mga ibinalita ni terencius: Script for 20180113 KSK Edition

MAGANDANG UMAGA PILIPINAS, MAGANDANG UMAGA KATROPA, AT MAGANDANG UMAGA SA LAHAT NG ATING MGA TAGAPAKINIG!

ARAW NA NAMAN PO NG SABADO AT NANDITO NA NAMAN PO KAMI PARA MAGTANGHAL NG ATING PROGRAMANG KATROPA SA KAMARA NI TERENCE MORDENO GRANA.

YES, TERENCE MORDENO GRANA PO ANG INYONG LINGKOD, ANG INYONG KAAGAPAY AT GABAY SA ATING PALATUNTUNAN.

AT KUNG NAIS PO NINYONG MAKIPAG-TALASTASAN O MERON MAN PO KAYONG MGA REAKSIYON AT SUHESTIYON HINGGIL SA ATING MGA PAKSA, TUMAWAG LAMANG O DIDI KAYA AY MAG-TEXT SA MOBILE PHONE NUMBER: 0905 457 7102.

ANG KATROPA SA KAMARA AY MATUTUNGHAYAN, EKSKLUSIBO, DITO LAMANG PO SA DWDD, KATROPA RADIO, ONSE TRENTA'Y KUWATRO SA TALAPIHITAN NG INYONG MGA RADYO.

OKEY, NARITO NA PO ANG ATING NAKALAP NA MGA IMPORMASYON MULA SA KAMARA DE REPRESENTANTES, KABUUAN NG ATING MGA BALITA:

----------------

HUWAG KAYONG BIBITIW AT KAMI PO AY BABALIK KAAGAD MATAPOS ANG ILANG MGA PAALAALA MULA SA ATING HIMPILAN. (STATION ID)

(INSTITUTIONAL MESSAGES)

----------------

SA ATING PAGBABALIK, KAYO PO AY NAKIKINIG SA PATATUNTUNANG KATROPA SA KAMARA NI TERENCE MORDENO GRANA DITO LAMANG SA HIMPILANG DWDD, KATROPA RADIO, AT TAYO AY SINASAMAHAN NI ENGINEER (RONALD ANGELES, DEXTER ORATA OR LEONOR NATAP) SA ATING TECHNICAL SIDE.

KAMI PO AY MATUTUNGHAYAN DIN // SA LIVE STREAMING: SA TripleWdotDWDDdotCOMdotPH AT SA FACEBOOK: FACEBOOKdotCOMslashKATROPADWDD AT SA TWITTER: HASHTAG #KATROPA

TULOY-TULOY NA PO TAYO SA IILAN PANG MGA BALITA NA ATING NAKALAP.

(READ AGAIN THE OTHER NEWS AND INFORMATION)

-------------------

WALA NA PO TAYONG ORAS AT KAMI AY MAMAMAALAM NA MUNA PANSAMANTALA SA INYO.

MARAMING SALAMAT AT KAMI PO AY INYONG PINAHINTULUTANG PUMASOK SA INYONG MGA TAHANAN SA PAMAMAGITAN NG ATING PALATUNTUNANG KATROPA SA KAMARA.

BAGO TAYO MAGTAPOS NG ATING PALATUNTUNAN, BATIIN KO MUNA SINA: … and those who are listening via live streaming sa internet, wwwdotdwdddotcomdotph, sa Facebook wwwdotfacebookdotcom @dwdd1134 at sa Twitter #Katropa; and everybody.

DAGHANG SALAMAT PUD SA ATONG MGA KAHIGALAANG MGA BISAYA NGA NAMINAW KANATO KARONG TAKNAA.

ITO PO ANG INYONG LINGKOD – KINI ANG INYONG KABUS NGA SULUGUON, TERENCE MORDENO GRANA.

AT SA NGALAN DIN NG LAHAT NA MGA BUMUBUO NG PRODUCTION STAFF SA ATING PALATUNTUNAN, AKO PO AY NAGSASABING: PAGPALAIN SANA TAYONG LAHAT NG ATING PANGINOONG MAYKAPAL, GOD BLESS US ALL, AT PURIHIN ANG ATING PANGINOON! GOOD MORNING.

-------------------

BAGONG PHILHEALTH PREMIUM RATES COMPUTATION, EPEKTIBO NA

Ipinaalala sa publiko ni KABAYAN Party-list Representative Ron Salo na mayroon nang bagong rates ang PhilHealth contributions na ipinatutupad na simula nitong Enero 2018.

“Lumabas ang circular noon pang September 2017 pero naging epektibo ito nito lang Enero. Siya nga pala, ang PhilHealth budget para sa health care coverage ngayong 2018 ay P57 billion,” ani Salo, kasapi ng House Committee on Health.

Para sa PhilHealth members na ang monthly basic salary ay P10,000 pababa, ang monthly premium ay P275 na ang patas na pagkakahati sa equal employee’s and employer’s share ay P136.50.

Sa PhilHealth members na may monthly basic salary mula P10,000.01 hanggang P39,999.99, ang total monthly premium ay 2.75 percent ng sweldong iyon at ang share ng employee at employer ay tig-kalahati.

Iyon namang may basic monthly salary na P40,000 pataas. P1,100 ang total monthly premium kaya naman ang employee and employer shares ay tig-P550.

Ang mga Kasambahay o domestic workers na sueldo ay P5,000 per month pataas ay mayroong hatian din na employees at employer’s share, pero iyong kumikita ng mas mababa sa P5,000 ang employer ang magbabayad ng buong PhilHealth monthly premium. (WAKAS)

In reaction to the start of the "Tanggal Bulok, Tanggal Usok" campaign of the Inter-Agency Council on Traffic, the following Press Release is being issued:

HON. BERNADETTE “BH” HERRERA-DY

Bagong Henerasyon Party-list

Chair, Committee on Public Information

SOLON ASKS DSWD, DOTR, LANDBANK TO TAP TRAIN SUBSIDY FUNDS FOR PUV DRIVERS’ CASH TRANSFERS

Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Representative Bernadette Herrera-Dy asked the DSWD and Landbank on Monday to expedite the promulgation of their guidelines for the 2018 GAA tax reform cash transfer subsidy.

The ranking congresswoman also reiterated her suggestion that PUV drivers be included among the beneficiaries of the TRAIN subsidy and the 4Ps conditional cash transfer program.

"To absorb in full or in part the impact of the TRAIN excise taxes on diesel and lubricants, I ask the Department of Transportation, in coordination with the DSWD, to expand the 4Ps to include PUV drivers," Herrera-Dy, Member of House Committee on Social Services said.

She added that "the new CCT program’s first phase should cover all PUV drivers, whether or not the PUV they drive has an LTFRB franchise or not. The sins of the PUV operator must not be the sin of the PUV driver."

"If this expanded CCT is successful, a future phase of the new CCT for drivers can include tricycle and pedicab drivers," she added.

The congresswoman proposed a "refocusing" of the CCT for drivers to differentiate it from the old Pantawid Pasada program.

