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Politics

SEMINAR ON URBAN AGRI AND AGRI ENTREPRENEURSHIP FOR THE YOUTH HELD – VILLAR

The VILLAR Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance (SIPAG) recently conducted a seminar on urban agriculture and agri entrepreneurship in an effort to encourage the public, especially the youth, to grow their own food. The one-day seminar, in partnership with the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in Calabarzon, was held at the VILLAR SIPAG Farm […]

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Politics

‘FILIPINO CONSUMER IS KING’ – PIMENTEL

Senate President Koko Pimentel III welcomed the Senate’s unanimous approval of Senate Bill No. 1636 or the “Lifetime Cellphone Number Act,” saying the measure complements the Duterte Administration’s efforts to introduce a third player in the country to break the telecommunications duopoly “that has limited the options of Filipino consumers who are dissatisfied with the […]

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REMOVE INTERCONNECTION FEES BY TELCOS – LACSON

To protect mobile phone subscribers, Senator Ping Lacson sought to remove the burdensome interconnection fees charged by public telecommunications entities (PTEs) for calls between two different networks. Lacson introduced an amendment to Senate Bill 1636, the proposed Lifetime Cellphone Number Act, seeking to remove the interconnectivity fee or charge imposed by PTEs on mobile phone […]

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Politics

CONTROL RAPACIOUS DEVELOPMENTS IN BORACAY – GORDON

With Boracay, one of the best tourism destinations in the country, in danger of ending up a paradise lost if water contamination continues, Senator Dick Gordon said a massive clean-up drive of the island is definitely in order. Gordon seconded President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent threat to shut down Boracay, which attracts more than 2 million […]

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DENGVAXIA SCARE WARRANTS PH TO BUILD ITS OWN CDC – GORDON

With further investigations needed to determine the real cause of death of some of the exhumed remains of children who were inoculated with Dengvaxia, Senator Dick Gordon underscored the need for the Philippines to build its own capability for disease control and research to safeguard public health. During the recent hearing of the Senate Committee […]

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DISCLOSE BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP INFO OF MINING FIRMS – VILLANUEVA

Senator Joel Villanueva filed a resolution calling for an inquiry regarding the disclosure of beneficial ownership of mining companies operating in the country. Under Senate Resolution No. 612, Villanueva urged the senate committee on public information and mass media to conduct an inquiry on the beneficial owners of extractive companies, which include mining, oil, and […]

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Politics

FREE IRRIGATION FOR FARMERS NOW MANDATORY – VILLAR

Senator Cynthia Villar hailed the enactment into law of the bill providing free irrigation services to small hold farmers. President Rodrigo Duterte recently signed into law Republic Act 10969, which exempts the payment of irrigation service for up to eight hectares of land. “Now that free irrigation service has been institutionalized and made permanent, our […]

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DWINDLING SUPPLY OF NFA RICE WARRANT UNIFIED STATE ACTION – BINAY

Senator Nancy Binay called on the Department of Agriculture (DA), National Food Authority (NFA), and the National Food Authority Council to settle their differences and come up with a plan to augment the dwindling supply of NFA rice. “Pakiusap ko sana mag-usap sina Secretary (Manny) Piñol, ‘yung NFA Council, pati na din ‘yung pamunuan ng […]

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Politics

TOUGHEN SEXUAL HARASSMENT LAWS – PIMENTEL

Senate President Koko Pimentel III said that the time was ripe to revisit the country’s sexual harassment laws and increase the penalties provided by statute “both as a deterrent, and as proof of government’s unwavering commitment to protecting and upholding gender rights.” “Republic Act 9262, the Violence Against Women and Children Law was passed in […]

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Politics

FEEDING PROGRAM BILL GETS SENATE APPROVAL – POE

Senator Grace Poe has commended the passage of her pet measure that institutionalizes the school feeding program, in a move that tackles malnutrition especially among schoolchildren. Speaking after the Senate voted 18-0 backing Senate Bill No. 1279, or the “Masustansiyang Pagkain Para Sa Batang Pilipino Act” on its third and final reading, Poe said the […]