RANKING SOLON-NAVY RESERVIST COMMANDER RECOMMENDS 'JOINT PROTECTION' APPROACH TO SOUTH CHINA SEA

Joint protection of the South China Sea against wildlife poachers, drug smugglers, pirates, and terrorists may be the common ground the claimants, regional powers, and global superpowers need to work on, a ranking congressman has suggested.

"The joint protection concept could be part of any future revisiting of the Mutual Defense Treaty and in the development of the common ASEAN response to the various claims over the South China Sea," said Rep. Bong Belaro, author of several bills advancing ASEAN goals.

Belaro said easing tensions over the SCS can be done by "focusing on shared goals and values involving fighting crimes in the open seas, environmental protection and letting fish spawn."

"We can also derive lessons from how other regions of the world have peacefully worked out their overlapping claims," the congressman said.

"Countries whose waters overlap in the Mediterranean Sea, the Caribbean Sea, the Timor Sea, and in northern Europe have positive approaches we can learn from," Belaro said.

The congressman said ASEAN has several regional partners "who might be convinced to look closely at the joint protection approach as a peaceful and positive basis for agreement."

"As regards the West Philippine Sea, our national security team really has to develop friendly options that protect the fishing rights of Filipinos and create the environment where Filipino scientists can  do their marine research in peace," Belaro pointed out.  (END)

AS CHED 'ENJOINS' SUCs TO 'SYNCHRONIZE' ACADEMIC CALENDAR WITH FISCAL YEAR, EDUCATION SOLON RENEWS PUSH FOR STANDARD ACADEMIC CALENDAR

1-ANG EDUKASYON Party-list Rep. Bong Belaro said the synchronization of the academic calendar with the fiscal year of state universities and colleges "makes budget sense" and gives most of every year's senior high school graduates three to four months of vacation before moving on to college.

"Starting both the academic year and fiscal year in August in the SUCs follows sound budget logic because these schools should start classes with their respective budgets available for disbursement," Belaro explained.

"When the national budget bill is approved, it takes a few months before tons of paperwork go through the budget release process. With free college education now in place, that means about 2 million sets of documents which have to be processed and this takes up time," the education solon explained.

Belaro said starting the school year without the needed fiscal resources  "can only lead to disruption and a whole lot of unnecessary hardships for students and faculty."

"With basic education levels ending in March and April, an August start for SUCs gives them at least three months (May, June, July) to process documents, screen and oriented students, and recruit needed faculty for all the class sections needing teachers," the congressman said.

"SUCs also need those three months to also prepare for budgets for all the enrolled scholars and the payroll for the faculty," the Assistant Minority Leader added.

"An August start of school at all levels would mean all schools have a common beginning and ending which gives everyone a common vacation season for scheduling family vacations and bonding. Students and their families also need leisure time to recharge," Belaro stressed.

In House Bill 4044, Rep. Belaro wants all education levels to have a standard or common academic calendar, but the Department of Education has stood pat on keeping its June to March/April school year, partly because it does not want classes held in the summer because the intense hot weather makes it difficult for student to focus and learn their lessons in class. (END)

INSPIRED BY PRES. DUTERTE'S PRO-LGBT REMARKS, SOGIE EQUALITY BILL AUTHOR APPEALS TO THE SENATE TO PASS THE GENDER EQUALITY MEASURE

President Duterte's latest statement recognizing LGBT as "also created by God" is a booster shot for the measure protecting the LGBT rights known as the SOGIE equality bill, according to Rep. Bong Belaro (1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list), who lamented that the bill has met opposition in the Senate based on "religious grounds".

The House of Representatives approved the sexual orientation, gender identification or expression (SOGIE) equality bill on third and final reading last September 20, 2017 and transmitted to and received by the Senate on October 03, 2017.

"This is not a religion issue. The SOGIE equality bill is a civil rights measure which I hope the Senators will find it in their hearts to approve on third and final reading before the last session of the 17th Congress ends in early June," said Belaro, one of the bill’s authors in the House of Representatives.

"Marami sa mga LGBT, ang iba ay guro at estudyante, ang biktima ng diskriminasyon, pang-aabuso, at krimen sanhi ng kanilang kasarian o sekswal na oryentasyon. Niyuyurakan ang kanilang pagkatao at hindi itinuturing nang patas gaya ng pagtrato sa mga heterosexual," the education solon said.

Belaro said the enactment of the SOGIE equality bill would be "historic and life-changing not just for the LGBT but also for the whole nation."

"We have here a special window of opportunity to genuinely accept the LGBT with open arms as equal members of Philippine society. I urge heterosexuals and LGBT all over the country to write to the senators to convince them that approving the SOGIE equality bill is the right and moral thing to do," the lawyer solon added. (END)

BREAKING NEWS: UPCAT 2019 RESULTS INILABAS NA | OUTSTANDING UP ALUMNUS APPEALS TO UPCAT PASSERS TO SERVE THE COUNTRY WELL WHILE STUDYING AND AFTER GRADUATION

Keep your astute senses fixed on the plight of the poor, the marginalized, the working middle class, and the entrepreneurs because they are the lifeblood of our country. While studying and after graduating, serve all Filipinos, the country well as befits the service motto of the University of the Philippines.

Help fight corruption, apathy, and falsehoods.

Do your share to make sure evil is repelled. Push darkness back to the oblivion from which it came. (END)

Rep. Belaro (AB’89 cl; LLB’95) is the only University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) awardee in 2018 from among the Members of Congress. He is a UPAA honoree for public service and good governance.

FINANCIAL LITERACY, YESTERDAY'S HOME ECONOMICS, NEEDED FOR ADVANCED ADULTING' TODAY

By showing students of all ages how math is used at home and in everyday life using private sector-developed financial literacy modules, the Department of Education can produce future generations of numbers-savvy Filipinos, according to 1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list Rep. Bong Belaro.

"Most of today's older parents were taught home economics in school. As they as well aware now, much of that subject really is about managing the family budget using basic mathematics," Belaro, son of a farmer father and a public school teacher mother explained.

"Math is the key tool of financial literacy," Belaro added.

According to the DepEd, "more than 400,000 public and private school learners all over the country competed in the elimination round of the 2019 Metrobank-MTAP-DepEd Math Challenge conducted across 1,700 testing centers nationwide from January 17 to 18."

"Pinatutunayan ng datos na ito na hindi bababa sa 400,000 ang mga batang mag-aaral na angat ang galing sa Math. Layunin natin na mas dumami pa sila," Belaro said.

"These days and more so in the future, the need for "adulting" becomes even more necessary and central to that is the imperative of making the young realize how crucial math is at home, while using public transport, and earning extra income," the education solon stressed.

Belaro said the government must encourage more financial literacy involvement of the private sector and professionals "through their corporate social responsibility and social enterprise projects."

Belaro is the author of House Bill 4236 calling for the incorporation of entrepreneurship and basic financial literacy in all tracks of senior high school.

"Senior high students have the most immediate need for financial literacy and entrepreneurship competence because they are the young who are nearest to being able to find work or put up small businesses," Belaro pointed out.

"For the 18th Congress, non-tax incentives that would motivate professionals and companies to develop applied math competence from primary to senior high are among the top on the legislative agenda of 1-Ang Edukasyon," the party-list congressman said.

"I am studying the application of the carbon credits concept to volunteerism and corporate social responsibility. My idea involves converting volunteer time and part of CSR resources spent. Conversion into education credits which can be invested into helping build and equip more schools," he also said.

According to the DepEd, "last year’s Brigada generated a grand total of P6,447,685,413.61 worth of resources and volunteer man hours, and mobilized a total 22,647,754 volunteers."

"That's a lot of man-hours and volunteerism resources indicative of the strong potential of education credits to augment the country's investments in education," Belaro said. (END)

FORMER IBP COMMISSIONER NOW RANKING SOLON LAUDS HIGH COURT REFORMS IN SMALL CLAIMS CASES, BAR EXAMS

Staring April 1 this year, the metropolitan trial courts can handle small claims cases involving up to P400,000. 

​

"This upgrade from the P300,000 previous limit benefits thousands of ordinary Filipinos seeking court intervention on cases involving financial claims," said former Integrated Bar of the Philippines commissioner and now 1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list Rep. Bong Belaro.

​

"Bibilis ang takbo ng mga kaso at mas malaking halaga ang mababawi ng mga nagsampa ng kaso," Belaro also said.

​

The P300,000 limit was set only last year. In 2015, the limit was at P200,000.

​

Quoting SC Justice Diosdado Peralta, the Supreme Court public information office said the claims limit hike “will result in the speedier and more efficient resolution of money claims cases, as well as help increase the country’s score in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Report.” 

​

Belaro, a former law professor and law school dean, also praised the SC for continuing the practice, started in 2004, of having two examiners for each of the tests that comprise the bar exams.

​

"The Supreme Court noticed bar passing rates improve after they designated two examiners. I infer from this that there were more passers because their fate did not rest solely on the questions and checking done by just one examiner per subject," Belaro said.

​

In an en banc resolution approved on January 15, the high court adopted a general policy to designate two examiners per bar exam subject and prescribe a process for the exam booklets and checking thereof.

​

They also increased the examiners' and bar chairperson's honoraria to P400 per candidate. P275 was the previous rate for examiners while for the bar chairperson, it was P350. (END)

When ‘everyone is so untrue…’ | HONESTY MUST NOT BE ‘A LONELY WORD’ IN OUR SOCIETY, SAYS EDUCATION SOLON BONG BELARO

Rep. Bong Belaro, of 1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list and a House assistant minority leader, sees the urgent necessity for a "return to the basics by teaching the youth basic good manners and right conduct" in school, at home, on the roads, and following the rule of law. 

​

"I have authored and filed a bill on GMRC (HB 6705). I also proposed a Social Media Ethics Act (HB 4248) and Road Courtesy and Appropriate Street Behavior Act (HB 4247). I filed these bills so that honesty will not be a lonely word in our society. 

​

Belaro wants the members of the academe and professional organizations to serve as the role model of the youth by "teaching the basic standards of ethics, virtues such as honesty and patience--all of which have been grossly diluted in this age of the internet and fake news."

​

"Related to this is our advocacy for sports, wherein the values of fair play and principles of healthy lifestyles and fitness are essential to having healthy communities through regular sports programs and activities," Belaro said.

​

The congressman said the immediate implementation of the law establishing the Philippine Sports Training Institute will underpin the architecture for national sports development.

​

"Values and virtues are in play when people, businesses, and government follow the rule of law. For example, when fairness, merit and honesty are at work, implementing the Ease of Doing Business Act should be easier for local governments and the concerned national agencies," said Belaro, a co-author of RA 11032.

​

"RA 11032 is precisely intended to foster a culture of honest public service and good governance," he added. (END)

RESCUE OF FILIPINO FISHERMEN PROVES VIETNAM IS A TRUE FRIEND OF THE PHILIPPINES

Education solon and reservist Philippine Navy Commander Bong Belaro thanked the Government of Vietnam and commended the Vietnamese Peoples Navy for rescuing two Occidental Mindoro fishermen who were stranded on an island in the South China Sea.

"Through our friends in Occidental Mindoro,I will ascertain how 1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list can help the two fishermen of San Jose," Belaro said.

"With this act of kindness and navy professionalism out at sea, Vietnam proved it is a true friend of Filipinos and the Philippines/' Rep. Belaro said.

The congressman noted that the Philippines and Vietnam are both seafaring nations.

"We both care about making sure the marine life of the South China Sea will continue to sustain our peoples’ families and communities. We have shared values about the lives of fisherfolk and mariners," he added.

The reservist navy commander said the Vietnamese Navy’s rescue of Filipino fishermen "is a clear sign the continuing friendship between our navies and governments has built a rich reservoir of goodwill and compassion." (END)

EDUCATION SOLON SUGGESTS LABOR PACT BETWEEN PHILIPPINES AND CHINA

[Building blocks for the labor pact already exist, says Rep. Belaro]

Noting the April 2018 "Memorandum of Understanding on the Employment of Filipino Teachers of English Language in China", 1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list Rep. Bong Belaro has suggested the crafting of a bilateral labor agreement that would lay down the bases for migrant workers relations between the Philippines and China.

He said the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Foreign Affairs "would not be starting from scratch because the building blocks are already present. DOLE and DFA would of course be the proper agencies to take the lead on formulating the labor agreement with inputs from Congress."

"A comprehensive labor pact or even a set of different documents would be great additions to the already rich roster of bilateral agreements between the Philippines and China," Belaro stressed.

"The April 2018 MOU signed in Boao, China would be a good springboard. A migrant labor executive agreement or even treaty would protect the welfare of OFWs in China, assure reciprocity, and solidify people-to-people contacts between our two countries," Belaro said.

The education solon noted that China and the Philippines have strong education, cultural, and scientific exchanges which were strengthened last November during the state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping. (END)

P3.5-B PSTC SHOULD HOST NATIONAL SCHOOL SPORTS MAIN EVENTS AND TRAINING

[Training of school sports coaches must be factored into the PSTC design]

Site selection, engineering and architectural plans, the master plan, and public bidding for the Philippine Sports Training Center must be completed within six months after Republic Act 11214 takes effect, said a principal author, 1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list Rep. Bong Belaro.

"This specific deadline is clear in Section 3 of RA 11214, so the Philippine Sports Commission and the Department of Budget and Management must shift into high gear overtime to get all the necessary work done, including the availability of funds in the national budgets for 2019, 2020, and 2021," Belaro pointed out.

"Advanced dapat mag-isip dahil bukod sa six months na planning period, mayroon ding 18 months na required construction completion mandate," he also said.

Belaro stressed that "ideally, some of the preliminary work should have been underway for some time now while the bill was in its final stages and was sure of enactment into law."

"The PSTC should be able to serve as the permanent national hosting and training venue of the Palarong Pambansa, the Batang Pinoy, the SCUAA, and PRISAA, as well as international events like the ASEAN University Games, the South East Asian Games, and qualifying tournaments leading to the Olympics and world championships of various sports," the congressman said.

"As regards site selection, safety and security are primordial concerns, so I prefer that the location has good access roads, not in any insurgent or bandit-infested area, with generally good weather all year, far from any known and possible earthquake faults, and away from volcanoes and power plants that emit toxic elements into the air," Belaro said.

The education solon also said the training of school sports coaches must be factored into the PSTC design.

Belaro said he is gladdened by its passage as youth and sports development is one of his party-list 1-Ang Edukasyon’s legislative agenda (END)

STUDENT-ENTREPRENEURS IN SENIOR HIGH AND COLLEGE CAN AVAIL OF CORPORATION CODE AMENDMENTS

Students at least 18 years old and studying in senior high school or college can soon establish their own companies because the amended Corporation Code now allows the creation of one-person corporations and removes the minimum capitalization requirements of the old law, said 1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list Rep. Bong Belaro, one of the principal authors of the new law.

"Maaari nang gawin ng mga estudyante ang totohanang pagpapatakbo ng negosyo," he said.

Belaro also said starting a business will no longer be just practice sets, OJT, or practicum because the amended Corporation Code can let them become entrepreneurs who deal with the hard realities of owning and running a business.

"For start-up capital, they can avail of microloans from the Small Business Corporation of the Department of Trade and Industry or from any of the Bangko Sentral-accredited microfinance conduits," the education solon said.

"Hintayin lang natin ang implementing rules and regulations ng Securities and Exchange Commission, ang ahensiyang nangangasiwa sa lahat ng korporasyon at partnerships sa buong bansa," Belaro said. (END)

EDUCATION SOLON APPEALS TO DEPED, STUDENT COUNCILS AND PTAs TO HELP CASUAL STAFF IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS SIGN UP FOR UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE

All Filipinos, including those who serve in public schools but are not regular employees, are covered by the new Universal Health Care Law newly-signed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, 1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list Rep. Bong Belaro, one of the principal authors of the measure in the House.

"Most janitors, watchmen, utility personnel, and volunteer teachers in the public schools are not really employees of the school. Usually, the parents-teachers associations just give them stipends or allowances. They have no health care benefits. The Universal Health Care Act finally cures this injustice," Belaro stressed.

He said free college education and universal health care will go down in history as among the top achievements of the 17th Congress and the administration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

"I now appeal to the Department of Education and especially to the principals to please help these casual workers get enrolled into PhilHealth immediately. If the DepEd is too busy for this, the student councils and the PTAs can step in to help the casuals register with PhilHealth," the Bicolano congressman added.

Belaro said some of these casuals have been serving in the public schools for many years without health care benefits and decent salaries. (END)

RICE TARIFF LAW HAS EDUCATION COMPONENT, ROLES FOR SUCs

Little-known and often overlooked aspects of rice tariffication are the roles of higher and vocational education, 1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list Rep. Bong Belaro pointed out.

"Rice scholarships, vocational education, research, extension services, and technology development and transfer are all provided for in the rice tariff measure," said Rep. Belaro, a farmer's son.

"To make sure those provisions are implemented, the chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education is tasked to serve on the executive committee of the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund," he noted.

Belaro said the CHED chairperson's participation in the ACEF cannot be delegated.

"There is no provision for an alternate or designated representative because Congress made it a matter of policy to place the CHED chairperson there and make his ACEF role a priority," the Bicolano congressman said.

"The CHED chairperson also happens to be the chairman of all the governing boards of state universities and colleges. That role enables the CHED chair to mobilize state universities and colleges," he added.

Belaro said the CHED chairperson can exercise leadership by steering the SUCs so that they maximize their contribution to agriculture growth.

"This is a window of opportunity for the CHED to convince the Filipino youth to have careers in agribusiness, farm technologies, and farming itself," the congressman said. (END)

PARTY-LIST KICKS OFF REELECTION CAMPAIGN WITH MOTORCADE IN CAMARINES SUR

Congressman Bong Belaro jumpstarted the 1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list with a motorcade

with over a hundred Bicolano volunteers through key localities of Camarines Sur on the

start of the campaign period, February 12.

Atty. Belaro, a 2018 outstanding UP Alumnus Awardee in Public Service, Philippine Navy

reservist commander, and former Commissioner of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines,

hails from Goa, Camarines Sur where he and his family still reside.

Among House Assistant Minority Leader Belaro’s legislative accomplishments are 23

Republic Acts and 701House Bills and House Resolutions * the most notable of which are:

· RA 10931 Free College Education Law

· RA 10929 Free Internet Access in Public Places Act

· RA 10968 Philippine Qualifications Network Act

· RA 11032 National Policy on Ease of Doing Business

· RA 10969 Free Irrigation Service Act

· RA 11037 National Feeding Program Act

· RA 10928 Extending the Validity of Philippine Passports

1-Ang Edukasyon which is indicated as number 71inthe ballot topped the party-fist survey

conducted by the University of Caloocan City in January 2019.

SCHOOLS MUST TAKE PRECAUTIONS VERSUS MEASLES

1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list Rep. Bong Belaro asked the Department of Education and Commission on Higher Education on Thursday to direct all school heads to take precautions against measles for the health and safety of their students and faculty.

"Schools can be hotspots of the spread of measles and other contagious diseases because of population density and vulnerability of children and teenagers because of their health status, so precautions are necessary," Belaro said.

"Quick check screenings for fever, red eyes, cough, and rashes can be done at the campus gates by health personnel. Parents should be advised to not send their kids to school if they have the symptoms of measles. Instead of school, they should go to the nearest barangay health center or government hospital," the education solon said.

Belaro added, "correct information about measles should be circulated among teachers and students to counter any rumors, fake news, misinformation, and disinformation."

"This is not the time for any quackery, unscientific home remedies, and unsanitary practices that can only make matters worse for any person, especially children, infected with measles," the education congressman from Goa, Camarines Sur said.

Bicol is one of the regions in Luzon afflicted with measles outbreak according to DOH; other regions are NCR, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, and MIMAROPA.  DOH also confirms the spread of measles outbreak in Central and Eastern Visayas. (END)

BILL FILED TO PLUG LOOPHOLE ON TEACHING OF FILIPINO AND PANITIKAN SUBJECTS

1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list Rep. Bong Belaro has filed a bill which seeks to plug the legal loophole that allowed for the removal of Filipino and Panitikan subjects from the college curriculum.

Rep. Belaro authored House Bill 9006 authorizing the Commission on Higher Education, in consultation with stakeholders and experts, to reintroduce Filipino and Panitikan in college.

HOUSE BILL 9006

Inclusion of Filipino & Panitikan in the College Curriculum Act of 2019

"The bill lets the CHED decide on the ways they deem necessary and appropriate to achieve the reinclusion  of Filipino and Panitikan in the courses where they have been removed," the education solon said.

"My reading of the Supreme Court ruling on this matter is that an enabling law is needed to specifically mandate the learning of Filipino and Panitikan in college. This bill I filed addresses this matter, " said Belaro, an outstanding UP alumnus awardee. (END)

1-ANG EDUKASYON TOPS UCC SURVEY FOR PARTY-LISTS

Incumbent party-list group representing stakeholders in the education sector 1-Ang Edukasyon topped the survey conducted by the University of Caloocan City (UCC) this January 2019.

The 500 respondents, all are UCC Bachelor of Arts in Political Science students and are over age 18, were asked which party-list group among the list of 181 they will vote for the upcoming May 2019 election.

The results were tallied and ranked accordingly. 1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list came out as the topnotcher.

In 2016 elections, 1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list  got 278,383 votes nationwide. The votes were sufficient for its first nominee Atty. Bong Belaro to  earn a seat in the House of Representatives.

Belaro is currently the House Assistant Minority Leader and Vice Chair of the Committee on Higher Education. He has so far authored 304 House measures. He is one of the authors of the Free College Tuition Law.

Belaro, who hails from Camarines Sur, finished Political Science (cum laude) and Law in UP Diliman. He earned a Master’s Degree in Law from Cornell University in New York, USA. He was also a former college of law dean and a professor of political science and law.

In 2018, the University of the Philippines Alumni Association conferred him a Distinguished Alumnus Award in Public Service.

UCC’s Political Science Department head Prof. Rey Jetajobe supervised the conduct of the survey. He said that among the exercise’s objectives are to raise awareness in the party-list race and give opportunity for the students, many of them are first-time voters, to discern which party-list they think can best advance their interest in Congress.

Completing the top ten, following the number one 1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list, are the following: Gabriela, Ladlad, Magsasaka, Wow Pilipinas, Kabayan, Akbayan, 1-Pacman, Senior Citizens, and Cibac. (END)

1-ANG EDUKASYON TO PERSUADE BICAM PANEL TO KEEP INTACT PAY HIKE FOR TEACHERS, OTHER GOV’T EMPLOYEES IN THE 2019 BUDGET

Now that the bicameral conference committee is convened, I shall l respectfully express to my colleagues who represent the House to please see to it that there is funding for the scheduled fourth tranche of the salary standardization increases for 30,000 faculty in the state universities and colleges (SUCs) down to about 700,000 teachers in public school basic education, and for other government employees.

I am hoping that the delay in the pay hikes because of the briefly re-enacted budget will be limited to this month of January.

Latest indications from Senate indicate that they have approved funding the 2019 component of National Budget Circular 61.

Meanwhile, according to the DBM, the 2019 budget would kick in during February and that the NBC 61 implementation in 2019 would be retroactive to January.

On behalf of the education sector I represent in Congress, I am thankful that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Senate, and the House have been supportive of the continuing pay hikes.

My understanding from recent statements of Budget Secretary Ben Diokno is that studies and technical staff work are already underway for another multi-year pay hikes that would take effect starting 2020.

For the good of the national economy, it is my hope that the 2019 budget can indeed take effect in February so that any slowdown in government spending this month can be offset and economic targets for 2019 can be achieved. (END)

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TRANSFER P75-B ‘INSERTIONS’ TO TEACHERS' PAY HIKE and OTHER BENEFITS

1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list Representative Bong Belaro has suggested that the P75 billion insertions taken out the public works budget be allocated instead for the pay hikes of and the improvement of retirement and other benefits of the more or less 2,000,000 teachers all over the country consisting of around 700,000 in public schools, 30,000 in SUCs and the remainder in private schools, local universities and tech-voc schools.

Belaro addresses his pitch to the senators deliberating on the 2019 national budget and hopes the senate will see the wisdom in his suggestion.

"That's P75 billion directly to the teachers' families instead of fictional infrastructure projects. Real people versus bogus public works," the Assistant Minority Leader said.

Belaro explains that, “this is very timely as the President Duterte said last week that this month he is going to increase the salaries of teachers. As such increase can only come from public funds, this is probably it.”

“After we have liberalized access to college education through the free college education law and paved the way for faster exchange of information through the free wifi in public places law, the next best step to improve the quality of education in our country is to improve the incentives of those in the frontlines of our educational system - the teachers,” Belaro emphasized.

“In an age where other countries are paying their teachers way above our pay scales in the country, we have no other choice but to increase the salaries of our teachers. A high quality of education will result to better professionals to man our industries which will result to efficiency and growth. In a high growth economy the salaries of all our manpower will be increased. Thus, we have to prioritize increase in teachers' salaries first do that we could set in motion such a trajectory,” the education solon added.

Belaro also emphasized that there shall be complementary benefits for teachers in public and private schools as that is what the Constitution provides.

He thus suggests that part of the fund be used to subsidize salary increases for private school teachers and to ensure that retirement benefits among public and private school teachers are comparable. Currently a private school teacher upon retirement can only get P15,000 while that in public school gets the salary of his last position.

He also put forth the idea that whoever tried to fool Congress with the insertions should at least face administrative charges. (END)

EDUCATION SOLON: PAY HIKE FOR TEACHERS DOABLE THIS YEAR

Public school teachers can get their pay hike this year the same way the military and other uniformed personnel got their pay hikes since last year, according to 1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list Rep. Bong Belaro.

Belaro said it was Joint Resolution No. 1 of Congress that enabled President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to fulfill his pledge to soldiers, police, and other armed services employees in government. The solon was author of a resolution that was consolidated into the final document.

Congressman Belaro said funds for this pay hike can be made available from whatever fund the Department of Budget and Management shall identify as funding source.

"Depending on the availability of funds, the funding resolution can be calibrated, But care must be taken to make sure there will be little or no salary distortions across the civil service because public school teachers are not the only public employees," Belaro also said.

"For the rest of the government workforce, a new salary standardization program can be rolled out starting Year 2020 to be covered by the GAA for that year," he added.

The congressman said the legislature can calendar the authorization resolution as early as this week when Congress resumes session from its holiday break.

