It is also sobering to note that every person in the Philippines is susceptible to becoming an IDP,” Sen. Guingona stressed. /MP

SAFEGUARDS TO DETER ABUSE OF LUMP-SUMS IN 2015 BUDGET

SAFEGUARDS TO DETER ABUSE 

OF LUMP-SUMS IN 2015 BUDGET

Senator Chiz Escudero said there are enough safeguards in the 2015 spending package crafted by the Senate to ensure that lump sum items will be used properly.

Escudero allayed fears that the lump sum items in next year’s budget veil pork items for legislators, saying that the Senate-approved budget is compliant with the Supreme Court decision on the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) and the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), and that measures are in place to deter abuse.

“There are really lump sum items in the budget but it is different from having pork. These items are really necessary and give the government the necessary flexibility,” Escudero explained. “But these lump sums were made temporary only because we require them, just very much like what we did in 2014, to submit special budget in accordance with the Revised Administrative Code.”

He said the High Court itself did not declare lump sum as unconstitutional, only the post-intervention of legislators which the Senate has addressed.

Escudero said in Sec. 63 of the GAA, lump sum appropriations shall be released upon compliance with the requirements under special provisions which will be submitted to Congress. It shall include the complete details of the programs, activities and projects covering the lump sum appropriations.

In the Senate’s budget version, the total lump sum items amount to P1.862 trillion. The total programmed appropriation is P1.734 trillion, and total unprogrammed allocation is P123.056 billion.

Lump sum appropriations under the Programmed Funds include Contingency Fund or standby fund for unforeseen events - P2 billion; Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Program to complement the expenses based on the recommendation of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery - P20 billion; E-Government Fund for interconnectivity and ICT requirements of all government agencies - P1 billion; and International Committees Fund - P10.7 billion.

 It also includes P90.4 billion for the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund which covers the benefits of government workers; P14 billion for National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund; P127.1 billion for Pension and Gratuity Fund to cover the standby fund for those who will retire from government service.

 Among the items under the Unprogrammed Funds are the AFP Modernization, Additional Subsidy to Napocor, the proposed supplemental budget for Rehabilitation Fund amounting to P20 billion, P9 billion for MRT3 acquisition, and P3 billion Trade Remedies Fund.

Escudero explained that the Unprogrammed Funds can be funded only when the state revenues exceed the target for the fiscal year. “It is a standby authority on the part of the Executive to spend money only when there is excess in the revenue collection.”

“In accordance with the DAP decision of the High Court, it is necessary to secure certification from the National Treasury that there is exist money in the Treasury. 

Both the Senate and the House of Representatives will convene for the bicameral conference on Tuesday, December 2 to reconcile their budget versions. /MP

COURT SPARES OFW IN SAUDI FROM BEHEADING

COURT SPARES OFW IN

SAUDI FROM BEHEADING

Vice President Jejomar C. Binay said an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) in Saudi death row has been spared from beheading after his victim’s legal heirs forgave him for his crime.

Binay also asked the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to expedite the release of the blood money so OFW Jonard Langamin can spend Christmas with his family.

Langamin is currently detained at the Dammam Reformatory Jail who needs to settle the blood money demanded by his victim’s heirs.

Once the needed amount has been given to the victim’s family, Judge Sheikh Ahmad Najmi Al Otaibe of the Dammam High Court will schedule a marathon hearing for the closure of the public right aspect of the case and eventually decide on Langamin’s immediate deportation.

The private right aspect of the case concerns the negotiations between the family of the victim and the accused. Meanwhile, the public right aspect of the case represents the criminal liability of the accused to the state.

Langamin is a seafarer who was charged with murder before the Dammam High Court in Saudi Arabia for killing a fellow Filipino, Robertson Mendoza in 2008.

Mendoza’s family initially asked P5 million as blood money, which was lowered to P2 million after Binay reconciled both families during a meeting at the Coconut Palace.

Langamin was expected to be released in March 2012 after Mendoza’s father signed an affidavit of forgiveness. The court, however, ruled that Mendoza’s mother, Rosemarie Santiago, should be the official representative of the family.

According to Binay, on November 3, Judge Sheikh Ahmad Najmi Al Otaibe accepted the affidavit presented by Santiago and as a result, Langamin will no longer be beheaded.

Meanwhile, Binay assured other detained Filipino workers abroad that the government continues to monitor their cases and strives to secure their freedom. /MP

GMA Network Partners With KASAFI For Ati-Atihan 2015

GMA Network Partners With 

KASAFI For Ati-Atihan 2015

Present in the partnership signing are (l to r): KASAFI Vice Chairman Lilibeth T. Goboy; KASAFI Chairman Albert A. Meñez; GMA Regional TV First Vice President Rikki O. Escudero; GMA Regional TV AVP & Head of Regional Strategy and Business Development Division Oliver Victor B. Amoroso; and GMA Western Visayas Station Manager Jonathan V. Cabillon.

For the fifth consecutive year, GMA Network, Inc. sealed a partnership with the  Municipality  of  Kalibo  and Kalibo’s Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Foundation, Inc. (KASAFI) to mount one of the country’s highly anticipated festivals—the Ati-Atihan 2015.

The MOA Signing held last November 13 at the studio of GMA TV Iloilo, formalized GMA’s role as the Strategic Partner of the events and festivities slated for the “Mother of all Philippine Festivals.” Through the partnership, GMA is scheduled to promote Ati-Atihan 2015 across the country thereby making every Filipino a witness to the grand celebration.

