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BSP backs bill seeking easier credit for farmers
Monetary authorities are pushing for the immediate passage of a bill amending the old warehouse receipts law to help boost the access of farmers to financing......»»
Kuya Bong backs medical specialty agencies’ establishment
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has recently expressed his full support for the establishment of the National Disease Prevention Management Authority, Medical Reserve Corps, and the Virology Institute of the Philippines. The measures were discussed during the Third Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council meeting after the senator attended the groundbreaking for the Super Health Center in San Mateo, Rizal. When asked about the progress of these initiatives, Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health stressed his full support and is optimistic that these will be approved this year. Go clarified that the NDPMA is essentially the same as the previously named Center for Disease Control and Prevention bill as he reiterated the importance of being prepared for possible future pandemics, citing the country’s experience with Covid-19. He recalled how the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine became a crucial office for Covid-19 testing, despite almost losing its funding during the 2019 budget deliberations. “In 2019, before the pandemic came, the budget for the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine was almost cut. We did not agree. In fact, we increased them during the budget deliberations,” Go said. “My hunch was right, who would have thought that RITM would be one of the most important offices during the pandemic? RITM is also capable of testing other infectious diseases besides Covid-19,” he added. He concluded by saying that he supports these initiatives that will benefit Filipinos, the healthcare system, and the less fortunate. To recall, the senator has filed his own versions of these measures in the Senate — Senate Bill 195 or the creation of a Center for Disease Control and if passed, the CDC will serve as the country’s central hub for disease prevention, surveillance and control, focusing on both infectious and non-communicable diseases. The post Kuya Bong backs medical specialty agencies’ establishment appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Dapat maging mas handa tayo’ — Bong Go backs healthcare-related bills
Senator Christopher "Bong" Go expressed in an interview on Thursday, September 21, after attending the groundbreaking for the Super Health Center in San Mateo, Rizal, his full support for the establishment of the National Disease Prevention Management Authority, Medical Reserve Corps, and the Virology Institute of the Philippines. The measures were discussed during the third Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting. When asked about the progress of these initiatives, Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, responded, "As chair po ng Senate Committee on Health, full support po ako dito." “Nasa subcommittee ang mga bills na ito na pinangungunahan ni Senator Pia Cayetano. Nakapag-hearing na ito at isa ako sa mga nagfile ng bills. Hopefully, maipasa ito ngayong taon,” said Go. "Priority rin ang mga ito ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos, nabanggit din ito sa LEDAC, so suportado ko ito," he added. Go clarified that the NDPMA is essentially the same as the previously named Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) bill. “Unang-una, napaloob po ito sa Philippine Development Plan po ng ating Pangulong Marcos. Itong paggagawa ng Center for Disease Control and Prevention, or ibahin man po, maging National Disease Management Prevention Authority ay suportado ko po ito," added Go. The senator emphasized the importance of being prepared for possible future pandemics, citing the country's experience with COVID-19. "Mas mabuti pong lagi tayong handa; meron tayong opisina na nakatutok po kung saka-sakaling may dumating na pandemya po sa buhay natin," he said. He recalled how the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) became a crucial office for COVID-19 testing, despite almost losing its funding during the 2019 budget deliberations. “Noong 2019 naman bago dumating ang pandemya ay muntik ding binawasan ang budget para sa Research Institute for Tropical Medicine. Hindi po tayo pumayag. In fact, dinagdagan pa natin sila noong budget deliberations. Tama nga ang kutob ko, sino ba ang mag-aakala na ang RITM ang magiging isa sa pinakaimportanteng opisina sa panahon ng pandemya? Ang RITM din ang may kakayahan na mag-test ng iba pang nakahahawang sakit bukod sa COVID-19,” Go shared. He concluded by saying that he supports these initiatives that will benefit Filipinos, the healthcare system, and the less fortunate. "Bagama't isang boto lang po ako, ay suportado ko po ang mga ito." The senator has filed his own versions of these measures in the Senate. Go has filed Senate Bill No. 195 or the creation of a Center for Disease Control (CDC). If passed into law, CDC will serve as the country's central hub for disease prevention, surveillance, and control, focusing on both infectious and non-communicable diseases. Another key legislative measure from Go is SBN 196, which seeks to establish a Virology Science and Technology Institute. The institute is envisioned as a center for virology that will enhance the country's capacity to study, detect, and combat emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. He also filed SBN 1180 which seeks to establish a Medical Reserve Corps composed of individuals who have degrees in health-related fields but have yet to obtain professional licenses. The Medical Reserve Corps may be called upon to assist the national government and the local government units in their functions related to addressing the medical needs of the public in times of national emergencies. The post ‘Dapat maging mas handa tayo’ — Bong Go backs healthcare-related bills appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
GCash backs bills running after scams