"Instead of the cash transfer being for fuel purchases, the new CCT for PUV drivers will be more similar to the 4Ps of the DSWD. It will enable them to purchase food items for drivers’ families, send to and keep their young children studying in elementary and high school, and get vaccines and medicines," the BH Party-List representative said.

Unlike the current 4Ps wherein the contact person of the DSWD are the mothers, the congresswoman wants the DSWD to trust and "help the impoverished fathers, some of whom are single parents or breadwinners supporting siblings, children and elderly parents."

"To instill responsibility and accountability, the new CCT for PUV drivers, ATM cards cannot be used for any purchases of alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, and illegal drugs. Those ATM cards cannot be pawned or used as collateral in any way and doing so will mean automatic removal from the CCT program," she said.

"A strict condition for inclusion in the CCT for PUV drivers must be staying drug-free, alcohol-free, and gambling-free," Herrera-Dy stressed.

She identified the P24.488 billion in the Landbank budget, the Malampaya Fund, and the road user's tax as possible funding sources for the CCT for PUV drivers.

"Most Filipino drivers are living in poverty. Drivers of jeepneys, tricycles, and pedicabs often live in extreme poverty. They are disadvantaged because of the lack of education, livelihood options, and poor or zero access to basic government services," the congresswoman said. (END)

LAWMAKERS PROPOSE CHANGES AT CHED

Two congressmen have recommended changes at CHED to address massive work backlogs because on scholars’ allowances and internal discord given that the agency now has two executive directors: one a recent Duterte appointee and another who is suspended and battling a graft case.

“CHED Chairperson Patricia Licuanan apparently has vertigo, which can, in unfortunate situations, be precursors to accidents. I hope she consults her doctor or doctors often and that she takes care. If, however, Dr. Licuanan’s health makes her unable to run the CHED well in the months ahead, then my suggestion is the honorable exit which is for her to resign,” said Iligan City Representative Frederick Siao, who has been taking up the cudgels for college faculty scholars whose K to 12 Transition program allowances have not yet been released after months of delays.

Siao said CHED officials “must clean up this mess. Then when CHED Chairperson Patricia Licuanan steps down, the executive director should also leave when she leaves. The other directors responsible for not solving the gridlock should also leave with them.”

Siao said he does not wish to add to her health concerns but he has to “come to the defense of my constituents who are among the 9,500 who are in the K to 12 Transition Program for college faculty.”

“In the meantime, college faculty are living in poverty and heavy debt. The CHED has demeaned them inexcusably,” he added.

1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list Rep. Salvador Belaro Jr noted that the term of Dr. Patricia Licuanan as CHED chairperson will end later this year.

“But before she leaves, I urge the CHED Commission en banc to draw up a checklist of strategic priorities and formulate a road map. The road map ought to have proposals for the strengthening of the CHED Law, which, enacted in 1994, would be 24 years old this year.

Belaro also said he agrees with CHED officials that structural reforms are needed.

“I see a need for more front line field directors, where the work backlog and traffic choke points seem to be creating work flow problems...some of the CHED regional offices with heavy work volumes may need larger staff complement or provincial offices, but adding these to the CHED organizational structure has to be gradual so as not to be too burdensome on the national budget,” Belaro added.

The party-list congressman said there is “urgent need for a fully-functional online transaction portal for better front line services to the public. There may also be a need to boost the funding of the Higher Education Development Fund.” (END)

THE HONORABLE SALVADOR BELARO, JR.

1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list

Assistant Majority Leader

CHED NEEDS ENHANCED CHARTER, STRUCTURAL REFORMS

In 2018, the current term of Dr. Patricia Licuanan as CHED chairperson will end, but before she leaves, I urge the CHED Commission en banc to draw up a checklist of strategic priorities and formulate a road map.

The road map ought to have proposals for the strengthening of the CHED Law, which, enacted in 1994, would be 24 years old this year.

I agree with CHED officials that structural reforms are needed.

I also see the urgent need for a fully functional online transaction portal for better front line services to the public.

There may also be a need to boost the funding of the Higher Education Development Fund.

On structural reforms, I see a need for more front line field directors, where the work backlog and traffic choke points seem to be creating work flow problems.

Also on structural reforms, some of the CHED regional offices with heavy work volumes may need larger staff complement or provincial offices, but adding these to the CHED organizational structure has to be gradual so as not to be too burdensome on the national budget. (END)

THE HONORABLE HENRY C. ONG

2nd District of Leyte

Vice Chair, Committee on Banks & Financial Intermediaries

HISTORIC TRAIN NECESSITATES BIR RESPONSIVENESS TO PUBLIC CLAMOR FOR CLARITY ON TRAIN IMPLEMENTATION, IMPACT

I again express my appreciation to the Bureau of Internal Revenue, but now particularly to Commissioner Caesar R. Dulay, for being responsive to our suggestion and the public clamor for further clarity on the details of the implementation of the TRAIN tax reform law.

In just these past first days of January 2018, the BIR has:

1) announced public consultations on the implementing guidelines for the TRAIN Law;

2) issued guidelines and an excise tax return for sweetened beverages; and

3) issued a revised computation table and procedures guide for withholding tax on compensation income.

The public consultations are scheduled for January 11 and 12 at the BIR National Training Center auditorium in Diliman, Quezon City.

The historic nature of TRAIN necessitates even further responsiveness. I am hopeful the BIR and the Department of Finance will help clear the air further about the impact of TRAIN with informative, easy-to-understand guides on how each of the new taxes will affect the finances of Filipino households, based on the final text of the TRAIN Law. Earlier DOF guides happen to have been based on earlier versions of TRAIN.

What is needed are rational estimates on the combined effects of the different TRAIN provisions on minimum wage earners, those who earn lower than minimum wage, the different middle class strata, as well as the upper middle class and the rich. Such information would counter any disinformation and misinformation that prey on the fears of the public.

Lastly, I reiterate my eagerness to work with the DOF and BIR on TRAIN 2. (END)

THE HONORABLE FREDERICK W. SIAO

Lone District of Iligan City

Vice Chair, Committee on Tourism

Member, Appropriations, Economic Affairs, and 8 other committees

Facebook: /congressmansiao Twitter: @freddiesiao

CHED HAS DEMEANED 9,500 K TO 12 TRANSITION PROGRAM SCHOLARS

In a press release sent to the media on Saturday, January 6, I quote:

CHED International Affairs Staff Director Atty. Lily Frieda Milla clarifies that, “all official travels of the Chairperson are covered by appropriate travel authorities from the Executive Secretary and signed by Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra.” Milla further explains, “the Chairperson is allowed to travel business class for long-haul flights as warranted under OP Memorandum Circular No. 7, s.2010 and because of her vertigo.”

CHED Chairperson Patricia Licuanan apparently has vertigo, which can, in unfortunate situations, be precursors to accidents. I hope she consults her doctor or doctors often and that she takes care.

I do not wish to add to her health worries, but I must come to the defense of my constituents who are among the 9,500 who are in the K to 12 Transition Program for college faculty, but whose allowances have not yet been released after many months of delay.

I continue to receive complaints. Despite assurances and notice last December that allowances to some of the faculty studying in Manila will be released, they still had zero allowances.