GMA’s participation in 2015 promises to be more special as it brings the Network’s prime stars, led by no less than  Asia ‘s Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid. It is expected to be an “all-party and all-positive vibe,” highlighted by lively production numbers for the enjoyment of all Kapusong Aklanons. /MP

CONGRESS APPROVES P82K TAX EXEMPTION CAP OF 13TH MONTH PAY, BONUSES

CONGRESS APPROVES P82K TAX EXEMPTION CAP OF 13TH MONTH PAY, BONUSES

Millions of Filipino workers in offices and factories will take home the full amount of their “13th month pay and other benefits” as both chambers of Congress formally agreed to set the tax exempt ceiling at P82,000.

The House of Representatives adopted Senate Bill 2437 as its own version of the proposal. In a 14-0 vote, the Senators approved on third and final reading the bill raising the tax cap for the 13th-month pay and other benefits from P30,000 to P82,000.

House Committee on Ways and Means Vice Chairman Sharon S. Garin supports the move of her fellow lawmakers to adopt the senate version.

Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares said in one of the senate hearings that P30,000 in 1994 would be worth around P82,000 today; hence, the basis of the senate version raising the tax exemption.

“Teachers, factory workers, call center agents, and other wage earners should be given time-off from tax burdens at the end of the year. Less deduction from the take-home pay of employees would boost their purchasing power which would translate to economic growth,” said Rep. Garin.

Only President Benigno Simeon Aquino III’s signature is needed before employees and workers can benefit from the tax exemption.

Once signed into a law, the Department of Finance and the Bureau of Internal Revenue will craft the implementing rules and regulations.

Rep. Garin thinks that the tax drain from the tax exemption will be compensated by increases in corporate income tax, VAT and indirect taxes because consumers will spend more. /MP

Drilon Urges Bike Lanes On Roads On National Bicycle Day

Drilon Urges Bike Lanes 

On Roads On National Bicycle Day

As the country celebrates its first National Bicycle Day on November 23, Sen. Pres. Franklin M. Drilon reiterated his challenge for heads of local government units (LGUs) and the DPWH to start making major roads friendlier to bikers and other travelers using environmentally-sound forms of transportation.  

Drilon made the statement as a coalition of private and public groups are spearheading the 1st National Bicycle Day, a nationwide event where cyclists from North and South Metro Manila, Pampanga, Iloilo and Davao will conduct simultaneous rides throughout major roads in their localities.

Drilon said that the government must be more serious about promoting biking and non-motorized forms of mobility which “is a sound method of reducing traffic and air pollution.”

“I agree with every Filipino who has made biking their means of transport and hobby and that not only it promotes a healthier lifestyle, it can also provide some answers to our transportation and environmental woes,” he said. 

Drilon said, the government should not ignore biking as a potent way of bringing down the levels of air and noise pollution in metropolitan areas:  “Considering the benefits and rewards of biking, we should adopt it as part of our anti-pollution strategy.”

Such a strategy is neither “impractical nor impossible,” noting that examples of bicycle-friendly road systems already exist in the country.

“This is the case for several road projects in Iloilo, such as the road-widening project along the 10-km Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue in Iloilo, a six-lane highway, a pedestrian lane and a 5-m paved bike lane extending from the Jaro District, Iloilo City to the Iloilo International Airport,” Drilon noted. 

Furthermore, he explained how a 14-km circumferential road connecting Arevalo District in Iloilo City and the coastal road in Dumangas town in Iloilo, “was designed to include a 2-meter painted bike lane throughout its entire span.” 

“What is really necessary is the cooperation and commitment between local leaders and national agencies, along with strong grassroots support, to effect these type of environmental reforms,” Drilon said. /MP

RAINWATER HARVESTING FOR SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION

RAINWATER HARVESTING 

FOR SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION

Filipino farmers troubled by poor harvests due to poor irrigation will soon have more than 10,000 rainwater harvesting systems they need with the passage of House Bill 4539 authored by AAMBIS-Owa party-list Representative Sharon S. Garin.

The consolidated bill of the House of Representatives, HB 4539, awaits the Senate version of the bill on soil and water conservation.

The House Committee on Agriculture’s consolidated bill is largely based on Garin’s proposal.

HB 4539 or the proposed Soil and Water Conservation Act seeks to establish at least 10,000 rainwater harvesting systems and a thousand Soil and Water Conversion Guided Farms across the country.

These farm support systems are meant to save water and mitigate the destructive power of heavy rain and flashfloods to farms.

“So instead of the farmers fearing heavy rains engulfing their farmlands, farmers will begin to take advantage of the massive adequate rainwater harvesting facilities to collect water which will be used to sustain production during dry spell,” Rep. Garin said.

State-weather bureau PAGASA said the Philippines has an average annual rainfall of 2,400 millimeters more than enough to meet the demand for crop production.

“However, this amount of rainfall is not evenly distributed throughout the year in most parts of the country. There is too much rainfall in some areas resulting to severe soil erosion and flooding; while in other parts of the country, there is too little rain to support crop production especially during summer,” Bureau of Soil and Water Management (BSWM) Soil Conservation and Management Division Chief Sammy Contreras said.

The funding of this will come from the budget of the Department of Agriculture. BSWM supports the passage of the bill, saying that most watersheds across the nation are already deteriorating due to indiscriminate logging and slash-and-burn (kaingin) practices. /MP

Sugilanon Ni Tita Linda

Amnesya

by Tita Linda Belayro

Samtang naga pamasyar si Prinsesa Betty sa isaeang ka busay, nadumpilas imaw bosa nahueog ag inapok sa liwan it palasyo. Nag-kagulo sa palasyo. Guin inusoy imaw ogaling owa guid makita. Sa uwa magbuhay, guin bilang imaw nga patay.