GCash is expressing its full support for the urgent passage of a proposed law that will boost the fight against scammers and fraudsters. “As we place utmost priority on trust and security, we believe that House Bill 7393, or the ‘Anti-Financial Scamming Act’ and Senate Bill 2039, or the ‘Anti-Mule and Financial Fraud Act of 2023’ will greatly help deter financial cybercrimes in the country,” Ren-Ren Reyes, president and CEO of G-Xchange Inc., the mobile wallet operator of GCash, said. The proposed legislations will primarily punish cybercriminals and their accomplices such as the so-called money mules who are used by scammers to receive stolen or illicit money and obscure the source of funds while keeping the criminals’ identity secret. While some money mules are aware that what they’re doing is illegal, others are more unwitting. “If urgently passed and implemented, the measures penalizing money mules and scammers can further accelerate the country’s digitalization and financial inclusion agenda,” Reyes indicated. GCash has been proactively blocking suspicious accounts to keep these bad actors from victimizing customers. Rounding up mules From January 2022 to June 2023, GCash had barred 4 million accounts from accessing the platform for fraud. The leading e-wallet is also in close coordination with the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center and the National Bureau of Investigation to ensure scammers and fraudsters are stopped in their tracks. House Bill 7393, once passed, will penalize any person who acts as a money mule or performs social engineering schemes. When done by a group of three or more persons, perpetrators will also face charges of economic sabotage. As for Senate Bill 2039, it expressly prohibits phishing and account takeovers — two of the most common schemes that criminals use to steal money from unsuspecting users. The post GCash backs bills running after scams appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
GCash backs urgent passage of legislation against scammers
In line with its thrust of building the safest platform for its users, GCash is expressing its full support for the urgent passage of a proposed law that will give a big boost to the fight against scammers and fraudsters. “As we place utmost priority on trust and security, we believe that House Bill 7393, or the ‘Anti-Financial Scamming Act’ and Senate Bill 2039, or the ‘Anti-Mule and Financial Fraud Act of 2023’, will greatly help deter financial cybercrimes in the country,” said Ren-Ren Reyes, president and CEO of G-Xchange, Inc., the mobile wallet operator of GCash. The proposed legislation will primarily punish cybercriminals and their accomplices such as the so-called money mules who are used by scammers to receive stolen or illicit money and obscure the source of funds while keeping the criminals’ identity secret. While some money mules are aware that what they’re doing is illegal, others are more unwitting. “If urgently passed and implemented, the measures penalizing money mules and scammers can further accelerate the country’s digitalization and financial inclusion agenda,” noted Reyes. GCash has been proactively blocking suspicious accounts to keep these bad actors from victimizing customers. In fact, from January 2022 to June 2023, GCash has already barred four million accounts from accessing the platform for fraud. The leading e-wallet is also in close coordination with the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG), the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to ensure scammers and fraudsters are stopped in their tracks. House Bill No. 7393, once passed, will penalize any person who acts as a money mule or performs social engineering schemes. When done by a group of three or more persons, perpetrators will also face charges of economic sabotage. As for Senate Bill No. 2039, it expressly prohibits phishing and account takeovers — two of the most common schemes that criminals use to steal money from unsuspecting users. Both proposed measures define money mules as persons who sell, buy, or lend e-wallets or other financial accounts, including those who register for such accounts using fake names or stolen identities to commit a crime. Other bills in the Senate aimed at beefing up the fight against fraudsters and scammers are SB 336, SB 2171, SB 2306, and SB 2407. “We look forward to collaborating with our legislators and other stakeholders for the protection of the Filipino people against evolving threats in this increasingly more digital world,” emphasized Reyes. The post GCash backs urgent passage of legislation against scammers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Kuya Bong backs Vice Mayors’ League mission
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go recently expressed his support for the Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines and its efforts of bringing government services closer to communities in need during the 3rd Quarter 2023 National Executive Board Meeting held at Dusit Thani Hotel, Davao City last Wednesday. The Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines gathered in an assembly, bringing together vice mayors from various regions of the country as the meeting aimed to discuss vital issues and strategies to enhance the lives of Filipinos at the local level. Go commended the hard work and dedication of the vice mayors in their respective municipalities and acknowledged the challenges they face daily while striving to improve the lives of their constituents. The senator also emphasized that despite holding different positions in the government, they all share a common mission — to serve the Filipino people with dedication and compassion. “Our nation continues to face challenges, but with your steadfast commitment and strong leadership, we have made remarkable progress in enhancing local governance, improving public services, and fostering sustainable development. I am proud of the strides we have taken together to make our municipalities vibrant, inclusive, and forward-looking,” Go said in his video message. He then recognized the