"Considering there is presidential support for it, I do not see any hindrance to teachers' pay hike prioritization in the agenda of the House," Belaro said. (END)

Alleged bullied public school student in Las Piñas committed suicide | Ateneo yet to release results of the investigation on the viral bullying video | EDUCATION SOLON ON LATEST BULLYING AND CHILD PROTECTION INCIDENTS

We ask the DepEd for comprehensive national data on actual bullying cases handled at the school level. We want to know the full extent of this problem based on reported cases. That data must of course include action taken by the teachers and principal.

The Deped report should also include its analysis of the effectiveness of its child protection policy on bullying. We want to know whether the principals and teachers are firm in their defense of the children's welfare or whether they cower to the demands of overbearing parents.

There must be a guidance counseling team in every school whether public or private. The guidance counselors have the technical expertise to handle bullying and child protection situations.

I recommend the conduct of regular in-service teacher training on conflict resolution, bullying, counseling, depression, and suicide prevention at all education levels: kindergarten to college. The training shall be for classroom teachers, guidance counselors, principals, education supervisors, and superintendents.

If DepEd feels it is undermanned, DepEd should ask the DSWD for social workers deployed, detailed, or seconded to the public schools, particularly the larger ones with student populations of 1,000 or higher. (END)

BREAKING NEWS RELEASE | BICOLANO SOLON ASKS PRESIDENT DUTERTE TO PREVENTIVELY SUSPEND DARAGA MAYOR

I appeal to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to order the responsible government officials to invoke Section 60 to 68 of Chapter IV of the Local Government Code (RA 7160) to preventively suspend the incumbent Daraga mayor and any other civil servants implicated in the murder of AKO BICOL Congressman Rodel Batocabe.

Daraga City is a town of Albay province and as such the Governor of Albay is vested with the power to preventively suspend an elective official of a component city or municipality within the province.

I commend the PNP for its swift investigation and filing of the appropriate criminal cases. (END)

YEAR 2018: A HISTORIC YEAR FOR PHILIPPINE HIGHER EDUCATION

• Funding for free college in SUCS and tertiary education subsidy in private schools + 12 new SUCs established

• In 2019, Congress can come close to matching 2018 accomplishments with Doctors to the Barrios Program upgrade and Medical Scholarships

2018 was a historic banner year for higher education in the Philippines because of GAA funding for free college education in state universities and colleges, as well as tertiary education subsidy. These two crucial accomplishments had the full and steady backing of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, who I believe should be regarded as a true education president. I filed several bills that were consolidated into RA 10961.

Aside from these two major education accomplishments of  Congress, which I supported with bills and votes at committee and at plenary,  11 new state universities and one new state college were created either by converting an existing state college or city college, or merging several colleges and campuses into a new university or college.

NEW STATE UNIVERSITY - 11

1. Republic Act No. 11150 - An Act Establishing the South Cotabato State College in the Municipality of Surallah, Province of South Cotabato, Integrating Therewith the Surallah National Agricultural School Located in... Approved by the President on December 13, 2018

2. Republic Act No. 11088 - An Act Converting the Sorsogon State College in the Province of Sorsogon Into a State University to Be Known as the Sorsogon State University and Appropriating Funds Therefor Approved by the President on October 11, 2018 PDF icon 4.2MB

3. Republic Act No. 11079 - An Act Mandating the Integration of the Maasin City College Into the Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) Approved by the President on September 27, 2018

4. Republic Act No. 11033 - An Act Converting the Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology in the City of Mati and All its Satellite Campuses Located in the Province of Davao Oriental Into a State... Approved by the President on May 28, 2018

5. Republic Act No. 11019 - An Act Integrating the Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa, Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology Campus Learning Site in the Municipality of Cawayan, Province of Masbate, as a... Approved by the President on May 25, 2018

6. Republic Act No. 11013 - An Act Amending Republic Act No. 10585, Entitled: An Act Converting the Cotabato City Polytechnic College Into a State University to Be Known as the Cotabato State University and... Approved by the President on April 4, 2018

7. Republic Act No. 11012 - An Act Amending Republic Act No. 10604, Entitled: An Act Converting the Iloilo State College of Fisheries in the Municipality of Barotac Nuevo, Province of Iloilo Into a State University... Approved by the President on March 27, 2018

8. Republic Act No. 11011 - An Act Amending Republic Act No. 10583, Entitled: An Act Converting the Mountain Province State Polytechnic College in the Municipality of Bontoc, Mountain Province Into a State University... Approved by the President on March 27, 2018

9. Republic Act No. 11010 - An Act Amending Republic Act No. 10600, Entitled: An Act Establishing the Surigao Del Norte State University in the Province of Surigao Del Norte by Integrating the Surigao State College... Approved by the President on March 27, 2018

10. Republic Act No. 11006 - An Act Amending Republic Act No. 10596, Entitled: An Act Converting the Mindoro State College of Agriculture and Technology in the Municipality of Victoria, Province of Oriental Mindoro... Approved by the President on March 27, 2018

11. Republic Act No. 11005 - An Act Amending Republic Act No. 10597, Entitled An Act Establishing the Northern Iloilo State University in the Province of Iloilo by Integrating the Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State... Approved by the President on March 27, 2018

STATE COLLEGE - 1

Republic Act No. 11009 - An Act Converting the Talisay City College in the City of Talisay, Province of Cebu Into the Talisay City State College, Amending for the Purpose Republic Act No. 10594, Entitled: An Act… Approved by the President on March 27, 2018

EXPANDING MANDATE - 1

Republic Act No. 11015 - An Act Renaming the Ramon Magsaysay Technological University (RMTU) as the President Ramon Magsaysay State University (PRMSU), Expanding its Curricular Offerings and Strengthening its... Approved by the President on April 20, 2018

As of December 2018 and as 1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list Representative, at least 19 bills I worked on a principal and as co-author were enacted into law.

THE YEAR AHEAD

2019 will be a challenge partly because it would be difficult to top 2018, but I am optimistic Congress can come close to matching 2018 as an education banner year.

Leading the pack of education bills which can be  enacted in the first six months of 2019 is House Bill 4025, which I authored and filed. HB 4025 enhances the Doctors to the Barrios Program. I am hopeful the Senate will soon adopt this bill. 

Also with the Senate is the companion bill on Medical Scholarships and Return Service, of which I am co-author having supported it as vice chairman of the House higher and technical education committee. 

These two measures will not only boost medical education in the country, but it’s more important long-term impact is better delivery of health services because of the availability of more doctors.

HB04025 - AN ACT ENHANCING THE DOCTORS TO THE BARRIOS PROGRAM; Principal Author/s: BELARO, SALVADOR JR. B.;  Mother Bill Status: Approved by the House on 2017-11-20, transmitted to the Senate on 2017-11-22 and received by the Senate on 2017-11-22; Status: Substituted by HB06571

HB06571 - AN ACT ESTABLISHING A MEDICAL SCHOLARSHIP AND RETURN SERVICE PROGRAM FOR DESERVING STUDENTS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR;  Status: Approved by the House on 2017-11-20, transmitted to the Senate on 2017-11-22 and received by the Senate on 2017-11-22

It is quite possible that the bill for the creation of the Polytechnic University of Bicol will become law on or before June this year. HB 8730 (originally HB 5119) was already approved on second reading at the House just last December 12. I will ask the House leadership to calendar it for approval in third and final reading this January, so that the Senate (and later, bicameral panel) can have February until May to work on it.  There are several other bills seeking to create new state universities through conversion and/or integration.

HB05119 - AN ACT CONVERTING THE CAMARINES SUR POLYTECHNIC COLLEGES (CSPC) IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF NABUA, PROVINCE OF CAMARINES SUR, INTO A STATE UNIVERSITY TO BE KNOWN AS THE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF BICOL; Principal Author/s: BELARO, SALVADOR JR. B.; FORTUNO, SALVIO B.;  Mother Bill Status: Approved on Second Reading on 2018-12-12;  Status: Substituted by HB08730

Still pending at committee is the Marawi City Polytechnic College bill. I pray this will get the nod of the House leadership for the fast track because of the urgent need to hasten Marawi City’s recovery.

HB06010 - AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE MARAWI CITY POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE OF THE MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES; Principal Author/s: BELARO, SALVADOR JR. B.;  Status: Pending with the Committee on HIGHER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION since 2017-07-26

There is already a committee report—meaning approved at committee level, on a bill I filed and designed to fill gaps and smoothen the transition of college graduates to the world of work,  HB 5357 on a School-to-Employment Program. I hope this gets calendared for second reading at plenary in January 2019.

HB05357 - AN ACT IMPLEMENTING A SCHOOL-TO-EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM IN HIGHER EDUCATION AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR; Principal Author/s: BELARO, SALVADOR JR. B.; Status: Pending with the Committee on HIGHER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION since 2017-05-02

Another education bill which is of particular importance to Overseas Filipinos is the Education Attaches Bill (HB 4027) for which the higher and technical education committee had conducted hearings.

HB04027 - AN ACT CREATING AND DESIGNATING EDUCATION ATTACHES IN PHILIPPINE CONSULATES WORLDWIDE;  Principal Author/s: BELARO, SALVADOR JR. B.; Status: Scheduled for meeting/hearing on 2018-02-19

Considering the limited number of session days in the months ahead, there may not be enough time for Congress to pass several more bills aside from these ones I have mentioned, but “hope springs eternal” so maybe some of these following 19 bills could advance further, but if they do not I can file them again in the 18th Congress and continue the work the higher and technical education committee has done so far.

1. HB01434 - AN ACT PROVIDING ACCIDENT INSURANCE TO TEACHERS AND STUDENTS; Principal Author/s: BELARO, SALVADOR JR. B.; Status: Pending with the Committee on HIGHER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION since 2016-08-01

2. HB01437 - AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN EDUCATION MUTUAL FUND; Principal Author/s: BELARO, SALVADOR JR. B.;  Status: Pending with the Committee on HIGHER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION since 2016-08-01

3. HB01446 - AN ACT SYSTEMATIZING, STANDARDIZING AND UNIFYING THE SCHOOL ACCREDITATION PROCESS IN THE PHILIPPINES; Principal Author/s: BELARO, SALVADOR JR. B.;  Status: Pending with the Committee on HIGHER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION since 2016-08-01

4. HB01449 - AN ACT REGULATING RENTALS OF SCHOOL DORMITORIES AND BOARDING HOUSES; Principal Author/s: BELARO, SALVADOR JR. B.; Status: Pending with the Committee on HIGHER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION since 2016-08-01

5. HB04026 - AN ACT MAKING AGRICULTURE AND RELATED COURSES MORE ATTRACTIVE TO ABATE THREATS TO PHILIPPINE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR AND FOOD SECURITY; Principal Author/s: BELARO, SALVADOR JR. B.;  Status: Pending with the Committee on HIGHER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION since 2016-10-18

6. HB04028 - AN ACT MANDATING THE REGULATION OF HOME STUDY PROGRAMS; Principal Author/s: BELARO, SALVADOR JR. B.;  Status: Pending with the Committee on HIGHER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION since 2016-10-18

7. HB04032 - AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE MARITIME EDUCATION IN THE PHILIPPINES;  Principal Author/s: BELARO, SALVADOR JR. B.;  Status: Pending with the Committee on HIGHER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION since 2016-10-18

8. HB04036 - AN ACT STANDARDIZING THE TENURE OF COLLEGE PROFESSORS;  Principal Author/s: BELARO, SALVADOR JR. B.;  Status: Pending with the Committee on HIGHER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION since 2016-10-18

9. HB04227 - AN ACT PROMOTING FOREIGN INVESTMENTS IN PHILIPPINE EDUCATION;  Principal Author/s: BELARO, SALVADOR JR. B.;  Status: Pending with the Committee on HIGHER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION since 2016-11-09

10. HB04228 - AN ACT PROMOTING EDUCATION TOURISM IN THE COUNTRY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR SUCH PURPOSE; Principal Author/s: BELARO, SALVADOR JR. B.;  Status: Pending with the Committee on HIGHER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION since 2016-11-09

11. HB04229 - AN ACT SUPPORTING THE TRAINING OF ENGLISH TUTOR AND TOUR GUIDES IN THE COUNTRY;  Principal Author/s: BELARO, SALVADOR JR. B.;  Status: Pending with the Committee on HIGHER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION since 2016-11-09

12. HB04254 - AN ACT PROVIDING FOR AN ANNUAL RESEARCH COMPETITION AMONG COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES; Principal Author/s: BELARO, SALVADOR JR. B.;  Status: Pending with the Committee on HIGHER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION since 2016-11-09

13. HB04255 - FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDIES ACT OF 2016;  Principal Author/s: BELARO, SALVADOR JR. B.;  Status: Pending with the Committee on HIGHER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION since 2016-11-09

14. HB04257 - AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A TEN YEAR ASEAN INTEGRATION PLAN AND THE IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING THEREOF; Principal Author/s: BELARO, SALVADOR JR. B.; Status: Pending with the Committee on HIGHER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION since 2016-11-09

15. HB06001 - AN ACT ESTABLISHING A MANDATORY APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM FOR ALL GRADUATING COLLEGE STUDENTS; Principal Author/s: BELARO, SALVADOR JR. B.; Status: Pending with the Committee on HIGHER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION since 2017-07-26

16. HB06004 - AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9163, AS AMENDED, TO MERGE ITS THREE (3) COMPONENT PROGRAMS INTO A ONE-YEAR MANDATORY NSTP TRAINING PROGRAM; Principal Author/s: BELARO, SALVADOR JR. B.; Status: Pending with the Committee on HIGHER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION since 2017-07-26

17. HB06005 - AN ACT AMENDING THE DUAL TRAINING ACT OF 1994;  Principal Author/s: BELARO, SALVADOR JR. B.; Status: Pending with the Committee on HIGHER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION since 2017-07-26

18. HB06410 - AN ACT REQUIRING ALL HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS TO COMPUTERIZE AND DEVELOP ONLINE DATA BASES ON THE RECORDS OF THEIR STUDENTS, GRADUATES AND FACULTY MEMBERS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR; Principal Author/s: BELARO, SALVADOR JR. B.;  Status: Pending with the Committee on HIGHER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION since 2017-09-20

19. HB08678 - TESDA MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2019; Principal Author/s: DATOL, FRANCISCO JR. G.; BELARO, SALVADOR JR. B.;  Status: Pending with the Committee on HIGHER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION since 2018-12-03 (END)

In time for Rizal Day… | PANUKALANG BATAS NA PORMAL NA MAGDEDEKLARA KINA RIZAL, MABINI, AT IBA PA, BILANG PAMBANSANG BAYANI, HANDA NA

[National Heroes’ Law to address the glaring lapse | direktang relevance ng mga aral ni Rizal sa kasalukuyan, dapat diinan sa mga eskuwelahan]

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts has declared that "there is no law, executive order or proclamation has been enacted or issued officially proclaiming any Filipino historical figure as a national hero", 1-Ang Edukasyon Party-List Representative Bong Belaro pointed out on the Death Anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal as he disclosed that he has a bill ready for filing "to address the glaring lapse".

Belaro said holiday declarations "lose their meaning when ordinary citizens nationwide are not direct participants in formal commemorations honoring Jose Rizal and other national heroes."

"Spending the holidays in malls or resting at home while not even doing any simple overt act to honor our national heroes erodes the importance of the historically-significant holidays," the education solon said.

Belaro said a National Heroes Law is necessary to embed the legacy of our heroes in our laws and for the collective memory of future generations of Filipinos."

"I am simply completing the unfinished work of the National Heroes Committee led by former UP President and former Education Secretary Onofre D. Corpuz. As per the account of the NCCA, the Corpuz committee submitted its recommendations on November 22, 1995 to then Education Secretary Gloria. However, no action was taken and the committee's work was neglected," Belaro recalled.

Belaro further quotes the NCCA:

"On November 15, 1995 , the Technical Committee after deliberation and careful study based on Dr. Onofre D. Corpuz’ and Dr. Alfredo Lagmay’s criteria selected the following nine Filipino historical figures to be recommended as National Heroes:

a. Jose Rizal

b. Andres Bonifacio

c. Emilio Aguinaldo

d. Apolinario Mabini

e. Marcelo H. del Pilar

f. Sultan Dipatuan Kudarat

g. Juan Luna

h. Melchora Aquino

i. Gabriela Silang"

"It is also necessary for the CHED to develop a new core profession mandatory subject wherein the lives and legacy of our heroes are taught to college students with direct relevance to the different professions and fields of study at the higher education level," the Bicolano congressman said.

Belaro explained: “Halimbawa, para sa mga engineering at architecture students, dapat ituro sa kanila ang mga engineering works at urban planning na naisakatuparan ni Rizal noong na-exile ang bayani sa Dapitan. Dapat ituro kung paanong ang diskarteng iyon ni Rizal ay maiaaplay sa kasalukuyang panahon. Iyan ang aspeto ng buhay ni Rizal na relevant sa kanila.”

“Ang pag-aaral ng buhay, mga akda, at turo ni Rizal ay hindi dapat mauwi lang sa pagmememorize ng mga pira-pirasong trivia,” Belaro stressed.

Belaro stressed that "Jose Rizal and our other national heroes were men and women of thought and action. Filipino college students, graduates, and professional can draw valuable lessons from a detailed study of how and why the lives we enjoy today were the result of heroic sacrifices generations ago." (END)

OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON DEPED MEMO CHARGING A P4,000 REGISTRATION FEE PER NSPC PARTICIPANT | DEPED ISSUED THE MEMO LAST DECEMBER 27

Primary responsibility for making sure the qualifiers for the National Schools Press Conference get to and from Lingayen is with the DepEd regional directors and the superintendents under them.

On this basis, the P4,000 registration fee for every member of the regional delegation of 302 individuals must come from regional and schools division funds, not from the students or the families and teachers and not from the schools, some of which may be poorly-budgeted.

It is of public record that I pushed for DepEd having the budget it needs for the NSPC, the largest annual campus journalism competition of our country.

I am just one congressman and I am in the minority but my support for campus journalism has remained steadfast. I did my part as I should have. The ball is now in the court of the DepEd regional directors and superintendents. It is now crunch time for them to prove their worth as managers. (END)

Note: Rep. Belaro was a campus journalist himself. He served as Editorial Board Member of the Philippine Collegian during his time in the University of the Philippines College of Law. When he was taking up B.A. Political Science in UP Diliman, he served as Editor-in-Chief of Tanglaw and Associate Editor of Sinag.

In 1984, he was awarded as one of the National Winners of the National Secondary Schools Press Conference (Feature Writing Category) representing Partido State University in Camarines Sur where he also served as the Editor-in-Chief of school paper The Partido Clarion.

#LavaWalk #MissUniverse2018 | RANKING SOLON LAUDS FELLOW BICOLANO CATRIONA GRAY ON HER MISS UNIVERSE 2018 VICTORY

Angat sa lahat ang talino, husay,  at ganda ng ating kababayang si Binibining Catriona Gray. Ehemplo siyang  dapat pamarisan ng bawat Pilipino saan mang dako ng mundo.

Catriona showed how the Filipino is the best asset of the Philippines. Catriona, true to her words, represented each Filipino with great honor, grace, brains, and beauty. (END)

Note: Si Rep. Bong Belaro ay tubong Goa, Camarines Sur; habang ang ating Miss Universe 2018 na si Bb. Catriona Gray ay taga-rehiyong Bicol din mula naman sa Oas, Albay.

Patintero, Piko, Tumbang preso at ibang pang mga larong pinoy, i-demonstrate sa half-time shows | POC, NSAs, SCHOOLS CALLED TO PRESERVE INDIGENOUS GAMES

[HB No. 8626 entitled "An Act Preserving Indigenous Games of the Philippines" passed 2nd reading]

National sports associations, the Philippine Olympic Committee, and school sports groups were asked to help promote indigenous games by demonstrating them during the half-time programs of their competitions.

"Digital natives like millennials, post-millennials and succeeding generations must be shown by example how indigenous games are fun, real-life social, and promote overall wellness," 1-Ang Edukasyon Party-List Representative Salvador Belaro said.

"These indigenous game, which are among the happy memories of older generations, also have inherent cultural value," he added.

Belaro said the sports community and schools can generate high awareness levels because of their competitions' high awareness levels and prominence.

House Bill 8626 on indigenous games just passed second reading at the House and is expected to cruise through third reading and sail smoothly in the Senate. Belaro is its principal author.

This bill is one measure that "shows how united Congress is when it comes to matters involving sports and culture" Belaro said.

HB 8626 mandates the inclusion of patintero, tumbang preso, piko, sungka, kadang-kadang and other indigenous games in the appropriate parts of the school curriculum.

It also seeks indigenous games preservation by documentary or other means, and their regular demonstration in national events and related school activities.

"If we will not take steps to preserve said games, they will soon be forgotten with the passage of time. The promotion of history, arts and culture is one of the 10 legislative advocacies of 1-Ang Edukasyon," Belaro pointed out. (END)

Kian delos Santos case | PNP MUST FIND, ARREST THE 4TH ACCUSED IN KIAN MURDER CASE

[House has HB 6574 meant to improve criminal investigations]

"As a resident of Caloocan City, a parent, and educator, I feel the partial relief the conviction verdict gives the parents, relatives, friends, classmates, and teachers of Kian delos Santos. The verdict against the three Caloocan cops is also partial vindication for Kian's family," Rep. Salvador Belaro (1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list) said.

"There is no doubt in the judge's mind, as well as in mine, that these three policemen who were supposed to serve and protect, did the exact opposite and murdered Kian in cold blood," he added.

He noted though that there is a fourth person, Renato "Nonong" Loveras, who remains at-large and has not yet faced trial for the murder of Kian.

"The PNP must prioritize the search for and arrest of Loveras," Belaro said.

Citing the "fruit of the poisonous tree" doctrine used in criminal law, the former IBP commissioner also said he disagrees with the acquittal of the convicted cops on the matter of evidence tampering.

"The Kian delos Santos case illustrates that scalawag cops can tamper with the scene of the crime, evidence collection, and custody of evidence. Of course the gathered evidence would be inconclusive and that's because these murderers know how to destroy and fabricate evidence," Belaro said. "I am curious about why the judge said the prosecution was unable to support that case and convince the judge."

Belaro, a member of the House Justice Committee, said HB 6574 and 6204 have solutions on how to improve the prosecution and investigation pillars of the country's justice system.

"As Assistant Minority Leader, I will find out if HB 6574, now with the Rules Committee, could move forward. I will try because the bill has merits and it is at an advanced stage in the legislative process already. I do realize though that the House agenda is quite heavy right now," he said. (END)

​Nalusutan ng Baril ang Bocaue School kung saan nagkaroon ng Murder-Suicide | DEPED SHOULD HAVE A 'NO GUNS ON CAMPUS POLICY'

Rep. Salvador Belaro, Jr of Party-list 1-Ang Edukasyon has called on the Department of Education, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and the Commission on Higher Education to issue a very specific order detailing security measures and protocols, including intensive screening for concealed weapons of adults who enter any public school campus, following the murder-suicide incident in a Bulacan elementary school.

The education solon also said, "noting that the assailant in this incident was a soldier I therefore ask DND and AFP, as well as DILG and PNP, to formulate and enter into a joint agreement with the DepEd, TESDA, and CHED a set of guidelines on the conduct of soldiers and police officers upon entering any school campus."

"In this Bocaue case, the soldier should have surrendered his firearm to the school security guard on duty or to the principal if there is not guard," Belaro said. "I also note however that based on the incident reports, the assailant had clear intent to kill his target and was in a state of intense rage. If the guard on duty noticed this, he should have immediately called for the police."

The Assistant Minority Leader said security protocols must be revised considering the coming December holidays, the May 2019 elections, and the continuing prevalence of illegal drugs and related crimes in many localities.

"Klarong nalusutan ng baril ang security personnel at school officials ng Tambubong Elementary School sa Bocaue, Bulacan. Nagsagawa kaya ng security check sa salarin noong pumasok siya sa kampus? Kilala kaya ng guard at ng faculty ng paaralan ang salarin kaya siya nakalusot?" Belaro asks.

The congressman said the child protection policies of the education agencies need updating and upgrading because of several incidents over the past months wherein teachers and students have been killed or raped on campus on near schools.

"Coordination with the local police and with local government authorities must be strengthened. Rapid response times of the barangay tanods and local PNP must be a matter of minutes, not hours," Member of House Committee on Basic Education & Culture said.

"Nitong darating na Disyembre, hindi dapat abutin ng gabi ang mga Christmas party para maging mas ligtas ang mga bata at teachers sa kanilang pag-uwi," the legislator said. 

Belaro is the principal author of House Bill 4252 – an act requiring increased police visibility in schools currently pending before the House Committee on Public Order and Safety. (END)

On the funding of salary increase for our college professors | 1-ANG EDUKASYON PARTY-LIST CHAMPIONS PAY HIKE FOR 30,000 SUCs FACULTY

In the ongoing budget legislation in the House of Representatives and in the Senate, 1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list pushed for the funding of R.A. 6758 entitled “An Act Prescribing a Revised Compensation and Position Classification in Government and for Other Purposes” .

Rep. Salvador Belaro Jr wants an increase in salaries of around 30,000 faculty members in the 119 State Universities and Colleges all over the country.

The increase would cost only P2.9 Billion which is way below that allotted to our military personnel the salaries of which has just been increased.

R.A 6758 is a case of an unfunded law which except for the fact that it has yet to be funded, everything else has already been done to effectuate such increase. DBM already issued National Budget Circular No. 461 precisely for the purpose of such salary increase for our college professors.

Furthermore, pursuant to this law and circular, the entities involved have already done their part.

The deserving faculty members already applied and were evaluated. The pertinent SUC evaluation committees already made their reports.

Those reports were already validated by the PASUC (Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges) and were confirmed by the various SUC governing boards.

In short, if this situation will be likened to cooking, the dish has already been cooked and is now ready to be served.

As one of the principal authors of the Free College Education Law, Una Ang Edukasyon shares in the accomplishment of the 17th Congress in liberalizing access to education by levelling the playing field in terms of entry to our SUCs.

After working for access, it is now about time that we should work for upgrading the quality of education in our state universities and colleges.

The best first, and very doable step towards that is to increase the salary of our college professors by funding R.A.6758, as implemented by NBC No. 461. (END)

EDUCATION SOLON ASKS CHED TO SAVE COLLEGE PROFS TEACHING LITERATURE AND FILIPINO FROM UNEMPLOYMENT

In the aftermath of the Supreme Court decision siding with the Commission on Higher Education on the exclusion of Filipino and literature from the general education core curriculum, 1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list Representative Salvador Belaro, Jr. asked the CHED to "craft and implement a massive retooling and jobs program to make sure the college faculty affected will still have work."