CHED is not lacking in people with intellect and matching advanced academic credentials and work experience, but I can not longer accept the excuse that they we unable to anticipate the volume of work that 11,000 sets of documents.

They could have hired additional personnel to deal with all those 11,000 sets of documents. They could have designated a dedicate lane or process for the K to 12 Transition program. They could have done many other measures.

In the meantime, college faculty are living in poverty and heavy debt. The CHED has demeaned them inexcusably.

I am, however, stopping short of asking for the resignation of the CHED Chairman and of the CHED Executive Director. They are not getting away from this that easily. Only about six months remain of the term of office of Dr. Patricia Licuanan.

They must clean up this mess. Then when CHED Chairperson Patricia Licuanan steps down, the executive director should also leave when she leaves. The other directors responsible for not solving the gridlock should also leave with them.

If, however, Dr. Licuanan’s health makes her unable to run the CHED well in the months ahead, then my suggestion is the honorable exit which is for her to resign. (END)

PRESS RELEASE

Reference: Gil Bugaoisan

Contact: ‎09053398753

CHED Chair approved travel requests for her own trips abroad

For eight occasions last year, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chair Patricia Licuanan traveled abroad on official capacity without securing her travel authority (TA) from the Office of the President, Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta Partylist Rep. Jericho Nograles today revealed.

Nograles bared that instead of securing her TA from the OP as provided by Executive 456 s. 2005, Licuanan delegated herself as the approving authority for her own requests for "Authority to Travel Abroad."

The EO requires all "members of the Cabinet and officials of equivalent rank" to secure their TA from the OP. CHED is an attached agency of the OP.

"Usurpation of the powers of the President? Did CHED Chairperson Licuanan usurp the power of President Duterte by approving her own travel authority contrary to EO 459 (series of 2005)," Nograles said in his Facebook post that also contained photos of Licuanan's "Authority to Travel Abroad" which she issued for herself.

"Grave misconduct is defined by the Supreme Court as flagrant disregard of established rules, among others," Nograles noted.

Nograles said that based on documents obtained by his office, Licuanan requested for 7 "official business" travels and one " personal travel" and spent at least P893,102 in government funds.

For one month in June 2017, Licuanan crisscrossed the globe, travelling to California, USA, then France and then Germany, all listed as official business trips.

"She even traveled Business Class while our President travels economy," Nograles said.

Nograles said that it is immaterial if the Licuanan's request for travel abroad is important that really requires her attendance or her expenses would be shouldered by her hosts because under any circumstance, the law requires her to secure the approval of the president.

"The fact that the requesting official is also the approving official is already irregular. What makes it illegal is that there is a violation of an EO which requires Chair Licuanan to secure her Travel Authority from the Office of the President. She should have sought either the approval of the Executive Secretary or the President himself," Nograles.

Nograles admitted however that unlike the case of Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) Administrator Marcial “Al” Amaro III who was sacked by President Duterte for his excessive foreign travels, Licuanan is protected by a security of tenure being a "fixed-term" Non-Career appointee.

" The president cannot just remove Chair Licuanan without cause as this is guaranteed under the Constitution but her latest action where she usurped the authority of the OP could be a basis for her removal or suspension," Nograles said.

This can be also a ground to file charges of grave misconduct and usurpation of authority against Licuanan before the Office of the Ombudsman which could hound her even after her retirement this year.

"Chair Licuanan's term will end this year. If the Ombudsman will file a case then it will run even after her retirement," Nograles said.

Based on documents obtained by Nograles, it showed that Licuanan approved her own request for travel for the following Instances:

1. March 29-31,2017 (to attend as speaker in the High-Level Panel discussion on Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development in Bangkok, Thailand.)

2. June 18-22, 2017 (to attend "high-level meeting" of the Philippine California Advanced Research Institute in California USA.)

3. June 04-11, 2017 (to participate in the Journée Pays Philippines or Philippine Information Day and visit French Universities in Paris, France)

4. June 26-July 1, 2017 ( to attend as speaker of the International DIES Conference Female Leadership and Higher Education management in developing countries in Bonn, Germany)

5. August 29-31,2017 (study visit to Singapore Polytechnic International in Singapore for the implementation of the advancing Conceive Design, Implement and Operate (CDIO) framework.)

6. October 10-13, 2017 (attend the Asian Dialogue for Innovation forum in Taipei, Taiwan)

7. October 27-November 1 (family vacation to Singapore)

8. November 15-25 (attend the Canadian Bureau of International Education Annual Conference Exhibition in Halifax, Canada)

THE HONORABLE NEIL J. ABAYON

AANGAT TAYO Party-list

Assistant Minority Leader

1st House Bill filed in 2018:

REP. ABAYON FILES BILL ON RECKLESS DRIVING

HB 6925 seeks to make law on Reckless Imprudence fair

[Recent road tragedies, including that involving truck driver Tedy Gotis and teenager motorcycle rider John Mark Navarro in Muntinlupa City in November and the ones that happened approaching Christmas Day which killed at least 30 people and wounded dozens in different parts of the country, illustrate how reckless imprudence on our roads is rampant.

Senseless and avoidable road mishaps like these prompted House Committee on Transportation Member Neil Abayon to file House Bill 6925 (Philippine Responsible Driving and Accountability Act), the bill that intends to update the country’s road safety laws, as well as statutes on criminal, civil, and administrative culpability and liability of drivers involved in traffic violations and road safety incidents.

This bill also defines different types of unsafe driver behavior: dangerous driving; reckless driving; suicidal driving; terroristic driving; careless driving; impaired driving; and irresponsible custody of vehicle.]

References: INQUIRER https://goo.gl/eE2rjc CNN https://goo.gl/JrHxPh

Under current laws and procedures, drivers or motorists involved in road safety incidents and traffic violations are presumed at fault even when pedestrians and/or other motorists are at fault or also share fault. This bill seeks to make our laws also fair to the drivers who were not at fault.

In this bill, the driver is presumed to be not initially culpable or not totally at fault for the incident under investigation when:

1) the victim is intoxicated or under the influence of illegal drugs or prescription medication;

2) the victim was not crossing the street at a pedestrian lane or road intersection;

3) the victim crossed the street or highway instead of using a nearby pedestrian footbridge;

4) the victim is a bicycle rider not wearing safety devices or wearing dark clothing;

5) the victim is a driver of a motorcycle, bicycle, or tricycle traveling on a national highway under the minimum speed limit and not on the rightmost lane of the roadway;

6) the victim is a driver who, at the exact time of the incident, did not have right of way on the road;

7) the driver did not flee from the scene of the road safety incident;

8) the driver was suffering, at the time of the incident, a medical emergency such as a heart attack, stroke, asthma attack, or diabetes shock; and

9) the driver of the other vehicle has non-functional or lacking in head lights, tail lights, and other warning devices.

The driver involved in a road safety incident is presumed to be initially culpable when:

1) the driver flees from the scene of the road safety incident;

2) the driver was driving at high speed according to recorded eyewitness accounts taken at the scene of the road safety incident;

3) the driver had just committed at least one serious traffic violation;

4) the driver is intoxicated or under the influence of illegal drugs or prescription medication;

5) the driver does not have a driver’s license or has an expired driver’s license; and

6) the victim is a child younger than fifteen (15) years of age.