importance of fostering a strong partnership between national and local government officials, stressing that their collaborative efforts would result in more effective governance and improved public services. “I am confident that through our united efforts, we can continue to uplift the lives of our constituents and create lasting positive change. Let us remain steadfast in our commitment to public service, embodying the ideals of integrity, compassion, and innovation,” said the lawmaker. Earlier, Go filed Senate Bill 194, aptly titled the E-Governance Act which aims to establish an integrated and interconnected information and resource-sharing and communications network that spans national and local governments. If passed, it shall mandate the creation of an internal records management information system, an information database, and digital portals for the delivery of public services. The utilization of digital platforms and online systems streamlines administrative processes, simplifies public service delivery and improves citizen engagement. “Government should always be responsive to the demands of changing times. It is for this reason that I filed the proposed E-Governance Act,” Go said. As chair of the Senate Committee on Health, the lawmaker also stressed the importance of bringing public health services closer to communities through the help of local government units. The post Kuya Bong backs Vice Mayors’ League mission appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Improved tax system aims to double revenues by 2028
The Department of Finance on Thursday wants to improve the tax system in the country during the Marcos Administration to achieve the country's medium-term fiscal framework targets. At the start of the 2024 budget deliberations at the House of Representatives, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the government eyed nearly doubling the tax revenues by 2028. To achieve this, the Finance Chief wants Congress to pass several bills related to the tax measures under the Marcos administration. These include the military and uniformed personnel pension, excise tax on single-use plastics, excise tax on sweetened beverages and junk food, rationalization of mining fiscal regime, VAT on digital service providers, carbon taxation, capital market development bill, motor vehicle road users tax, and tax on pre-mixed alcohol. "These tax revenue measures will enable us to raise revenues totaling P120.5 billion or 0.5 percent of GDP in 2024 and P183.2 billion or 0.6 percent of GDP in 2026," Diokno explained to the lawmakers. He added that the tax revenue is projected to increase from P3.5 trillion in 2023 (14.4 percent of gross domestic product) to P6.5 trillion in 2028 (16.9 percent of GDP). Diokno also mentioned that the non-tax revenue is expected to increase to P183.7 billion in 2028 from P191.1 billion in 2023. The Finance Chief mentioned that the Bureau of Customs has already adopted tax administration measures such as anti-smuggling initiatives, Computer-Aided Risk Management System, and customs modernization program, and fuel marking program. Meanwhile, Diokno said the Bureau of Internal Revenue has already adopted tax administration measures such as broadening of tax base, digital transformation (DX) roadmap, nationwide raid of illegal cigarettes and vapor products, Oplan Kandado, the Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) program, and the Run After Fake Transactions (RAFT) programs. The post Improved tax system aims to double revenues by 2028 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Go backs Palace plans, programs
Emphasizing his enduring commitment to pro-poor initiatives, healthcare system improvements, and the welfare of medical frontliners, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Wednesday expressed his support and satisfaction with the plans and programs that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. unveiled during his second State of the Nation Address (SONA). In an interview after assisting fire victims in Parañaque City, Go emphasized that while the first SONA outlined the administration’s plans, the second showcased its various accomplishments during its first year in office. In his address, Marcos outlined various programs aimed at uplifting the country’s poor, a cause that Go has also committed to pursue. On the health programs and initiatives announced during the SONA, Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, commended the administration’s ongoing efforts to improve the country’s healthcare system. He specifically lauded Marcos’ plans on improving the country’s preparedness for future pandemics, citing the unprecedented effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. In relation to this, Go has been pushing for the passage of Senate Bill No. 195, or the creation of a Center for Disease Control. This proposed legislation aims to create a central hub for disease prevention, surveillance, and control, addressing both infectious and non-communicable diseases. Go also filed SBN 196, which seeks the establishment of a Virology Science and Technology Institute. The institute is envisioned to enhance the country’s capacity to study, detect, and combat emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. He also emphasized the importance of the establishment of Super Health Centers in providing primary care in grassroots communities, facilitating early disease detection, and helping decongest hospitals. The post Go backs Palace plans, programs appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go backs FOI bill; bats for gov’t transparency, accountability