Inanod sa isaeang ka isla. Naduea-an man it alinto ag guinsapopo ko mag-asawa nga owa man it unga. Bangod owa man hikilaea, guin hingaeanan imaw kay Rhoda. Nagdaeaga imaw ogaling owa pa guihapon magbalik ro anang nakataliwan.

Samtang nagapaha-um imaw ko anang leksyon, nabasahan nana rong historya it isaeang ka kaharian nga may naduea nga prinsesa. May kon anong kusog nga naga tueod kana nga adtunan rondayang kaharian nga sa tabok eamang ko rondayang isla. Sayod ni Princesa Betty rong pasikot sikot ko rondayang palasyo. Bo-ot nana nga sudlon ogaling guin sita imaw it gwardya. Nag-libot imaw ag naka-abot sa idaeum it palasyo. Iya imaw dati nagapalipas it oras pagkatapos it hampang. Nagsueod imaw ag nagderetso sa may piresuhan. May hakita imaw nga guin preso nga mag-asawa. Hakibot imaw kat anang makita nga rong marka ko anang abaga hay kapares man ko marka sa kulentas ko eaeaki. 

Nagpaeapit imaw ag guin pakita nana ro anang marka sa anang abaga. Nagkilaea sanda ag nagpromesa nga pagabuligan nana ro anang ina ag ama. Guinpreso ro anang ama kat nagmasakit sa pagkaduea ko anang unga. Guin eogos rong kaharian ko anang tiyo nga ministro.

Pagkaguwa nana sa piresuhan, nagdiretso si Prinsesa Betty sa ministrong hari. Nagpakilaea imaw nga imaw rong nadueang prinsesa. Owa imaw pagpatihe. Ogaling pagbo-oe nana ko anang balabal ag guin pakita rong escudo it kaharian, tanan ro una sa palasyo hay nagpati. 

Anang guin mandu-an ro mga guwardya nga dakpon rong hari. Nag tuman rong tanan. Guin paguwa rong hari ag reyna agod ipabueong. Nag-uli anay imaw sa andang baeay sa isla ag sueangon rong ina ag ama. Nagbakod rong hari ag reyna. Nagbalik rong mayad nga pagdumaea it hari. Nag balik man ro anang nakataliwan ag imaw rong mabahoe nga kabulig sa palasyo nga naga bantay sa hari ag reyna. /MP

Senate Okays P82k Tax Exemption Hike For Bonuses

Senate Okays P82k Tax 

Exemption Hike For Bonuses

Employees from both private and public sectors can expect bigger take home-pay soon, with the Senate’s approval of a bill seeking to raise the tax exemption ceiling of 13th-month pay and other benefits from P30,000 to P82,000.

Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, co-author and sponsor of Senate Bill 2437, said, “once the bill is enacted into law, employees receiving 13th-month pay and other benefits, including Christmas and productivity bonuses, not exceeding P82,000 will be exempted from tax.”

The original bill pegged the ceiling for tax-exempt bonuses at P75, 000. It was raised to P82, 000 upon the proposal of Senator Ralph Recto during plenary deliberations. Angara, chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means accepted Recto’s amendment. His proposal was the “same figure given by internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Hernares during one of the hearings on SB 2437.

Henares said, “ the P30, 000 in 1994 would be worth around P82,000 today.”

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon concurred as the bill’s passage is necessary “to provide relief to state and private workers whose purchasing power has been shrinking for years due to inflation.”

When the P30,000 tax ceiling was first legislated in 1994, Angara explained, the basic salary of a government employee in the lowest rank was P3,800 a month while that of the President was P25,000. The ceiling, he noted, had not been adjusted in 20 years although Congress had legislated other measures to soften the impact of inflation on the workers.

More importantly, Angara said, SB 2437 had included a provision “that the adjustment be made mandatorily every three years to coincide with major surveys conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority such as the Family and Income Expenditure Survey.”

Recto, principal author of the bill, said the peso had lost two-thirds of its value over the past 20 years. The equivalent of one peso in 1994, he said, was 36 centavos today. 

“When the 17-year-old Bam Aquino sipped his first beer in 1994, Pale Pilsen cost P8.50 a bottle. Of course, Sen. Sonny Angara, on vacation from his London studies then, and if he were to borrow one of his dad’s cars, he would have paid P8.50 for a liter of gasoline,” Recto said in his co-sponsorship speech.

While some experts estimated that government would lose around P42 billion in taxes with the enactment of SB 2437 into law, Recto argued that there was no basis for the computation.

A more reasonable computation of tax loss, he said, was estimated by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies at P2.6 billion and Dr. Stella Quimbo of the University of the Philippine School of Economics at P5.6 billion.

“But whatever is the revenue loss for the government is actually income gained for the workingman. And even if his 13th month pay is tax exempt upon receipt, it will be taxable when spent,” Recto said, adding that taxes not withheld at source will later be captured in the form of sales tax at points of sales.

For the speedy implementation of the law, Drilon had also introduced an amendment to the bill stating that “the failure of the Secretary of Finance to promulgate the necessary rules and regulations shall not prevent the effectivity of the law.” 

“This is because it is up to the Department of Finance and the Bureau of Internal Revenue to come up with the implementing rules and regulations when this law is passed, and they may not have enough time to accomplish that in time. But surely, the law will be fully implemented next year,” the Senate leader noted.

For Senator Manuel “Lito” Lapid Jr., “increasing the cap of exemption on the 13th month pay and other benefits from income tax would increase the disposable income of the working class.” Increased income tax exemption will stimulate consumption.

