20170531 Wednesday NEWS

Impeach DU30 tuluyan ng ibinasura ng Kamara

Tuluyan ng ibinasura ng Kamara de Representantes ang impeachment complaint laban kay Pangulong Duterte.

Sa botong 217-4 at walang abstention, pinagtibay ang Committee Report 1015 kung saan ibinasura ng House committee on justice ang reklamo na inihain ni Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano.

Sinabi ni Alejano na ang pagbasura sa inihain niyang reklamo ay nangangahulugan ng pagpapatuloy ng extrajudicial killing sa bansa.

Bukod kay Alejano, bumoto ng laban sa report ng House committee on justice sina Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin at Ifugao Rep. Teddy Brawner Baguilat.

Ayon sa chairman ng komite na si Oriental Mindoro Rep. Rey Umali inaasahan na nila ang pagbasura sa reklamo.

“The decision was expected in this political exercise,” said Umali.

Kailangan ng 98 boto para mabaliktad ang desisyon ng komite at maiakyat ito sa Senado para sa impeachment trial.

Ayon kay Alejano kailangang mapanagot si Duterte kaugnay ng kanyang itinagong yaman, ghost employees ng Davao City government noong siya ang alkalde ng siyudad, at pagpatay umano sa mga kriminal sa Davao City ng tinaguriang Davao Death Squad na kanyang pinamumunuan.

No more waiting in long lines on Election Day for Seniors and PWDs

Congress vows to expedite voting experience of seniors and PWDs with the approval of Early Voting bill

The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading the bill allowing qualified senior citizens and persons with disability (PWDs) the opportunity to vote earlier than the scheduled national and local elections.

House Bill No. 5661 entitled, “An Act Providing for Early Voting for Qualified Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities in National and Local Elections”, was approved with 220 affirmative votes, zero negative votes, and zero abstention on May 29.

CIBAC Party-List Representative Sherwin Tugna, chairman of the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms and main sponsor of HB No. 5661, said the measure will make the entire voting process convenient by setting an earlier voting date and designating accessible polling places for senior citizens and PWDs.

“We believe that the government should ensure a hassle-free voting experience for our elders and persons with disability. Through HB No. 5661, we hope that we can make elections more inclusive and more representative by increasing the voter turnout from vulnerable sectors of our society,” stated Tugna.

A total of 323,210 PWDs and 7,369,735 senior citizens are registered voters as of August 2016, COMELEC data show.

Under the Early Voting Bill, there will be a nationwide registration for seniors and PWDs who may wish to avail of their early voting privileges to qualify them for early voting. Those who choose not to register shall vote on the designated election day.

"We recognize and laud the efforts of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to make the May 2016 elections more accessible. However during the public hearings of the House Committee on Suffrage, it was mentioned that despite the existence of RA No. 10366 or the ‘Accessible Polling Places Act’, PWDs and senior citizens still had a hard time voting during the last elections. In some areas, seniors had to wait in line for more than three hours under the intense heat of the sun just so they can cast their vote.”

The bill also aims to ensure the full implementation of the Accessible Polling Places. It guarantees that polling places are safe, highly accessible, and fitted with the necessary communication, visual, and physical aids for PWDs.

“The right to suffrage is an essential right in keeping democracy vibrant. No sector should be discouraged to exercise the right to vote. We hope that this bill is a step forward towards promoting greater involvement of the citizens in the electoral process and making elections in our country more disabled-inclusive,” Tugna concluded.