In an interview on Tuesday, 11 July, after aiding poor residents in Trece Martires City, Cavite, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go expressed his strong support for the pending Freedom of Information (FOI) bill, affirming that it is high time the Philippine government fortified its commitment to transparency and accountability across the bureaucracy. "Alam n'yo, it's about time na magkaroon tayo ng Freedom of Information law mismo. Mayroon tayo ngayong Executive Order (EO) issued by former president Rodrigo Duterte, pero ang sakop po nito ay taga-Executive Branch lamang," Go said, referring to EO No. 2 issued by Duterte in 2016 but was limited to the executive branch only. Go further emphasized that the implementation of an FOI law would institutionalize transparency within all branches of the government. "Kung maisabatas po ito, mai-institutionalize natin ang transparency sa gobyerno. Mag-allocate din tayo ng pondo. Tatlong dekada na pong pending ito sa (lehislatibo)," he added. The senator underscored the crucial role of such a bill in curbing corruption and irregularities in government functions. "Kung mayroong transparency, mas maiiwasan natin ang korapsyon at katiwalian sa gobyerno," he said. "Wala naman tayong dapat ikatakot kung wala tayong itinatago,” Go stressed. Despite being a longstanding proposal, the FOI bill has faced opposition, particularly concerning potential infringements on personal privacy. Go acknowledged this concern and stressed the importance of striking a balance between government transparency and the right to privacy. "At I'm sure pinag-aaralan din po ito ng ating gobyerno, ang Executive Department, paano nila ito ipinapatupad dahil binabalanse nga po nila 'yung right to privacy," the senator said. Earlier, the Presidential Communications Office expressed unwavering support for the FOI bill's enactment into law. Senators Ramon Revilla Jr., Sonny Angara, Grace Poe, and Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva filed their own versions of the proposed legislation. While defending his stance on the FOI bill, Go also emphasized his belief that being in government necessitates the upholding of transparency. "At para sa akin, kapag nasa gobyerno tayo, dapat po ay mayroong transparency," he stated. However, he also highlighted the importance of ensuring that the bill does not infringe upon any right, particularly to privacy. The post Bong Go backs FOI bill; bats for gov’t transparency, accountability appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Japan top court backs transgender woman in toilet case
In a landmark verdict, Japan's Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled in favor of a transgender bureaucrat who sued the government over access to female toilets at work. The court found that a decision barring the woman from using nearby toilets and forcing her to use others two floors from her office was "extremely lacking in validity". The move "overly accommodated other employees and unjustly disregarded how the plaintiff might be disadvantaged", the court added. The ruling is the Japanese top court's first on working conditions for LGBTQ individuals, and experts said it could change the way the public and private sectors navigate sensitive questions on women-only spaces. The case was filed by a transgender woman in her fifties, who was told by her employer, the ministry of economy and trade, that she could only use a female toilet two floors from her office. She argued that being barred from the female toilets nearest to her "deeply hurt" her dignity and violated a law that protects state employees against loss or damage in the workplace. Speaking to reporters after the court's decision, the woman, who cannot be named for privacy reasons, said the state "cannot ignore the severity of this ruling". While she felt "positively" about the ruling on access to female toilets, she was disappointed the court had not accepted her appeal for compensation. The National Personnel Authority, which recruits and manages public servants, and was the respondent in the case, said it will "scrutinise the content of the ruling and take appropriate measures". Government studying verdict The woman had been diagnosed with gender dysphoria around 1999, while already a government employee, and in 2009 told her supervisor she wished to dress and work as a woman. The ministry approved some of her requests but insisted she could only use the women's toilets a few floors from her desk. Officials said the decision was justified because of a lack of "public understanding" toward transgender people using the facilities of their declared gender. But in a hearing last month, the plaintiff's team argued that no female employees at the ministry had explicitly voiced any discomfort about sharing restrooms. Japanese law currently effectively requires transgender people to be surgically sterilized if they want legal recognition of their gender identity. Those who wish to change their official documents must appeal to a family court and meet criteria including having no reproductive capacity -- generally requiring sterilization. The plaintiff in the case has not changed her legal gender, but otherwise lives as a woman. In 2019, the Tokyo District Court upheld her complaint, saying the ministry's treatment "restricted important legal rights" because of her gender identity. But a higher court overturned the ruling in 2021 and backed the state, acknowledging its responsibility to consider the "embarrassment and anxiety" felt by others at the woman's use of the female toilets. Responding to the decision on Tuesday, the prime minister's office said the government would "take appropriate measures" after studying the verdict. "The government will work squarely towards the realization of a society where diversity is respected," said top government spokesman Hirokazu Matsuno, without mentioning specific actions. Japan earlier this year passed its first legislation ostensibly intended to protect the LGBTQ community from discrimination. However, campaigners slammed the watered-down language in the bill, which only opposes "unjust discrimination". The post Japan top court backs transgender woman in toilet case appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CHR backs bill pushing for lifetime PWD ID to reduce burdens on sector
The Commission on Human Rights has called for the passage of a bill providing a lifetime validity to identification cards issued to persons with permanent disabilities, saying that it would reduce the administrative hurdles faced by the sector......»»