“All reasons to increase the cap for the tax exemption on the 13th month and other benefits points to one thing: to enhance the welfare of the working class,” Lapid added. /MP

Entrepreneurial Farmer

Does Metro Kalibo 

Legally Exist?

by Ambrosio R. Villorente

The “Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan has approved the schedule of New Base Market Values of Real Properties for the 17 municipalities of Aklan to be effective starting January 2015,” Mr. Odon S. Bandiola, SP Secretary reported.

The SP’s approval includes special base market valuation of real properties in the resort island of Boracay, Caticlan, Malay, Barangay Union in Nabas, and Metro Kalibo composed of Poblacion, Estancia, Andagao, and New Buswang, Mr. Bandiola reported further.

Are the Poblacion, Estancia, Andagao, and New Buswang legally organized and called Metro Kalibo? Metro Kalibo has special base market valuation of real estate properties and most probably much comparatively higher than in any place in Aklan. And one of the reasons why the four barangays in the Municipality of Kalibo are called Metro Kalibo is to assess higher base market valuation of real properties, hence higher taxes to be paid.

However, is it legal to name a place like Metro Kalibo without a law or ordinance approved by offices concerned for purposes of taxation?

SP Honors Precious Day

During one of their Regular Sessions, the Aklan SP members praised and honored an 8 year old Precious Day Ame Yecla.

Precious Day is a grade III pupil in St. Dominic School, Kalibo, Aklan. She won gold and silver medals in the chess standard category and two silvers in the rapid and blitz categories during the 15th ASEAN Age Group Chess Championship held at Cotal Central, Macau, China.

In recognition of her accomplishments in sports, Gov. Florencio T. Miraflores, Cong. Teodorico T. Haresco, Jr. and Vice Gov. Gabrielle V. Calizo-Quimpo conferred upon Precious Day Ame Yecla Certificates of Recognition recently.

Precious Day is one of the children of Mr. Yusi Seraspi Yecla of Polo, Banga and Mrs. Georalin Ame Yecla of Mobo, Kalibo, Aklan.

Arbor Day In Aklan

Through General Ordinance No. 006 S., 2014, the Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) has fixed every third Friday of August starting 2014 and thereafter as Arbor Day in the entire Province of Aklan, according to Mr. Odon S. Bandiola, SP Secretary.

The Arbor Day Ordinance in Aklan was approved by the provincial legislative body during its 20th regular session on June 18, 2014 pursuant to Republic Act No. 10176 known as the Arbor Day Act of 2012 and its Implementating Rules and Regulations.

The said provincial ordinance mandates all local chief executives in the province to constitute and activate Arbor Day Committee in their respective levels and jurisdiction with the Local Environment and Natural Resources Office, the Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Education and Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office as lead agencies in the yearly observance.

The lead agencies and participating instrumentalities shall formulate plan and implementation strategies in the observance of Arbor Day to include subsequent action plans to sustain programs like the Greening Plan and the planting and maintenance of trees.

The ordinance authorizes local government units to appropriate funds for the purpose of utilize existing allowable and relevant outlays in their respective annual budget.

Other government departments mandated to participate in the Arbor Day Observance and continuing programs are the Commission on Higher Education, Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Tourism, Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippine, Philippine Coconut Authority, Civil Society Organizations, Liga ng mga Barangay and Media organizations. /MP

Education Gets Biggest Share In P2.606 Trillion 2015 National Budget

Education Gets Biggest Share In P2.606 Trillion 2015 National Budget 

Voting 13-0 with no abstention, the Senate this week approved the P2.606 trillion proposed 2015 national budget.

The Department of Education (DepEd) got the largest share of the budget pie with P323.56 billion followed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) with 292.57 billion, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) with P109.34 billion, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) with P104.57 billion and the Department of National Defense (DND) with P99.92  billion.

Senator Chiz Escudero, chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, said the Senate increased DepEd’s budget by P3.636 billion, representing allocations for feeding programs, the Quick Response Fund and chalk allowance.

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon explained that the hike in the funds for the education sector is part of the Senate’s on third reading goal to improve the delivery of educational services in the country. “The youth are the most important asset our country has to nurture, and part of it is by giving education the highest priority in the budget,” he said. 

In September, the upper chamber had passed a package of inclusive education bills geared towards the poor, including bills on open and distance learning, and the “Iskolar ng Bayan Act.” In turn, Drilon said that the greater budget in 2015 will help government address pressing challenges to the educational sector, the need for new classrooms, including the repair of facilities damaged by previous calamities. 

For his part, Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto introduced the amendment for the chalk allowance, increasing it to P1,500 from the present P1,000. “Chalk allowance” is the popular term for the amount given to teachers at the start of the school year for the purchase of “chalk, pens, erasers, cartolinas and other school supplies” they use in teaching.

Escudero said the Senate’s version of the 2015 national budget had also addressed the concerns raised by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago in her privilege speech last November 24. 

“The concerns she (Santiago) had, we addressed them in the Senate version. We had improved the other points she raised,” Escudero said. 

He said the Senate’s version of the 2015 national budget had followed the Supreme Court’s decision on what was allowed or disallowed in the national budget to a dot. 

To ensure transparency, Escudero said, the Senate had included a provision in the 2015 General Appropriation Act (GAA) that would prohibit government agencies to use “lump sum funds” without submitting a report or itemized listing to Congress and the Commission on Audit.

He said heads of government agencies will be penalized if they vio-lated the provisions.

“We provided a penalty of six months suspension or imprisonment of one year or a fine equivalent to six-months salary if they fail to submit the report,” Escudero said during an interview.