                                    LIST OF INVITED GUESTS FOR THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

1.	HON. SALVADOR C. MEDIALDEA	EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
2.	HON. VITALIANO N. AGUIRRE II	DOJ SECRETARY
3.	HON. MARK A. VILLAR	DPWH SECRETARY
4.	HON. SILVESTRE H. BELLO III	DOLE SECRETARY
5.	HON. DELFIN N. LORENZANA	DND SECRETARY
6.	HON. RAMON M. LOPEZ	DTI SECRETARY
7.	HON. JUDY M. TAGUIWALO	DSWD SECRETARY
8.	HON. CATALINO S. CUY	DILG OIC SECRETARY
9.	HON. WANDA CORAZON T. TEO	DOT SECRETARY
10.	HON. ARTHUR T. TUGADE	DOTr SECRETARY
11.	HON. ALFONSO G. CUSI	DOE SECRETARY
12.	HON. RODOLFO A. SALALIMA	DICT SECRETARY
13	HON. HERMOGENES C. ESPERON JR.	NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER
14.	HON. JOSE LUIS MARTIN C. GASCON	CHR CHAIRMAN
15.	HON. LT. COL. JASON Y. AQUINO (RET.) PA	NFA ADMINISTRATOR
16.	HON. DATU ABDUL KHAYR D. ALONTO	MinDa SECRETARY
17.	P/DIR. GEN. RONALD M. DELA ROSA	PNP CHIEF
18.	HON. JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZ	COURT ADMINISTRATOR
19.	HON. MUJIV S. HATAMAN	ARMM REGIONAL GOVERNOR
20.	GEN. EDUARDO M. AÑO	AFP CHIEF OF STAFF
21.	HON. EMMANUEL F. PIÑOL	DA SECRETARY
22.	HON. PAULYN JEAN B. ROSELLUBIAL	DOH SECRETARY

Speech of Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez before the House Committee of the Whole

May 31, 2017

Distinguished members of the House of Representatives, colleagues, and friends, good morning.

We have convened here today to discuss an urgent matter the resolution of which has lasting implications to the security of our nation and the well-being of our people. Given what has happened, a strategic and decisive response is necessary so that we may rise up to the perilous challenges of the occasion at hand.

We have to do this, not only because the dangers we face have devastated the lives of thousands. We have to do this, not only because these threats can easily spill over and engulf the rest of the nation in flames. We have to do this, because it is the right thing to do.

My fellow colleagues, let us remember that how we decide today will determine the trajectory of our response to the grave threats posed by terror groups - the Mautes included - that has rampaged the peaceful City of Marawi and the people of Mindanao.

Will our collective response extend a helping hand to our Commander-in-Chief and, consequently, empower him to decisively destroy the delusional terror dreams of these extremist groups?

Or will our response be to view the occasion from ivory towers and, while disconnected from the realities on the ground, choose to chain the hands of the President at a time when he needs our full support the most?

While we understand the reservations of some with Martial Law, let us view the situation not exclusively from the perspective of the past. Our present Constitution provides sufficient safeguards to prevent abuses by agents of the State. Moreover, we give the public our assurance that we are keeping a watchful eye upon the unfolding of events and will step in as a counter-balance should and when the need arises.

Our support for the declaration of Martial Law, however, should not be interpreted in a way that views the problem as one that can be settled purely through military might. The situation is far more complex. Besides military action, we have to address the historical, social, economic, and political roots of the problem. After all, the most potent weapon against terrorism, insurgencies, and rebellion is nation building.

Colleagues, let us extend to the President the aid which he needs. Let us also do our part and legislate lasting solutions to the problems we face. We owe this to the people of Marawi City. We owe this to the people of Mindanao. We owe this to the people of the Philippines.

Thank you. Good morning. And may god bless our nation.

Alvarez rallies House to fully support DU30 in dealing with terror threat

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez today rallied members of the House of Representatives to give their full support to President  Rodrigo Duterte in his effort not only to crush the threat of terrorism in Mindanao but also in addressing the roots of the decades-long conflict in the South.

Addressing the meeting of the House of Representatives as a Committee of the Whole, Alvarez said a “strategic and decisive response is necessary” to enable the entire country to meet the challenge.

The House decided to meet as a committee of the whole to listen to the briefing of key officials from the Executive department not only on the reasons that prompted the President to declare martial law, but also on the prevailing situation on the ground days after the declaration.

“Colleagues, let us extend to the President the aid which he needs. Let us also do our part and legislate lasting solutions to the problems we face. We owe this to the people of Marawi City. We owe this to the people of Mindanao. We owe this to the people of the Philippines,” Alvarez said.