This bill also provides for the following mitigating circumstances in driving violations:

1) Fast driving due to medical emergency to rush to a hospital or other medical facility for immediate care;

2) Pursuit of a suspect in a crime who is fleeing or has just fled from the scene of a crime;

3) Rushing home or to workplace because of a fire or other disaster; and

4) Serious to gross defects in the design and construction of roads and bridges, and of traffic signs and warnings.

The initial presumption of culpability shall be determined by the person in authority or law enforcer who is first at the scene of the incident or on whom continuing investigative responsibility is vested by competent authority over the road safety incident resulting in death, injury, destruction of property, or traffic congestion.

The determination of initial culpability must be either in writing in a traffic incident report or orally, with witnesses present, while the law enforcer’s lawful arrest without warrant or civilian citizen’s arrest is being made.

A person in authority or deputized law enforcer may order the confiscation or personally and immediately confiscate the driver’s license of a suspected erring driver to prevent or avoid probable immediate future danger to self or other persons on the road or sidewalk.

Whether the driver or drivers are initially culpable or not, the law enforcer investigating the road safety incident is required to secure the signed and sworn statements of the drivers and other persons involved in and who witnessed the incident. (END)

NEWS Release

7 January 2018

House seeks creation of ENT Center

The House committee on health is set to tackle a proposal of Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez to create a medical center that will provide affordable treatment for ear, nose, throat, head and neck (ENTHN) disorders.

House Bill (HB) 6720 establishing the Philippine ENT Center (PEC) will be in the agenda of the committee when Congress resumes session next week.

“The establishment and maintenance of the Philippine ENT Center (PEC) will focus on the ENT diseases to primarily benefit persons suffering from ENTHN diseases and those who are unable to secure the necessary medical treatment because of the high cost of specialized medical services,” the Speaker said.

Under HB 6720, the number of beds in PEC allocated for indigent patients shall not be less than 40 percent of the total number of hospital beds.

The establishment of the PEC is timely since the incidence of ENTHN diseases in the country has become more prevalent, affecting the quality of life of most Filipinos, according to Alvarez.

“Respiratory tract infections which include colds, sinusitis, nasopharyngitis, and laryngitis are among the leading causes of morbidity in the country,” Alvarez said.

Alvarez also said a study showed more than a million Filipinos were estimated to have hearing impairment and a ratio of one to two per 1,000 live births were born with cleft lip or left palate.

“Despite the high prevalence rate of ENTHN diseases and their tremendous effect on health, these conditions have not been given enough attention and priority,” Alvarez said.

The Speaker said ENTHN diseases not only affect the productivity and performance of a person but also cause permanent physical disabilities and deformities.

Under HB 6720, the PEC shall be under the supervision of the Department of Health (DOH) and administered by a board of trustees (Board) composed of seven members to be appointed by the President of the Philippines upon the recommendation of the DOH secretary.

In addition to their general powers of administration, the Board shall formulate and adopt the by-laws, rules and regulations, policies, guidelines and procedures consistent with law and the provisions of the bill to govern the administration and operations of the PEC.

Moreover, the Board shall formulate and develop programs for the prevention, control and treatment of ENTHN disease and adopt measures which are necessary to carry out the provisions of the bill.

The Board shall enter into such agreements and arrangements with other medical institutions, domestic or foreign, as may be necessary in attaining the purpose and objectives of the PEC.

The Board shall also receive in trust legacies, gifts and donations of real or personal property of all kinds and to administer the same for the benefit of the PEC, in accordance with the directions and instructions of the donor, and in default thereof, in such a manner as in its discretion the Board may determine.

Included in the functions and powers of the Board is to invite foreign ENTHN specialists and similar experts in the various medical fields to train the personnel of the PEC or send personnel to research or medical institutes or universities for advance training or observation or to attend international or regional conventions, conferences, congresses and seminar as the Board may deem necessary to accomplish the purposes and objectives of the PEC.

The measure stipulates that P300 million shall be appropriated for the initial operation and maintenance of the PEC. The funding shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. #

NEWS Release

6 January 2018

Ban in conversion of irrigable lands soon

The House committee on agrarian reform has approved a substitute bill seeking to prohibit the conversion of irrigated and irrigable lands for non-agricultural purposes.

The measure seeks to address threats to food security in the country by amending the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law of 1988 (CARP) or Republic Act 6657, which was enacted to promote social justice, sound rural development and industrialization and encourage land owners to cultivate economic-size farms as the basis of Philippine agriculture.

Under CARP, farmers are provided opportunity to own land which they can tilt to improve their lot and provide adequate food for our countrymen.

However, the same law allows reclassification or conversion of agricultural land and its disposition if the land ceases to be economically feasible or fit for agricultural purposes after the lapse of five years from the time of award, or if the area becomes more urbanized and thus more economically viable for residential, commercial, or industrial purposes.

Under the proposed amendment to RA 6657, conversion or causing the conversion of irrigated and irrigable lands to non-agricultural purposes shall be prohibited.

A penalty consisting of imprisonment of six years and one day to 12 years, and/or a fine of P200,000 to P 1 million shall be imposed for violations of the law.

In general, the measure seeks to address the threats to food security in the country.

Another objective of the bill is to curb corruption in the lower levels. Recognizing that elements within the government bureaucracy may contribute to unchecked conversions, the substitute bill lodges the exclusive power of land conversion to the Congress itself.

Changes to the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law introduced under the bill would also enhance the ability of relevant government agencies to review and assess the status of agricultural lands on a nationwide scale, providing enhanced opportunity to fine tune policies on agrarian reform and food security. / CMBE

NEWS Release

5 January 2018

"No Calls, No Text Registration” bill gets a boost

THE House committee on information and communications technology, chaired by Rep. Victor Yap has approved a substitute bill, seeking the establishment of a No Calls and No Text Registration System to protect phone subscribers from solicited calls and spam text messages.

Authors of the bill include Reps. Francis Gerald Abaya, Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado, Ma. Lucille Nava, Rene Relampagos, Deputy Speaker Linabelle Ruth Villarica, Reps. Manuel Jose Dalipe, Winston Castelo, and Yap, among others.

Under the bill, the National Privacy Commission shall have the responsibility to establish a "No Calls and No Text Registry" system. The system shall ensure to keep the identity and privacy of the persons registered highly confidential. As such, only their telephone numbers may be accessed from the registry.

Any phone subscriber may manage and limit the outbound and unsolicited calls and texts that he shall receive through registration of his telephone number in the Voice Call Register and/or No Text Massage Register of the NPC.

To register, a subscriber needs to present a government identification card and proof of exclusive ownership over a particular telephone number. The subscriber must also pay a fee, to be determined by the NPC.

For minors, or those below 18 years of age, registration of their mobile numbers may be done by their parents or legal guardians.

Telephone numbers registered in the No Calls and No Text Registry shall not be changed or removed except upon the request of the owner in writing. Invalid or disconnected telephone numbers may be changed or removed upon adequate validation of the NPC.