While the Senate had realigned P96.58 billion of the proposed 2015 national budget, Escudero said, senators were very transparent on where the money was reallocated. 

For instance, he said, the Senate allocated P19 billion for the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Program to cover past disasters, including Super Typhoons Yolanda, Glenda and Mario.

He said the Senate had also realigned P2.67 billion under the Information and Communications Technology Office for the implementation of free wi-fi internet in public places. The budget will be sourced from the Digitization Empowerment Program.

The Department of Science and Technology will set up 50,872 wi-fi hotspots next year, including 7,910 public high schools, 38,694 public elementary schools, 113 state colleges and 1,118 public libraries and public areas in 1,490 towns.

“We have restored the House cut on the DPWH amounting to P242.6 million under the “Maintenance and Construction Services of Other Infrastructures” and P1.318 billion under the “National Road Network Services.” In addition, an increase of P1.130 billion will be provided for the Quick Response Fund of the DPWH to bring it to P2 billion,” Escudero said.

Likewise, he said, the Senate had also increased the Quick Response Fund of the Department of Health by P500 million.

At the same time, he said the Senate had increased the Supreme Court’s budget by P715.36 million for the Enterprise Information System Plan or the IT for e-courts and reallocated and restored P1 billion of the Philippine Children’s Medical Center, particularly for hospital modernization, to be sourced from their budget for Land Acquisition pending the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) opinion on the land swap transaction between the DOJ and the National Housing Authority (NHA).

Other highlights of the Senate version of the 2015 national budget include:

● Increase of P421.5 million for the Bureau of Customs for Workplace Modernization and various equipment;

● Additional budget of P362.472 million for the Department of National Defense as buildings outlay for the National Defense College of the Philippines as well as for Force Sustainment or Enhancement of the various Engineering Brigades of the Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force and the Philippine Navy;

● Increase of P300 million for the modernization program and faculty development of the Philippine Normal University;

● Increase of P108.907 million for Jail Facilities under the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology;

● Realignment of P2.915 billion in the budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, specifically from the PantawidPamilya Pilipino Program and the KALAHI-CIDSS projects to Social Pension for Indigent Senior citizens which will benefit 460,647 senior citizens at a total cost of P2.770 billion in line with Republic Act No. 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010; additional funding of P50 million will also be provided for the Comprehensive Project for Street Children, Street Families and Indigenous Peoples-especially Badjaos, as well as an additional P95 billion for protective services for individual and families in difficult circumstances; and

● Increase of P15 million for the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos for the Hajj Travel Assistance and Endowment Administration Services. 

Escudero said the Senate provided a special provision which would allow the fund for athletes shall be used solely for the benefit of the athletes.

“We also provided a provision in the National Museum, National Historical Institute and National Commission for Culture and Arts to allow such agencies to use its income to maintain the existing heritage sites and their facilities,” Escudero said.

“We also added a special provision mandating the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to pay its obligations in accordance with the contracts it entered into and a provision in so far as DOH, DPWH, DOTC and DepEd are concerned, providing for the utilization of their Quick Response Fund to procure insurance policies in accordance with the GSIS laws as well as the procurement law to cover infrastructure facilities and other equipment in danger zones and other areas as they may deem feasible.” /MP

Julie Anne San Jose Holds First Hologram Concert In RP

Julie Anne San Jose Holds First 

Hologram Concert In RP

Asia’s Pop Sweetheart Julie Anne San Jose conquers the SM Mall of Asia Arena on December 13, 2014 as she stages the first ever hologram concert in the Philippines.

In her concert dubbed as Hologram, the multi-platinum recording artist is set to bring the house down with her powerful vocals, electrifying dance moves and undeniable talent in playing various musical instruments simultaneously using the hologram technology.

The concert will be highlighted by an extravagant display of visual effects that will surely elevate the Philippine concert experience.

“Very proud po ako sa upcoming concert na ‘to. Aside from the technological advancements, inaasikaso rin namin ang iba pang mga detalye ng show na talaga namang dapat nilang abangan sa December,” shares Julie Anne.

Aside from getting involved in conceptualizing production numbers of her show, the Kapuso star is also preparing herself for her biggest concert yet.

“Marami pa akong gustong ipakita sa fans ko na kaya kong gawin, at the same time, very passionate talaga ako sa ginagawa ko,” she adds.

Joining her are some of the country’s best male performers: Asia’s Romantic Balladeer Christian Bautista, Youtube sensation Abra, Kapamilya star Sam Concepcion, and other surprise guests that will make the night even more memorable.

Julie Anne has come a long way since her career was launched in Popstar Kids, the singing competition which aired on the former GMA QTV in 2008. Since then, Julie Anne has appeared in numerous TV series, variety shows, and films. She also lent her voice to several theme songs for the programs and specials of the Network. /MP

EXPEDITE IRR OF PRISON MODERNIZATION LAW, ESCUDERO URGES DBM

EXPEDITE IRR OF PRISON MODERNIZATION LAW, 

ESCUDERO URGES DBM

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) should speed up the release of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Bureau of Correction’s (BuCoR) modernization law in order to pave the way for the much-needed upgrading of its facilities and salaries of prison personnel, Senator Chiz Escudero, chairman of the Senate finance committee, said.

Prison officials have been lamenting the encumbrance of the full implementation of the law, saying that the DBM has failed to comment on the IRR despite the go signal of the Departments of Finance and Justice, and the Civil Service Commission.

“The delay in the release of the IRR further debilitates the present sub-human conditions of the country’s national correction facility and sets it back from achieving modernization and professionalization of its facilities” said Escudero, who was the principal author and sponsor of the measure in Senate.