"The CHED K to 12 Transition Program must be extended and be executed much better. There were many problems with this program before. With the lessons learned, we can save the thousands of faculty who could be retrenched because of the SC decision," said Rep. Belaro who is a member of the House committee on higher and technical education.

Belaro urged the education sector to respect the decision of the Supreme Court even if they disagree with it because "the rule of law must be observed."

The education solon said the college faculty affected "can still be saved from unemployment."

"I will convey this to the CHED chairman and commissioners , so we can work out a doable and time-bound solution," Belaro said. (END)

FOR 8,701 BAR EXAMINEES, PATIENCE AND CALM ARE THE SAGE ADVICE OF FORMER IBP COMMISH REP. BELARO

For the 8,701 law school graduates "admitted to take the 2018 Bar Examinations" these coming four Sundays of November, 1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list Rep. Salvador Belaro Jr, a former Integrated Bar of the Philippines commissioner, sent out his morale booster message with reassuring words focused on "enlightened thoughts, sharp memory, and clear arguments, so they may respond to the bar questions firmly."

 "A calm mind while taking the bar exams will allow for all the memories of those law school lessons to fall in place for recollection," Belaro, 2018 UP Alumni Association Distinguished Alumnus for Public Service Honoree, said.

The former IBP official said "mastery of the law and profound clarity make for a powerful combination when that calm mind draws from its reservoir of stock knowledge."

Belaro advised the bar examinees "to rest well this long holiday weekend and take inspiration from the inspiring life examples of the dearly departed and from loved ones who remain by your side here among the living."

"Rest well, eat healthy, and be merry for you have made it this far after at least four long years. Good things come to those who wait. You have done your part, let God work His wonders," Belaro said. (END)

TAX-FREE DEATH BENEFITS FOR TEACHERS' ELECTION SERVICE PUSHED

1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list Rep. Salvador Belaro Jr., on All Souls' Day, urged the House Ways and Means Committee to expedite passage of House Bill 7732 which seeks to grant 100 percent tax exemption on death benefits, honoraria, and travel allowances of teachers and other civil servants who render election service.

The election-related death benefit is P500,000 according to Republic Act No. 10756, or the Election Service Reform Act (ESRA).

Belaro said the cost of the tax exemption "pales in comparison to the sacrifices of the teachers, soldiers, and other government employees called to duty for the elections.”

The education solon said the revenue cost of HB 7732 will not hurt national government operations.

“Isinasakripisyo ng mga kasapi ng board of election inspectors ang kanilang buhay, oras, at lakas para lamang matiyak ang malinis at maayos na halalan," Belaro said.

He is hoping the bill can cover taxable year 2018 and the future elections starting with May 2019.

"Currently, the law provides for the following honoraria amount: Chairperson of Electoral Boards, P6,000; Members of Electoral Boards, P5,000; Department of Education Supervisor Officials (DESO), P4,000; and Support staff, P2,000," the DepEd has said.

DepEd added these amounts "are exclusive of an additional P1,000 travel allowance."

"The said honoraria and allowance shall be paid within 15 days from the date of the election. Other benefits include a minimum of five days service credit; legal indemnification package worth P50,000; medical assistance of up to P200,000 and election-related death benefit amounting to P500,000," the DepEd also said. (END)

RANKING SOLON SUGGESTS ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR VYING FOR PUBLIC OFFICE

Nuisance candidates, other ill-prepared aspirants for elective public office, and the pervasive menace of drug addiction are more than enough reasons for the country to upgrade its constitutional qualifications for all elective posts, lawyer-solon Rep. Salvador “Bong” B. Belaro, Jr. said on Thursday.

"While we strive to serve well, contrast that to all of these people who are not fit to hold public office. Completion of college education, actual experience running a working business, successful practice of a chosen profession, and prior government work experience must be among the minimum qualifications," Belaro, 2018 UP Alumni Association Distinguished Alumnus in Public Service & Good Governance awardee, said.

"The Constitution must be explicit and particular about the qualities and standards we look for in terms of competence.  We cannot have the mentally insane or unstable and drug addicts holding elective office," he also said.

Rep. Belaro said the constitutions of some countries already have college degrees among the qualifications for candidacy.

"With narcopolitics and the illegal drugs menace so rampant in our country, we must have also illegal drugs use as a disqualification," he added.

Noting that executive and legislative work are complex matters, the congressman also pushed for work experience in local government, business enterprise, or civil society as relevant work experience included among the qualifications of candidates, especially at the national levels.

"Age is also an important factor. The minimum for the presidency should be 35 years old, to enable the older millennials, the first of the next generation, the opportunity to infuse their new blood and insights into politics, public service, and how our national affairs are run," Belaro said.

"Finally, some form of limitation on how many members of a single family or clan can run for public office at the local and national levels must be enshrined in the Constitution and enabling laws," the congressman said. (END)

DEPED MUST ACT NOW TO PROTECT, HELP TRANSIENT PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS

[Education solon proposes ‘relocation allowance’ and putting up DepEd-run hostels for teachers]

The death of elementary school teacher Mylene Durante is "tragic, senseless, and could have been prevented," a Bicolano congressman said on Friday.

"Young Bicolana public school teacher Mylene Durante died because we have no systemic solution to the plight of teachers who serve in schools far from their place of residence," 1-Ang Edukasyon Party-List Rep. Salvador B. Belaro Jr said.

"Systemic negligence put the likes of Miss Durante in harm's way. Circumstances left her with no choice but to ask the school to let her use a room as her living quarters far away from her home," Belaro added.

The congressman also said public schools "have long been soft targets of criminals because these schools have only one security guard or watchman on duty. Some schools have CCTV equipment but those do not deter criminals. In fact, some thieves and robbers even steal the CCTV equipment and computers of the schools."

Belaro said the systemic solution of the DepEd should include: (1) a relocation allowance as a quick fix to enable teachers to rent a room or apartment within walking or commuting distance from the assigned school and (2) a DepEd-run hostel for transient teachers in every town or city.

"I appeal to PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde to make sure PNP-Bicol finds, arrests, and properly charges whoever killed Miss Durante. I also appeal to Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra to ensure that the charges filed in court will send the killer to jail," Rep. Belaro said.

In February 2018, Rep. Belaro filed House Bill 7154 (On-Site Housing for Teachers Act) which seeks to provide housing projects for DepEd teachers nearest to their workplaces.

He also authored House Bill 4252 – an act requiring increased police visibility in schools currently pending before the House Committee on Public Order and Safety. (END)

RANKING SOLON REACTS TO USON RESIGNATION

The resignation of Ms. Mocha Uson from her post as assistant secretary at PCOO is a golden opportunity for Malacanang and PCOO to hit the reset button on some of its public communications efforts.

As a former journalist and former Philippine Collegian editorial board member, I further suggest the following measures:

1. Clean house. Ms. Uson was just one of many symptoms of what is wrong in PCOO.

2. Sec. Martin Andanar should also resign to take moral and command responsibility for the numerous failings of the PCOO and agencies under his jurisdiction.

3. We want competent and honest people leading and working within PCOO and its various agencies.

4. We want the PCOO converted into a department of integrated communications. OP should have its separate communications office all under the presidential spokesperson.

5. We want a depoliticized PNA that does not churn out propaganda, but instead produces objective news like those of international news agencies.

6. We want a special audit by COA of the entire PCOO including the former office of Ms. Uson.

We wish Ms. Uson well in her future endeavors as a private citizen. (END)

‘PANTAWID ENROLMENT’ AID FROM DSWD FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS IN FINANCIAL DISTRESS

[For students handicapped by inflation, affected by CHED budget cuts]

With high inflation and the widespread effects of Typhoon Ompong, thousands of college students could discontinue their studies this month, next month and next semester or trimester simply because they do not have the cash for enrolment and daily expenses of schooling.

Families with college students now have financial worries because of the final exams in October and the enrolment for the second semester in the weeks ahead.

The students should be given some form of emergency financial assistance or Pantawid Enrolment cash grant from the DSWD, which has the funds available for this purpose.

Ito ang nakikita kong agarang solusyon sa namumuo at malapit nang sumabog na problema ng mataas na bilang ng college dropouts ngayong taon sa hanay ng mga nag-aaral sa mga pribadong kolehiyo.

If it so happens that the DSWD funds are not enough, the TRAIN Law has a blanket or catch-all provision authorizing the national government to come up with “other social benefits programs to be developed and implemented by the government.” (page 96 of RA 10963 or the TRAIN Law)

I ask CHED OIC Commissioner Prospero de Vera to immediately meet with the leaders of the COCOPEA, PAASCU, ALCU and other inter-school associations to come up with swift response measures to keep college students from dropping out because of financial reasons.

CHED and COCOPEA can work with the DSWD on how the students in financial distress can be helped by the DSWD cash assistance.

We need compassionate action fast. (END)

DEPED 'DEFENSIVE AND INSENSITIVE' ON DLL, OTHER WORKLOAD IMPOSED ON PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS

[Statements of DepEd fail to address core complaint of work overload]

​

The Department of Education is being "defensive and insensitive to the plight of teachers by its bureaucratic response to complaints about daily lesson logs, class observations, and other administrative controls," 1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list Rep. Salvador Belaro, Jr said on Wednesday.

​

Late Monday afternoon, the DepEd public affairs unit emailed four separate statements justifying the necessity of the DLLs, Saturday classes, required meetings, and the Results-Based Performance Management System. Also issued was a fifth statement on salary increase. The emails were sent out within a span of about one hour.

​

"While I understand the reasons and legal bases for all those administrative requirements, nowhere in the DepEd statements are real, practical solutions to how the teachers can lighten their already heavy workload given these different management impositions," the education solon said.

​

Belaro said the DepEd "should not expect teachers to focus more on the learning of their students, if they are burdened with all these administrative tasks of filling up forms, writing up reports, and spending hours on the internet just trying to access the LIS."

​

He said the DepEd consultants who helped set-up the reportorial systems "may have failed to consider that internet speed in the Philippines is way inferior to the net speed in Australia."

​

"One important factor slowing down the reportorial tasks of teachers is the slow internet connections they have and the overworked servers of the DepEd LIS or learner information system, which thousands of teachers have complained about," the congressman noted.

​

Belaro said one solution to this is the use of broadband global area network (BGAN) and other ways to improve the net access of teachers at their schools, while at the DepEd central office their LIS must have much better high-capacity hardware to handle communications with over 700 thousand teachers nationwide. (END)
 

CONSENT OF CONGRESS NEEDED FOR ANY CHANGES TO ANY AMNESTY GRANT CONGRESS CONCURRED WITH

CONSENT OF CONGRESS NEEDED FOR ANY CHANGES TO ANY AMNESTY GRANT CONGRESS CONCURRED WITH

​

The Chief Executive cannot make changes to any amnesty program effected with consent of Congress without the approval of Congress.

This is the position taken by Assistant Minority Leader Rep. Salvador Belaro Jr as Senator Trillanes wages battle against Malacanang over the amnesty the Benigno Aquino administration granted him.

May naging papel kasi ang Kongreso noon bago nabigyan ng amnesty si Senador Trillanes.

Kaya kung may nagbago sa mga kondisyon o parameters at mga detalye ng amnesty, sana’y konsultahin din ng Palasyo ang Kongreso at kunin ang basbas ng Kongreso bago magpatupad ng anumang mga pagbabago sa amnesty grant.

Rep. Belaro also said it would be best and in the national interest for Senator Trillanes to have his day in court where all the legalese and points of law can be argued. (END)

NEW RANKING MEMBER OF THE HOUSE MINORITY SCRUTINIZES PROPOSED AGENCY BUDGETS

NEW RANKING MEMBER OF THE HOUSE MINORITY SCRUTINIZES PROPOSED AGENCY BUDGETS

[DOJ found to have no budget request for prosecutors’ bullet-proof vests]

"Congress ought to find ways to address cause of delays in the building of new classrooms. The transfer of funds from DepEd to DPWH is one cause of delay because the inter-agency funds transfers take time," 1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list Representative Salvador Belaro Jr noted during the Department of Education 2019 budget hearing.

Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones acknowledged that a huge project managed by just one agency is already difficult. Having two agencies, like DepEd and DPWH, manage the classroom building program does present difficulties.

Budget under-utilization, inter-agency fund transfers, special funds, and special accounts of different executive departments came under scrutiny of Rep. Belaro, who has been relishing his new role as a ranking member of the House minority.

"Being with the minority means being a fiscalizer. I scrutinized and asked for detailed reports from some of the departments because they have to account for the funds Congress gave them. If they spent the funds well and as provided in the GAA, then Congress can trust them with funds in the 2019 budget," Belaro said.

He also asked DepEd to give a detailed accounting of how P100 billion from the Special Education Fund at the local levels were spent over the past five years. DepEd officials said data from their field offices will provide the answers Belaro sought.

Belaro also asked the CHED for detailed breakdowns of spending and use of the Higher Education Development Fund and some of the CHED administered scholarship and financial assistance programs.

During the Department of Justice budget hearing, Rep. Belaro was disappointed to find out that the DOJ has no budget request for bulletproof vests and other protective measures for prosecutors. Several prosecutors died in the past months from assassins' bullets.

"I am still hopeful the House will be able to find ways to insert some funding to give DOJ prosecutors a fighting chance against assassination attempts," Belaro said.

In the hearing on the DFA budget, Belaro, asked the officers responsible for ASEAN matters to inform Congress of the progress made on ASEAN cross-border employability of Filipino professionals and credentials recognition for Filipino students in other ASEAN countries.

The Negosyo Centers of the DTI was also a focus of Belaro's scrutiny. He reminded the DTI to make sure the Negosyo Centers do not just become legacy and beautification projects of local governments. (END)

UNSOLICITED ADVICE TO THE 3 LAWYERS THE MAKATI POLICE ARRESTED: FILE CHARGES BEFORE NAPOLCOM, MAKATI RTC, AND THE BAR CONFIDANT

UNSOLICITED ADVICE TO THE 3 LAWYERS THE MAKATI POLICE ARRESTED: FILE CHARGES BEFORE NAPOLCOM, MAKATI RTC, AND THE BAR CONFIDANT
 

[House to investigate the “highly irregular incident”]

Now that no less than PNP chief Oscar Albayalde has publicly come to defense of the Makati City police officers who arrested the three lawyers last August 16, the proper legal remedies of those lawyers does not include the Commission on Human Rights, which can only investigate but not prosecute.

For administrative sanctions against those Makati City police officers, administrative cases can be filed before the National Police Commission or the People’s Law Enforcement Board. I believe the NAPOLCOM is the better option.

The three aggrieved lawyers must cite, among others, the violations of specific provisions of the PNP’s own operations manual and standard operating procedures on crime scene investigations and criminal procedure.

Lawyers are also deemed as persons in authority and thus, the possibility of a criminal charge for direct assault and other applicable crimes may also be explored plus suits for damages against the Makati City police. The aggrieved lawyers can file counter-charges before the Makati City regional trial court.

If any of the involved Makati City PNP personnel are lawyers, suspension or disbarment cases can be filed against them before the Office of the Bar Confidant.

I wonder also how the Makati Police came up with charges of constructive possession of illegal drugs against the 3 lawyers when the lawyers were just newly hired by one of the owners of the bar.

In view that the incident is highly irregular considering that the ones arrested are lawyers who are officers of the court and who are only at the scene of the raid to perform their duties as counsel of the said establishment, Congressman Doy C. Leachon and I filed today a House Resolution asking the House Committees on Justice and Good Government and Public Accountability to conduct an investigation, in aid of legislation, on the arrest of said lawyers by the PNP.

We in the House of Representatives would like to ascertain if the said irregular incident has serious implication on the observance of basic constitutional rights especially the right to counsel, rights under custodial investigation and right to due process.

In the event said lawyers’ presence in the said raid is found out to be only for the fulfillment of their duties as officers of the court, a recurrence of said irregularity should never be countenanced because of its chilling effect on the rule of law.

If that were the case, there might be a need to propose new legislation, or amend existing legislation, or come up with new administrative rules to prevent the recurrence of the same (END).

CONGRESS MUST GUARD AGAINST ABUSES IN CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

CONGRESS MUST GUARD AGAINST ABUSES IN CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

The provision of seminars, workshops, conferences, and other forms of structured continuing professional education has become an industry.

I have received many complaints and reports of how unjust the CPD implementation has become.

For the professional teachers alone, there already are about 200 PRC-accredited CPD providers.

The training they offer all cost money and time both of which teachers in public and private schools have very little of to spare.

I commend the DepEd for finding creative ways to help public school teachers meet their professional development needs through the National Educators Academy of the Philippines. I also know DepEd has DepEd Order No. 42, series 2017 which embodies its policies on the National Adoption and Implementation of the Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers.

It is good the PRC has implemented an online renewal system to make the renewal process faster and more accessible to the hundreds of thousands of Filipino professionals nationwide and overseas.

We need more solutions, especially as regards steep fees, substandard training, bogus CPD providers, and even some international entities masquerading as institutions that confer honors and fellowships that have zero academic or professional value.

Specifically, I want to know if the DepEd, CHED, and PRC are able to make sure that the entities asking for their endorsement advisories are properly vetted or undergo quality audit.

I am aware of course of the Senate hearings conducted on the CPD problems, but there has to be further follow-up and continuing pressure applied to the agencies responsible for implementing the CPD Law.

I have filed House Resolution 2052 on this to call for an investigation on the implementation of RA 10912. (END)

References:

https://www.prc.gov.ph/sites/default/files/CPDprovider_TEACHERS-8218.pdf 

https://www.prc.gov.ph/article/pilot-implementation-prcs-online-renewal-system/2988

SEPARATION OF MAPEH INTO 2 TO 4 STAND-ALONE SUBJECTS PUSHED

In light of DepEd K to 12 review

SEPARATION OF MAPEH INTO 2 TO 4 STAND-ALONE SUBJECTS PUSHED

I recommend to the Department of Education, since they are now reviewing the K to 12 curriculum after its first two years of full implementation, that they separate the four subjects that were lumped together in MAPEH (Music, Arts, Physical Education, and Health).

I am particular about helping making sure Filipinos, especially the young, get enough exercise time and adequate nutrition. Everyday functional fitness must be the focus of PE and Health education. That is the baseline. From the millions of physically-fit Filipino youth, we will find the next generations of training pools for sports competitions.

I doubt very much whether DepEd has many teachers who can masterfully teach all the four subject areas of MAPEH. What is happening out there in the field is there are teachers who are good in one or two but are superficial on the other subject areas. That is unacceptable because the result is unbalanced and haphazard learning.

The PE and Health areas can be one subject because they are closely related, but I still prefer that they be separate because, with the exception of physical therapy, proper body movement is not exactly the expertise of graduates of most health professions courses (nursing, optometry midwifery, pharmacy, dentistry, and medicine).

There are some universities, like my alma mater University of the Philippines, that have courses on Sports Sciences and Human Kinetics. Graduates of programs like that would be ideal to teach PE and Health in elementary and high school.

​

Music and Arts can be merged in one subject because they are closely related, but then again some graduates of music courses may not necessarily be competent at dancing and drawing. The better way is to separate these two into stand-alone subjects.

I ask the DepEd to also consider the fact that there are no undergraduate degree program offerings out there that emphasize all four MAPEH fields. What exist are separate programs on Music, the health professions, and Arts, but there are none with all four.

For senior high school, the areas of concern are the Sports Track and HUMMS Track. DepEd must admit it does not have enough teachers for the specialized subjects. Therefore, they must encourage and allow practitioners with the requisite credentials to those some of the specialized subjects in these tracks.

While teaching, the practitioners should be given the opportunity to earn the needed masteral teaching units and take the licensure examination for teachers. (END)

FUNDING THE REBIRTH OF MARAWI CITY AND THE REST OF THE BANGSAMORO AUTONOMOUS REGION

FUNDING THE REBIRTH OF MARAWI CITY AND THE REST OF THE BANGSAMORO AUTONOMOUS REGION

(Statement on the Ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law)

With this Bangsamoro Organic Law ratified, Congress can now move to the next important task: funding the rebirth of Marawi City and the rest of the Bangsamoro autonomous region.

We have given the executive branch more than enough time to formulate their recovery plans. We expect them to submit, as part of the proposed 2019 national budget, at least the first part of the funding needed to rebuild Marawi City.

The two House bills I filed (HB 5833 and HB 6010) contain the broad strokes of key measures needed to rebuild Marawi. Education and the local economy are the focus of these two bills. Marawi City and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region need the proposed Marawi City Polytechnic College. (END)

REP. SALVADOR BELARO JR, UPAA DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARDEE FOR PUBLIC SERVICE AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

REP. SALVADOR BELARO JR, UPAA DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARDEE FOR PUBLIC SERVICE AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

​

[Probinsyano farmer's and teacher's son from a remote CamSur town to receive UPAA award]

Goa is a farming town of Camarines Sur an hour away from the well-known Naga City. Most people have never heard of Goa now or back in the 70s and 80s. Life has always been hard in Goa. Storms' wrath is more felt there. Residents make ends meet sometimes, but more often than not, they don't, but they endure anyway. Endure Salvador “Bong” Belaro, Jr did and with success.

Bong's father, was a rice farmer. He was later elected and served as town councilor. An elementary public school teacher his mother was. Salvador Sr. and the late Lourdes Bagayaua had six children. Bong and his siblings knew early on that good, quality education was their ticket out of Goa's poverty. Strive hard they did.

Bong graduated valedictorian from Catagbacan Elementary School. At Partido National High School, he earned High Honors and passed the University of the Philippines College Admission Test (UPCAT).

Bong graduated cum laude at UP Diliman. With his BA Political Science degree, he moved forward to UP College of Law, where was debating team captain, class president, and editorial board member of the Philippine Collegian.

Bong’s five siblings went on to various career paths. Joy became a teacher. Salvador III is a medical technologist. Leah is the businesswoman of the family. Liza is a dental orthodontist, while Lene is the pharmacist.

Bong Belaro passed the bar exams of 1989. While practicing law, he published, "Legal Forms for Entrepreneurs" and the voter education handbook entitled, "YO! VOTE ME 2010".

Bong Belaro, former campus journalist in high school and at UP and former correspondent of The Manila Times, believed in the influence and freedom of the press. He wrote several opinion articles published by the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

In 2004, Belaro earned his Master of Laws from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.

He rose to senior associate at the prestigious Siguion-Reyna, Montecillo and Ongsiako Law Office. He taught law at UP, Ateneo de Manila University, and University of Caloocan City.

He was vice president and law dean at St. Dominic Savio College.

Atty. Belaro served as Integrated Bar of the Philippines commissioner on the IBP Commission on Bar Discipline.

In 2010, he and other educators and public interest advocates founded the 1-ANG EDUKASYON PARTY-LIST. The former political science student at UP Diliman waded into real world politics. The party won a seat in Congress in 2016. The valedictorian of Catagbacan Elementary School has, since 2016, filed, authored, co-authored over 500 bills and resolutions. He is still on his first term.

The Board of Directors of University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA)recently confirmed the selection of Rep. Salvador B. Belaro, Jr as recipient of the 2018 UPAA Distinguished Alumni Award in public Service & Good Governance in recognition of his leadership, achievements, and contribution in the field of his endeavor.

As part of recognition, Rep. Belaro shall grace the following events:

· Dinner in honor of the Awardees hosted by the U.P. President on Wednesday, August 15, 2018, at 6:00 P.M., at Ang Bahay ng Alumni, U.P. Diliman Campus

· U.P. Alumni Council Meeting on Friday, August 17, 2018, at 7:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M., at Ang Bahay ng Alumni, U.P. Diliman Campus, Quezon City

· U.P. General Alumni Homecoming on Saturday, August 18, 2018, at Ang Bahay ng Alumni, U.P. Diliman Campus, Quezon City.

Rep. Belaro is the only member of Congress among the honorees this year. (END)

SCORES OF PH GOV’T WEBSITES WERE OFFLINE; COMMS FAILURE BETWEEN LGUs AND PAGASA AT HEART OF JULY 9 MIS-SUSPENSION OF CLASSES

[National Science & Technology Week – July 17 to 21]

​

SCORES OF PH GOV’T WEBSITES WERE OFFLINE; COMMS FAILURE BETWEEN LGUs AND PAGASA AT HEART OF JULY 9 MIS-SUSPENSION OF CLASSES

​

July 9, 2018 was a day of science lessons for most everyone in the country.

First, scores of government websites, include the Official Gazette and DOST websites, had been offline for a week. (https://goo.gl/LwjcvB ). Some of the websites are back online.

The DICT says there are hardware or server problems at the government’s data center in Makati. DICT did not elaborate as to what kind problems and details of the hardware issues.

I will give the DICT the courtesy of until this weekend to explain in public and in detail what happened. If by Monday, the country is still in the dark as to what happened to our government websites, then they will hear from us again.

They also better start preparing for a possible congressional investigation or for intense scrutiny of their 2019 budget.

It is ironic that the shutdown of the websites affected the registration of participants for National Science and Technology Week from July 17 to 21. Were it not for the DOST’s Facebook accounts and pages, the public would not know anything about NSTW 2018.

Second, Metro Manila residents and PAGASA had sharp lessons to learn from Mother Nature.

Some mayors and governors chose to suspend classes without enough facts and evidence to support their decisions. All they had to do what ask PAGASA directly. There is always someone at PAGASA 24 hours. They could have also checked the new and old PAGASA websites.

As I said last month, the new PAGASA website needs some explaining because a lot of the information on it are in terms ordinary, non-science Filipinos cannot understand or even relate to.

I see a failure of relevant communication. Most local government executives thought the mere mention in the PAGASA bulletins and resulting news media weather reports of “Maria/Gardo” being a super typhoon and the presence of the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat were enough bases for them to suspend classes because of the possible risk of heavy rains and floods.

It did not occur to the mayors and governors that both the super typhoon and Habagat were far away from each other to have any sort of long distance relationship between them and that there was a third party between them, a low pressure area. This fact should have been made clear by PAGASA to the news media and to the LGUs through the PAGASA weather bulletins. It was not.

It was very clear from the satellite images on July 8 that the monsoon clouds over the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea were not interacting with the super typhoon in waters far, far away—over 1,000 kilometers away. Yet, PAGASA kept saying the typhoon could enhance the monsoon.