The bill prohibits unsolicited calls and text messages to be made or sent to the telephone numbers on the registry.

Any person who wants to call or send text messages to numbers in the registry is also required to register his number. Non-registration of the unauthorized caller and/or sender as required under Section 10 of the Act shall not be an excuse from liability.

Public Telecommunication Entity (PTE) or content provider which shall give the special access number of their subscribers without their consent to commercial or marketing agencies shall be held liable under the Act.

The PTE or content provider shall also be required under the bill to provide a mechanism for subscribers who have decided to opt out anytime from broadcast messaging services they are receiving.

The opt-out mechanism must enable the subscriber or recipient to indicate, at no cost, the decision to no longer receive any commercial or promotional advertisement or push message from the PTE or content provider

Any person who violates the provisions of the law or its implementing rules and regulations shall suffer the penalty of a fine ranging from P50,000 to P100,000 for each violation. In the case of juridical person, the officers directly responsible for the violation shall pay the same fine.

The bill declared that it is the policy of the State to protect the interests of mobile phone subscribers and promote general welfare vis-à-vis unsolicited commercial speech; establish a standard of conduct for business and industry in sending messages to subscribers; promote the fundamental rights of the subscriber to privacy; and protect subscriber from unwanted calls and texts and inducing purchase of goods or services and solicitation. #####

News Release

04 January 2018

No extension of DU30’s term---Alvarez

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez today categorically dismissed talks about possible extension of term of President Rodrigo Duterte as he scored the opposition for trying to sow confusion over the no elections scenario meant only to allow a smooth transition to a federal form of government.

“Taktikalidad lang po yan,” Alvarez said, referring to the allegations of the opposition on the proposed shift to a federal form of government.

He stressed that President Rodrigo Duterte has categorically said he would not stay in his post for a minute longer after his term expires.

“Malinaw po ang sinabi ng Pangulo na yung kanyang termino mag-e-end on or before (2022.) Kasi kung kinakailangan niyang mag-resign bago mag-2022 para ang ating bagong Saligang Batas, yung bagong sistema ng gobyerno ay kaya niyang gawin yon,” Alvarez said.

Alvarez said he is convinced the President would honor his word, having known Duterte personally for so long.

“Matagal ko ng kilala yan, talagang pagod na rin at kung pupuwede nga lang bukas...,” Alvarez said.

He clarified that the “No-El” scenario he broached concerns senatorial elections in 2019. He clarified that if the senatorial elections are held in 2019 as originally scheduled, the term of the winning candidates would extend up to 2025.

However, Alvarez said that if a new constitution for a federal form of government is ratified in a plebiscite that would be held simultaneous with the barangay pools this coming May it would change the entire structure of government, which might pose legal complications with incumbent senators whose terms would last up to 2025.

For practical purposes, Alvarez said the 2019 senatorial elections could be scrapped and the senators whose terms are expiring that year could be allowed to stay in their post in a holdover capacity during the transition period to the federal form of government or up to 2022.

“So pupuwede sabay-sabay na lang sa 2022 (matapos ang term ng mga senador) under the new structure of government,” Alvarez said.

Among the senators who are up for re-election in 2019 include Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, Sonny Angara, Cynthia Villar, JV Ejercito, Bam Aquino, Nancy Binay and Grace Poe.

On the other hand, the second term of Senators Francis Escudero, Gregorio Honasan, Loren Legarda, and Antonio Trillanes IV, will expire on June 20, 2019 and as such they are not eligible to re-election.

The term of the remaining senators, who were elected in the 2016 national elections, will last until 2022.

Alvarez said the 2019 elections for officials of local government units and members of the House of Representatives could still push through since they all had three year term, which would expire on 2022.

The Speaker said that upon the resumption of the session in January 15, he would talk with Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III to initiate the process of convening Congress into a constituent assembly that would prepare a new constitution for a federal form of government.

“Ngayon, tatapusin namin ng mabilis iyan, at pagdating noong halalan ng barangay elections sa Mayo ay puwede na nating i-submit for ratification sa mga tao,” Alvarez said. ###

News Release

03 January 2018

Alvarez amenable to senators’ term extension during transition to federal gov’t

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez today said he is amenable to the idea of extending the term of to 2022, in a holdover capacity, of senators whose terms would expire in 2019 to avoid complications during a transition phase to a federal form of government.

Alvarez said it would not be practical to elect a new set of senators in 2019 whose term under the present constitution should end on 2025 only to adopt a federal form of government with different setup of a legislative body.

“Pwedeng kung walang election di holdover sila, wala kaming problema doon,” said Alvarez in a radio interview.

He said this option is possible for the transition phase to a federal form of government that would be fully implemented by 2022—that is if the Filipino people ratify the new federal constitution in a plebiscite for the purpose in May this year, simultaneous with the barangay polls.

“For practical purposes kasi kailangan talaga may transition government ka. Halimbawa niratipikahan ng mga tao yan by May so magkakaroon ka ngayon ng transition government in preparation doon na sa isang federal form of government,” Alvarez explained.

Among the senators who are up for re-election in 2019 include Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, Sonny Angara, Cynthia Villar, JV Ejercito, Bam Aquino, Nancy Binay and Grace Poe.

Alvarez reiterated that when Congress resumes session on January 15 the House would resume its efforts to convene Congress into a constituent assembly

To speed up the process of overhauling the present constitution, Alvarez said Congress as a constituent assembly should create a technical working group composed of experts and members of the academe who would spearhead the drafting of the new charter.

“Para sila yung mamumuno at gumawa ng draft tapos pagdedebatehan na lang doon sa Kongreso,” Alvarez said.

He said members of the TWG should be experts and elders who could not be suspected of any other motivation aside from a genuine desire to seek what is best for the country.

Besides, Alvarez said the House already had laid down the groundwork for the drafting of a new constitution, saying that for almost a year the House Committee on Justice had been going around the country to conduct public consultations on the proposed shift to a federal form of government.

Alvarez said it’s up to the TWG to propose the features of the new federal government, including whether to retain a bicameral legislature or adopt a unicameral body for the purpose.

Personally, Alvarez said he believes a unicameral legislature is preferable to speed up the process of enacting needed laws and enable the country to adapt to rapid changing developments and compete with other countries in an increasingly global economy. ###

News Release

03 January 2018

Con Ass is top in 2018 House agenda: Alvarez

Convening Congress into a constituent assembly to propose charter amendments and shift to federalism is top priority of House of Representatives, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez today said.

“Number one is the convening of Congress into a Constituent Assembly and in revising the Constitution, a shift from a unitary to a federal form of government,” Alvarez said in a TV interview when asked for the top priority of the House this year.

Alvarez believes this should be no problem since Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III is an official of the ruling party, Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino, which advocates federalism.

“Kaya I don’t see any reason why si Senate President will not be working on it also,” Alvarez said.

Alvarez said that if Congress could convene into a constituent assembly in January, the proposed new federal charter could be submitted for referendum simultaneously with the barangay elections in May 2018.

“Pag trabahuhin lang, walang imposible, kayang gawin yun,” Alvarez said.