The law has been signed by President Benigno Aquino III in May 2013 and under the law, the IRR should have been out and signed 90 days after its effectivity.

“We have pushed for the passing of this law because we wanted to overhaul and upgrade BuCor to cope with the modern demands of penology,” Escudero pointed out.

Escudero said the non-release of the IRR is impeding the BuCor from instituting reform programs “to overhaul its dilapidated facilities, congested prisons and archaic operational system and structure.”

The day-to-day operations of BuCor are still based on the Prison Law of 1917.  It has not seen a major legislative updating since 1905, except for a change in its name from Bureau of Prisons.

“I urge the DBM, the DOJ and all agencies involved to expedite the release of the IRR so we can already upgrade the living conditions of our inmates. We want our penal facilities to be reformatory. But with its present state, our jails have become more punitive. This is contrary to the penology standards set by reputable international agencies,” Escudero stressed.

Escudero said the IRR will pave the way for the full implementation of the law to ensure the welfare of inmates, including decent provisions of quarters, food, water and clothing, in compliance with established United Nations standards.

It will likewise upgrade the salaries of BuCor personnel at a ranking system and salary grades similar to its counterpart in the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology which has the lowest Salary Grade 10. Bucor’s lowest is Salary Grade 5. /MP

P3.87 BILLION BUDGET FOR DEPED’S FEEDING PROGRAM

P3.87 BILLION BUDGET FOR DEPED’S FEEDING PROGRAM

The Senate will increase by almost three-fold to P3.87 billion the budget for the school-based feeding program of the Department of Education (DepEd) for 2015 to ensure that no undernourished child will be left behind, Senator Chiz Escudero announced.

The P2.5 billion increase would allow public schools to accommodate 1.28 million kids more to the program that gives healthy hot meals to malnourished kindergarten and grade school students, Escudero, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, said.

The National Expenditure Program submitted by Malacanang only covers 100 percent of the “severely wasted” or children with severe acute malnutrition, and only 8 percent of the “wasted” in the nutrition scale.

But under the Senate amendment, Escudero said, both categories will get 100 percent coverage to increase the total number of beneficiaries to 1.92 million, with the bulk coming from the “wasted” category at 1.38 million.

“As amended by the Senate Committee on Finance, it will cover 100 percent of the ‘severely wasted’ and 100 percent of the ‘wasted,’” Escudero explained during Wednesday’s floor deliberation on DepEd’s spending plan.

The increase, he pointed out, will guarantee that “no undernourished child will be left behind” in the government’s school feeding program.

“Pati pondo kasi para sa pagkain ng mga bata sa paaralan ay kulang din. There is also such a thing as budget malnutrition. So dinagdagan namin ng pondo,” Escudero said.

“Sa edukasyon kasi maraming needs which cry out for attention like schools lacking classrooms or classes without teachers but one cry that is hard to ignore comes from children who attend school on an empty stomach,” the senator explained. “Some backlogs can wait. The hungry students can’t.”

If the DepEd’s amended school feeding budget of P3.9 billion will be added to the P3.36 billion that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will get next year for a similar feeding program, “then the total money available for this activity next year is about P7.3 billion,” Escudero said.

For its feeding program, the DSWD targets to give one meal for four months to some 2.05 million pupils under 5 years old who are enrolled in daycare centers or neighborhood nurseries. /MP

Substandard Condition Of Kalibo Slaughterhouse

Substandard Condition

Of Kalibo Slaughterhouse

by Ernesto T. Solidum

Kalibo’s slaughterhouse in Tinigao, despite its prominence as the biggest facility in Aklan province has not come up to modern standard in terms of health, sanitation and safety. Established in 1990 or 24 years ago, it lacks the basic requirements of running water, sediment ponds for solid and liquid wastes, large hot water baths, stainless work tables, proper equipment and competent personel.

Mr. Abel Policarpio, OIC Manager revealed that 120 heads of hogs and 10 large cattles are butchered daily. Operation starts very early at 2:00 o’clock dawn and ends towards noon. Since there is no work table, carcasses are laid bare on the concrete floor where cleaning, trimming and eviscerating take place. A standby generator provides illumination during occasional brownouts, otherwise improvised lamps are used.

“We collect P.30/Kgm. as slaughterhouse fee for hogs and P.50/Kgm. for large cattle,” said Mr. Policarpio. Roughly, the average dressed beef is 2,100 kgms. while pork is 7,680 kgms.

Due to the large animal shipments, traders make distinctive marks by clipping hair on backs of their livestock for easy identification. About one half of the animal stock comes from Iloilo and the rest from Mindoro. It is ironic that there is no more animal supplier from Aklan, though occasional stock comes from backyard raisers.

Mayor William S. Lachica admits that the Municipal Slaughterhouse is operating at substandard condition. Because of this deficiency, one leading mall in Kalibo does not patronize meat coming from Kalibo facility. The double A rating given by the National Meat Inspection Board must be elevated to triple A status. “In order to realize our objective, we plan to lease the facility to a private corporation who will invest in its modernization,” said Mayor Lachica.

Once in place, a complex and bigger structure will be built to accommodate a factory style slaughtering plant. Mayor Lachica said that process will start by resting animals in cool and clean quarter for a day.

Afterwards animals will pass an elevated area, and later doused with pressurized cold water to remove dirt and afterwards stunned by electric gun. Blood is promptly removed and the carcass plunges into a scalding water bath.

A conveyor lifts the carcass to a hair removal area and later doused with cold water. The next station is surgical area where all innards are removed and separated.