By the way, some of those clustering of monsoon clouds staying over the SCS, seem to be the same kind weather phenomenon that enabled rescuers to go ahead with their mission to bring 12 soccer kids and their coach out of a cave.

The monsoon weather cleared away somewhat over Thailand. Rescuers saw their window of opportunity and took it. Some would say that was serendipity or chance. As a man of simple faith, I see that as divine intervention.

Most Filipinos are not good at Math, Science and English. These three happen to be the languages of scientists. There must therefore be an extra effort on the part of PAGASA and the rest of the science community to translate their words and thoughts into ways the rest of us non-scientists can easily relate to and understand. In the case of calamity science, there are the added factors of urgency and timeliness.

This is not the first time miscommunication has occurred between the science community and the general public here in the Philippines. Hopefully, there will be less in the months and years ahead.

Considering it will be National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) next week, the weather lessons of July 9 are apt for some contemplation today and are relevant to the country’s efforts to venture further into the space sciences, planetary systems and ecosystems, and the establishment of a Philippine Space Agency.

The second microsatellite of the Philippines, dubbed Diwata 2 (http://phl-microsat.upd.edu.ph/diwata2 ), is due for launch any time now.

Diwata 2 is a 50-kilogram cube of jampacked instruments and circuitry designed to determine the extent of damage from disasters, monitor natural and cultural heritage sites, keep track of changes in vegetation, and observe cloud patterns and weather disturbances.

It also has an amateur radio unit meant to promote awareness and interest in amateur radios and satellite technology, and to provide an alternative means of communication  in times of disasters and emergencies.

Diwata 2 and Diwata 1 are parts of the PHL-MICROSAT Program to bring together the Philippines’ capabilities on designing and building satellites as a prelude to the creation of the country's own Space Agency. The program is run at the University of the Philippines in Diliman. (http://phl-microsat.upd.edu.ph/ ).

There are five bills in the House on the creation of the space agency: HB 3637, HB 4275, HB 4367, HB 4623, and HB 6413. I am the author of HB 6413 (AN ACT ESTABLISHING A PHILIPPINE SPACE DEVELOPMENT AND UTILIZATION FRAMEWORK AND CREATING THE PHILIPPINE SPACE AGENCY (PhilSA), DEFINING THE SCOPE OF ITS POWERS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES).

Over at the Senate, there are three bills on the same matter: SBN 1572, SBN 1259, and SBN 1211. (END)

TIME TO REPLACE OBSOLETE AQUINO E.O. SUSPENSION OF CLASSES AND WORK

TIME TO REPLACE OBSOLETE AQUINO E.O. SUSPENSION OF CLASSES AND WORK

[Rep. Belaro recommends HB 6072 as template for updated E.O.]

First, I extend my congratulations to the PAGASA and DOST on the Bagong PAGASA website (http://bagong.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/) It is a significant improvement. I note that the new website has a lot of new information, but in quite scientific terms. PAGASA needs to educate and train the media and the public on what all that science means and how it all can be useful for daily decisions.

The legal basis still most often cited as authority for suspension of classes and work is the 2012 executive order of then President Benigno Aquino III.

Executive Order 66, series of 2012 is limited only to public storm warning signals of the PAGASA and to giving local government chief executives the discretion on localized suspension. (http://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2012/01/09/executive-order-no-66-s-2012/)

But storm warnings have proven to be inadequate and insufficient indicators or bases for suspension of classes and work.

I recommend to Malacanang that they use House Bill 6072 as a template for a new, updated, upgraded, and more useful EO on suspension of classes and work. The template can be updated and reconfigured by the weather scientists and disaster preparedness experts. For example, updates based on rainfall predictive models and remote river monitoring devices can serve as bases for LGUs, Malacanang, and the education agencies for declaring suspensions. Rain gauges can also be deployed nationwide to help LGUs monitor their local weather.

EO 66 is in dire need of replacement.  It is obsolete and out of touch with the current realities and the emerging future.

The effects of storms are no longer what they used to be. Storms these days are more powerful and destructive. Even Signal No. 2 storms cause heavy rain and killer floods. We have more extreme weather events now than ever before because of global warming and climate change. Monsoon rains do not have storm warning signals.

Destructive effects of storms are compounded by encroachments on waterways, poor waste management, tons of non-biodegradable garbage, ongoing roadworks, urbanization, and continuing rapid population growth.

Even the guidelines of the DepEd, CHED, and TESDA are outdated. Their policies, regulations, and procedures are also limited to public storm warnings.

All too often, authorities have not been timely and accurate in their declaration of class and work suspensions or cancellations.

Widespread confusion, chaos, and disruption of peoples’ lives have frequently resulted from the lack of a rational system governing suspension or cancellation of classes and work.

HB 6072 factors in not just storms and floods, but also landslides, earthquakes, tsunami, storm surge, toxic chemical spills, fire, active shooter situations, hostage-taking, kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, and state of emergency.

HB 6072 enables Malacanang and other authorities to suspend classes and work at Storm Signal No. 2, instead of Signal No. 3.

HB 6072 specifies the various indicators, degrees of intensity, and directly observable developments on which authorities can base their decisions to suspend.

HB 6072 also provides that classes and work may also be suspended or canceled because of widespread loss of electric power distribution, water supply distribution, or non-functioning of sewerage systems, and widespread collapse or offline status of several banking or financial systems that disrupt the normal functioning or cause serious financial incapacity or disruption of households, communities, institutions, and workplaces. (END)

RANKING SOLON TO NEDA: APOLOGIZE, GAIN PUBLIC TRUST

RANKING SOLON TO NEDA: APOLOGIZE, GAIN PUBLIC TRUST

 

The NEDA episode with the P10,000 “Monthly Consumer Basket of an Average Filipino Family” was a most unfortunate incident of insensitive groupthink within our country’s highest economic planning agency.

It is good that NEDA Secretary Ernesto Pernia has returned from his overseas mission and come to rescue his agency from the quicksand it fell into, however, the damage to the credibility of NEDA was already done and his clarification was mere band aid.

In one PowerPoint slide last week, technocrats dealt a body blow to the credibility of the NEDA. Then they made matters worse by issuing a statement that was not responsive to the central issue the public and stakeholders raised.

NEDA and other government agencies must learn from this incident of communication failure and poverty sensitivity.

This is the PowerPoint slide that generated a lot of violent reactions. After it is the NEDA statement that tried, but miserably failed at damage control.

Now, here are what the NEDA should do within the next days and few weeks:

1. NEDA, admit you made a mistake and tell the public how you will make it up to them to gain their trust. Issue a sincere public apology for not understanding how difficult daily life is for the poor and the middle class and for not explaining their statistics better. This apology should be made within the next few days;

2. Immerse in an urban poor community for one week to see up close how the poor do their best to make ends meet with their meager earnings. The DSWD can make this happen;

3. Rethink and revamp how they present to the news media and to the public their economic statistics. This recommend also goes to all the government agencies that report out statistics to the public; and

​

4. Include in the NEDA personnel training program an annual or semi-annual course on making statistics relatable and understandable to Filipinos. (END)

EDUCATION ATTACHES CAN STRENGTHEN TIES WITH CHINA, OTHER COUNTRIES WITH THE TOP UNIVERSITIES OF THE WORLD

EDUCATION ATTACHES CAN STRENGTHEN TIES WITH CHINA, OTHER COUNTRIES WITH

THE TOP UNIVERSITIES OF THE WORLD

​

BEIJING, CHINA - Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong have some of the top universities of the world. There are also thousands of Filipinos in these Chinese urban centers. Thousands of Chinese visit the Philippines for its tourist destinations, to study in Philippine schools, and to invest in the Philippines. These are just some factors that favor the sending of Filipino education attaches to China. (https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/best-universities/best-universities-asia#survey-answer)

Education attaches would be at the frontlines overseas to push the Philippines as a major education destination and to forge inter-university linkages and consortia. The bill that can serve as the enabling law for the deployment of education attaches is House Bill 4027 which I authored and filed.

I reiterate to the DFA, CHED, DOST, DepEd, and TESDA the urgency for a needs assessment would be prudent for the three major government education agencies to undertake to determine which countries and international capitals to prioritize. That evaluation would most likely factor in:

1. population concentration of Overseas Filipinos;

2. existing international bilateral and multilateral agreements and linkages of Philippine schools; and

3. countries that send many tourists and foreign students to the Philippines.

The education agencies should also craft an international education marketing strategic framework and action plan that puts emphasis on the range of strengths of Philippine schools in particular disciplines. The strategy and plan can reference the various credible global education rankings to determine which academic fields in which the Philippines has the advantage.

That strategy and plan ought to also consider the education and professionalization needs of OFWs, including those whose children born overseas may want to continue their studies in the Philippines when their OFW parent or parents return to the homeland.

Considering cost factors, the DepEd, CHED, and TESDA may recommend lists of countries for a phased implementation of deployment of education attaches.  A first priority list of perhaps 20 countries and then other lists of 20 down the priority rankings.

The education agencies can also involve the PRC and DOST in the formulation of the international education marketing strategic framework and action plan. (END)

WHY WERE DEPED COMPUTERIZATION PROGRAM CONTRACTS ‘PERFECTED’ ONLY LAST DECEMBER? WHY ARE THE NEW COMPUTERS, TABLETS BEING DELIVERED ONLY NOW?

WHY WERE DEPED COMPUTERIZATION PROGRAM CONTRACTS ‘PERFECTED’ ONLY LAST DECEMBER? WHY ARE THE NEW COMPUTERS, TABLETS BEING DELIVERED ONLY NOW?

​

This morning, DepEd officials revealed during their school opening inspection visit to Quezon City High School that contracts for the DepEd Computerization Program were perfected only last December and the 462 thousand sets of computers and tablets for students and schools are being delivered to the schools only now.

As 1-Ang Edukasyon Party-List Representative I am deeply concerned about the how fast or how slow the DepEd is able to spend the funds Congress allocates to them.

While I am impressed by the 97 percent utilization rate Education Secretary Leonor “Liling” Briones has reported, the slow pace of the implementation of the computerization program bothers me.

I am open to working with the Sec. Briones and her management team and with the DBM on how to speed things up within the bounds of the government’s procurement laws.

DepEd must formally inform Congress of how we can help them use their funds faster and better.

We want to know why the contracts for the computerization program were “perfected” only last December. Those contracts involved funds from the GAA of 2016 and 2017. Why did it take so long? How can Congress help ease DepEd’s troubles?

We are here to help. Sec. Liling Briones has our highest respect and admiration. Indeed, Sec. Liling has become the Lola ng Bayan and I truly appreciate her advice to today’s students “to read more than just the textbooks, learn beyond what their teachers teach, and be prepared for change.” Wisdom is certainly the greatest asset of Secretary Briones. (END)

BUILD ANEW, REBUILD THE SCHOOLS ASAP AHEAD OF THE MASTER PLAN; MARAWI NEEDS NORMALCY FAST

BUILD ANEW, REBUILD THE SCHOOLS ASAP AHEAD OF THE MASTER PLAN;

MARAWI NEEDS NORMALCY FAST

Approval and implementation of the grand master plan for Marawi City can take several years. What the Philippines’ Islamic City needs is a swifter return to normalcy or better, a new beginning.

Build anew or rebuild the schools destroyed in the city. This is my appeal to the DepEd, CHED, TESDA, and DPWH. This part of the recovery process need not wait for the master plan. It can be done ahead of the master plan. It would be the “low-hanging fruit” or quickly achievable goal

Schools are most effective at normalizing daily life. I have proposed the creation of the Marawi City Polytechnic College as a component college of the Mindanao State University. House Bill 6010 has been with the House committee on higher and technical education.

The polytechnic college would also be one fast way to prepare Marawi City jobseekers for work, industry, and entrepreneurship. Its role: be the economic and education catalyst at the heart of Marawi City.

Main campus of the Polytechnic College ought to be at the city center of the City of Marawi where it would have a crucial role in the rebuilding and reinvigoration of the city after the devastation because of the invasion of heavily-armed extremist terrorist forces and the resulting armed conflict.

However, because explosive ordnance-clearing operations are still underway, a temporary campus can be built in a safe area outside of the former main battle zone.

HB 6010 seeks P300 million as initial funding for the polytechnic college. This appropriation may be augmented by funds from the current year's appropriations of the Mindanao State University and from the Internal Revenue Allotment of the City of Marawi.

HB 6010 provides that the polytechnic college shall primarily provide ladderized, associate, diploma, apprenticeship, technical-vocational, technological program offerings, as well as professional instruction and training, in the fields of study, research and extension services that dovetail with the economic and social development priorities, needs, plans, and aspirations of the City of Marawi and surrounding municipalities.

The Board of Regents of the Marawi State University shall exercise governance powers and authority over the Polytechnic College. Administration of the Polytechnic College shall be vested in a Dean, who shall consult with the Administrative Committee and Academic Committee and report to the President of the Mindanao State University. (END

DOJ MUST PROTECT AND DEFEND PROSECUTORS HUNTED BY ASSASSINS

DOJ MUST PROTECT AND DEFEND PROSECUTORS HUNTED BY ASSASSINS

​

[Former IBP Commissioner Belaro to DOJ: issue bullet-proof vests and other protection devices to gov’t prosecutors;

House Resolution to investigate killings filed]

Government prosecutors badly need new tools for both defense and offense against the assassins who are hunting them down. I ask Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra to issue bullet-proof vests and other protection devices to the DOJ prosecutors who are most at risk because of highly-sensitive cases.

Yet another government prosecutor has been shot dead. Prosecutors have been among the casualties in the war on crime. Sometimes, their families are also among the dead and injured in their assassinations.

The latest among the fallen is Quezon City’s Deputy City Prosecutor Rogelio A. Velasco who was murdered by two assassins last Friday, May 11. The first moments of an ambush are the most crucial to the survival of prosecutors marked as prey. They are often shot at while in their motor vehicles. Those vehicles need protection technology.

Assassins are highly-experienced and well-trained. Our prosecutors must be trained on tactics against their hunters.

Given the threat levels they face, our prosecutors must be adequately armed for self-defense—not just with guns—but also with other technologies that will buy them those precious few seconds to escape from an ambush or flee from a kill zone.

Acting Prosecutor General Jorge Catalan has said, “the merciless persecution of prosecutors not only demoralizes those who have remained passionate and hardworking in their profession, but these acts of inhumanity resonate how prosecutors are further exposed to the perils of the job that place them at a greater risk now...”

Since July 2016, a government prosecutor is shot dead every one or two months. Often the crimes are unsolved. “The continued brazen attacks on prosecutors all over the country has alarmingly grown in number,” according to the DOJ’s acting prosecutor general.

The assassins and masterminds are not brought to justice for the simple fact that investigators have very few clues to work with and their targets work in the shadows, in the underground, or may be hidden in plain sight.

The posts of prosecutors in public service are not only deadly dangerous. The job is also thankless and buried under hundreds of thousands of criminal cases.

In its latest available annual report (2016), the DOJ said the National Prosecution Service handled about 430 thousand cases and resolved about 374 thousand of them.

A DOJ prosecutor handles about 180 to 200 cases per year, but not yet counting the pleadings and reopened or reinvestigated cases.

The authorized plantilla positions for prosecutor (2016) are 3,524.

DOJ’s staffing summary for 2018 as reported to the DBM counts about 2,620 prosecutors. The National Prosecution Service needs about 900 lawyers for the unfilled positions. Recruiting new lawyers becomes more difficult whenever our prosecutors are shot dead. These are violent deaths, often in public or in broad daylight. Though the prosecutors mourn their fallen colleagues, they must continue working. Prosecution is one of the five pillars of the criminal justice system. One of the four other pillars is the Community. Prosecutors need the community’s support in terms of information that will bring criminals to justice, testimony in paper and in court by brave citizens, and strong backing by Congress so they are assured of logistical support and morale boost. In view of these unfortunate incidents, I filed today a Resolution directing the Committee on Public Order & Safety and Committee on Justice, to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, into the assassination of DOJ Prosecutors. (END)

SOON-TO-BE MIDDLE INCOME PHILIPPINES CAN BE THE NEW EDUCATION DESTINATION OF THE WORLD

SOON-TO-BE MIDDLE INCOME PHILIPPINES CAN BE THE NEW EDUCATION DESTINATION OF THE WORLD

​

Noting that the Philippines is poised to become a middle income country soon, it is well-endowed to be positioned as an education destination for Africans, the Pacific Island nations, and the Spanish-speaking people in South America, as well as for those countries with which bilateral education ties are quite mature.

Education attaches would have to be at the frontlines overseas to push the Philippines as a major education destination. The bill that can serve as the enabling law for the deployment of education attaches is House Bill 4027 which I authored and filed.

I recently met some of our country’s top diplomats in Paris, Rome, and the Vatican for exploratory discussion on the education attaché possibilities in Europe.

[Photos from Left to Right: 1. With Ambassador Domingo Nolasco and Consul Candy Bauzon at the Philippine Embassy in Rome. 2. With Charge d' Affaires Charles Manangan in Philippine Embassy in Vatican City. 3. With Philippine Ambassador to France and Representative to UNESCO Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, Consul-General Aileen Mendoza-Rau, and Consul Hans at the Philippine Embassy in Paris, France]

A needs assessment would be prudent for the three major government education agencies to undertake to determine which countries and international capitals to prioritize. That evaluation would most likely factor in:

1. population concentrations of Overseas Filipinos;

2. existing international bilateral and multilateral agreements and linkages of Philippine schools; and

3. countries that send many tourists and foreign students to the Philippines.

The education agencies should also craft an international education marketing strategic framework and action plan that puts emphasis on the range of strengths of Philippine schools in particular disciplines. The strategy and plan can reference the various credible global education rankings to determine which academic fields in which the Philippines has the advantage.

That strategy and plan ought to also consider the education and professionalization needs of OFWs, including those whose children born overseas may want to continue their studies in the Philippines when their OFW parent or parents return to the homeland.

Considering cost factors, the DepEd, CHED, and TESDA may recommend lists of countries for a phased implementation of deployment of education attaches. A first priority list of perhaps 20 countries and then other lists of 20 down the priority rankings.

The education agencies can also involve the PRC and DOST in the formulation of the international education marketing strategic framework and action plan. (END)

EDUCATION SOLON ASKS DEPED TO CLASSIFY CAMPUS JOURNALISM AS A SOCIAL STUDIES SUBJECT

EDUCATION SOLON ASKS DEPED TO CLASSIFY CAMPUS JOURNALISM AS A SOCIAL STUDIES SUBJECT

Given the pivotal role of journalism in the honoring social values, defending and preserving democracy, and advancing the ideals of public service, I ask the Department of Education to classify the campus journalism subjects and activities in the K to 12 Curriculum under the Araling Panlipunan discipline, instead of the Languages.

This does not mean that the competencies and values of the Languages will be set aside. They shall remain core parts of how campus journalism will be taught and practiced in our schools.

Moreover, the reorientation of campus journalism as a social studies discipline will deepen our youths’ understanding of the context and larger role journalism has in society.

Campus journalism as part of Araling Panlipunan or MAKABAYAN Subjects will make our young journalists even more aware of the fact that their campuses are not isolated or separated from their communities and local government units, but are integral parts thereof.

Campus journalism is community journalism. With this in mind, DepEd could assign the role of school paper adviser to Araling Panlipunan teachers, so that our English and Filipino teachers can focus on the important mission of giving our kids the conceptual and communication competencies they need for lifelong learning.

With campus journalism as an Araling Panlipunan matter, DepEd would be right to assign the task school paper adviser to the social studies teachers, whose co-curricular advising is currently limited to the student councils on campus.

With the MAKABAYAN orientation, the school papers can include in articles about their schools’ surrounding barangays, their city or town and their province. School papers would no longer be limited to campus news.

Curriculum-wise, campus journalism would dovetail well with the conceptual framework and curriculum design for Araling Panlipunan. (END)

[Note: Rep. Belaro was a campus journalist himself. He served as Editorial Board Member of the Philippine Collegian during his time in the University of the Philippines College of Law. When he was taking up B.A. Political Science in UP Diliman, he served as Editor-in-Chief of Tanglaw and Associate Editor of Sinag. In 1984, he was awarded as one of the National Winners of the National Secondary Schools Press Conference (Feature Writing Category) representing Partido State University in Camarines Sur where he also served as the Editor-in-Chief of school paper The Partido Clarion.]

URBAN AGRICULTURE, VERTICAL FARMS ARE SOLUTIONS TO HUNGER ESPECIALLY IN METROS OF MANILA, CEBU, DAVAO

[Note: Below is a reaction to the latest Social Weather Station (SWS) self-rated poverty survey results showing that the number of Filipinos who consider themselves poor fell to a record low of 42 percent in the first quarter of 2018.]

URBAN AGRICULTURE, VERTICAL FARMS ARE SOLUTIONS TO HUNGER

ESPECIALLY IN METROS OF MANILA, CEBU, DAVAO

​

The urban poor could be hit hard by the lack of NFA rice, especially the urban poor in Manila, Cebu, and Davao. To help address hunger and poverty, I have proposed the Integrated Urban Agriculture and Vertical Farming Act of 2018 through House Bill 7526.

Urban dwellers can grow substitutes to rice using less land and less space than rice farms. Corn and root crops can be cultivated in urban farms. Gardens of public schools can grow these crops and meet the carbohydrate needs of their urban poor students.

Rice farming requires lots of land but integrated urban agriculture and vertical farming do not. Integrated urban agriculture is the practice of cultivating, processing and distributing of agricultural products from animal husbandry, aquaculture, agro-forestry and horticulture in or around a metropolitan village, town and city. In vertical farming food from plants is cultivated using indoor agriculture methods of growing produce in vertically stacked layers using geoponics, hydroponics, and aeroponics.

HB 7526 proposes the institutionalization of integrated urban agriculture and vertical farming in the country in order to ensure food security, to promote livelihood, and to regenerate ecosystem functions in metropolitan areas through integrated urban agriculture and vertical farming.

Consider also that urban agriculture, according to the UNDP, “has the potential of providing much higher nutritional improvement, hunger reduction, income-generation, enterprise development, and environmental improvement to the city.” Key implementors of urban agriculture and vertical farming would be the schools and local governments.

LGUs can put open spaces and idle lands to good use with vertical farming and urban agriculture, while campus gardens can do more than just have ornamentals and herbs.

LGUs can also encourage or give incentives to home owners associations, neighborhood associations and community and/or people’s organizations to participate in urban farming activities within their areas.

Idle and/or abandoned government lots and buildings owned by either national and local governments or available land resources in state universities and colleges can be conducive for growing crops, raising livestock and producing food using said methods, provided that these are compliant and subject to safety standards such that of DOST and other pertinent agencies.

For universities, colleges and training centers, both public and private, integrated urban agriculture and vertical farming can be required as an advanced elective course for students pursuing Agriculture, Practical Arts, Home Economics, and other agriculture-related courses. (END)

REP. BELARO: BAR PASSERS, DISPEL NOTION THAT LAWYERS ARE LIARS

[Education Solon Congratulates Bar Exam Passers]

REP. BELARO: BAR PASSERS, DISPEL NOTION THAT LAWYERS ARE LIARS

​

I congratulate all the bar passers, as well as those who did not hurdle the exams.

Perseverance and faithfulness to truth and justice is my message to each one of you.

Do not be disheartened by the injustice that continues to happen around us. Persevere.

Be not blinded by money or fame or social status. Instead, fix your gaze upon Lady Justice.

Let us dispel the notion that lawyers are liars. Honesty truly is the best policy.

In your zeal, be humble. Wisdom is earned over time.

Learn what is good from the elders and the wise. Follow not their bad examples. They are but human, prone to error. You are also human, so learn from your mistakes and do better next time.

Prepare for ASEAN Integration's and globalization's impact on the law profession. Study well about international law, foreign trade, and commerce. In any event, the bar exams as gauge for joining the legal profession needs to be re-examined as to its contents which should reflect the required knowledge and skills for relevant lawyering in this century.

Again, congratulations to all of you. (END)

EDUCATION SOLON ASKS DEPED TO EXTEND ANEW SHS VOUCHER DEADLINE, UPGRADE NET ACCESS TO LEARNER INFORMATION SYSTEM

EDUCATION SOLON ASKS DEPED TO EXTEND ANEW SHS VOUCHER DEADLINE,

UPGRADE NET ACCESS TO LEARNER INFORMATION SYSTEM

I take this opportunity to clarify that although online applications for senior high school vouchers are accepted until this coming Friday, April 27, manual applications for SHS vouchers by students who passed the Alternative Learning System (ALS) Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) Test, and the Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT) are open until June 15, according to the DepEd.

Aware I also am that the online window was reopened last April 2 to allow more Grade 10 completers the option to enroll in private schools, state universities and colleges (SUCs), and local universities and colleges (LUCs) including technical and vocational schools offering senior high.

However, some senior high schools had the graduation rites only last week and some may still be doing their rites this week.

I therefore ask the DepEd to EXTEND THE ONLINE APPLICATION FOR SENIOR HIGH VOUCHERS TO MAY 31, 2018. (The deadline for manual application for SHS vouchers by ALS and PEPT passers stays at June 15, 2018.) This extension will give students especially those in the provinces, where internet signal is even slower than it is in Metro Manila and where some schools are quite remote, the time to prepare their documentation requirements.

I also take this opportunity to inform DepEd that its DepEd Order No. 60, s. 2017, or “Guidelines on the Application for the Senior High School Voucher Program for School Year 2018-2019” is unavailable or cannot be downloaded right now from the internet.

May I further suggest that DepEd upgrade its hardware and processing capacity at the central office so online SHS applications are processed faster and that teachers can access the Learner Information System (LIS) faster as well.

Thousands of teachers have been complaining of delays in accessing the LIS of DepEd. Some in the media have even noticed that because of the slow access, a lot of people—presumably teachers—spend more time waiting on the LIS than the clientele of other popular websites. (END)

URBAN AGRICULTURE, VERTICAL FARMS ARE SOLUTIONS TO HUNGER ESPECIALLY IN METROS OF MANILA, CEBU, DAVAO

URBAN AGRICULTURE, VERTICAL FARMS ARE SOLUTIONS TO HUNGER

ESPECIALLY IN METROS OF MANILA, CEBU, DAVAO

​

It is not unlikely that in the next round of the poverty survey of the Social Weather Stations, we will all learn that the incidence among the poor is up and that could be traced to the lack of NFA rice for the poor.