In the House, Alvarez said he is confident of the support of the super majority for constituent assembly but said he has no idea if there is enough number in the Senate in support of the proposal.

Alvarez appealed to the sense of patriotism of senators, some of whom have expressed reservations over the proposed shift to a federal form of government.

“This is a question of patriotism, kung ano yung tama at kung ano yung kailangan sa bayan,” Alvarez said.

Alvarez said the senators are concerned over their political career with the possible dissolution of the Senate in a federal set up they should not be worried because they could be eligible to run for election to the new legislature.

However, Alvarez acknowledged that there could be some disagreements over the issue of voting jointly or separately in a constituent assembly, noting the 1987 Constitution is silent on this issue. Personally, Alvarez said he believes the assembly should vote jointly.

“Kung mayroong mag-question, well of course, justiciable issue iyan, pupunta sa Supreme Court iyan,” Alvarez said.

Likewise, Alvarez said that if a new constitution for a federal form of government is accepted by the Filipino people the timetable of forthcoming elections may be affected, including the 2019 mid-term polls.

“May transitory provision, nakalagay doon na yung mga elected officials na mag-eexpire yung term, hindi ba, kung kailan sila due for elections, iba-iba. So depende talaga iyan kung ano yung mapagkakasunduan doon sa Constituent Assembly,” Alvarez said.

Under the federal setup the PDP is pushing for, Alvarez said the system would likely retain the position of President, which is elected at large by the Filipino people and would act as head of State. On the other hand, there would be a Prime Minister, who would be the head of the government.###

HON. MICHAEL “MIKEE” L. ROMERO, Ph. D.

1-PACMAN Party-list

Assistant Majority Leader

Vice Chair, Youth & Sports Development and 2 other Committees

Reaction to the start of "Tanggal Bulok, Tanggal Usok" campaign of the Inter-Agency Council on Traffic:

1-PACMAN REP. ROMERO SEEKS SWIFT ACTION ON MECHANICS OF LOANS TO PUV OPERATORS

1-PACMAN Party-list Representative Michael Romero urged the DOTr, DBP, and Landbank to fast-track their approval of the project mechanics and components on the use of the PUV Modernization Project funds that are in the 2018 budgets of the two state banks.

“Kailangan malaman ng publiko ang mahalagang papel ng Landbank at Development Bank of the Philippines sa buhay ng mga mahihirap at mga PUV operator,” Rep. Romero said.

Landbank and DBP have P1.133 billion each in their respective budgets for the PUV modernization program loans to PUV operators.

"Congress is waiting for the project mechanics and details for the loan program. The 2018 budget has a special provision requiring these," Rep. Romero said. (END)

BACKGROUND:

In 2017, the DOTr signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) at the DOTr building in Clark, Pampanga. The MOU signing coincided with the official launch of the DBP’s Support Alternative Driving Approaches (PASADA) Program.

Also in 2017, the DOTr also signed an MOU with the Landbank of the Philippines to set up a P1 billion financing for PUJs via the Special Environment-Friendly and Efficiently Driven (SPEED) Jeepney Program.

HOUSE LEADERS PUSH FOR FAST TRACK OF PROGRAMS FOR PUV DRIVERS

Two House Assistant Majority Leaders urged government agencies on the first day of the enforcement campaign of a public transport modernization program to speed up approval of regulations on the use of public funds for public utility vehicle drivers.

For her part, Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Representative Bernadette Herrera-Dy asked the DSWD and Landbank to expedite the promulgation of their guidelines for the 2018 GAA tax reform cash transfer subsidy. She has proposed that PUV drivers be included among the beneficiaries of the TRAIN subsidy and the 4Ps conditional cash transfer program.

Landbank and DBP have P1.133 billion each in their respective budgets for the PUV modernization program loans to PUV operators.

“Kailangan malaman ng publiko ang mahalagang papel ng Landbank at Development Bank of the Philippines sa buhay ng mga mahihirap at mga PUV operator,” Rep. Romero said. "Congress is waiting for the project mechanics and details for the loan program. The 2018 budget has a special provision requiring these."

Congresswoman Herrera-Dy proposed a "refocusing" of the CCT for drivers to differentiate it from the old Pantawid Pasada program.

"If this expanded CCT is successful, a future phase of the new CCT for drivers can include tricycle and pedicab drivers," she added.

"A strict condition for inclusion in the CCT for PUV drivers must be staying drug-free, alcohol-free, and gambling-free," Herrera-Dy stressed.

She identified the P24.488 billion in the Landbank budget, the Malampaya Fund, and the road user's tax as possible funding sources for the CCT for PUV drivers.

News Release

08 January 2018

House performance up in latest Pulse survey

SPEAKER Pantaleon Alvarez registered a nine percentage points increase while the House of Representatives improved by six percentage points in their respective performance ratings in the latest Ulat ng Bayan survey of Pulse Asia Research, Inc.

Pulse Asia said among public figures, only Alvarez posted a dramatic positive change in his ratings.

Among 1,200 respondents polled Dec. 10-15 and 17, Alvarez drew positive responses from 42 percent of Filipinos of voting age, a figure that’s plus-nine percent compared to his 33 percent in the preceding September survey.

In the same December survey with a margin of error of plus-minus 3 percent, the House registered a 50 percent performance rating, up six percentage points to the 44 percent it received in September.

Alvarez’s trust rating, on the other hand, improved by six points to 37 percent in December, up six points compared to his 31 percent in September.

The House leader’s performance and trust ratings still have a lot of room to improve as Alvarez’s awareness level was still at 75 percent in December.

The House’s awareness level was at 100 percent and its trust rating for December at 49 percent was a vast improvement from its 42 percent in September.

The increase in the performance and trust ratings of Alvarez and the House in December came at a time when the legislative body started looking into the impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

Performance-wise, Alvarez as expected did best in his home region Mindanao where 53 percent of the respondents approved of his leadership.

He drew support for his performance from among 41 percent of those polled in the Visayas, 39 percent in balance of Luzon and 37 percent in Metro Manila.

Among social classes, Alvarez got the nod of 44 percent from Class ABC for his performance and 40 from Class D.

The respondents cited the most important achievements of Alvarez as follows:

1) Investigating corruption in government (25 percent); 2) uniting congressmen in support of President Rodrigo Duterte’s programs (22 percent); passing new laws (20 percent); and amending laws (15 percent).

The House under Alvarez has so far passed a total of 518 bills and resolutions. Of the bills, 41 had been enacted into law.

President Rodrigo Duterte’s approval rating was at 80 percent and trust rating at 82 percent in the same Pulse Asia survey.

Pulse Asia researchers said only Speaker Alvarez and Chief Justice Sereno made notable changes in their ratings – Alvarez’s being positive while that of Sereno being negative.

“Approval for the House Speaker’s quarterly performance becomes more pronounced at the national level during this period (+9 percentage points),” said Pulse Asia.

“Similar movements occur in the rest of Luzon (+12 percentage points), Class D (+8 percentage points), and Class E (+12 percentage points),” the research firm added.

“Also, ambivalence toward the lawmaker’s work eases not only at the national level (-10 percentage points) but also in Class D (-10 percentage points).”