The job of transporting the meat to the public market and or delivery to big wholesalers will be done through closed delivery vans. We need to insure that our meat offered for sale is of the best quality and hygienic standard. It would be standard requirement that employees connected with the slaughterhouse and delivery wear uniform as part of professional services, said Mayor Lachica.

Presently, there are two Meat Inspectors assigned with the task of certifying animal health condition and stamping inspection seal to meat and pork cuts. This is vital since meat products from Kalibo Slaughterhouse go to other areas like Numancia, Boracay, Makato, and Ibajay. Diseases like anthrax, bovine TB and hog cholera are transmissible to man.

Mayor Lachica in his official trip to Laguna, Tagaytay and Batangas has observed first hand the economic and health benefits of Triple A abattoirs to their constituents. He has consulted members of the Sangguniang Bayan about modernizing the Kalibo Slaughterhouse to insure efficient and effective delivery of sanitary meat products. /MP

500 Vegetable Growers Nationwide To Convene In Neg. Occ.

500 Vegetable Growers

Nationwide To Convene In Neg. Occ.

More than 500 vegetable growers and stakeholders will gather in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental for the 12th National Vegetable Congress and Expo on December 4 - 7, 2014.

This national convention aims to unite vegetable farmers across the Philippines to help  strengthen high value crops and organic agriculture production.

The provincial government of Negros Occidental, in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Office 6, Philippine Vegetable Industry Development Board, Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Organic Producers and Retailers Association (ONOPRA), organized this national confab to introduce a new revenue stream for the vegetable industry through leisure farm vacation and tours.

The four-day congress will include the following activities:  Plenary Sessions, Expo and Negros Farmers Weekend Market, Leisure Farm Tours and Lectures, and Seed Showcase.

On December 4, a whole-day plenary session will focus on the collaboration of the national government, local government units, and agricultural entrepreneurs to promote rural advancement.

Participants will be equipped with the DA’s roadmap for competitive agriculture in one ASEAN economy, climate change, and the private sector’s initiative in high value crops development and organic farming.

They will also tour to Rapha Valley Farm, Quiet Place Resort and Farm, May’s Garden and Restaurant, Peñalosa Farm and San Antonio II Farm.

MBCCI President Frank Carbon said that in the concluding plenary, the LGUs and the agricultural companies will present to DA Undersecretary Emmerson Palad and Gov. Alfredo G. Marañon Jr. the Memorandum of Undertaking creating vegetable training farms in various towns and cities in Negros Occidental. /MP 

Government Spends P11.6-M For President Aquino’s Trip to Singapore

Government Spends P11.6-M For 

President Aquino’s Trip to Singapore

The government has appropriated P11.6 million for President Benigno S. Aquino III’s participation in The Economist’s World in 2015 conference in Singapore from November 18 to19, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said on Tuesday, this week.

President Aquino left this morning via a chartered flight to Singapore, accompanied by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Socio-Economic Planning Secretary ArsenioBalisacan, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Presidential Management Staff Chief Julia Andrea Abad, Presidential Protocol Chief Celia Anna Feria, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda and Undersecretary Manuel Quezon III.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), President Aquino will be the keynote speaker at The World in Gala Dinner on Tuesday night, November 18. He is the first Philippine leader to speak in this global forum since the influential magazine, The Economist started organizing the conference series in 2009.

“This is a significant opportunity for our President to share his administration’s plans and reform programs towards sustainable economic and inclusive growth, as well as the peace process for Mindanao,” Ochoa said.

Other highlights of President Aquino’s working visit to Singapore are his meetings with President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

The amount allocated for the trip covers expenses for transportation, accommodation, food, equipment and other requirements of the Chief Executive and his 54-member delegation. /MP

CONTINUATION OF THE MAKATI BUILDING PROBE

CONTINUATION OF THE MAKATI BUILDING PROBE: Senate Blue Ribbon Subcommittee Chair Senator Koko Pimentel (right) talks to Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) President Hans Sicat (left) before the start of the resumption of the hearing on the alleged overpriced 11-storey Makati parking building, Tuesday, November 18, 2014. Sicat has said that his office has been monitoring the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee investigation on the alleged overpriced Makati City Hall Building 2 as it may involve dealings of companies listed at the PSE.  (PRIB Romeo Bugante photo)

Sugilanon Ni Tita Linda

Haeaw Sa Kabuhi Ni

Pangulong Ramon Magsaysay

Si Anhing Pangueong Ramon Magsaysay rong guina bansagan nga tsampyon it mga masang Pilipino. Imaw ro kauna-unahang pangueo nga nagsuksok it Barong Tagalog sa adlaw ko anang inagurasyon. Imaw man rong unang Pangueo nga nag bukas kong puertahan it Palasyo it Malakanyang sa adlaw ko anang inagurasyon bilang Pangueo it Pilipinas. Palangga na guid ro mga tawong kubos, ag palangga man imaw ko mga tawo, eabi guid ro mga kubos ag mga ordinaryong tawo.

Kat imaw eon rong Pangueo it Pilipinas, may mga reklamo nga nakaabot kana nga ro mga tawo nga nagabantay it saeakyan sa highway halin sa mga probinsya paadto sa Manila hay owa guina parahe ag pasakyon sa andang saeakyan, eabi guid kon abo sanda it bagahe. Imbis nga ipatawag nana rong hepe it departamento it transportasyon, imaw mismo ro nagbisita ag magpangusisa agod tukibon kon matuod rong mga reklamo.

Ko isaeang agahon ngaron, temprano pa hay ana eon guin tawag rong drayber, sumakay sa saeakyan ag magpahatod sa anang bo-ot bisitahan. Nagsuksok imaw it ordinaryong eambong, naka kaeo it maeapad ag nakatsinelas nga may daea nga eakpon. 