SWS does its poverty surveys every quarter and releases the results toward the end of the month after every quarter. The first quarter 2018 results would be out quite soon. In the fourth quarter 2017 survey, hunger affected 3.6 million Filipino families. https://www.sws.org.ph/swsmain/artcldisppage/?artcsyscode=ART-20180122113930 .

The urban poor could be hit hard by the lack of NFA rice, especially the urban poor in Manila, Cebu, and Davao.

To help address hunger, I have proposed the Integrated Urban Agriculture and Vertical Farming Act of 2018 through House Bill XXXX.

Urban dwellers can grow substitutes to rice using less land and less space than rice farms. Corn and rootcrops can be cultivated in urban farms. Gardens of public schools can grow these crops and meet the carbohydrate needs of their urban poor students.

Rice farming requires lots of land but integrated urban agriculture and vertical farming do not. Integrated urban agriculture is the practice of cultivating, processing and distributing of agricultural products from animal husbandry, aquaculture, agro-forestry and horticulture in or around a metropolitan village, town and city. In vertical farming food from plants is cultivated using indoor agriculture methods of growing produce in vertically stacked layers using geoponics, hydroponics, and aeroponics.

HB XXXX proposes the institutionalization of integrated urban agriculture and vertical farming in the country in order to ensure food security, to promote livelihood, and to regenerate ecosystem functions in metropolitan areas through integrated urban agriculture and vertical farming.

Consider also that urban agriculture, according to the UNDP, “has the potential of providing much higher nutritional improvement, hunger reduction, income-generation, enterprise development, and environmental improvement to the city.”

Key implementors of urban agriculture and vertical farming would be the schools and local governments.

LGUs can put open spaces and idle lands to good use with vertical farming and urban agriculture, while campus gardens can do more than just have ornamentals and herbs.

LGUs can also encourage or give incentives to homeowners associations, neighborhood associations and community and/or people’s organizations to participate in urban farming activities within their areas.

Idle and/or abandoned government lots and buildings owned by either national and local governments or available land resources in state universities and colleges can be conducive for growing crops, raising livestock and producing food using said methods, provided that these are compliant and subject to safety standards such that of DOST and other pertinent agencies.

For universities, colleges and training centers, both public and private, integrated urban agriculture and vertical farming can be required as an advanced elective course for students pursuing Agriculture, Practical Arts, Home Economics, and other agriculture-related courses. (END)

HOUSE BILL SEEKS P10 BILLION FOR PHILIPPINES’ OWN SPACE AGENCY

HOUSE BILL SEEKS P10 BILLION FOR PHILIPPINES’ OWN SPACE AGENCY

​

Weather, climate, satellite communications, and heavenly phenomena are but some of the space-related issues which affect us Filipinos here on Earth. Outer space is one frontier we can urge the youth of today and future generations to explore and venture out into. For all these, our country needs its own Philippine Space Agency.

To institutionalize and make permanent, the space development program of the country, I am pushing for speedy passage of House Bill 6413, which seeks to set and implement space policy and programs.

HB 6413 provides for a space development fund of P10 billion. Initial year of operations funding would be from the budget of the Office of the President, DOST, and DND in the amount of P1 billion.

The Manila Planetarium of the National Museum, the Philippine Aerospace Development Corporation, and Philippine Space Education Institute of the DOST would form part of the proposed Philippine Space Agency.

PhilSA will be attached to the Office of the President. Its purview includes space policy, industry development, education and capacity-building, research, and resource-sharing.

Pillars of the space policy in HB 6413 are: national security and development; hazards management and climate studies; international cooperation; space education and awareness; space research and development; and space industry capacity building. There are five bills in the House proposing the creation of the Philippine Space Agency: HB 3637; HB 4275; HB 4637; HB 4623; and HB 6413. (END)

BACKGROUNDER (PENDING HOUSE BILLS)

HB03637 AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE SPACE DEVELOPMENT AND UTILIZATION POLICY AND CREATING THE PHILIPPINE SPACE AGENCY (PSA) AND DEFINE THE PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF ITS ACTIVITIES Principal Author/s: AUMENTADO, ERICO ARISTOTLE C.; JALOSJOS, SETH FREDERICK P.; Main Referral: GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION Status: Pending with the Committee on GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION since 2016-09-21

HB04275 AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE SPACE DEVELOPMENT AND UTILIZATION POLICY AND CREATING THE PHILIPPINE SPACE AGENCY (PSA) AND DEFINE THE PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF ITS ACTIVITIES Principal Author/s: NIETO, JOHN MARVIN "YUL SERVO" C.; MACEDA, EDWARD VERA PEREZ; Main Referral: GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION Status: Pending with the Committee on GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION since 2016-11-09

HB04367 AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE SPACE DEVELOPMENT AND UTILIZATION POLICY AND CREATING THE PHILIPPINE SPACE AGENCY (PSA) AND DEFINE THE PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF ITS ACTIVITIES Principal Author/s: SALCEDA, JOEY SARTE Main Referral: GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION Status: Pending with the Committee on GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION since 2016-11-21

HB04623 AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE SPACE DEVELOPMENT AND UTILIZATION POLICY AND CREATING THE PHILIPPINE SPACE AGENCY (PSA) AND DEFINE THE PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF ITS ACTIVITIES Principal Author/s: RODRIGUEZ, MAXIMO JR.B. Main Referral: GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION Status: Pending with the Committee on GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION since 2016-12-13

HB06413 AN ACT ESTABLISHING A PHILIPPINE SPACE DEVELOPMENT AND UTILIZATION FRAMEWORK AND CREATING THE PHILIPPINE SPACE AGENCY (PhilSA), DEFINING THE SCOPE OF ITS POWERS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Principal Author/s: BELARO, SALVADOR JR. B. Main Referral: GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION Status: Pending with the Committee on GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION since 2017-09-20

PHILIPPINES ALSO HAS A GUN CONTROL PROBLEM: LOOSE FIREARMS, MEN WHO RUN AMOK SHOOTING, PRIVATE ARMIES, ELECTION-RELATED VIOLENCE

PHILIPPINES ALSO HAS A GUN CONTROL PROBLEM: LOOSE FIREARMS, MEN WHO RUN AMOK SHOOTING,

PRIVATE ARMIES, ELECTION-RELATED VIOLENCE

[Rep. Belaro asks PNP, DOJ to report on gun possession and shooting incidents involving students and teachers on-campus and off-campus]  

Uncommon but it does happen sometimes in some schools here in the Philippines that a student is caught in possession of a gun while on campus. However, we do not have the active shooter problem that happens often in schools in the United States, where students are now rising up in protest against the lack of stricter gun control laws and enforcement.

Here in the Philippines, the need is for preventive and security measures especially for high schools because the older students are the ones caught bringing guns to school. These measures must be consistent with the DepEd’s child protection policy.

In August 2017 in Pangasinan, a gun was found in the possession of a high school student. https://youtu.be/SiaxKEpYK_c .

In June 2013 in Iloilo City, an unidentified 16-year-old student brought a revolver to school. A schoolmate of his reported him to school authorities. These are among the reported incidents. http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/video/balitapilipinas/167865/16-anyos-na-estudyante-nahulihan-ng-baril-sa-loob-ng-eskwelahan-sa-iloilo-city/video/

How many are unreported “dahil nakakahiya” is unknown. Sometimes, school teachers are victims of shootings but usually not on-campus. Here are two excerpts of separate statements of the DepEd on shooting incidents involving its personnel:

July 2017

Emily Mallari, principal of Alitagtag National High School, was driving her car morning of July 4 when unidentified suspects on a motorcycle fired shots at her in Purok 4, Barangay Pinagtongulan, Lipa City. Based on the report of Lipa City Police, she lost control of the steering wheel and swerved to the roadside. Mallari sustained gunshot wounds and was immediately rushed by a barangay tanod to the hospital.

July 2016

On 18 July 2016 during its Executive Committee Meeting, the Department of Education leadership received a report from its Schools Division Office in Cotabato City of a shooting incident that killed two elementary school teachers of the department and injured another teacher in Brgy. Tamontaka 1, Cotabato City. The incident happened at around 4 pm on 12 July 2016.

According to the report, the three teachers, all from the Mokamadali Elementary School in Tamontaka 4, Cotabato City, were on their way home coming from a PTA meeting when the incident happened. The three were riding a public utility motorcycle when they were fired upon by an unidentified gunman also riding a motorcycle. Tragically, Teacher Fajara Cabuntalan La was declared dead on arrival at the at the Cotabato City Regional Medical Center, while Teacher Sitti Usop Abdullah also passed away later in the evening. It was only Teacher Aisha Karon Malogka who survived the injuries. The driver of the motorcycle was also injured.

We would appreciate it if the PNP and the DOJ can update us in detail on what happened to these incidents involving the teachers and students.

I have filed HB 6072 (Rationalized Cancellation and Suspension of Work and School Classes Act) which has a provision (section 4) authorizing the suspension of classes when there is an active shooter situation, kidnapping, or hostage-taking within or in the immediate vicinity of the school.

On the streets and in homes in Metro Manila and other densely-populated areas, we have near-daily occurrence of fatal shooting incidents involving neighbors and suspected drug dealers and runners.

Every now and then, some men go amok shooting to death their relatives and neighbors or taking innocents hostage.

EAGLE NEWS http://www.eaglenews.ph/lalaking-walang-habas-na-nagpaputok-ng-baril-arestado-sa-cubao/

TEMPO http://tempo.com.ph/2017/01/14/binatilyo-binaril-sa-ulo/

Especially in the provinces, thousands of loose firearms are in the hands of private armies, bandits, and rebels. Local elections in many hotspots tend to be bloody, deadly, and often involving unlicensed firearms.

The election gun ban and checkpoints siphon away some of the loose firearms, but little is known about whether those caught ever get prosecuted and convicted. (END)

TURNING POINT: NEW NAMES, SCHOOLS, WINNERS IN NATIONAL MATH TILT [1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list congratulates math challenge national finalists]

TURNING POINT: NEW NAMES, SCHOOLS, WINNERS IN NATIONAL MATH TILT [1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list congratulates math challenge national finalists]

New schools and young math wizards from Grades 6 and 10 have loosened the dominance of science schools and Filipino-Chinese schools in the just-concluded national finals of the Metrobank-MTAP-DepEd held Saturday, according to 1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list Rep. Salvador Belaro, Jr.

Belaro noted that among the top three are students from public schools: Renato Lopez Elementary School, Alimodian Central Elementary School, and Iloilo National High School.

Sean Neyers A. Gungon of the Renato Lopez Elementary School was the champion in the Grade 6 individual competition while in third place was Jonathan D. Anacan of the Alimodian Central Elementary School, the Metrobank Foundation said on its official Facebook page.

In the Grade 10 division, James Matthew U. Young of the Iloilo National High School earned third place in the individual event, while Young’s tandem with Leann Patrice A. Ganzon of the Iloilo National High School made it to third place in the team competition, Metrobank Foundation also said.

Photos and source: Metrobank Foundation Facebook page https://goo.gl/oaZ8jP

“The victories of these exemplary math wizards from the public schools is most probably a sign that the K to 12 curriculum and the special emphasis on mathematics education is bearing fruit,” Belaro said.

The education also noticed the strong performance of the Visayas, particularly of Iloilo National High School, which was the only public school among the seven schools that were in the team competition finals for Grade 10.

“Notable also is the emergence of new schools among the national finalists and top three. Among the new math powerhouses are St. John's Institute of Bacolod City, Rainbow of Angels Learning Center Inc of Butuan City, St. Philomena Academy of Lipa in Batangas, Kalalake Elementary School of Central Luzon, Tagbilaran City Central Elementary School, and Sta. Quiteria Elementary School in NCR,” Rep. Belaro said.

Metrobank Foundation noted the surge in math prowess of the schools and students.

“The competition gets tougher and tougher every year, but more and more schools level up in their math proficiency...for 2018, a total of 19 schools produced their first-ever MMC national finals,” the organizer said.

The foundation said 460,546 elementary and 114,277 high school students competed and showcased their math skills in the elimination rounds.

MBFI Assistant Executive Director Irene Labitad said in her opening remarks: "We at the Metrobank Foundation continue to be inspired by what we discover each year. MMC finalists win in international competitions. New institutional partners join us in our advocacy. All these validate our continuous commitment to better education for all." (END)

DETAILS/LISTS OF WINNERS & FINALISTS:

The winners of the #2018MMC Grade 6 Team Competition:

First place: Christopher James C. Yap & Christian Jacob C. Yap of the St. John's Institute Bacolod City (Region VI), Second place: Hans Ethan K. Ting & Ambrose James G. Torreon of the Rainbow of Angels Learning Center Inc. Butuan City (Region XIII), Third place: Benjamin L. Jacob & Timothy Lawrence G. Andal of the St. Philomena Academy of Lipa Inc. (Region IV-A)

Grade 6 Team Competition. Competing schools are as follows:

1. REGION I: Bolinao Integrated School

2. REGION III: Kalalake Elementary School

3. REGION IV-A: St. Philomena Academy of Lipa Inc.

4. REGION V: Ateneo de Naga University Grade School

5. REGION VI: St. John's Institute Bacolod

6. REGION VII: Tagbilaran City Central Elementary School

7. REGION X: Kong Hua School

8. REGION XIII: Rainbow of Angels Learning Center Inc.

9. NCR-A: Sta. Quiteria Elementary School

10. NCR-B: MGC New Life Christian Academy

The winners of the #2018MMC Grade 6 Individual Competition -

First place: Sean Neyers A. Gungon of the Renato Lopez Elementary School (NCR-A)

Second place: Jence Enrico P. Dela Fuente of the Ateneo de Naga University Grade School (Region V)

Third place: Jonathan D. Anacan of the Alimodian Central Elementary School (Region VI)

The #2018MMC Grade 6 Individual Competition. Competing schools:

1. CAR: Northridge Academy, Inc. of Baguio City

2. REGION I: La Marea Academy of Dagupan City

3. REGION III: Brightswood Schools of Angeles City

4. REGION IV-A: First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities of Tanuan City

5. REGION V: Ateneo de Naga University Grade School

6. REGION VI: Alimodian Central Elementary School

7. REGION IX: Zamboanga Chong Hua High School

8. NCR-A: Renato Lopez Elementary School

9. NCR-B: Pace Academy

The winners of the #2018MMC Grade 10 Team Competition -

First place: Andres Rico M. Gonzales IIII & Alec Nowell A. Ranara of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran (NCR-B)

Second place: Dion Stephan J. Ong & Matthew Ernest S. Quinto of the Ateneo de Manila Junior High School (NCR-A)

Third place: James Matthew U. Young & Leann Patrice A. Ganzon of the Iloilo National High School (Region VI)

Seven teams compete in the #2018MMC Grade 10 Team Competition:

1. BHC Educational Institution, Inc.

2. De La Salle Lipa

3. Iloilo National High School

4. Sacred Heart School - Ateneo de Cebu

5. Zamboanga Chong Hua High School

6. Colegio de San Juan de Letran

7. Ateneo de Manila Junior High School The winners of the MMC (Metrobank-MTAP-DepEd Math Challenge)

Grade 10 Individual Competition:

First place: Dion Stephan J. Ong of the Ateneo De Manila Junior High School (NCR-B)

Second place: Andres Rico M. Gonzales III of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran (NCR-A)

Third place: James Matthew U. Young of the Iloilo National High School (Region VI)

Grade 10 Individual Competition:

Competing schools:

1. Pines City National High School Main Campus of Baguio City

2. St. Mary's Academy of La Union

3. Bayanihan Institute (Official) of Tarlac

4. Dasmarinas Integrated High School

5. University of Santo Tomas-Legazpi

6. Iloilo National High School

7. Cebu City Philippine Christian Gospel School

8. Zamboanga Chong Hua High School

9. Colegio de San Juan de Letran

10. Ateneo de Manila Junior High School

IRR OF FREE COLLEGE EDUCATION IN SUCs TO BE PUBLISHED SOON

IRR OF FREE COLLEGE EDUCATION IN SUCs TO BE PUBLISHED SOON

[It is time for a full court press execution of the free college education law]

It is good that the UniFAST Board, headed by the CHED, is finally ready with the implementing rules and regulations of the free college education law and is preparing to publish it soon.

There is, however, the matter of accountability because UniFAST failed to comply with the UAQTEA deadline for publishing the IRR. That deadline was last October 2017. It is now March 2018, six months after the deadline.

Now I understand the CHED and UniFAST board have had rough months while Dr. Patricia Licuanan was CHED Chairperson, but the law did set a deadline and UniFAST failed to meet that deadline. People in the UniFAST Secretariat must be held accountable and liable.

Let me focus now on some implementation concerns.

Most SUCs still have June as the start of this academic year while some SUCs are shifting to August as school opening time.

UniFAST and CHED now have just two to five months to execute the IRR and all the mechanisms and procedures needed to make things happen they way they should.

It is now incumbent upon the CHED and UniFAST to make up for valuable lost time and do a full court press.

It might make things easier to make all the SUCs start their academic year in August. CHED chairs the governing boards of all SUCs and through that position, they can convince the SUCs to shift to August.

To avoid a repeat of what happened to the K to 12 Transition Program scholars, I want the UniFAST and CHED to have an online portal through which everyone, including Congress, can monitor the progress of the implementation of UAQTEA in real-time down to the regional office level of the CHED.

CHED and UniFAST should have learned by now from the mistakes in how the K to 12 Transition Program was done. They had better get it all right this time around because 900,000 SUC students will be affected if they bungle this. (END)

EDUCATION SOLON ASKS DBM, CHED, UP TO ALLOT FUNDS FOR FIRE PREVENTION, RENOVATION, BUILDING RESTORATION FOR UP DILIMAN

EDUCATION SOLON ASKS DBM, CHED, UP TO ALLOT FUNDS FOR FIRE PREVENTION,

RENOVATION, BUILDING RESTORATION FOR UP DILIMAN

Noting that the budget preparation process for the 2019 national budget is underway at the DBM, CHED, and UP, and considering the fire that engulfed the shopping center in the UP Diliman campus, I ask the three agencies to include funds for fire prevention, renovation, and restoration of the ageing buildings of UP Diliman.

There have been seven major fire incidents in the UP Diliman campus since 2008:

1. Narra Residence Hall (January 9, 2008)

2. AS Pavilion II (Chem Pav) (June 9, 2010)

3. CASAA Food Hall (June 13, 2015)

4. Alumni Center (June 30, 2015)

5. Faculty Center (Rizal Hall) (April 1, 2016)

6. Quezon Hall (August 16, 2016)

7. Shopping Center (March 8, 2018)

Clearly, the campus buildings there need urgent measures.

I ask the current UP leadership to make sure all the on-campus residence halls and dormitories have adequate fire prevention and response measures.

For the restoration of buildings, a multi-year budget can be prepared and submitted to Congress.

It goes without saying, but I will say it anyway, that I, as UP Alumnus, will support these budget allocations and will urge my colleagues in the House to also give their support at committee and plenary. (END)

Note: Rep. Salvador “Bong” Belaro, Jr. earned his B.A. Political Science degree (cum laude) from the University of the Philippines Diliman from 1985 to 1989. He also earned his Bachelor of Laws degree from UP from 1990 to 1995.

REFERENCES:  https://www.rappler.com/move-ph/127865-fire-up-diliman-history

  https://goo.gl/MAbZZF

FILIPINOS' ENGLISH PROFICIENCY AS BEST FOOT FORWARD IS SUFFERING FROM ARTHRITIS

FILIPINOS' ENGLISH PROFICIENCY AS BEST FOOT FORWARD IS SUFFERING FROM ARTHRITIS

Concerned about test results showing Filipino college graduates' English proficiency declining while other countries are improving, 1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list Rep. Salvador Belaro, Jr recently delivered a privilege speech pushing for English as an official language of the country.

Comparing the results of the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) across ASEAN, Hopkins International Partners found that Thai high school students are more proficient in English than Filipino college graduates.

Hopkins International Partners said Filipinos are ranked only third or fourth among the ASEAN countries in terms of English proficiency and that the Philippines' proficiency is on the decline while others are on the rise.

In the two-year study of Hopkins International Partners, Filipino university graduates average a score of only 630, a far cry from the 850 passable score required by business process outsourcing companies the world over. The study also noted that it is lower than the competency requirement for taxi drivers in the United Arab Emirates, and lower than that of the high school graduates of Thailand and Vietnam.

At the heart of the problem is the Department of Education’s not giving English the proper emphasis it deserves in the instruction of our schoolchildren. Instead of allowing English to grow in conjunction with the teaching of Filipino, our national language, the resulting scenario was that the promotion of Filipino in our schools came at the expense of teaching English, when the ideal but also realizable scenario could be the mutual development of both English and Filipino as languages of instruction.

One practical twin solution to improve English proficiency in our schools is to require, with training and testing costs shouldered by the government, all public school teachers of English to be certified by the TESDA as English proficient.

The proficiency course would be in-service training for those who are already teaching. The incentive for undergoing the English proficiency training can be a two-step increase in salary plus service credits commensurate to the hours of training undergone. English teachers who would need to take the proficiency test again would undergo further intensive training (cost shouldered by the DepEd).

For those who are studying to become English teachers, the TESDA English proficiency training can be embedded into the baccalaureate program as one of the requirements for graduation.

By improving the English proficiency of our teachers, we strengthen the English competencies of our youth. It will help secure a better future for them. (END)

REFERENCES:   http://www.hopkins.ph/.

  http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/644114/english-proficiency-of-pinoy-students-  teachers-lagging-survey/story/ http://www.ets.org/toeic/successes.

REVITALIZED PDOS” DAPAT IPATUPAD NG STATE UNIVERSITIES & COLLEGES UPANG MAGING MABISA AT ABOT-KAYA

Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar ‘wag gawing negosyo

“REVITALIZED PDOS” DAPAT IPATUPAD NG STATE UNIVERSITIES & COLLEGES UPANG MAGING MABISA AT ABOT-KAYA"

[Licensed social workers dapat ipadala sa Kuwait para sumaklolo sa mga biktimang OFWs – Rep. Belaro]

Upang matugunan ang maraming bilang ng insidente ng karahasan at pang-aabuso sa mga OFW household service workers sa Kuwait, hinihiling natin sa OWWA na magtalaga at magpadala sa Kuwait ng mahuhusay at lisensiyadong social workers.

Magiging pangunahing misyon ng OWWA social workers doon ang agarang pag-agapay sa mga OFW na biktima ng kanilang mga employer.

Pabor ako sa ideya ni DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello, III na palitan ang kasalukuyan sistema ng Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) na ginagawang pinagkakakitaang negosyo lamang sa halip na makatulong sa mga idedeploy na OFWs.

Para maging makabuluhan at di lamang gawing negosyo ang PDOS, ipinapanukala kong dapat ang mga state universities and colleges ang humawak sa PDOS tutal maraming campus ang SUCs sa buong bansa at sila ay mga pampublikong paaralan na hindi maniningil ng mahal.

Pabor rin ako sa panukala ni Senator Manny Pacquiao na magkaroon ng manual o handbook na mababasa at magagamit ng mga OFW. Sana ang mga manual na iyan ay nasa wikang mauunawaan ng mga OFW.

Huwag sanang sa Ingles lamang o Filipino (batay sa Tagalog) nakasulat ang PDOS manual, kundi pati na rin sa mga pangunahing regional languages sa bansa gaya ng Cebuano, Bicol, Ilocano, Hiligaynon, at Kapampangan para maging mas mabisa ito. (WAKAS)

EDUCATION SOLON CHEERS ON THE COUNTRY’S FUTURE JOURNALISTS

EDUCATION SOLON CHEERS ON THE COUNTRY’S FUTURE JOURNALISTS

Having served on the Philippine Collegian when I was a student at the University of the Philippines, I take a special interest in the DepEd 2018 National Schools Press Conference to be held in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental from February 19 to 23.

Over 4,600 of our country’s best young campus journalists and school paper advisers are expected in Dumaguete City next week. The students from elementary and secondary schools—public and private—will compete for side by side in various individual and team categories.

The big event to happen in Dumaguete City brings back to me happy memories when I was fortunate to be a national winner of the 1984 National Secondary Schools Press Conference (Feature Writing in English Category) representing Partido State University of Camarines Sur.

I hope the journalist’s creed that will be recited there is the Philippine Journalist’s Code of Ethics, not the decades-old Journalist’s Creed by Walter Williams of the United States.

I am also crafting a very detailed bill that will give real teeth to the old Campus Journalism Act, which was really nothing more than general principles and broad strokes.

From among the campus journalists who will converge in Dumaguete and those who had competed at the school divisions and regional levels, will come the next generations of working journalists our country needs to carry on the mission for truth, justice, freedom, and professionalism in the news media and the communications professions. (END)

UNIFAST BOARD HAS NEGLECTED TO APPROVE IRR OF FREE COLLEGE EDUCATION LAW

UNIFAST BOARD HAS NEGLECTED TO APPROVE IRR OF FREE COLLEGE EDUCATION LAW

Six months after the signing of RA 10931, which is the law providing for free college education in state universities and colleges and technical-vocational institutions, Congress has not yet seen the IRR or implementing rules and regulations which was supposed to have been promulgated within sixty days from the effectivity of the law.

Last December, then CHED Chairperson Patricia Licuanan said during an education summit that the crafting of the IRR was completed and all that was needed to get the work done was the signing. It is now February 2018, Dr. Licuanan has resigned, CHED has an OIC in the person of CHED Commissioner Prospero de Vera, but we still do not yet have an IRR for RA 10931.

he UniFAST Board is now in breach of a very specific mandate of RA 10931 to promulgate the IRR in 60 days, which should have been in October 2017.

Strictly speaking, this lack of output can be tantamount to gross neglect of duty. This is the composition of the UniFAST Board according to its charter:

ARTICLE IV: THE UNIFAST BOARD

SEC. 14. Creation of a UniFAST Board. – To carry out the purposes of this Act, there is hereby created a UniFAST Board, hereinafter referred to as the Board, which shall be attached to the CHED, composed of the following:

(a) The CHED Chairperson as ex officio Chairperson;

(b) The Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) as ex officio Co-Chairperson;

(c) The TESDA Director-General as ex officio Co-Chairperson;

(d) The Secretary of the Department of Education (DepED) as ex officio member; (e) A representative from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) as ex officio member;

(f) A representative from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) as ex officio member; and

(g) A representative from the National Youth Commission (NYC) as ex officio member.