NEWS Release

09 January 2018

House polishes mandatory specialized training for truck drivers

Mandatory specialized training para mga truck driver, inirepaso na

Inaprubahan na ng House committee on transportation ang pagkakatatag ng isang technical working group (TWG) na magsasaayos at magpapailawig ng pagtalakay sa isang panukala na may layuning mag-require ng driver’s education para sa mga professional truck drivers bilang isa sa mga pamamaraan ng pamahalaan sa pagpapaibayo ng road safety.

Ang TWG ay may atas na mag-incorporate at mag-harmonize ng mga input na nakalap noong binalangkas ng committee ang HB00859 na may layuning mag-require ng speciaqlized education para sa mga professional truck drivers na siya namang isasagawa ng mga accredited driving school.

Sinabi ni Deputy Speaker Linabelle Ruth Villarica, may-akda ng panukala, na sa kasalukuyang rules and procedure para sa accreditation ng mga driving school ay hindi saklaw ang truck driver’s education.

Ayon kay Villarica, habang nag-improve na ang mga regulasyon ng mga driving school sa edukasyon at kakayahan ng mga driver, ang mga truck driver ay may may pangangailangan pang masanay at matuto sa mga intricacies ng pagmamaneho ng kanilang sasakyan kung ang pagbabayan ay ang laki at bigat ng mga ito.

Hindi lamang umano maseguro ang road safety ng mga motorist at ng commuting public kundi maprotektahan at ma-preserve na rin ang mga ito sa damage at destruction.

Batay sa datus ng Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), ang motosiklo ang pinka-mataas na naitala na fatal crash rate sa 218 cases, sunundan ito ng trucks na may 103 at 98 naman sa kotse..

Para sa aksidente na may damage to property, ang sa mga kotse at nagkapag-tala ng ng pinaka-mataas na umabot sa 100,665 cases na sinundan naman ng sa pamamagitan ng mga truck na may 18,052.

Isinama rin sa panukala nag pagpapalawig ng mga kasalukuyang licensing requirement ng Land Transportation Office (LTO) na magre-require ng certification na pumasa ang driver sa seminar for application o renewal of professional truck driver’s license.

Nagpahayag naman ng suporta ang Confederation of Trucks Association of the Philippines (CTAP) na maipasa ang naturang panukala.

Press Release: 10 January 2018

Hon. Robert Ace Barbers

2nd District, Surigao del Norte

Chairman, Committee on Dangerous Drugs

Contact person/s: Mervin: ‎0917 574 0866 / Abby: ‎0917 800 3642

DUTERTE’S TERM NOT ENOUGH – Barbers

“It is about time that we grab the bull by its horns, so to speak,” thus says the veteran lawmaker and ranking House member Ace Barbers, in reference to the proposed Charter change and term extension for President Duterte.

“Every now and then, not a few learned men would say that we need someone who has guts, political will and resolve, to lead this country to real greatness and development. Laws are not the problem, they would further add, but the lack of implementation. I have never seen someone who fits the bill better than our very own President Digong. He rules with an iron-fist and never hides his intentions. What you see is what you get, no double-talk, no nonsense kind of leadership. Just exactly what we need to discipline an undisciplined people, someone who can make us swallow the bitter pill and make us realize that it is for our own good,” Barbers said.

“No man is immortal, and President Duterte knows very well that he cannot rule forever. Thus we now have the unique opportunity of having him, enjoying him and using him for the benefit of the generations after us. The numbers do not lie, in the short time that he has led us, people have seen the undeniable changes that have taken place and they have given their 80% approval of the President’s decisions, actions and unorthodox brand of governance. They have reposed their trust in the President. This is nothing short of an expression of gratitude by a citizenry long fed-up with lip service and deception by its former leaders,” Barbers added.

“Duterte is the only President who talked the talk and walked the walk. He carried our fight against illegal drugs and corruption, personally and made it his own battle. His tough stance on mining did not stop with the non-confirmation of Gina Lopez. He never minced words against those who commit abuses and excesses in power and had gone even the unpopular way whenever necessary, for the benefit of the greater majority. The 80% did not come from the residents of Forbes Park alone, nor from the mining and business sector. It was an attestation and affirmation of the greater majority in the social strata, who realized that his rhetoric about improving our lives is actually a genuine passion, even if in the meantime, a faceless jeepney driver may be inconvenienced by the transport modernization program which is but a necessary step towards preparing a better society. Digong does not fear implementing the law even if it means threading the deserted path,” Barbers said.

According to Barbers, having to enjoy these benefits has its downside which is that the President does not have time on his side. “While we see where these are all going, we may not see its full fruition in the remaining time of the President’s term. If it were only up to me, I would give him an extension of another term. What is a few more years if it guarantees profit for the country. Rome was not built in a day. Yet, if Rome had leaders with unextendable 6 year-terms each, then it probably would not have had the capability to conquer even a province outside of Rome. A good president, like President Duterte, needs more time to implement his projects and advocacies, and fulfill our people’s dreams,” Barbers further added.

News Release

10 January 2018

Alvarez rallies support for federalism

HOUSE Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Tuesday marked his 60th birthday by calling on his constituents in Davao Del Norte’s First District to go all-out in supporting the shift to a federal form of government in fulfilment of President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign promise in 2016.

“This year, 2018, we will revise our constitution for a shift to a federal form of government. Let us unite and support this initiative of the President,” Alvarez told supporters, friends, allies and well-wishers at the New Tagum City Hall.

Alvarez started the ball rolling to effect the change to federalism by moving for the convening of Congress into a constituent assembly (con-ass) to revise the 1987 Constitution. Getting the con-ass running had been a top priority of the House of Representatives.

Clad only in shorts and a floral shirt, Alvarez thanked his constituents for their continued support and trust in him as their representative, although as Speaker of the House of Representatives he considers all Filipinos as his constituents.

Alvarez registered a nine percentage points increase in his performance rating in the latest Pulse Asia Survey, Inc. Ulat ng Bayan survey.

Approval for the House Speaker's quarterly performance had become more pronounced at the national level during this period (+9 percentage points),” according to Pulse Asia.

Alvarez, as expected, did best in his home region Mindanao, where 53 percent of the respondents approved of his performance.

Alvarez’s trust rating, on the other hand, improved by six points to 37 percent in December, compared to his 31 percent score in September.

Survey respondents cited the most important achievements of Alvarez as follows: 1) Investigating corruption in government (25 percent); 2) uniting congressmen in support of President Rodrigo Duterte’s programs (22 percent); passing new laws (20 percent); and amending laws (15 percent).

The House under Alvarez had so far passed a total of 518 bills and resolutions. Of the bills, 41 had been enacted into law. #

Kontra bad-vibes!

2 KONGRESISTA SINOPLA ANG MGA “NEGA” SA TRAIN

(BIR hearings ukol sa TRAIN IRR sa Enero 11 at 12 na)

Dalawang mambabatas ang sumalungat sa mga kumakalat na "disinformation" ukol sa epekto ng tax exemptions at mga buwis sa ilalim ng Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law.