CHR backs bill granting maternity benefits for women workers in informal sector
The Commission on Human Rights has called for the passage of a Senate bill granting women from the informal sector maternity benefits, pointing out that the law excludes women who have not made contributions to the Social Security System......»»
Escudero backs proposed air passenger rights
Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero stressed it’s about time to pass a law that would institutionalize the Air Passenger Bill of Rights and urged for stiffer penalties on violators amid the rising customer complaints against poor airline services. "Similar measures had been filed in previous Congress but nothing happened. It is about time that we in the 19th Congress should look into this seriously and hopefully pass the necessary legislation," Escudero said. The current Congress, according to Escudero, should look into legislating the Air Passenger Bill of Rights, a proposal that was backed by the Civil Aeronautics Board during Wednesday's hearing conducted jointly by the Committee on Tourism and the Committee on Public Services, chaired by Senators Nancy Binay and Grace Poe, respectively. During the hearing, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said he is mulling a measure that would institutionalize the Air Passenger Bill Rights in order to protect the public from any abuse by airline companies. Dela Rosa also asked CAB about its position in pushing the institutionalization of the Air Passenger Bill of Rights in order to protect the public from erring airline companies. "What is your position? Do you agree with the proposal to create a law that will institutionalize the Air Passenger Bill of Rights?" asked Dela Rosa. In response, Arcilla, said they have been very supportive of the proposal as she cited the violations and penalties provided in the 71-year-old Republic Act 776 or the "Civil Aeronautics Act of the Philippines" have not been revised and limits the fine to P5,000 for each violation. On the other hand, the Airline Passenger Bill of Rights was not legislated but contained in the Joint Administrative Order 1 of the then Department of Transportation and Communications and the Department of Trade and Industry in 2012. The Airline Passenger Bill of Rights specifically tries to resolve passengers’ complaints, including delayed or canceled flights without appropriate warning, lost luggage, and overbooking of flights. It also covers pre-flight issues, such as misleading fare advertisements. The post Escudero backs proposed air passenger rights appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CHR backs passage of ‘long overdue’ SOGIESC bill
The Commission on Human Rights on Thursday threw its support behind the passage of the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, or Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) Equality bill still pending at the House committee level, saying that the law has been long overdue to stamp down on discriminatory acts......»»
CHR backs Senate bill doubling teachers’ allowance
A recently approved Senate bill pushing a 100% raise in public school teachers’ teaching supplies allowance starting in 2024 will be a "significant step" toward attaining students' right to quality education, the Commission on Human Rights said......»»