Note that the UniFAST Board is not just the CHED Chairman. Seven agencies are represented in the Board, including the heads of CHED, DOST, TESDA, and DepED.

Our questions now to the UniFAST Board, now headed by CHED OIC Prospero de Vera, is this: When will the Board approve the IRR? Will they continue to delay or will they do their job?

The next school year is just a few months away. The IRR still has to be cascaded through the higher education system, to the SUCs and TVIs. That cascading takes time and the implementing mechanisms take time. Most of the schools open in June while some now open in August.

Free college education is a major commitment of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and the 17th Congress. Now is not the time for the UniFAST Board to neglect their duty. We expect swift action from them in the next several days or else. (END) REFERENCES: https://goo.gl/GXVfcp and https://goo.gl/Z19DDz

PARTY-LIST SOLON SEEKS URGENT ACTION ON FOREST LIMITS BILLS

PARTY-LIST SOLON SEEKS URGENT ACTION ON FOREST LIMITS BILLS

Amid current public debate on charter change, one neglected issue is that 31 years after the 1987 Constitution took effect, Congress has not yet complied with the charter mandate to “as soon as possible, determine by law the specific limits of forest lands and national parks, marking clearly their boundaries on the ground.”

Section 4 of Article XII of the 1987 Constitution further provides: “Thereafter, such forest lands and national parks shall be conserved and may not be increased nor diminished, except by law.” I

 am hoping President Duterte will certify the forest limits bills of the House and Senate as urgent so they can have a ratified bill approved by May 2018 and ready for his signature by then.

There are four bills on forest limits pending in the House now and one of them is House Bill 5945, which I authored and filed. In the Senate, there are three pending bills on forest limits.

Congress must fulfill this specific mandate now to arrest the deterioration of our country’s forest cover (http://forestry.denr.gov.ph/index.php/statistics/forest-cover ).

The delineation of our forests is among the legislative priorities identified in the Philippine Development Plan for 2017 to 2022.

According to the 2016 Philippine Forestry Statistics of the DENR, the country has 15.8 million hectares of forestland, but this figure has not moved since 2006, so this figure may need to be looked into and updated.

The demarcation and delineation of forest lands will be tedious, time-consuming work, but it must be done to conserve, protect, and develop the forest resources of the country in order to attain ecological balance, preserve valuable ecosystems, prevent environmental degradation, and promote sustainable development for the present and future generations of Filipinos. (END)

BACKGROUND:

HB00143 AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE DELINEATION OF THE SPECIFIC FOREST LIMITS OF THE PUBLIC DOMAIN Principal Author/s: ACOSTA-ALBA, MARIA LOURDES Main Referral: NATURAL RESOURCES Status: Pending with the Committee on NATURAL RESOURCES since 2016-07-26

HB00678 AN ACT FIXING THE LIMITS OF FOREST LANDS WITHIN FIVE (5) KILOMETERS FROM EITHER SIDE OF THE ASPIRAS HIGHWAY (FORMERLY KNOWN AS MARCOS HIGHWAY) FROM AGOO, LA UNION TO BAGUIO CITY, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE PROCLAMATION NO. 1754 Principal Author/s: ERIGUEL, SANDRA Y., M.D. Main Referral: NATURAL RESOURCES Status: Approved by the Committee on Appropriations on 2017-02-06

HB03486 AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE DELINEATION OF THE SPECIFIC FOREST LIMITS OF THE PUBLIC DOMAIN AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Principal Author/s: ESCUDERO, EVELINA G. Main Referral: NATURAL RESOURCES Status: Pending with the Committee on NATURAL RESOURCES since 2016-09-13

HB05945 AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE DEMARCATION AND DELINEATION OF FOREST LAND LIMITS, APPROPRIATING THE NECESSARY FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Principal Author/s: BELARO, SALVADOR JR. B. Main Referral: NATURAL RESOURCES Status: Pending with the Committee on NATURAL RESOURCES since 2017-07-25

SBN-861: Forest Lands Limits Act of 2016 An Act Providing for the Delineation of the Specific Forest Limits of the Public Domain and for Other Purposes Filed on July 21, 2016, by Recto, Ralph G.

SBN-741: Final Forest Limits Act An Act Providing for the Delineation of the Specific Forest Limits of the Public Domain and for Other Purposes Filed on July 21, 2016, by Escudero, Francis "Chiz" G.

SBN-35: Final Forest Limits Act An Act Providing for the Delineation of the Specific Forest Limits of the Public Domain and for Other Purposes Filed on June 30, 2016, by Legarda, Loren B. REFERENCE: http://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/constitutions/1987-constitution/

REACTION TO RESIGNATION OF CHED CHAIRMAN PATRICIA LICUANAN

REACTION TO RESIGNATION OF CHED CHAIRMAN PATRICIA LICUANAN

I congratulate my fellow Cornell University alumnus Dr. Patricia Licuanan on her difficult decision to resign to spare the CHED from further controversies.

Her decision to resign also has the effect of giving President Rodrigo Duterte a free hand to appoint a new CHED Chairman to become part of the administration team as a team player. We need a CHED Chairman who has vision, will, and heart for the Filipino people.

t is also time to give the CHED a new boost by updating and upgrading its charter, Republic Act 7722.

Some 24 years have passed since the CHED was created in 1994. RA 7722 is ripe for updating and upgrading. We also need new education laws.

We need bold, revolutionary steps to follow through on the success we achieved in making free college education in SUCs a reality for the Filipino youth and college faculty.

With the shift toward federalism, we need strong regional university systems.

We need a more capable CHED that can function in a federalized environment.

We need the Law on the Philippine Qualifications Framework—the bills for which are in the final stages of the legislative process. I hope the PQF become as law by March, April or May this year during the graduation season.

We need a stronger Open University and Alternative Learning superstructure to further expand access to quality higher education.

We need Education Bonds to fund the education equivalent of Build Build Build. Many of our SUCs are in dire need of new facilities and better services. Many private schools are also in crises because of the exodus of teachers to public schools and because of lack of funds to upgrade their facilities.  (END)

TEACHERS’ SALARY BOOST TOWARD DOUBLING POSSIBLE WITH COMBO OF SOLUTIONS

TEACHERS’ SALARY BOOST TOWARD DOUBLING

POSSIBLE WITH COMBO OF SOLUTIONS

1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list Representative Salvador Belaro, Jr said a mix of solutions can make the doubling of teachers’ salaries possible starting this year.

“It does not have to be all in one move. Even the pay hike for soldiers and police took some doing before it could be done. Free college education in SUCs also took a lot of work. When there’s will, there are ways,” Belaro said.

The education solon said he sees at least four ways to make the salary boost happen in two to three tranches:

1. Issuance of a new Executive Order by the President to amend the revised salary schedule in E.O. 201, series of 2016 which is the basis of the ongoing gradual salary hikes in government;

2. A supplemental budget of P50 billion to P100 billion;

3. The Gender and Development (GAD) funds of various agencies; and

4. The travel funds of CHED, DepEd, and other agencies.

In progress is the third tranche of salary hikes in government. The fourth and last tranche will be in 2019.

“To finance the rebuilding and repairs of classrooms and school buildings damaged during natural and man-made calamities and armed conflict, the World Bank has a $500 million credit line that the Philippine government can tap,” Belaro also said. (END)

HIGHER COST WILL MAKE CONSUMERS BUY LESS SWEETENED DRINKS, LESS CIGARETTES, CHOOSE HEALTHIER LIFESTYLES

HIGHER COST WILL MAKE CONSUMERS BUY LESS SWEETENED DRINKS,

LESS CIGARETTES, CHOOSE HEALTHIER LIFESTYLES

Congress included the beverage tax in the TRAIN bill because, among other reasons, our country has widespread illnesses linked to high sugar consumption and smoking, including diabetes, cardiovascular vascular diseases, dental caries, and obesity.

The DepEd has precisely banned soft drinks from school canteens and laid down strict policies on school nutrition to spare school children from health risks brought by high sugar consumption.

1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list has long campaigned for better nutrition for Filipinos especially students and the youth. The proposed beverage tax in the TRAIN tax reform bill and the various school nutrition bills I filed are proof of this focus on nutrition. We filed our bills on school nutrition because we want our children to be healthy.

By making sweetened beverages more expensive, we are discouraging consumers, the Filipino families, from high sugar consumption and making them choose healthier, less sweet or unsweetened lifestyle options.

By making cigarettes more expensive, less people will buy them, thereby lowering their risks of getting cancer, hypertension, and respiratory diseases.

We want a healthy citizenry because healthy citizens make for a healthy, productive, economically prosperous, and socially-progressive nation.

The sari-sari stores will not sell items their customers cannot afford. They will switch to selling other products. Sari-sari store owners know their customers well.

Filipino consumers have many other daily necessities like soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and deodorant. Some of the soft drinks bottlers have now been producing bottled water, tea, and coconut juice because they have learned that more Filipinos have been switching to unsweetened or less sweet beverages.

The fact and reality is the beverage tax is pro-poor because it will promote better health for Filipinos and will fund social services of the government. (END)

REFERENCES:

https://www.bir.gov.ph/images/bir_files/internal_communications_2/RMCs/RA-10963-RRD.pdf

http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB04039.pdf

http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB01438.pdf

APPROVAL RATINGS OF PRESIDENT DUTERTE CAN RISE TO “EXCELLENT” IN Q1 2018

APPROVAL RATINGS OF PRESIDENT DUTERTE CAN RISE TO “EXCELLENT” IN Q1 2018

The satisfaction rating of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte can rise even further than the net 58 percent he got in the latest SWS satisfaction ratings survey released only last December 22, just before the long Christmas weekend.

Conducted from December 8 to 16, 2017, the SWS poll does not include the good news that comes with the December 19 signing of the 2018 national budget and the TRAIN tax reforms.

More good news are in the pipeline because more new laws meant to significantly improve the plight of the poor and middle class are at bicameral conference committee stage now.

Consider also that from January to March 2018, the full year 2017 and 4th quarter 2017 economic reports will be coming out in succession and signs points to more positive news about the economy.

These factors combined could boost President Duterte’s SWS approval ratings to the excellent range of +70 percent or higher.

I also expect a boost of support for the President from the middle class because this demographic will feel the full impact of the new income tax brackets and the P250,000 tax exemption.

For a change, the working middle class is getting the attention it also deserves from the government.

Right now, many of the critics of the 17th Congress and of the Duterte administration are worried and some of them are even scared. Their jobs as trolls will be much harder to do.

They know the 2018 national budget and TRAIN tax reform package signed and the multitude of economic benefits the Filipino people will gain starting next year will further boost the popularity of President Duterte and the majority in the 17th Congress.

No amount of black propaganda they will hurl can negate the comfort millions of Filipinos will feel every day of their lives from now on.

The critics will keep sowing fear while we will sow hope and better lives for more Filipinos than ever before. Success will be very difficult to upstage.

The critics will keep trying. They will keep failing. Their resistance is futile. It would be better for them to come out of the dark side and step into the light. (END)

Reference: https://goo.gl/gg6Zuk

19 December 2017

2018 BUDGET & TRAIN WILL SOW HOPE, PUSH AGAINST

FEAR AND THE DARK SIDE WHERE THE CRITICS DWELL

Right now, many of the critics of the 17th Congress and of the Duterte administration are worried and some of them are even scared. Their jobs as trolls will be much harder to do.

They know the 2018 national budget and TRAIN tax reform package signed today and the multitude of economic benefits the Filipino people will gain starting next year will further boost the popularity of President Duterte and the majority in the 17th Congress.

No amount of black propaganda they will hurl can negate the comfort millions of Filipinos will feel every day of their lives from now on.

The critics will keep sowing fear while we will sow hope and better lives for more Filipinos than ever before. Success will be very difficult to upstage.

The critics will keep trying. They will keep failing. Their resistance is futile. It would be better for them to come out of the dark side and step into the light. (END)

13 December 2017

ON MARTIAL LAW EXTENSION

Schools all over Mindanao must be secured and protected against both terrorists and common criminals. Campuses must remain zones of peace and safe zones even with martial law in place. Safety and security of students and teachers must be assured during martial law.

Some schools are being targeted because of the new computers and other IT equipment being issued to the schools. Many schools in Mindanao do not have perimeter security and are far from the military camps and police stations, and because of these factors, they are open and soft targets of terrorists and bandits. (END)

8 December 2017 | News Release

SWEET BEVERAGE TAX, DAPAT NANG ISABATAS PARA IWAS DIABETES, SAKIT SA PUSO, AT OBESITY

“Huwag magpalinlang sa kampanya laban sa beverage tax,” yan ang babala ni 1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list Representative Salvador Belaro sa paulit-ulit na TV commercial na nanghihikayat magpalista kontra sa pagbubuwis sa mga inuming matatamis.

Si Belaro ang may akda ng House Bill 4039 (The Healthy Drinks in Public Schools Act) at ng House Bill 1438 (The School Nutrition Act) sa Kamara.

“Isinama ng Kongreso ang beverage tax sa TRAIN bill dahil sa buong bansa ay laganap ang mga sakit na iniuugnay sa high sugar consumption, kabilang na ang diabetes, sakit sa puso, nasisirang mga ngipin, at labis na katabaan o obesity,” ani Belaro.

Matagal nang bawal sa mga school canteen ang soft drinks and snack foods na hindi ayon sa istriktong pamantayan ng DepEd ukol sa tamang nutrisyon.

“We filed our bills on school nutrition because we want our children to be healthy. By making sweetened beverages more expensive, we are discouraging consumers, the Filipino families, from high sugar consumption and making them choose healthier, less sweet or unsweetened lifestyle options,” dagdag ni Belaro.

Hinimok niya ang mga nasa likod ng kampanya kontra beverage tax na huwag gamitin ang mga may-ari ng sari-sari stores. “Hindi magtitinda ang mga sari-sari ng mga paninda na hindi abot-kaya ng mga parokyano nila. Lilipat lang sila sa iba pang produkto na mura at tatangkilikin ng customer. Sari-sari store owners know their customers well. Marami pang ibang produkto na kailangan sa pang-araw-araw tulad ng sabon panligo at panlaba, shampoo, toothpaste, and deodorant,” ayon kay Belaro.

Pansin niya na ang ibang soft drinks bottlers “ay gumagawa na ng bottled water, tea, and coconut juice dahil nadiskubre na nila na parami nang parami ang mga Pinoy na mas pinipili ay mas hindi matamis na inumin.” “Whoever is behind the ongoing campaign against the beverage tax, do not use the sari-sari store owners to create the impression that the beverage tax is anti-poor. The fact and reality is the beverage tax is pro-poor because it will promote better health for Filipinos and will fund social services of the government,” pinunto ni Belaro. (WAKAS)

Sanggunian:

https://www.rappler.com/nation/189801-senate-approves-tax-reform-first-package-final-reading

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/921567/sari-sari-store-carinderia-tax-law-sugar-sweetened-drink-tax-reform-for-acceleration-and-inclusion

http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB04039.pdf

http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB01438.pdf

7 December 2017 | News Release

REP. BELARO DEFENDS BEVERAGE TAX AS PRO-HEALTH, PRO-POOR

[Assistant Majority Leader Salvador B. Belaro, Jr. is the principal author of House Bill 4039 or “The Healthy Drinks in Public Schools Act” and House Bill 1438 or “The School Nutrition Act.”]

1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list has long campaigned for better nutrition for Filipinos especially students and the youth. The proposed beverage tax in the TRAIN tax reform bill and the various school nutrition bills I filed are proof of this focus on nutrition.

We have been seeing in advertising media the well-funded campaign against the beverage tax. I would also not be surprised if we suddenly see some well-organized protests against the beverage tax.

Let us not be deceived by their campaign. Congress included the beverage tax in the TRAIN bill because, among other reasons, our country has widespread illnesses linked to high sugar consumption, including diabetes, cardiovascular vascular diseases, dental caries, and obesity.

The DepEd has precisely banned soft drinks from school canteens and laid down strict policies on school nutrition to spare school children from health risks brought by high sugar consumption. We filed our bills on school nutrition because we want our children to be healthy. By making sweetened beverages more expensive, we are discouraging consumers, the Filipino families, from high sugar consumption and making them choose healthier, less sweet or unsweetened lifestyle options.

We want a healthy citizenry because healthy citizens make for a healthy, productive, economically prosperous, and socially-progressive nation.

The sari-sari stores will not sell items their customers cannot afford. They will switch to selling other products. Sari-sari store owners know their customers well. Filipino consumers have many other daily necessities like soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and deodorant. Some of the soft drinks bottlers have now been producing bottled water, tea, and coconut juice because they have learned that more Filipinos have been switching to unsweetened or less sweet beverages.

Whoever is behind the ongoing campaign against the beverage tax, do not use the sari-sari store owners to create the impression that the beverage tax is anti-poor.

The fact and reality is the beverage tax is pro-poor because it will promote better health for Filipinos and will fund social services of the government. (END)

REFERENCES: https://www.rappler.com/nation/189801-senate-approves-tax-reform-first-package-final-reading http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/921567/sari-sari-store-carinderia-tax-law-sugar-sweetened-drink-tax-reform-for-acceleration-and-inclusion http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB04039.pdf http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB01438.pdf

29 November 2017 | News Release

EDUCATION SOLON BELARO FETED AS OUTSTANDING CONGRESSMAN YET AGAIN

Belaro’s bills on education and Marawi’s rehab cited as relevant and significant

or the second straight year, 1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list Representative Salvador Belaro, Jr. was recognized as Outstanding Congressman by the same reputable arbiter organization for his legislative output and exemplary advocacies.

“To be among the fifteen Outstanding Congressmen out of the current 294 members of the House is indeed an honor and a tribute to the voters who choose to cast their lot with 1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list,” according to Belaro.

The education solon said the award from Superbrands Marketing International, Inc. is especially significant this year because of the very significant bills he had filed during the year.

“We do our best to file bills and resolutions with substance, relevance, and that are forward-looking. I am particularly proud of our measures to help the people of Marawi recover from terrorism because early on we already pushed for education as the long term solution to the underlying causes of the Battle of Marawi,” Belaro also said.

In June 2017, Belaro filed House Bill 5833 “Rebuilding and Transformation of Marawi City into a city of Peace, Friendship, and Progress.” The bill provides for initial funding of P20 billion for the rehabilitation of Marawi at the time when the city was being being destroyed because of the invasion of heavily-armed extremist Maute-ISIS terrorist forces and the resulting armed conflict.

In July 2017, Belaro filed House Bill 6010 aiming to create Marawi City Polytechnic College and establishes it as a component college of the Mindanao State University which will get P300M initial budget. Belaro envisions the Polytechnic College to serve as an economic and education catalyst at the heart of Marawi City.

Superbrands, in its citation article for Belaro said 1-Ang Edukasyon is “one of the most productive parties in the 17th Congress.” “Today, after only around one and a half years in office, he has already filed a total of 481 bills and resolutions, 200 of which are of principal authorships and are mostly relating to education and 281 by way of co-authorships,” Superbrands noted.

The award-giving body also took note of Belaro’s humble beginnings as the son of a farmer and a public school teacher. Superbrands said, “he walks his talk as his life exemplifies how a provincial boy like him used his education not only for his personal upliftment but also for the good of the country.” Belaro is a valedictorian from Catagbacan, Goa, Camarines Sur. He was a 1985 National Outstanding Youth Researcher. Belaro went to the University of the Philippines as a state scholar where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (cum laude) and thereafter, his Bachelor of Laws degree. He also obtained his Master of Laws from Cornell University in New York, U.S.A. From 2012 to 2015, he served as Commissioner of the Commission on Bar Discipline of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. (END)

References: http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB05833.pdf

http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB06010.pdf

20 November 2017 | News Release

Despite FDA list of non-abortifacient

RANKING SOLON CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT RH LAW FULL IMPLEMENTATION

Finally, the Food and Drug Administration has issued its resolution determining that 51 specific contraceptives, including two highlighted in a TRO challenge before the Supreme Court, are non-abortifacient.

Going by the April 26, 2017 SC ruling, it is our hope that the FDA resolution means the TRO on the full implementation of the RH Law is automatically lifted.

However, I am cautiously optimistic. This fight to stop those who want to derail advances in the reproductive health of Filipino via the RH Law may not yet be over.

I wish the DOH has fully complied with all the stipulations and directives of the Supreme Court in that April 2017 ruling. I also wish the DOH is ready to fight any appeal.

While the SC did say, “the TRO would be deemed lifted if the questioned drugs and devices are found not abortifacients,” the High Court also said an administrative appeal and challenge the FDA resolution could still be lodged before the Office of the President.

There is also a worrisome condition of “after compliance with due process” also in the same SC ruling.

Those against the RH Law might use this dependent clause to continue fighting the RH Law before the Supreme Court if they see their chances of appeal to Malacañang as not promising.

As one of the House Leaders, I urge the TRO proponents to finally admit defeat. The science and real facts of RH have always been against their harsh campaign adversely affecting women’s health and the health of our nation. It is time to move on and let the Department of Health fully implement the RH Law. (END)

REFERENCES:

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/pdf/web/viewer.html?file=/jurisprudence/2017/april2017/217872.pdf

http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/13/17/doh-vows-full-implementation-of-rh-law-after-re-certification-of-contraceptives

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/healthandwellness/632931/fda-issues-resolution-clearing-51-contraceptives-as-non-abortifacient/story/

15 November 2017 | News Release

A PRAGMATIC VIEW OF THE ASEAN CONSENSUS ON MIGRANT WORKERS’ RIGHTS

While the ASEAN Consensus on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers is hailed as a step forward, I note that the document is not legally binding and an action plan has yet to be worked out. I note also how it took 10 years for the consensus to be forged and evolve since the Cebu Declaration.

“The ASEAN Consensus stipulates the general principles, fundamental rights of migrant workers and members of their families, specific rights of migrant workers, obligations and commitments of ASEAN Member States. It aims to establish a framework for closer cooperation among member states on addressing migrant workers’ issues in the region. While it is non-legally binding, the ASEAN Consensus is considered a living and evolving document.” (ASEAN website).

Add to these concerns the fact that among the ASEAN Member-Countries, only the Philippines and Indonesia have ratified the UN Convention on Migrant Workers. Cambodia is a signatory but has not yet ratified the convention. The other ASEAN Members did not sign on to the UN convention. Timor-Leste, which applied to join ASEAN in 2011 and is a dialogue partner of the regional grouping for now, ratified the convention in January 2004.

If the other ASEAN countries ratify the UN convention, that would be more reassuring to the migrant workers across the region.

There are about 212 thousand Filipino migrant workers in Southeast Asia. It would surely be better for their welfare if their host countries have migrant protection laws like the ones the Philippines has: RA 8042 (Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995) and RA 10022 which amended and improved RA 8042.

“The ASEAN Consensus is the result of extensive discussions, information sharing, and constructive negotiations since 2009 under the leadership of the ASEAN Labor Ministers,” according to the ASEAN website.

Sounds like it would take probably take at least another 10 years for the other ASEAN countries to enact migrant worker laws similar to those of the Philippines.

In the meantime, As Member of the House Committee on East ASEAN Growth Area, I urge the Department of Labor and Employment to further enhance its protection measures and procedures for the protection of Filipino migrant workers wherever they may be deployed.

Congress can, for its part, network with legislators of ASEAN and present the Philippines’ migrant worker laws as a model piece of national legislation. (END)

REFERENCES:

http://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2010/03/10/republic-act-no-10022-s-2010/
http://www.poea.gov.ph/laws&rules/files/Migrant Workers Act of 1995 (RA 8042).html

http://asean.org/asean-leaders-commit-safeguard-rights-migrant-workers/
http://asean.org/?static_post=asean-declaration-on-the-protection-and-promotion-of-the-rights-of-migrant-workers
https://www.rappler.com/world/regions/asia-pacific/161239-philippines-asean-treaty-migrant-workers
https://reliefweb.int/report/world/asean-mps-call-stronger-protections-migrants-and-refugees
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/162455/asean-leaders-forge-accord-protect-regions-migrant-workers
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/social-and-human-sciences/themes/international-migration/international-migration-convention/
https://treaties.un.org/Pages/showDetails.aspx?objid=080000028004b0a9&clang=_en
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/CMW.aspx
https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=IND&mtdsg_no=IV-13&chapter=4&clang=_en
https://treaties.un.org/doc/source/docs/A_RES_45_158-E.pdf

10 November 2017 | News Release

FORMER UP COLLEGIAN JOURNO: RAPPLER, MPC CORRECT IN WARNING VS NEWS MEDIA REGULATION; CALLS FOR CALM IN WAKE OF USON LETTERS

I am not quick to judge; however, I wonder why details about how journalists and social media personalities work have yet to be explained to  Asec. Esther Margaux “Mocha” Uson when these are matters that should have been tackled in the first few weeks of her assumption to office.

Asec. Uson should have been briefed on how things work on the inside, and how the offices work with various people and groups on a daily basis.

I went through the journalism process in my younger days as a correspondent of Manila Times,  as campus journalist (Editorial Board Member) with the Philippine Collegian at the University of the Philippines, and in high school as editor-in-chief of school paper The Partido Clarion.

Well aware that Asec. Uson does not have a journalism background and does not claim to be a journalist, but is a social media celebrity with massive influence, I think she is in the process of working out how social media people like her can interact with the news media like the Malacanang Press Corps and its members.

I, however, do not consider the reaction of journalists and some in the general public to Asec. Uson’s letters baseless or unjustified. The MPC and other are correct in warning against any form of regulation of the news media because the freedom of the press is inviolable and cannot be abridged in any shape or form. They must always be vigilant. Even any hint or shadow of abridgment of press freedom must be squarely confronted.

But I do appeal for calm. Tensions are high now and even before the two letters of Asec. Uson to Communications Secretary Martin Andanar. Anger and hatred would only serve to muddle the waters and create distractions or sideshows.

In the first letter about Rappler, Asec. Uson, I think, wants to know if Rappler (and perhaps others like it), which came into being not via the usual route and in the traditional journalism business model,  is a media entity that her office ought to be accredit and interact with.

While Rappler is not the only online news entity covering Malacanang, perhaps in the eyes of Asec. Uson, it seems the online news entity that matters or has significant rapport with the public.

It is of course entirely up to Rappler, as a private, non-government entity, if it chooses to seek accreditation with Uson’s office. Rappler can even have two accreditations. Asec. Uson simply asked aloud if her office can accredit Rappler.

Rappler is a different entity from the blogsites because it abides by journalism editorial policies, ethics and norms that we respect and the PCOO ought to as well. Rappler wants to stay with the Malacanang Press Corps and cover President Duterte as a member of the MPC.