Noting that the dangers posed by the Maute terrorist group that has already devastated thousands of lives in Mindanao may spill over to the rest of the country, Alvarez said supporting the President in dealing with threat is necessary.

“We have to do this because it is the right thing to do,” Alvarez said.

He warned that whatever decision the House may come up with after learning the factual basis for the declaration of martial law will determine the trajectory of the government’s response to the problem.

“Will our collective response extend a helping hand to our Commander-in-Chief and, consequently, empower him to decisively destroy the delusional terror dreams of these extremist groups? Or will our response be to view the occasion from ivory towers and, while disconnected from the realities on the ground, choose to chain the hands of the President at a time when he needs our full support the most?” Alvarez said.

The Speaker said that while he understands the reservations of some lawmakers about  Duterte’s decision to declare martial law in the entire Mindanao, he urged them to view the situation “not from the perspective of the past.”

“Our present Constitution provides sufficient safeguards to prevent abuses by agents of the State. Moreover, we give the public our assurance that we are keeping a watchful eye upon the unfolding of events and will step in as a counter-balance should and when the need arises,” Alvarez said.

Likewise, Alvarez said that the support of the House of Representatives for the declaration of martial law should not be taken to mean that the problem in Mindanao can be addressed purely through military might.

“The situation is far more complex. Besides military action, we have to address the historical, social, economic, and political roots of the problem. After all, the most potent weapon against terrorism, insurgencies, and rebellion is nation- building,” Alvarez stressed.

Enhanced access to MSME financing passes House scrutiny

The House committee on small business and entrepreneurship development has approved a substitute bill which provides for an alternative to the onerous ‘5-6’ loan scheme to help in the survival of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through access to rational and affordable financing schemes.

The committee chaired by Rep. Peter Unabia (1st District, Misamis Oriental) approved the unnumbered substitute bill to House Bill 5158 or the proposed “Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso” or P3 Act.

House Bill 5158 with its full title, “An Act Providing A Socialized Microfinancing Program for  Micro Enterprises Thereby Promoting Enterpreneurship," is authored by Unabia, Reps. Jocelyn Sy Limkaichong (1st District, Negros Oriental), Rodrigo A. Abellanosa (2nd District,Cebu City), Gil P. Acosta (3rd District, Palawan), Alexandria P. Gonzales (Lone District, Mandaluyong City), Marisol C. Panotes  (2nd District, Camarines Norte), Carlito S. Marquez (Lone District, Aklan), Salvador B. Belaro Jr. (Party-list, Ang Edukasyon),  Bernadette “BH” C. Herrera-Dy (Party-list, Bagong Henerasyon and Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado (1st District, Bulacan).

Unabia said access to financing is a persistent challenge which most MSMEs experience.  “Start-up and existing enterprises can usually get capital by seeking loans from lending institutions, such as banks, cooperatives or micro-finance institutions (MFIs),” said Unabia.

While there are several financing and credit programs for MSMEs, Unabia said these enterprises find it difficult to avail of them because of high interest rates, and voluminous documentary requirements, including the need for collaterals.

“MSMEs comprise 89.94 percent of the total firms in the country, and many of these firms are lacking in capital, and their survival in business relies heavily on access to financing. But instead of accessing traditional financing, micro enterprises resort to borrowing from the ‘5-6’ lenders,” said Unabia.

Under the bill, the P3 micro financing facility shall help micro enterprise owners optimize their potentials and achieve major growth through an alternative source of funding with a low interest rate.

A  P3 Fund shall be created and lent out to qualified MSMEs under such terms and conditions that will meet the purpose of the said Act.

The beneficiaries of the P3 Fund shall be micro enterprises, entrepreneurs, including market vendors, agri-businessmen, members of cooperatives, industry associations and cooperators.

Rep. Angelina D.L. Tan (4th District,Quezon), head of the technical working group (TWG) which crafted the substitute bill, said the measure will institutionalize the program which the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) started to implement this year through the Small Business Corporation (SB Corp.).  