Sa isaeang lugar, guin papundo nana ro sa-eakyan ag nana-og imaw sa anang kotse. Anang guin papanaw ro drayber daea ro saeakyan. Idto nana guin paparking sa idaeom it kahoy it Acacia, mga sien metros ro eayo. Anang guin singhanan do drayber nga bumalik imaw kon makita nanang ginapaypay eon imaw nga bumalik. 

Nagtindog si Pangueong Magsaysay sa binit it karsada. May nag-agi nga saeakyan. Anang guinparahan, ogaling owa guid imaw pagparahe. Pagkataliwan it napueong minutes, may umagi eon man nga saeakyan ag imaw man rong natabo. Ko olihe may nagapadueong eon man nga saeakyan. Tumindog imaw sa tunga it karsada. Hapilitan nga magpundo rong saeakyan. Guin hukas nana ro anang kaeo. Nana-og rong konduktor ag hakilaea nga si Pangueong Magsaysay gali. Hinadlukan rong drayber ag konduktor. 

Guinpaypay ni Magsaysay ro anang drayber ag dayon umabot man. Dayon bumalik sanda sa Palasyo it Malakanyang sa Manila. Nagpadayon mat-a it pagbyahe ratong bus nga andang guin parahan. 

Napamatud-an ni Pangueong Magsaysay nga matuod rong mga reklamo it mga tawo. Pagka-aga guin patawag ni Pangueong Magsaysay tanan rong mga operator it saeakyan nga naga biyahe sa tanan nga parte it Luzon. Anang guin walihan sanda nga ro serbisyo publiko hay uwa it guina pili ag dapat tanan tanan ro naga kinahangean it serbisyo pareho it transportasyon hay dapat serbihan. Tanan ro pagpadumdum hay guin laygay sa tanan nga operators it busses. 

Halin kato owa eun it reklamo hanongod sa saeakyan nga nagaabot sa Palasyo it Malakanyang. /MP

Entrepreneurial Farmer

Binay Dares Trillanes

by Ambrosio R. Villorente

Vice President Jejomar C. Binay dared Senator Antonio Trillanes IV Tuesday night October 21 “to a one-on-one debate with the Senator not hiding behind his parliamentary immunity”. Binay issued the challenge during an open forum with the members of the Kapisanan ng mga Broadcasters ng Pilipinas (KBP).

“I’m willing, if you want you can sponsor. I’m willing to debate with Trillanes. I’ll appear in all your forum,” Binay told the KBP members.

Binay Back Off

However, in two weeks time, Vice President Binay back off from the debate which in the first place he proposed. His change of heart and mind is one character he possesses. He seems unreliable.

Binay believes “engaging in a debate with Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV is a disservice to the millions who still have to recover from devastation caused by super typhoon Yolanda”. 

But what is the relation between Typhoon Yolanda devastation and his debate with Sen. Trillanes to prove his innocence on the alleged corruption while Mayor of Makati City?

On the other hand, Joey Salgado, head of Media Affairs of the Office of the Vice President believes “there would be nothing to nothing to gain from a debate with someone (Trillanes) who does not respect reasons, facts or the rule of law”… But what for this debate held? It should have been done for the information of the public, the people in order for them to make their own conclusion, to know who is telling the truth and who is wrong. Is Vice President Binay lacking of truth and more of lie?

The Vice President could have disclosed the correct and accurate information about his alleged huge wealth and prove Sen. Trillanes is wrong. Until today, the public, the Filipino people is in a big doubt who is honest, who tells the truth, Vice President Binay or Sen. Trillanes? But the burden of proof is in the hands of Vice Pres. Binay.

VP Binay Appologizes

Vice President Binay extended his formal apology to the members of the KBP for not pushing through with the planned debate with Sen. Antonio Trillanes the IV.

His formal apology was extended to the members of the KBP when he delivered his speech during the 40th top-level management conference held in Cavite. He said he did not like how Trillanes portrayed himself as an underdog and he did not want to be accused of having an unfair advantage on Sen. Trillanes.

This is another alibi. He could have debated with Sen. Trillanes, and told the truth, so that the people can more or less accurately prove who is truthful between Vice President Binay and Sen. Trillanes?

Does it mean “Silence means yes?” 

Committee For Papal Visit

President Benigno C. Aquino III has organized the Papal Visit – National Organizing Committee (PV-NOC) to coordinate and prepare for the visit.

The PV-NOC is tasked to take up all government participation and responses in connection with the visit of the Pope, and ensure efficient coordination among public and private sectors; peace and order; and the traffic management plan for the transportation of persons and goods during the event.

There are two local Executive Committees organized: EXECOM-Manila and EXECOM-Leyte—in the areas of engagement of His Holiness Pope Francis. The EXECOMs will serve as the on-site full-time, day-to-day operations arms of the PV-NOC.

The EXECOM-Manila is led by an Undersecretary in the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES). The members are Undersecretaries of the DFA, DND, DILG, DPWH, DOH, DOTC, DOT, and PCOO; Chief of the Presidential Protocol Office; representatives from the OP, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and MMDA; Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager; Presidential Security Group (PSG) Commander; and head of the Radio-Television Malacañang.

The EXECOM-Leyte is led by an Undersecretary in the OES. The members include the Regional Director of the PNP, Commander of the AFP Central Command, Regional Directors of the DOTC and DPWH, PSG Security Task Action Group Commander-Leyte, and a representative from the Radio-Television Malacañang. /MP