The thought has occurred to me though that perhaps Rappler could gain from also being accredited with the office of Asec. Uson. Nothing prevents Rappler from sending two reporters: one with the MPC and the other with the PCOO social media office. Rappler might even get stories and perspectives not available to the MPC. Rappler may want to consider this.

The second letter focused on the Malacanang Press Corps looks like it was drafted by a different person  and is much more focused than the first letter.

It is curious though that in this second letter, Asec. Uson is now inquiring about the legal status of the MPC with the query about registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Again, this is a matter that the PCOO should have briefed Asec. Uson and her staff about during her first weeks in office.

Press corps covering different beats and various government offices need not have SEC registration. The accreditation process of government agencies is what is at work because that is not a strictly regulatory approach, merely an administrative necessity for coordination purposes.

I take this opportunity to recommend to Communications Secretary Martin Andanar that the PCOO accredit the Philippine Collegian and other official student publications of the major colleges and universities, so that these legitimate members of the campus press can also cover Malacanang and other government offices.  In my view, PCOO should also accredit official student papers of high schools.

Speaking of social media, I also take this opportunity to push for House Bill 4248 which seeks to include lessons on social media ethics and appropriate behavior in social media in the curriculum of schools. Clearly, these lessons are needed. (END)

REFERENCES:
http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB04248.pdf
http://www.philippinecollegian.org/
https://www.rappler.com/?option=com_rappler&task=search&language=english&q=Mocha+Uson

9 November 2017 | News Release

EDUCATION SOLON PUSHES FOR EDUCATION DIPLOMACY IN APEC, ASEAN

As Member of the House Committees on Foreign Affairs, Higher and Technical Education, Economic Affairs, and East ASEAN Growth Area, I urge President Duterte and the Department of Foreign Affairs to make education as key pillar of the Philippines' foreign policy priorities.

International recognition of Philippine education credentials, continuing education of OFWs, and attracting foreign investments for the Philippine education sector are priorities that should be on the agenda of the APEC and ASEAN and bilateral talks.

EDUCATION ATTACHES

In some of the Philippine embassies and consulates, there is an acute need for education attaches. I have filed a bill on this matter. House Bill 4027 is pending at committee level but its essence can already be effected via Executive Order so that the DFA can deploy education attaches in several countries where OFWs need their services.

These education attaches can, among others, attend to the provision of continuing education for OFWs and address issues on international recognition of education credentials acquired in the Philippines and credentials earned abroad for recognition in the Philippines.

Education attaches can also be specifically responsible for the conduct of PRC licensure examinations and SUC entrance/admission examinations so that OFWs and their dependents can be integrated into the Philippine mainstream.

· http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB04027.pdf

· http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB01439.pdf

· http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB04234.pdf

EDUCATION DIPLOMACY

Internationalization of Philippine education also involves meeting ISO standards by basic education schools, colleges, and universities. The Philippine Qualifications Framework must dovetail with the qualifications regimes of other countries to hasten mutual recognition of degrees and training.

ASEAN Integration is a matter not just for the DFA, DTI, and DOT to address. Other sectors of Philippine society from national to local must be part of the collective effort to enable Filipinos to reap the gains of the larger economy beyond Philippine shores.

This is an effort that should take place not just in schools and business, but also at the barangay level. On all these education diplomacy concerns, I have pending bills at the House. (END)

· http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB06002.pdf

· http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB04257.pdf

· http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB04244.pdf

4 November 2017 | News Release

STATEMENT ON 2017 BAR EXAMS

As I wish this year's 7,227 bar examinees good luck, I ask all the law school fraternities and sororities to commit in writing to the Supreme Court and to the Filipino people, a total and permanent ban on any form of hazing.

May the year 2017 be the year hazing ends among law school students. (END)

BACKGROUND: Assistant Majority Leader Salvador “Bong” B. Belaro, Jr. is a former law school dean and former Commissioner of the Commission on Bar Discipline (Integrated Bar of the Philippines). He obtained his Master of Laws degree from Cornell University in New York, U.S.A and his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the Philippines.

2 November 2017 | News Release

GRAB PUTS UP P100K BOUNTY FOR KILLERS OF JUNJIE MAQUIDATO

I favor the move of Grab Philippines to put up a bounty for the killers of Grab driver Gerardo "Junjie" Maquidato Jr. Grab can take that move one step further. They can, and I think they should, let Grab passengers help increase that bounty.

Frequent Grab passengers would be willing to contribute to that bounty and to a fund for the immediate family of Junjie Maquidato to help them weather at least the financial difficulties of losing their provider. The holidays honoring the dearly departed and come December would be particularly difficult for the Maquidato family.

Aside from our prayers, some Grab passengers would be willing, in the spirit of bayanihan, to manifest their sympathies with the welfare fund and the bounty for Maquidato’s murderers. Safety of Grab drivers also means safety of their passengers. With our collective vigilance, technology, and effective police work, the murderers will be brought to justice. (END)

26 October 2017 | News Release

(In reaction to complaints of teachers about the deductions from their salaries because of loans from private lending institutions)  Reference Material: http://www.deped.gov.ph/orders/do-38-s-2017

 
EDUCATION SOLON URGES DEPED TO REVISE DEPED ORDER 

ON NET TAKE HOME PAY OF DEPED PERSONNEL

 
Receiving reports from public school teachers asking to suspend implementation of the Deped Order Nos. 12 and 27, S. 2017 (Implementation of P4,000.00 Net Take Home Pay for Department of Education Personnel), I urge the Department of Education to find ways on how to reduce the debt burden of teachers because of the interest and penalties on their salary loans.

In the 2017 General Appropriations Act (GAA) there is Section 47 of the Special Provisions setting at P4,000.00 the net take home pay limit for all government employees to protect them against excessive salary deductions that diminish their take home pay. The proposed GAA for 2018 raises this net take home pay limit to P6,000.

However, some teachers ignore this rule and still incur loans, so because of the 2017 GAA, which is a law, teachers incur more interest and penalties because of salary loan payments that could not be deducted because of the net take home pay rule in the law.

Teachers who request anonymity sent their report and sentiments through our party-list’s official Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/edukasyonparty/

PROPOSED SOLUTION

 
The Department of Education should do much more than simply issue department orders about those loans that many teachers keep incurring from private lending institutions. In-service training of teachers MUST include intensive formal briefings on financial literacy and managing personal finances.

 
Simple reminders to public school teachers to “ensure that they have the capacity to pay loans being applied for” would have very little effect on a teacher who has lots of bills and debts to pay.  Also likely with minimal effect are advisories stating authorized approving officers “must be stringent in certifying or providing confirmation with the GSIS on the NTHP of their DepEd personnel.”

 
“The AAOs shall educate the DepEd personnel on the consequences of applying for loans with various private lending institutions (PLIs) without considering their capacity to pay,” is a very general directive. These approving officers often see their roles are ministerial or simple formality. (END)

16 October 2017 | News Release

JEEPNEY DRIVERS, OPERATORS URGED TO ADAPT TO PRESENT SITUATION

We are no longer in the 1970s and 1980s when the transport groups were at the height of their mass action power. Circumstances have changed. Jeepneys, buses, and taxis are no longer the only means of commuter transport. The oil crises and power of the OPEC decades ago are history today.

But jeepneys are still the preferred way of commuting by most people.

Jeepney drivers, operators, and cooperatives must adapt to the situation today and the emerging scenarios as exemplified by the TNCs and TNVS. More changes are on the road ahead.

It cannot be denied that many jeepneys are no longer roadworthy. That is why government is replacing the old with the new that comply with environmental standards and road safety law. Government is doing its best to make the new jeepneys affordable.

Nauunawaan natin na nakasanayan ng maraming drayber at operator ang dati nilang jeepney, ngunit sa sobrang dami na ng mga aksidenteng kinasasangkutan ng mga jeepney, hindi na makakaila na panganib na sa publiko ang mga lumang yunit. Kaya nga papalitan ng bago.

Kailangan din ng bagong training. Kaya naman iminumungkahi ko sa TESDA na bigyan ang lahat ng jeepney drivers ng libreng certification training sa driving at engine maintenance. Magagamit ng mga driver ang TESDA certification para umangat ang kanilang estado sa buhay.

It is TESDA that should take the lead in jeepney drivers' training by putting up a TESDA Drivers' Academy.

Also, government must double and even triple its efforts to include hundreds of thousands of jeepney drivers in social security and PhilHealth coverage, as well as TIN registration and filing of income tax returns. These measures are safety nets jeepney drivers can benefit much from.

Yes, TIN registration and ITRs are safety nets because the income tax return is a document that can help jeepney drivers avail of many benefits and services requiring ITR filings as proof. One example of this is scholarships for themselves and their dependents.

Lastly, it is time the Traffic and Road Safety Laws are updated and made more flexible for the new challenges of the future. Traffic laws of LGUs must be harmonized. (END)

5 October 2017 | News Release

REACTION TO STATEMENTS OF BLOGGERS AT THE SENATE HEARING

There may be a need for a Code of Conduct for Bloggers – Rep. Belaro

I observed what transpired at the Senate hearing where some bloggers now in the employ of government agencies made various statements. I also took note of the various comments in social media about those statements.

I now sense that there may be a need for a CODE OF CONDUCT to govern how these bloggers go about their tasks as communicators of government policy, programs, and projects. As government employees, they should follow ethical standards and adhere to evidence-based methods.

There is no group or association that represents bloggers. Apparently, there is a new association of government information officers. http://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1000280    

I will seek to consult the ranks of the bloggers and public information officers as soon as I have identified who can appropriately advise.  (END)

1 October 2017 | News Release

EDUCATION SOLON ASKS DEPED CHIEF TO SUBMIT SPECIFIC PROPOSALS

VS HINDRANCES TO EFFECTIVE SPENDING

         Considering that several bills seeking to amend the Government Procurement Reform Act (RA 9184) are still pending at committee level, the House Appropriations Committee can still consider the request of Education Secretary Leonor M. Briones for an amendment that allows negotiated procurement after only one failed bidding.

However, to prevent abuse or machinations to cause a failed bidding, there must be safeguards and limitations.

I therefore ask Secretary Briones to present the DepEd position and proposed specific language on the safeguards and limitations that can be applied.

The Education Secretary has also called for changes to the Book Publishing Industry Development Act (RA 8047) and Guidance and Counselling Act of 2004 (RA 9258).

Noting that RA 8047 was enacted before the DECS was split into the DepEd, TESDA, and CHED, it is necessary for Congress to seek the inputs of all three key education agencies, including their proposed specific language for provisions they seek changes to.

It has been 22 years since RA 8047 became law and that is enough time for new situations and future challenges to have emerged. The education agencies might as well propose amendments that will address present-day concerns and future problems.

On RA 9258, Congress will also need DepEd and CHED inputs on the appropriate substitute to the masteral degree qualification for school guidance counselors. Would at least three years of hands-on work experience be enough or perhaps five years? Do CHED and DepEd have other qualifications to add to the minimum years of work experience requirement?

Congress is open to working on the requests of Secretary Briones, who enjoys wide, multipartisan support in the House of Representatives. (END)

13 September 2017 | News Release

CRUSADERS MUST MEET SUBSTANCE AND FORM STANDARDS

ON IMPEACHMENT COMPLAINTS - REP. BELARO

[Statement by House Justice Committee Member and Assistant Majority Leader Salvador B. Belaro, Jr.]

The filing of an impeachment complaint is a matter that must be taken seriously, not regarded as a whimsical exercise done without any due diligence and compliance with already established rules and procedures.

The impeachment complaints of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) and Vanguard of the Philippine Constitution Inc. (VPCI) were rejected because they were not sufficient either in form or in substance.

In the past, other filers also failed to meet the standards on sufficiency in form and substance. Some people have even made it their favorite past time to file impeachment complaints as knee jerk reaction to hot button controversies.

It is time crusaders and advocates exercise true due diligence in complying with the House rules on the filing of impeachment complaints, so as not to waste the time of Congress and of the people. (END)

13 September 2017 | News Release

NDRRMC, LGUs WERE NOT READY FOR MARING

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Storm Maring was deceptive; only signal number 1, but brought lots of floods

Filipinos should not just focus on the storm winds. The floods that follow the heavy rains are what really cause a lot of death and destruction along the path of storms.

This is partly why I filed House Bill 6072 entitled “Rationalized Cancellation and Suspension of Work and School Classes Act of 2017” which factors in flood warnings and rainfall as factors in decision-making on suspension of classes and work, as well as evacuations.

I ask my colleagues in the House and over at the Senate to expedite work on HB 6072.

Storm Maring showed we have not learned our lessons from Ondoy and Yolanda.

Maring had only a Storm Signal No. 1 and when it was at its strongest, it had only top gustiness of 80 kilometers per hour, but it brought a lot of rain.

When flooding is severe, government should suspend not just classes in schools and work in government offices, but also in private workplaces.

HB 6072 lays out the different gradations or levels of severity of factors and the matching responses.

It also seems that because Maring had only a Storm Signal No. 1 label, people did not prepare well for it and were not aware of the rainfall and floods it could bring.

Cities, towns, and barangays in the path of Maring were clearly not ready. Something is wrong with the NDRRMC and the local DRRMCs. When will we ever learn?

Voters should also stop electing mayors and barangay officials who cannot save or keep their constituents out of dangers brought by storms, other disasters, and emergencies. (END)

10 August 2017 | Press Release

As UN Security Council tackles tension between North Korea and USA

CONVENE THE FULL NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL VERY SOON, MR. PRESIDENT

As Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, I ask President Duterte to seriously consider convening very soon the full National Security Council. As soon as we get clarity from the United Nations Security Council, we must evaluate all our options, contingencies, and response mechanisms.

The Philippines could well be within striking distance of North Korean missiles. Our Department of National Defense must ascertain this based on the best available intelligence.

North Korean missiles, if they are sent to Guam, could fly over our airspace. If those missiles fail during flight, they could drop on part of our territory. If those missiles have nuclear warheads, what can the Philippines do in response?

Invoking the Philippines’ 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty with the United States should be among the options presented to the president, more so if any missiles from North Korea enter our country, or fall, or strike any part of it.

Those missiles are the threat. Keeping them from flying to us or to any direction outside of North Korea is the priority. Making those missiles stay on the ground is primarily a diplomatic mission.

Now is a good time to stand with our Department of Foreign Affairs, our Department of National Defense, and our President and Commander in Chief.

Now is a good time to rely on and harness the goodwill our country has fostered with our neighbors here in Asia and the Pacific, not just during the Duterte administration, but also under past presidents.

Now is also a good time for prayers. (END)

7 August 2017 | Press Release

COMMENT ON COMELEC CHAIR'S ALLEGED UNEXPLAINED WEALTH

Ranking solon throws moral support behind former law school dean colleague Where is the impeachment complaint? The impeachment complaint, when filed, needs to have verifiable evidence and of course enough support in terms of votes for it to stand any chance of making it through the process.

From my point of view as a lawyer and former Integrated Bar of the Philippines Commissioner, there might be violations here on rules on evidence namely, 1) Client-Lawyer confidentiality rule and 2) Marital confidentiality rule.

Those documents presented by wife might be entrusted to Chairman Bautista during his time as private practitioner. The documents referred to may belong to former law clients of Chairman Bautista.

The wife may not be able to testify against her husband based on the marital confidentiality rule. For that, documents gathered while the marriage of the couple subsists or is in effect might be inadmissible as evidence in a court of law.

I know Chairman Andy personally. He was our president in the Philippine Association of Law Schools when we were both law school deans. I throw my moral support behind him and I hope he and his wife can settle this amicably and perhaps, even rekindle love if there is still some left in their hearts. (END)

27 July 2017 | Press Release

CONGRESS MIGHT WEIGH OPTIONS ON LIKELY VETO OF FREE COLLEGE EDUCATION BILL

It is now quite probable that there will either be a full or partial veto of the proposed Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act sent last July 5 to President Duterte for his signature.

This scenario now looms given Budget Secretary Ben Diokno’s statement yesterday on government not having the funds needed to implement the proposed Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act awaiting signature of President Rodrigo Duterte.

"We estimated the cost of this bill, it will cost us something around P100 billion, hindi po kaya ng gobyerno 'yan," Diokno said during the budget hearing at the House yesterday.

Congress must consider now its options to the probable veto. If Congress still wants to make Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education happen, we then must find the P100 billion needed. We must do this during these ongoing budget deliberations. Congress must also double check the estimate of the DBM. The Congressional Planning and Budget Office can do this. P100 billion would not be easy to find. We would not need just P100 billion for 2018. We also must think about all succeeding years.

These are the courses of action I propose to my colleagues in Congress:

First, let us convince the President that Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education is necessary now because it is a major investment in the future of our youth and for our country.

Second, we would have to realign some budget items. Specifically, I am looking at the Gender and Development funds which is one of the most under-tapped items. We support access to education for all genders. There can be other items Congress can realign.

Third, to augment the budget for free college education, the government can issue EDUCATION BONDS.

I suggest the issuance of long-term bonds issued in various denominations to attract small, medium, and large investors alike.

If government is unable to find the budget needed to fund Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education because cutting the budgets of other departments would just be too painful, then let us ask the entire country, the whole world even to invest in the education of our youth through the EDUCATION BONDS.

For the next five years of the Duterte administration until 2022, we would need at least P500 billion.

Let me take this opportunity to reiterate my appeal to add more capital outlay funds for not just some but for all state universities and colleges. SUCs need to Build, Build, Build also to replace and rehabilitate all those old and obsolete buildings and facilities on their campuses.

If capital outlays for SUCs will be added to the long-term bonds solution, we clearly would need more than just P500 billion for the SUCs until 2022.

Among the options Congress must consider in response to the veto is whether or not it has the constitutionally-required two-thirds majority vote to override the President’s veto.

If Congress can convince the President before August 5 (Saturday) that it can and it will find P100 billion to P500 billion to fund free college education, then probably the President may not have to veto. If the veto happens, then Congress must decide if it will override the veto. Do we have the votes? (END)

27 July 2017 | Press Release

RANKING SOLON FILES BILL SETTING BASES FOR SUSPENSION OF CLASSES, WORK

Classes up to college would be suspended with Storm Signal No. 2.

(Former law school dean, Integrated Bar of the Philippines Commissioner, and now Una Ang Edukasyon Representative Salvador B. Belaro files today House Bill 6072 entitled “Rationalized Cancellation and Suspension of Work and School Classes Act of 2017.”)

Government policies, guidelines, regulations, and procedures concerning the suspension or cancellation of classes and work have been limited to public storm warnings.

All too often, authorities have not been timely and accurate in their declaration of class and work suspensions or cancellations.

Widespread confusion, chaos, and disruption of peoples’ lives have frequently resulted from the lack of a rational system governing suspension or cancellation of classes and work.

This bill factors in not just storms, but also floods, landslides, earthquakes, tsunami, storm surge, toxic chemical spills, fire, active shooter situations, hostage-taking, kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, and state of emergency.

Classes and work may also be suspended or canceled because of widespread loss of electric power distribution, water supply distribution, or non-functioning of sewerage systems and widespread collapse or offline status of several banking or financial systems that disrupt the normal functioning or cause serious financial incapacity or disruption of households, communities, institutions, and workplaces.

Implementing rules and regulations will be crafted and promulgated by an inter-agency and multi-sectoral committee. (END)

14 July 2017 | Press Release

SOLON PUSHES FOR MINIMUM WAGE POLICY REFORM

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Positive discipline, cooperation, and consensus are key – Rep. Belaro

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House Committee on Economic Affairs Member Congressman Salvador B. Belaro, Jr. issues statement in relation to today’s public hearing of the National Capital Region Wage Board.

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Here we go again. Another round of wage board hearings. The result of this, whether or not you favor any side of the competing interests, is predictable.

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Most likely, either of two things will happen at the end of the process: part of or all of the current cost of living allowance will be transferred to basic wage or the COLA will be increased but the basic wage will stay the same.

Meanwhile, many are of the notion that in this day and age, every household should have only one breadwinner.

Frankly, that is as unfair to the breadwinner as denying that breadwinner a decent wage.

However, it would also be unfair to force the employer to pay for the wage of two persons when only one person is doing the work.

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Simply put, it takes two minimum wage breadwinners to give their household an income that would be just enough to barely make ends meet these days. Three wage earners would give poor households the boost out of poverty and into the middle class.

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Largely forgotten whenever the minimum wage issue is tackled are the middle class. The middle class also have hardships. They and the OFWs are the backbone of our country's economy. They stand most to gain from the comprehensive tax reform nearing realization.

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We must also reform our country's minimum wage policy. We need to apply positive discipline so companies will realize they have more to gain by voluntarily complying with the law instead of having inspectors checking up on them. With positive discipline, businesses should not have to resort to bribing inspectors or denying their employees their rightful wages.

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Let us put in place cooperation and consensus, which are more productive than class struggle and conflict. We can achieve more with minimum wage reform through positive discipline, cooperation, and consensus than the tedious incremental process of this regional wage board system. (END) 

12 July 2017| Press Release

RANKING SOLON URGES DUTERTE ECONOMIC MANAGERS TO

INCLUDE SUCs IN BUILD BUILD BUILD PROGRAM

Education Bonds proposed as funding source

I appeal to the economic managers of the Executive Branch to include the education sector, particularly the state universities and colleges, in the Build Build Build Infrastructure Plan of the Duterte Administration.

The SUCs deserve to be part of Build Build Build (http://www.build.gov.ph ) because out there in the provinces the SUCs are not just education centers, they are economic catalysts and massive generators of economic activity. Communities and businesses normally cluster around campuses of SUCs located in host cities and towns.

Our country now has 112 SUCs with total enrollment of 1.4 million students. (http://www.ched.gov.ph/central/announcement/118). The economic impact of including SUCs in Build Build Build would be widespread, huge, and long-term.

I strongly urge the Commission on Higher Education and the Department of Education to echo this appeal and back it up with evidence-based analysis of the economic impact of SUCs on the local economy of their host communities.

Most of SUCs do not have and have not had capital outlays in their respective budgets for many years. This means most buildings and facilities of SUCs are old, dilapidated, fire hazards, and disasters waiting to happen because they could be completely destroyed by fire, earthquake, floods, and storms. We have seen the portend of this in the fires that razed buildings in UP Diliman. SUCs are supposed to be advanced centers of learning, but most of their facilities are decades-old and obsolete.

To avoid or reduce the strain of capital outlays for the modernization of SUCs, I am proposing the issuance of long-term bonds with maturity of at least 10 years, to be offered to foreign and local investors, in denominations suited for small investors and large investors.

The bond offering and management of the Education Component of Build Build Build would be with the Department of Finance, the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Commission on Higher Education and the Development Bank of the Philippines. (END)

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12 July 2017 | Press Release

A VISION FOR MARAWI: PEACEFUL, PROGRESSIVE,

QUAKE-RESISTANT, CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTIVE

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The renewed Marawi City to be built after casting away all the ruble and ruins of the ongoing armed conflict must have as its centerpiece the splendor of Muslim Filipinos’ faith, culture, and heritage.

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Ensuring the continuity of this beauty through succeeding generations and centuries would be the goal of integrating climate change adaptive and quake-resistant engineering, technologies, architectural design, and urban planning into how the city is rebuilt.

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Mosques, Madrasah schools, trading posts, culinary plazas, and rebuilt heritage homes would be ideal key components of that city center tapestry. 

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A majestic avenue linking the city center to the government and education hub—which I had early suggested be built in the western sector—would serve, not just as the city’s main mobility artery, but also as the distributor of the lifeblood of peace and progress to the rest of the city via a radial network of roads.

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There are geo-hazards and climate change factors that would influence the future of Marawi. Among the factors to consider are earthquake faults, risks of extreme weather, flooding, upland landslides, and the sustainable health of Lake Lanao.

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Finally, the defenses of peace and security must not only be police and military facilities and the personnel manning them. Heeding the exhortation of the preamble of the UNESCO Charter, the defenses of peace must be built in the minds, as well as in the hearts, of the residents of Marawi City and of Muslim Mindanao. (END) 
 

10 July 2017 | Press Release

LONG DELAYED FOREST LIMITS BILL
PUSHED IN CONGRESS

 1-ANG EDUKASYON Party-list Congressman Salvador B. Belaro, Jr. filed House Bill 5945 or the "Forest Lands Limits Act of 2017"

The 1987 Constitution tasked Congress to, at the soonest time, “determine by law the specific limits of forest lands and national parks, marking clearly their boundaries on the ground.”

Thirty years have passed since the Constitution was ratified. The demarcation and delineation of forest lands is most certainly long overdue.

Congress must fulfill this specific mandate now to arrest any further deterioration of our country’s forest cover. The delineation of our forests is among the legislative priorities identified in the Philippine Development Plan for 2017 to 2022.

The demarcation and delineation of forest lands will be tedious, time-consuming work, but it must be done to conserve, protect and develop the forest resources of the country in order to attain ecological balance, preserve valuable ecosystems, prevent environmental degradation and promote sustainable development for the present and future generations. (END)

3 July 2017 | Press Release

TWO-DAY MMDA “CODING" WOULD BE UNCONSTITUTIONAL

Ranking Solon Calls the Proposal Anti-Poor, Anti-Middle Class

The plan of the Metro Manila Development Authority to extend the so-called "coding ban" on motor vehicles from one day to two days is illegal because it is tantamount to unreasonable restraint on use of property without due process of law which is a violation of the due process clause of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. 

If the MMDA pursues their plan by actually issuing an order, directive, regulation, or ordinance, it may be challenged in court and there might be cause of action for restraining order.

My other colleagues in Congress have said their piece on this issue by stating other reasons.

Those who can afford an extra vehicle or vehicles to circumvent the two days of coding are well within their rights and financial means to buy new cars. When they do that, we will have more cars instead of fewer cars on the road.

The proposal is clearly anti-poor, anti-middle class. Other means should be exhausted to justify the proposal as a valid exercise of police power.

To the MMDA, I say, as a former constitutional law professor and a former Commissioner of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, that there are limits to what you can do and among those limits are those which the Constitution already provides.

Please find other ways to solve the traffic debacle that actually make sense and that are legal. (END)

25 June 2017 | Press Release

MORE REALITIES AWAIT "MGA ISKOLAR NG BAYAN"

OF SUCs CLASS OF 2017

Solon urges State U fresh grads to become entrepreneurs, be humble

Graduates of the University of the Philippines, other state universities and colleges, and private higher education institutions face more realities of life now they have finished their college education.