Kuya Bong backs LGUs’ e-governance empowerment
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go recently commended President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his forward-thinking approach as the President recently tasked the Department of Information and Communications Technology to enable local government units to adapt to the e-government system as part of the efforts to modernize government services and promote efficient governance. “The directive issued by President Marcos reflects his commitment to improving public service delivery and advancing the nation’s digital landscape. By leveraging technology and implementing e-governance, we can enhance government efficiency, promote transparency, and empower citizens with easier access to services,” said Go. In a sectoral meeting with DICT on 24 May, Marcos issued the directive to Secretary Ivan Uy and reminded them to ensure regular upgrades within the system. “Let’s capacitate our LGUs so they can adapt to the system,” said Marcos in his directive. “That’s really the essence of digitalization. Let’s be sure that we are able to upgrade this system. Set it up to get them ready, so they know how to operate it.” E-governance, also known as electronic governance, is the application of information and communication technology to enhance the efficiency, transparency and accessibility of government operations and services. The utilization of digital platforms and online systems streamlines administrative processes, simplifies public service delivery and improves citizen engagement. Meanwhile, the lawmaker stressed the urgent need to harness the potential of e-governance as he continues to push for Senate Bill 194 as he long advocated for the integration of digital solutions in government operations. During a public hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Science and Technology on 22 May, Go — as one of the authors of the measure — highlighted the potential benefits of e-governance, such as faster processing times for permits and licenses, simplified online transactions, improved data security and enhanced accessibility. “Bureaucratic inefficiency has been one of the most persisting problems in government service for the longest time. People spend so much money, time, and energy just to get a simple document, submit an application for a permit, or simply access public information,” Go said. “Government should always be responsive to the demands of changing times. It is for this reason that I filed the proposed E-Governance Act,” he added. Echoing Marcos, the senator expressed his confidence that the government’s responsiveness to the needs of the people through the adaptation of e-governance would result in a more inclusive and efficient administration. “This bill mandates the government to establish an integrated and interconnected information and resource-sharing and communications network spanning the entirety of the national and local governments,” Go said. The proposed E-Governance Act aims to establish an integrated and interconnected information and resource-sharing and communications network that spans national and local governments. It shall also mandate the creation of an internal records management information system, an information database and digital portals for the delivery of public services. The bill also advocates for the digitization of paper-based workflows to achieve greater efficiency and transparency in public service delivery. Go acknowledged the role of the DICT in spearheading these efforts. “Doing so would bring the government closer to the people, bridge the gap in the delivery of various services, and provide avenues for our people to bring their grievances and concerns to the government. In the end, E-governance will result to better governance, and a government that is more responsive to the needs of our people,” said Go. The post Kuya Bong backs LGUs’ e-governance empowerment appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Wage hike tunnel vision
The Senate is expected to pass before adjourning sine die in June a P150-a-day, across-the-board wage hike after a bill mandating just that was approved “in principle” by its labor panel. That bill had been simmering before a technical working group, being cooked to make it palatable to employers, especially to micro, small, and medium enterprises that employ 5.4 million Filipinos. The few but noisy militants in the labor sector have derided the Senate panel’s wage bill and its counterpart House measure as too paltry against the skyrocketing prices of goods and services. Businesses had always been opposed to the shotgun approach of legislating wage hikes because a bearable imposition on one company may just be what would tip another enterprise to going into the precipice and seizing operations. In the latter example, workers, due to the actions of politicians pandering to what they think would earn them “pogi” points in the next election, could suddenly find themselves without jobs. It is for this reason that business groups like the Employers’ Confederation of the Philippines had been steadfast in keeping the status quo of raising salaries through the regional wage boards. The boards oversee relatively smaller regions and as such can listen to affected parties, both from the labor and employer sides, thereby coming up with increases acceptable to both. As things stand relative to Congress’ clear intent to ram the P150/day wage hike maybe in time for the President’s second State of the Nation Address in July, there are two sides. The first backs the measure to address the rising cost of living, while the second group had been arguing that it is inflationary, or that it will lead to further increases in the prices of goods and services. Theoretically, wage hikes could be inflationary because they can lead to an increase in the demand for goods and services. When workers buy more goods and services, the sudden or artificial increase in demand can put upward pressure on prices. In addition, wage hikes can also lead to an increase in the cost of production as businesses may have to pass on higher wage costs to consumers in the form of higher prices. Abrupt legislated wage hikes may, however, not impact inflation in a robust economy where businesses may be able to absorb the higher costs of labor without passing them on to consumers. But in an economy like ours that is just now getting out of the pandemic, wage hikes may further increase prices as businesses may be less able to absorb the higher costs of labor and instead pass them on to consumers. In both types of economies, legislated wage hikes are one-size-fits-all solutions that