Ayon sa mga nagkakalat ng “disinformation,” kesyo lugi raw ang mga income taxpayer ngayon sa TRAIN dahil nawala na ang exemptions para sa mga married, sa single, at sa qualified dependent children. https://goo.gl/EHPhVf

“Hindi po tama iyan. Pinalitan pa nga ang lumang exemption system ng mas pabor sa taxpayer na total exemption na P250,000. Mas pabor ito sa mga income tax payers ang TRAIN dahil nga sa dinagdagan pa ng P100,000 ang exemptions kumpara sa lumang batas,” ani 1-PACMAN Party-list Representative Michael L. Romero, isang ekonomista.

Paglililinaw pa ni Romero na “ang bawat income tax payer na lampas sa P250,000 ang income, iyong unang P250,000 na income nila ay tax-free. Magbabayad lang sila ng tax para sa income na lampas o sobra sa P250,000. Nasa Section 5 po iyan ng TRAIN sa page 6 ng batas.” https://goo.gl/wSXK5d

“Wait here’s more: Hindi lang iyan ang pabor sa taxpayer dahil bukod sa P250,000 total exemptions, ang gross benefits, kasama na 13th month pay, na hindi lalampas sa P90,000 ay exempted rin sa income tax sa TRAIN Law,” ani Romero na kasapi din ng House Committee on Public Information.

Si Leyte 2nd District Congressman Henry C. Ong, na kasapi ng House Committee on Economic Affairs, may hiling naman sa Bureau of Internal Revenue:

"Kailangan ng taumbayan mula sa BIR ang tamang estimates ng epekto ng iba’t ibang TRAIN provisions ukol sa minimum wage earners, sa mga mas mababa pa sa minimum wage, sa iba’t ibang antas ng middle class strata, pati na upper middle class at mayayaman. Pangontra yan sa mga nananakot sa publiko ukol sa epekto ng TRAIN," diin ni Ong.

Dagdag ni Ong na bukas January 11 at sa January 12 ang public consultations ng BIR para sa implementing rules and regulations ng TRAIN na gaganapin sa BIR National Training Center auditorium sa Diliman, Quezon City.

Tatalakayin sa January 11 ang draft guidelines sa income tax at sweetened beverages, habang sa January 12 naman ang mga patakaran para sa value-added tax at excise tax sa invasive cosmetic procedures. (WAKAS)

NEWS Release

10 January 2018

Saving lives through motorcycle paramedics

Monstrous urban traffic hampers response time of ambulances and put the lives of medical emergency patients in danger. The solution: motorcycle paramedics.

Rep. Angelina Tan (District, Quezon) and the House committee on health are working on a bill offering such solution.

House Bill 6739 mandates all hospitals to provide motorcycle paramedics as front-line medical emergency responders, who will help save the lives of patient/s or victim/s of injury or trauma.

In many emergencies, every second counts as survivability can decline as the clock ticks away.

“A trained medical emergency responder may save the life of a stroke or accident victim but because of lack or no trained medical first responder in the local levels, precious lives are lost that could have been saved,” said Rep. Mariano Michael Velarde Jr. (Party-list, BUHAY), author of the bill.

Aside from the need for trained emergency paramedic or first responder, Velarde said mobility was another major issue.

“But the monstrous traffic we are experiencing in highly urban centers, such as Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and other cities, the response time of medical emergency vehicles or ambulances are hampered resulting to serious injury or even death of a victim or patient,” Velarde said.

If the monstrous traffic is the problem of emergency paramedics in urban centers, poor accessibility or lack of good roads is the concern in many parts of rural Philippines, specifically in the under-served and unserved far-flung and mountainous areas.

Velarde said if only government, especially the front-line government units in the locality or local government units could provide the means of transportation adaptive to the terrain of their locality, then the response time of committed medical personnel or paramedics could be significantly reduced.

Velarde said the two-wheeled motorcycle paramedics could weave through heavy traffic in urban areas or traverse rough roads in rural areas providing timely medical response in cases of emergency.

The bill provides that the motorcycle medical first responder unit shall also serve hard-to-reach areas such as traffic-congested areas, under-served or unserved communities and areas.

The motorcycle medical first responder unit/s shall be equipped with motorcycles adaptive to the particular condition of their service area, standard motorcycle riding equipment; communication equipment, such as radio trans-receiver and/or cellular phone; medical equipment; and medicines and supplies to perform procedures to stabilize the patient prior to the arrival of emergency paramedic or ambulance.

HB 6739 prescribes the following minimum qualifications of a motorcycle medical first responder: can drive a motorcycle; have a driver’s license; have undergone and passed a qualifying examination on safe motorcycle driving; monitor vital signs; perform first aid; administer oxygen therapy; perform cardio-pulmonary resuscitation; and perform automated external defibrillator.

The proposal likewise states medical first responders shall be Standard First Aid, Basic Life Support, Emergency Medical Technician and Advanced Cardiac Life Support-trained from a Department of Health-certified training provider.

It mandates the DOH, in cooperation with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and non-government organizations (NGOs), such as the Philippine National Red Cross, to provide the curriculum for the training and certification of Motorcycle Medical First Responder to develop competency in providing basic life support for adult, child and infant patient.

Likewise, it tasks the Land Transportation Office (LTO), in coordination with the DOH, to conduct a safe motorcycle driving course and a qualifying examination to prospective candidates for motorcycle medical first responders.

The LTO, on the other hand may, in the performance of this mandate, accredit NGOs with at least five years track record on advocacy and conducting education and training for safe motorcycle driving. #

Dagdag pang anim na mahistrado, tetestigo laban kay CJ Sereno

Pinahayag kahapon ni Oriental Mindoro Rep Reynaldo Umali na may anim pag mga mahistrado ng Supreme Court (SC) ang nakahandang magbigay ng testimonya laban kay SC Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno sa pagpapatuloy ng pagdinig ng House Committee on Justice sa reklamong impeachment laban sa Punong Mahistrado.

Kabilang sa mga inaasahang haharap sa pagdinig sina Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, Justices Lucas Bersamin, Samuel Martires, Mariano del Castillo, Andres Reyes, at Diosdado Peralta.

Matatandaang noong nakaraang taon ay nauna nang tumestigo laban kay Sereno sina Associate Justices Noel Tijam, Francis Jardeleza, Teresita Leonardo-de Castro at retired Justice Arturo Brion

Sinabi naman ni House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez na habang magiging abala ang Kamara de Representantes sa pagbalangkas ng pag-amiyenda ng Konstitusyon at Pederalismo sa muling pagbubukas ng sesyon nito sa darating na Lunes, hindi umano isasantabi ang patuloy na pagdinig sa impeachment complaint laban sa Punong Mahistrado.

Ayon sa kanya, kinakailangan lamang na madinig ang iba pang mga testigo na gusto magsalita sa House upang patunayan ang mga reklamo laban sa Chief Justice.

In fairness aniya, kailangan umanong mailahad ang mga iyon at kung magbago ang isip ni Sereno na siya ay magpaliwanag din doon pagdinig at sagutin niya ang mga akusasyon laban sa kanya, papayagan din umano nila siya.

mga ibinalita ni terencius

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Script for 20180113 KSK Edition

Previous Posts