It would be preferable that SUC graduates not be employees, but employers as new business owners or entrepreneurs. I am one of the principal authors of House Bill 5158 which institutionalizes in law the current P3s program of the Department of Trade and Industry designed to make small business loans easily available to entrepreneurs.

This bill has a lot of support in Congress and now has a consolidated version approved at committee level. HB 5158 is the government's alternative to the high interest loans many small businesses avail of at the grassroots level.

By being small business owners, SUC graduates can help create more jobs, bring people out of poverty in real, concrete, immediate ways.

SUC graduates can go now to the DTI and ask the Small Business Corporation of the DTI to find out how they can start their own businesses through the Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso program.

I also urge all Iskolar ng Bayan graduates to be humble as they now begin their search for jobs or for new business ideas for ventures they will embark on. Humility I stress because some employers have expressed some degree of dislike for a sense of entitlement they have found in some college graduates seeking jobs.

SUC graduates will now encounter the realities of how difficult it is to look for jobs even when you have a degree. They must prove their competence in doing actual work, not just knowledge of theories.

SUC graduates must also hone their communication, teamwork, and critical thinking abilities as these are the qualities employers and business partners look for in the Filipino youth today. (END)

13 June 2017 | Press Release

REP. BELARO IS PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY SPEAKER IN CHICAGO

Cites Education as the guarantee to continuing independence

Filipinos’ quest for “a stable and comfortable life”, as expressed in the long-term vision statement  AmBisyon Nation 2040 of the Duterte administration, is an affirmation of the continuing pursuit of independence, said Assistant Majority Leader and 1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list Representative Salvador “Bong” Belaro Jr at the  Philippine Independence Day celebrations in Chicago.

The Independene Day celebrations were organized by the Philippine Consulate in Chicago, the biggest consulate in the United States in terms of land area coverage. The jurisdiction of the Consulate in Chicago covers 16 states of the United States of America.

Belaro echoed the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) assessment that the AmBisyon 2040 vision is doable in 25 years and represents the aspirations of the modern Filipino seeking a simple but comfortable life.

He cited the role of education in achieving the vision by noting how reaching democracy “is best realized when the people are prepared to accept and safeguard it with a continuing commitment to education” as US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt had said.

Belaro is a lawyer-educator who rose through the ranks. He taught at the University of the Philippines, Ateneo De Manila University, Entrepreneurship School of Asia and the University of Caloocan City, and was the founding Dean of the St. Dominic Savio College of Law in Caloocan City.

The Independence Day celebration also marks the last official activity of outgoing Chicago Consul-General Gene Calonge, a veteran diplomat who used to hold foreign service post in Israel, Washington and key postings in Europe. (END)

9 June 2017 | Press Release

’SWEET TAX' TO CURB OBESITY, DIABETES, DENTAL CARIES PREVALENCE

Filipinos are consuming too much sugar, many are becoming obese and have dental caries and diabetes. School children are particularly vulnerable to developing preference for sweets.

The higher tax on sweet products is meant to curb the Filipinos' growing appetite for sweets and consequently have long-term positive impact of public health.

This is a public health issue. More people will reduce their consumption of products with sugars because of this higher tax on products with sugar content.

Moreover, the tax burden will be shared across the board, across all income classes.

This stand is simply consistent with with my public health advocacy as evidenced by several bills I have authored and filed in the House:

• House Bill 4039 (Ban on the sale of soda drinks in all canteens of public elementary and high schools in the country);

• HB 4038 (Establishing a standard nutrition-based menu for all public elementary and high schools in the country)

• HB 4041 (Establishing a free Vitamin C program for all teachers in public elementary and high schools in the country)

• HB 4047 (Establishing a free annual health check-up program for all public elementary and high schools in the country)

• HB 1438 (Establishing a nutrition program for all public elementary and high schools in the country) (END)

8 June 2017 | Press Release

5-YEAR PRC LICENSE VALIDITY PROPOSED IN BILL

Continuing professional development takes time and finances to accomplish while practicing professions, living life with family, friends, and professional associates, and undertaking leisurely or life-enriching pursuits.

The current period of three years of validity of the license to practice professions which is evidenced by the Professional Identification Card and the Certificate of Registration is insufficient time for doing continuing professional development learning.

There is precedent for five-year validity of professional license and that is as regards the maritime professionals’ compliance with the Standards of Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW).

Today I filed House Bill 5870 - AN ACT EXTENDING TO AND SETTING AT FIVE (5) YEARS THE VALIDITY OF THE PROFESSIONAL IDENTIFICATION CARD AND CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION OF EVERY PROFESSIONAL UNDER LAWS GOVERNING THE PRACTICE OF PROFESSIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES or The PRC License Effectivity Act of 2017.

With this proposed legislation, we give professionals ample time for continuing professional development. (END)

5 June 2017 | Press Release

SUPPORT FOR PARIS ACCORD ROADMAP,

PHASEOUT OF OLD JEEPNEYS AND BUSES

Having authored House Bill 4246 which provides for the integration of lessons on climate change and environmental protection in the basic education curriculum, I am one with the delegates to the Tripartite Conference on the Philippine Road Map for the Paris Accord.

I commit to advance in the House of Representative the Philippine Road Map on the Paris Agreement.

This commitment includes the resolve to include higher appropriations for environment education, the cleanup of Manila Bay and Laguna de Bay, conservation of areas of the Coral Triangle that are within Philippine territory, and the budgets of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and other government agencies implementing environment laws.

I also support the creation of a Department of Ocean, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and of a Benham Rise Protection and Development Authority and giving this new bodies adequate funding.

Finally, I take a stand supporting the phaseout of old jeepneys, buses, and trucks.

While the Philippines' carbon footprint is low, the adverse impact of old motor vehicles makes for poor air quality in Metro Manila and other parts of the country. These old motor vehicles also contribute to rising death and injury rates on our roads. (END)

5 June 2017 | Press Release

BUDGET FOR REBUILDING, TRANSFORMATION OF MARAWI

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I have a filed a bill to Fund the Rebuilding and Transformation of Marawi City into a city of Peace, Friendship, and Progress. The bill (HB 5883) provides for initial funding of P20 billion which I hope will be made immediately available this year.

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Also, I have filed a resolution (HR 1160) urging the DBM to include P30 billion for the rebuilding and transformation of Marawi City in the 2018 General Appropriations Act being put together now by the DBM. (END)

5 June 2017 | Press Release

LIST SEX OFFENDERS AND CHILD ABUSERS

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We must have registries of sex offenders and watchlists of people who abuse children, but with appropriate and necessary safeguards against human rights and privacy rights abuses.

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These registries and watchlists can be barangay-based and shared with local police and school authorities. Provincial, city and municipal officials can also develop their own registries and watchlists.

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I propose the creation and maintenance of these watchlists and registries because of the incidents of rape committed against school-going children, teens, and young adults over these past months as reported in the news media.

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The quickest way these registries and watchlists can be institutionalized is via local ordinances at the provincial, city, town, and barangay levels.

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The long term solution would be a well-thought out law incorporating human rights, privacy, and cybersecurity safeguards and best practices from the local governments (END)

4 June 2017 | Press Release

SCHOOL BUSES, STUDENT TRANSPORTERS MUST BE SAFE, LEGAL

School administrators and parents must personally make sure the school buses, vans, jeepneys, and tricycles that ferry their students are safe and operating legally.

Colorum tricycles and jeepneys must not ferry students to and from schools.

The lives of our students are too precious to leave security and safety concerns to chance or negligence.

Absolutely no distracted driving, no intoxication, and no illegal drugs. Zero tolerance on these concerns.

The school itself must have readily available records of all drivers and drivers' assistants who must have passed background and security checks.

They must be properly briefed on road safety laws and regulations. Child protection policies must apply to these ferrying services. (END)

1 June 2017 | Press Release

SCHOLARSHIP FOR FALLEN TROOPS, MORE FUNDS FOR MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY

All the spouses and children of soldiers and police who die in the efforts to retake Marawi City and quell the Maute group should be given either academic or training scholarships by the DepEd, TESDA, and CHED.

I am also recommending to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) that Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City get additional funding of P100 million to enable MSU to help rebuild the city and build peace. (END)

31 May 2017 | Press Release

REACTION TO MARTIAL LAW IN MINDANAO:

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"MAUTE GROUP IS A DISEASED BODY THAT MUST BE SURGICALLY

REMOVED BY MILITARY & POLICE OPERATIONS"

I support the decision of President Duterte to place all of Mindanao under Martial Law. It is prudent to prevent the Maute group from infecting other parts of Mindanao outside of the Lanao provinces, Central Mindanao, and Western Mindanao.

We are no longer in the 1970s. The vast majority of Muslim rebels of the 70s are the ones who are now in peace talks with the government. This Maute group is a diseased body that must be surgically removed. The parts of Mindanao it has infected must be treated with military, police, and development measures.

Martial Law in Mindanao is not new. We've been down this road before.

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The Maute group is desperate to keep on fighting because it has not realized the wisdom of peace. The Duterte administration's legal team can address the legal questions adequately and learn from lessons of past Martial Law situations.

But now, our prayers and thoughts are with our brothers and sisters in Marawi City and all over Mindanao. We also pray for our military and police called and mobilized to defend our country against the real and present threat of Islamic extremists. (END)

20 May 2017 | Press Release

ON THE LATEST ROUND OF TUITION FEE HIKES

I foresee an increase in state universities and colleges enrollment because of the latest round of fee hikes. The exodus of even more teachers from the private schools to the public schools would continue.

Private schools most affected by the adverse effects of the fee hikes are those in the provinces where they are in direct competition with SUCs.

Middle class families affected by the private college fee hikes would be able still afford sending kids to the same schools if Congress is able to quickly enact the proposed reduction in income tax rates because of the resulting lower income tax withheld from their salaries.

Immediate impact of the CHED-approved hikes in tuition and other school fees is confined to only 268 of the 1,652 private colleges and universities of the country.

Over 1,300 private higher education institutions did not hike their fees, mostly likely because they can still manage at their current rates or if they raised their rates the negative consequences would outweigh the financial gain.

Details on which specific schools raised their rates are not yet available, but judging by the average tuition rate hike of P86.68 per unit, a full load of 21 units means the average increase is P1,820 pesos, and inferring from that, the total average tuition fees amount to about P26,153 and that does not yet include other school fees.

Total tuition of about P26,000 means the private schools raising their tuition cater to the families of income classes that can afford that cost level whether they pay in cash or installment, and therefore the poor and very poor are not affected.

Those at lower middle class level of income would find it harder to afford the tuition and can choose to either reduce their load of units, or transfer to the state universities and colleges where fee rates are much lower, but the quality of instruction is comparable or at times even better because they are able to attract better quality of faculty with the higher pay at SUCs resulting from recent and continuing pay hikes in the government. (END)

30 May 2017 | Press Release

SECURE CAMPUSES NATIONWIDE

“Schools are easy targets for terrorists and criminals.” – Ranking Solon

Given the past months' headline-grabbing incidents of rape, homicide, robberies, and abuse of illegal drugs that happened on some campuses and involved students and teachers, I appeal to the Philippine National Police, Interior Department, and education agencies to be stricter and circumspect in their security measures for schools nationwide.

Principals, registrars, and guidance counselors must be on the alert for patterns and situations that can lead to or trigger violence involving students attacking other students and students attacking teachers. Sadly, bullying situations are involved in some past incidents of students attacking other students.

Rape and stabbings have happened on some campuses. While these incidents have been reported in media, we have heard nothing about the results of investigations. The results of these probes must be made public so we can learn hard, painful lessons from them.

Schools should be able to get the nearest local police station or police on patrol to respond quickly. Schools must work with PTAs to address emotional and social distress which trigger violence on campus or near-campus.

Most schools have only one or two security personnel on duty. There are some campuses with thousands of students and dozens of teachers, but only one security guard.

These schools needing additional security personnel must coordinate with their local barangay for the deployment of barangay tanod near their campus gates.

Schools happen to be soft or easy targets of robbers. Some schools have been robbed of their computers and CCTV equipment because the buildings where they are kept or installed are easy to rob.

Deadly weapons and illegal drugs have no place in our schools. School security personnel must be very

strict on these dangerous items.

Contractors building classrooms on campuses must provide security at their project sites. Their construction workers must have limited access on campus and be closely monitored by their own security people.

Students and school personnel caught selling drugs on campus must be dealt with appropriately, consistent with current child protection policies and administrative rules.

Commuter tricycles ferrying students and teachers to and from campuses must be registered with city or municipal tricycle regulatory offices.

Barangays, police, and parents' groups must work together to make sure school children are safe when they commute or walk to and from school. (END)

To Address Shortage of Teachers in Private Schools:

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TAP LICENSED PROFESSIONALS AND CERTIFIED PRACTITIONERS

TO TEACH IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS - RANKING SOLON

To address the worsening problem of supply of teachers in the private schools, I propose that private schools be given more flexibility in the hiring of new teachers, including part-time teachers from among the ranks of the experienced licensed professionals like engineers and architects, and certified practitioners, sports trainers and information technology specialists, and practicing musicians and artists.

Licensed professionals and certified practitioners with graduate education teaching units can boost the dwindling ranks of private school mentors.

Private schools all over the country are in crisis because many of their teachers are leaving, moving over to the public schools after they pass the licensure exam for teachers.

The private schools are an important part of the country's education sector.

They need help finding new teachers who will stay on with them.

I will seek a meeting soon with the private schools so they can suggest specific ways and measures on how Congress can help them to specifically address their manpower problems. (END)

On Anti-Distracted Driving Act and Children's Safety on Motorcycles Act:

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JUST FOLLOW THE LAW;

DON'T LOOK FOR WAYS TO BEAT THE LAW

Road safety is an education and training issue. Filipinos' discipline on the road will be put to the test yet again with the law against distracted driving, children riding motorcycles, and pedestrians using gadgets while on the road.

The LTO, LTFRB, MMDA, and PNP Highway Patrol Group should have issued, published, and disseminated by now their public education materials on how to comply with the new laws on road safety. There should be electronic versions of these guides so they can be easily shared using smartphones and social media.

The new guides should be part of driver education teaching and study materials for applicants of new driver's licenses and for the jeepney drivers.

The new guides should have already been given to the TESDA so they can be implemented in the various TESDA driving certification courses.

The difficult thing here is that there will always be people who refuse to follow the law or find ways to avoid following the law.

Bottomline is you can die or someone you care about will die or get seriously injured if you do not obey the law.

The better thing to do is SWITCH OFF your gadget before you get on the road. Before you go on the road, notify you family, friends, and co-workers that you will be in traffic for a while and will be unable to respond to their messages.

For motorcycle riders with kids, better to not bring your kids. Buy the right helmets for you and your kids.

Some people have pointed out how some public utility vehicles and private vehicles have cluttered and over-decorated dashboard areas. We shall look into this and file a bill, if needed, to remedy the situation.

In the meantime, the LTO and LTFRB can apply administrative remedies and local government can enact ordinances banning cluttered and over-decorated dashboards. (END)

2 April 2017 | Press Release

ACCIDENT INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS PUSHED IN CONGRESS

Solon says families of Tanay field trip tragedy victims can sue school despite the waiver

When House Bill 1434 becomes the “Teachers and Students Accident Insurance Act” victims of future road mishaps will get accident coverage.

1-ANG EDUKASYON Party-list Rep. Salvador “Bong” Belaro, Jr. a former college of law dean and a private school administrator himself, opined in the case of Tanay field trip tragedy, that families of those killed and those injured can still sue the school who organized the trip despite the waiver that the parents or guardians signed.

“A waiver is a form of contract. Though signed by both parties, liability waivers are unenforceable contracts when it is proven that the school was negligent in ensuring the safety of students and teachers and personnel such as in the case of Galloway v. State of Iowa,” Rep. Belaro, a former commissioner of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines said.

Last Monday, at least 15 college students died after the tourist bus they were riding slammed into an electricity post in Barangay Sampaloc in Tanay.

Author of HB 1434, Rep. Belaro said that this law shall assure survivors and the families of accident victims that they will be able to claim compensation if accidents occur. 

Pending before the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education, HB 1439 seeks to provide insurance protection to both teachers and students who may encounter accidents within the school premises or during school-related activities such as field trips.

“Accidents can happen to teachers and students during laboratory activities, inter-school sports competitions, or field trips. For that, we must ensure that financial help to victims shall be available fast in case untoward incidents happen,” Rep. Belaro said.

“The insurance claim is apart from the civil liability claims they could get in case the victims files case before the regular court and win. Pursuing an insurance claim is a much faster remedy than the claims they could get from the courts,” Rep. Belaro adds.

Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson Patricia Licuanan said in statement that the commission will check whether policies on the conduct of field trips were met by Bestlink College of Novaliches, the organizer of the excursion.

If passed into a law, the measure shall mandate the government to pay for the accident insurance coverage of public school students in the elementary, high school and college; while the private school owners shall shoulder the insurance premiums of the teachers they employ and the students enrolled in their school.

The House Committee on Higher and Technical Education has yet to hear the side of the stakeholders who will be affected by these measure like private school owners and parents’ & teachers’ associations. END.

29 March 2017 | Press Release

SCHOOLS URGED TO BE SENSITIVE TO FINANCIAL
PLIGHT OF PARENTS

Solon asks DBM and CHED "to release very soon” the implementing rules on free
college tuition in slate colleges

Private and public schools nationwide should be more sensitive than ever now to the financial troubles of Filipino families when they figure out how much fees they will be charging in the next academic year, 1-ANG EDUKASYON Party-list congressman Salvador Belaro, Jr. said in an Interview on February 28.

February 29 is the deadline for higher education Institutions nationwide to conduct their tuition fee consultations with their stakeholders, according to Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Memorandum on Tuition Fee Increases (Memo Order No. 3, S.2012).

"The latest findings of the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey on adult joblessness is a telling sign the affected 11.2 million adults will have great difficulty sending their dependents to school in the coming school year," Rep. Belaro, a former school administrator said.

Belaro also said "having senior high school as a buffer before college or higher technical training now allows Filipino families to prepare well and save for their kids' education."
Belaro, a former collie of law dean, also urged the Department of Budget and Management and the Commission on Higher Education “to release very soon" the implementing rules and regulations on free college tuition in state universities and colleges, "The month of March is the right time to release the IRR so families with college-ready students for June and August will have enough time to prepare," Belaro said.
 

He also called on students entering Grade 11 next school year to choose well the specialized senior high school track they will take. "While our country needs youths needed for the workplace, we also need more students to take up sports, arts, and humanities as careers. Less than 2,000 are in the sports track and less than 3,000 took the arts and design track in the current school year," Belaro stressed.

The 1-Ang Edukasyon congressman asked the education agencies and experts in education to Inform Congress on why enrollment in these two senior high tracks were so low.

"How can the Philippines win Olympic gold medals, grand prizes in international art festivals, and earn the Oscars award in the foreign language film category If enrollments in these tracks are so low? From these youths, the achievers in sports and arts will come. We need more.” (END)

29 March 2017 | Press Release

STATEMENT ON RECENT RAPE OF CHILDREN

Recent rape incidents involving school-age children in Maysilo in Malabon, Sta. Maria in Bulacan, and Ajuy in Iloilo require swift action by the police and the Department of Interior and Local Government.

The attackers who are 16 years of age or older can be held criminally liable if proven that they acted with discernment. The rape cases should be filed promptly.

PNP Chief Ronald dela Rosa, task the local police to do real investigative work producing evidence leaving no room for reasonable doubt in court against the persons who assaulted the children and any individuals who obstruct justice by keeping the child predators from law enforcers.

The DILG Secretary and the concerned governors must hold the barangay chairmen responsible for the assault on the three children mercilessly attacked in these three localities.

DILG, suspend the barangay chairmen for negligence if you must. Task barangay social workers to attend to the victims, their families and to the suspects' families. Determine if the parents and guardians of the suspects should also be held liable for the actions of their children.

DepEd, task the principals and guidance counselors to take specific steps to keep our children safe in school and outside school,. (END)

INSPECT DORMITORIES WHEN STUDENTS GO ON SUMMER VACATION, BELARO URGES LGUs, DILG

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With summer vacation of most college students fast approaching, a congressman appealed to the Interior Department, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and local governments to inspect students' dormitories and apartments.

1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list Representative Salvador Belaro Jr. said the summer vacation is the right time for safety inspections of dorms and rented housing of students.

"Preventive measures must be taken now to make sure these domiciles are safe for our students. Neglect, faulty electrical wirings and violations of building and fire codes are all too often the causes of tragedy," Belaro said.

Assistant Majority Floor Leader Belaro is the author of House Bill 1449 which seeks to regulate rentals of school dormitories and boarding houses.

The congressman also said there may be some boarding houses and dorms operating without the necessary permits or operate without the formal knowledge of local government units.

Belaro said barangays should be mobilized to inspect and inventory all the student dorms in their respective locales.  (END)

PROBE ASSAULTS ON STUDENTS AND TEACHERS, ROBBERIES IN SCHOOLS - REP. BELARO

The Philippine National Police, Department of Education, and Commission on Higher Education must ensure the safety of students and teachers on-campus and in immediate environs, 1-ANG EDUKASYON Party-list Representative Salvador Belaro, Jr. said in a news release.

"There have been many violent incidents in the past weeks and months. Students and teachers are victims and some have died or were seriously injured. Some schools have also lost computers and CCTV equipment to robbers. Effective steps must be taken to address criminality on-campus and near schools," Belaro said.

Only last March 16, 2017, a 12-year-old student suffered stab wounds after he was assaulted by another youngster just outside the victim's school in Manila.

On September 13, 2016, a high school teacher in Cagayan de Oro was stabbed by one of her students. She later died because of the stab wounds.

"Almost daily, there are news reports of students falling prey and victim to robbers and rapists. In other cases, students assault fellow students or their teachers. The PNP, DepEd, and CHED must have measures to prevent and investigate," Belaro also said.

He added that the reports of assaults and robberies sometimes have no follow-up.

"Cases and victims become forgotten statistics buried under other reports or just fade from public awareness," Belaro said.

Belaro filed on October 27, 2016 a bill seeking increased police visibility near schools. House Bill 4252 is pending with the House Committee on Public Order and Safety. (END)

DEAD ON ARRIVAL SA MGA OSPITAL MABABAWASAN

‘PAG NATUTO NG FIRST AID ANG MGA PINOY – REP. BELARO

FIRST AID, DAPAT ITURO NG MGA SCHOOL NURSES AT DOCTORS SA MGA ESTUDYANTE AT MAGULANG

Hindi sapat na ang alam lang ng mga Pilipino hinggil sa pagresponde sa sakuna ay ang pagsugod ng biktima sa ospital. Dapat alam din nilang magbigay ng agarang first aid.

Yan ang paninindigan ni 1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list Representative Salvador Belaro, Jr. na inihayag niya sa isang news release.

"Dapat alam ng bawat mag-aaral at kanilang mga magulang kung paano magbigay ng first aid o paunang lunas sa mga nalulunod, inaatake sa puso, at nagiging biktima ng sakuna," sabi ni Belaro na dating atleta sa sports na swimming.

Dagdag pa ni Belaro, dapat school nurses, school doctors, at health o physical education teachers ang atasang magturo ng first aid.

Sa barangay na nakapaligid sa mga paaralan, maraming residente na ang trabaho ay nars o doktor, at ang barangay mismo ay mayroong health center o malapit na ospital.

"Kaya naman walang dahilan para hindi matutunan ng mga estudyante at mga magulang kung paano iligtas ang buhay ng tao. Kailangan seryosohin nila ang pagdalo sa mga first aid training," diin ni Belaro.

Mababawasan nang malaki ang dami ng mga "dead on arrival" sa mga ospital "kung sa bahay o ibang lugar kung saan naganap ang sakuna ay nabigyan na agad ng first aid ang pasyente," dagdag ni Belaro.

"May sinisingil na kontribusyon sa mga estudyante kada taon para sa Philippine Red Cross (PRC) kaya't dapat tumulong ang PRC sa mga first aid training," ayon kay ni Belaro.

"Dapat dumami pa ang mga Red Cross Youth groups. Kahit mga bata at mga kasapi ng Parents Teacher Association, marunong dapat ng first aid." (WAKAS)

PAGGAWAD NG HONORS AT AWARDS SA MGA ESKWELAHAN DAPAT AYUSIN – REP. BELARO

Nangangamba si 1-ANG EDUKASYON Party-list Congressman Salvador Belaro, Jr. na maaaring nagkakaroon na ngayon ng kalituhan sa mga paaralan sa kung paano igagawad ang mga honors at special awards pagsapit ng graduation at recognition programs ngayong Marso at Abril.

"Marahil nalilito ang ilang paaralan dahil hindi nabanggit sa DepEd Order. No. 36 ang eksaktong paraan ng pag-compute ng grades ng mga tatanggap ng academic honors; bagaman ito ay naipaliwanag na sa naunang ililabas na DepEd Order No. 15. Kailangan linawin sa mga paaralan na kakambal ng D.O. 36 ang D.O. 15," paliwanag ni Congressman Belaro.

Ang D.O. 36 ay inilabas noong June 2016 habang ang D.O. 15 ay inilabas naman noong Marso 2016.

Sa  D.O. 15 ipinaliwanag ng DepEd ang paraan kung paano dapat kilalanin ang mga estudyanteng pasok sa Top 10 ng klase. Dapat ibatay ang ranking ng Top 10 sa “7-3 point scheme” - pitong (7) puntos para sa academics habang talong (3) puntos naman para sa co-curricular activities.

“Sa aking pagkaunawa, may bisa pa rin ang D.O. 15; ang sa akin lang, baka may mga paaralang hindi na isaalang-alang ang D.O. 15 sa paggawad ng academic honors sa pagpapatupad nila ng D.O. 36; maaaring magdulot ito ng kalituhan kaya dapat linawin ito ng DepEd,” diin ni Belaro.

"Sana kahit man lang sana isang press release o isang clarificatory memorandum e maglabas ang DepEd sa lalong madaling panahon habang hindi pa nangyayari ang mga recognition program at graduation ng mga bata," dagdag ng mambabatas na dating law school dean.

Dagdag pa niya na "Bagaman hindi lamang mga grado ang batayan ng tagumpay, nakakatulong pa rin sa mga kabataan ang matataas na grado para sa pag-abante nila sa lebel ng pag-aaral at sa pagpasok nila sa mga dekalidad na unibersidad." (WAKAS)

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