could be bearable to some businesses but catastrophic to others, leading to some companies letting go of their workers. In looking at the wage bills, legislators should take off their blinders and look at the big picture and past our borders where companies are laying off workers left and right. In the United States alone, in the technology and digital sector which supposedly made a killing during the pandemic due to the lockdowns and mobility restrictions, layoffs are leaving a bloody mess. This month, Amazon announced the layoff of 16,000 from a combination of factors like diminishing revenue stream and increased competition. Google’s parent company Alphabet earlier announced dropping 12,000 employees. The list goes on and on with Microsoft also giving 10,158 workers the pink slip, and Facebook’s Meta paring down its labor pool by 10,000. Amid the layoffs abroad, the number of unemployed Filipinos in 2022 dropped by 1.04 million to 2.99 million, compared to the 3.96 million jobless Filipinos in 2021. Those numbers represent an unemployment rate of 6.4 percent in 2022 from 8.8 percent in 2021. The decline in unemployment can be attributed to the Philippine economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic with gross domestic product increases that had been the envy of our Asian neighbors. This is something that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has not failed to point out in his many trips abroad to lure in foreign capital and investments. More than raising wages, the bigger challenge for the country is to further reduce unemployment by, among other things, addressing the mismatch between the skills of the unemployed with the skills required by the available jobs. Jobs generation is one aspect of the economy that lawmakers should focus on, one that would really impact the quality of life of Filipinos, and maybe even make the many Filipinos working abroad decide to come home since there are jobs for them locally. The post Wage hike tunnel vision appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Left holding the bag
“A leap of faith into the great unknown.” That’s how a worried Senator Francis Escudero described the venture that two state-owned banks would be legislated into making with the passage of the Maharlika Investment Fund law. That’s the same leap that the Government Service Insurance System and Social Security System were asked to make when the MIF idea was first floated last year, only for the state insurers to be dropped from the kitty pool amid the uproar and backlash. By their very nature, banks loan money and invest, but they have always had the option of where to put in their moolah. However, in the case of the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines, as captive investors, they’re in for the MIF ride, whether the road is bumpy or not. And that’s what troubles Escudero as he said that “as presently worded” in the Senate’s MIF bill, he could not see provisions detailing the bare minimum that the two banks’ investments — initially P50 billion for LandBank and P25 billion for DBP — would make. Senate hearings have established that the two government banks earn between six to eight percent of loaned or invested money, thus Escudero reasoned out that it may be financially sound to put at seven percent the threshold (or minimum) return on equity of LandBank and DBP. The senator warned that the banks cannot be allowed to go “bankrupt” because of the unsettled RoE and, if I may add, because of a failed venture which, in business, is almost always a possibility as turning in profits. Reading between the lines, the concern may be of the MIF making money but with the two banks being left holding the bag, left out of the profit-sharing due to a rushed MIF law that did not put in black and white a matter as simple as pegging the RoE. Naysayers have warned that the MIF may just end up as one huge corruption enterprise as the corporation tasked to manage the fund invests in a mixed bag of instruments like local and foreign bonds, equities, and foreign currencies. Here is where Congress should ensure that the MIF law would have enough safeguards not only for the two banks but also for the other players, including the government that will be infusing taxpayers’ money and state earnings. If the MIF is to succeed in promoting economic growth and development in the Philippines, the operations of the Maharlika Investment Corporation must be fully transparent. At the same time, whatever financial exposure that LandBank and DBP would have in the MIF should be of such amounts that losing them in a soured investment vehicle would not endanger the fulfillment of their core mandate. LandBank and DBP are primarily tasked to ensure loans are available for farmers and small and medium enterprises which, as admitted by an analyst of a commercial bank, are underserved by private banks and lenders because they are not as profitable. With this concern, there should be a ceiling as to what portion of their financial muscles can LandBank and DBP be allowed to put into the MIF. Again, this is left to the sound judgment of legislators who, with the law they would pass, would tie the hands of both LandBank and DBP. Let’s just hope that the lunacy and vested interests that marked the passage of laws now breaking the backs of Filipinos, like the Oil Deregulation Law, would be absent in the crafting of the MIF. Here, this Contrarian may be too overly optimistic. The post Left holding the bag appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Kuya Bong backs across-the-board wage hike
As the economy continues to gradually recover from the adverse impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go expressed strong support for initiatives in the Upper Chamber seeking an across-the-board increase in daily wages nationwide. “No Filipino should be left behind in our road towards full and inclusive economic recovery. By being inclusive, we mean not just business owners and investors benefiting from the improving economy but also even the most ordinary workers, especially the daily wage earners,” said Go, who is also a member of the Senate Committee on Labor. To recall, the Philippine Statistics Authority on 11 May reported that the Philippines’ gross domestic product grew by 6.4 percent in the first quarter of this year. It exceeded estimates made by economists. No Filipino should be left behind in our road towards full and inclusive economic recovery. It is, by far, the fastest growth rate in Southeast Asia, beating Indonesia with 5.03 percent and Vietnam with 3.32 percent. The International Monetary Fund, however, stressed recently that the country’s economic