"It aims to replace the ‘5-6’ money lending scheme and make available a micro lending facility with an interest rate lower than the prevailing market rate,” Tan said.

Tan said the TWG, in fine tuning the provisions of the bill, considered the comments and recommendations of the concerned agencies such as the DTI, SB Corp., Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines, and Chamber of Thrift Banks.

The bill declares the State shall develop policies, plans and programs and initiate means to encourage entrepreneurial activities, and to ease the constraints and challenges to MSMEs, particularly on access to financing.

The bill aims to provide an affordable, accessible and simple micro financing program for the country’s micro-enterprises, especially those in the poorest communities.

It also provides that the SB Corp., the financing arm of the DTI, shall be the lead implementing agency for the P3 Fund. The SB Corp. shall handle fund delivery to micro enterprises through the following modes: direct lending to micro enterprises; wholesale lending to conduits, such as micro finance institutions (MFIs); rural banks; and credit cooperatives, which shall lend the fund to micro enterprises and provide guarantees to loans granted by the banks to qualified P3 beneficiaries.

An amount of not more than 10 percent of the total loans disbursed shall be provided annually to the SB Corp., to be sourced from the earnings of the P3 Fund to support the administrative and operating expenses of SB Corp.

The P3 Fund shall have the following features: Loan Fund; and Guarantee Fund of not more than 25 percent of the total loan exposure among others.

SB Corp. vice president Melbin Abanto said the appropriations provision as contained in the bill is set on the targets set by President Duterte who earlier announced that there should be an allocation of at least P1billion of the P3 Fund per region in the country.

Abanto said that P1 billion of the P3 Fund has been released to their corporation and is already being used. Moreover, about P600 million to P700 million has been allocated to conduits and cooperatives.  He said there was another instruction from the DTI Secretary to request for another P1 billion for this year because of the numerous demands that they have to cover within 2017.

In pursuit of the objectives of the program the SB Corp., with the DTI support and permission, has already submitted to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) a request of P2 billion to fund the program next year, said Abanto.

Abanto said the SB Corp., with its present size and outreach, disburses about P2 billion annually from their regular funds.  With the proposed P3 Act, the SB Corp. needs to double its capacity to fulfill President Duterte’s vision for the SB Corp. to have branches in every region of the country.

At the moment only four regions of the country are covered by existing regional offices of the SB Corp. The SB Corp. currently has 16 offices nationwide and there is need for them to expand according to Abanto.

“This is the reason why they are requesting for a mobilization fund of P300 million.  Said fund will be used for the establishment of one office per region.  As to the demand, the corporation has not done any intensive or extensive formal study, but has done a lot of consultations as to the kind of funding that this particular segment of the microfinance market will be needing,” said Abanto.

Villar: DPWH opens additional 2 lanes along Commonwealth Avenue

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) opens on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 two (2) additional lanes on the southbound direction of Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.

DPWH Secretary Mark A. Villar said that the southbound segment at Commonwealth from Zuzuarregui Street to Vila Beatriz Street has been widened from five (5) lanes to seven (7) lanes.

“We have settled right-of-way claims of informal settler families (ISF) so we were able to push through with opening of 2 additional lanes along Commonwealth. Another one (1) lane will be added once the utility posts are relocated,” added Villar.

Villar noted that the additional 2 lanes covering 391 lineal meters was a result of effective communication and coordination between the stakeholders – the National Housing Authority, the local government, and the ISFs previously occupying the road right-of-way.

"The project, which had an allocation of P41 million for Phase 1 and P9 million for its Phase 2 involves the clearing of existing illegal structures of about 392 ISFs, construction of retaining wall, embankment, and road concreting," Villar said.

The project also covers flood-control, pedestrian-friendly components such as the installation of a 910-milimeter diameter reinforced concrete pipe culvert (RCPC), and construction of concrete curb and gutter, and a 2.5-meter wide sidewalk.