growth must be sustained at 6 percent this year considering the inflation rate that remains high. In a statement, the Fund said that “risks to inflation remain on the upside, and a continued tightening bias maybe appropriate until inflation falls decisively within the 2-4 percent target range.” While the senator acknowledges that the government has to balance the interest of the employers and workers, Go reminded that companies and enterprises recently enjoyed a lower income tax through the passage of Republic Act 11534 or the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act or “CREATE” which was approved by former President Rodrigo Duterte. On 14 March, Senate Bill 2002, also known as the Across-the-Board Wage Increase Act of 2023, was filed by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri which targets to increase private-sector daily wages in all regions by P150. Zubiri expects that the committee report will be ready within two weeks, hoping that the measure be approved by the Senate before its adjournment next month. The Committee on Labor and Employment, chaired by Senator Jinggoy Estrada, recently approved in principle the said bill, co-authored also by Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda. Go also plans to co-author the bill. Other similar measures tackled by the committee were SBN 2018 filed by Senator Bong Revilla, and proposed measures reviewing labor and wage policies and the Wage Rationalization Act of 1989 which created the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Boards, filed by Senator Raffy Tulfo and Estrada. Go, an ardent advocate of labor welfare, also filed measures seeking to provide better protection and benefits to workers. He filed SBN 2107, or the “Freelance Workers Protection Act”, which seeks to provide protection and incentives for freelance workers. The measure aims to recognize the rights of freelance workers and ensure that they are protected and adequately compensated for their services. The post Kuya Bong backs across-the-board wage hike appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sen. Go backs healthcare improvement programs
Senator Christopher "Bong" Go hailed the groundbreaking of the Tarlac City General Hospital in Barangay Binauganan, Tarlac City, on Thursday, 20 April, a day after the city celebrated its 25th Charter Anniversary. As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go was among those who helped push for the construction of the hospital to benefit the residents of Tarlac City and its neighboring areas. In his video message, Go highlighted the importance of investing in healthcare infrastructures to improve the overall health and well-being of the Filipino people. "Access to quality healthcare is a basic human right that every Filipino should be entitled to," Go said. "That is why I am committed to supporting initiatives that will improve our healthcare system and make it more accessible to those who need it the most,” he added. The event was a significant milestone for the people of Tarlac City, as it marked the beginning of the construction of a state-of-the-art hospital that will provide essential healthcare services to the community. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go has been instrumental in supporting various healthcare programs throughout the country. He has consistently pushed for the allocation of sufficient funds for health services and advocated for initiatives aimed at improving access to healthcare services for Filipinos, especially those living in rural and underserved areas. These include the establishment of Malasakit Centers, Super Health Centers, and specialty centers. Malasakit Centers bring together representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. These one-stop shops aim to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital costs to the least possible amount. In Tarlac, a Malasakit Center is located at the Tarlac Provincial Hospital in Tarlac City. Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. To date, 157 operational centers have helped more than seven million Filipinos nationwide, according to the DOH. “Sa mga pasyente, lapitan niyo lang ang Malasakit Center dahil para ‘to sa inyo. Kung may hospital bill kayo, nandiyan ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno na tutulong para mabayaran ito,” said Go. Meanwhile, Go is also pushing for the establishment of more Super Health Centers in strategic areas nationwide which can significantly help reduce hospital occupancy rates while bringing government medical services closer to the grassroots. Through the collective efforts of fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds had been allocated under the Health Facilities Enhancement Program of the DOH for 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. DOH, the lead implementing agency, identifies the strategic areas where they will be constructed. In Tarlac province, necessary funds have been allocated by Congress last year for the DOH to construct Super Health Centers in the towns of Gerona, La Paz, Paniqui, Victoria, Mayantoc, and San Jose. More Super Health Centers were funded this year in Tarlac City and in the towns of Camiling, Capas, Concepcion, Moncada, San Clemente, San Manuel, and Santa Ignacia. The senator also reiterated his support for President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s call to establish specialty centers in key regions outside Metro Manila. He added that the creation of these specialty health facilities is one of the likely optimal solutions to address the gaps in healthcare across the country. The establishment of specialty centers is among the health-related legislative agenda contained in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 signed by Marcos. Go expressed his gratitude to the people of Tarlac City for their unwavering support. He pledged to continue working hard for Filipinos and the entire country, and to prioritize initiatives that will improve their lives. The Senator also acknowledged the hard work and dedication of the city government led by Mayor Cristy Angeles as well as the provincial government led by Gov. Susan Yap in bringing public services closer to their constituents. Aside from the Tarlac City hospital, Go also supported the construction or improvement of roads in Concepcion, Gerona, La Paz, Pura, San Jose, Victoria and Tarlac City; improvement of the flood control structures along the Moriones River in Tarlac City; and construction of multipurpose buildings in San Manuel and Victoria, among others. The post Sen. Go backs healthcare improvement programs appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»