Juan Carlos Eusebio

ANG PROBINSYANO: NARRATIVE FRAMEWORK, PLATFORM OF GOVERNMENT AND LEGISLATIVE AGENDA OF CONGRESSMAN KARLO ALEXEI B. NOGRALES Page 1 of 34 TABLE OF CONTENTS Inception………………………………………………………………………………3 – 4 Narrative Framework: The Probinsyano Statesman………….4 – 7 Development from Below………………………………………………….…7 – 8 Platform of Government………………………………………………………9 Legislative Agenda………………………………………………………………10 - 28 Table of Referenced Measures……………………………………………29 – 31 Bibliography………………………………………………………………………..32 - 34 Page 2 of 34 Inception The overwhelming electoral victory of Rodrigo Roa Duterte during the May 2016 Presidential elections was a response of the public’s pent-up frustrations against the second Aquino regime. His platform of governance was seen as a fitting antithesis to the previous administration’s perceived ineptitude and irresponsiveness on the plight of ordinary people. His hardline campaign message of promoting peace and order and of fighting corruption and scalawag activities were conventional and practical, yet these have instantly resonated and appealed the electorate. This has merited him the seat of chief executive with 39% of overall votes, the third-widest in terms of vote margin at 12.8 percentage points since the proclamation of the 1987 Constitution. More than two years hence, President Duterte relentlessly pursued a controversial illegal drugs campaign which is being questioned for its lapses in methodology and for committing several human rights violations. According to government data, the Oplan Double Barrel has taken the lives of 3,987 individuals from 81,919 legitimate police operations until it was temporarily suspended, transferring drug-related raids to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency from the Philippine National Police effective December 2017. When the program was resumed with the release of new and supplemental guidelines a month after, a significant drop in the number of deaths became noticeable from police-led operations. In terms of economic and fiscal programs, the Duterte administration launched the BUILD, BUILD, BUILD (BBB), an ambitious, comprehensive infrastructure program, which is aimed to accelerate public spending by up to 7-8% of the Gross Domestic Product for hard projects like air and seaports, roads, railways, bridges and gateways. By far, this has been the largest allocation made by any administration in history. Infrastructure expenditure in past administrations were only pegged at an average 2.0-2.8% of the GDP. The government has recently rolled-out its first tax package under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN), a program that redesigned the national tax structure, thus making the tax regime more equitable and consistent. Page 3 of 34 The government is currently maintaining an independent foreign policy which paves way for creating and renewing trade and military ties with other economic giants in the region, aside from the United States. In the past two years, the government has also granted greater autonomy to the Bangsamoro people and freed Marawi from its terrorist threats. Indeed, a lot of major policy shakeups defined the first half of the Duterte administration. And despite some of his controversial pronouncements, the President maintains an 88% approval rating, the highest among top officials in government. The goal of any national leader, just like all presidents that preceded him, is to create a lasting legacy for themselves. It wouldn’t come a surprise should Duterte consider this thought especially as his administration is about to enter its second half. He has repeatedly stressed the institutional and structural reforms the country needs through shifting its form of government to a federal one. It is a campaign promise he has been highlighting that will not “only strengthen democratic institutions but will also create an environment where every Filipino…will have an equal opportunity to grow and create a future that he or she can proudly bequeath to the succeeding generations”. Given this, the upcoming midterm polls will not only challenge the President’s political capital of endorsing his chosen bets on numerous elective positions, but this will also form part in mustering public support toward his legacy of a federated government, or at a very least establishing stronger local autonomy. It is critical for anyone who would be participating in the national electoral exercise to include this as an important issue in their personal campaign discourses. This advocacy is projected to dictate the direction this administration will be taking in the next 3-4 years. Crafting the Narrative: The “Probinsyano Statesman” Before illustrating a campaign platform of a strengthening local autonomy that would eventually pave way to the proposed federated government, it would be necessary to develop a compelling narrative for Rep. Karlo Nograles that is authentic, rooted from his personal experiences and that would encapsulate Page 4 of 34 the “Ang Probinsiyano” brand. For many Filipinos situated in the provinces, migration is often seen as a rational option in seeking new or better opportunities for themselves. Most are motivated to leave their localities because of the lack of opportunities in employment and livelihood, as well as the inaccessibility to basic government services like in health and education. Arguably, people’s movements away from their places of origin are also influenced by popular media with its depiction that urban centers, particularly Metro Manila, have perceived availability over these opportunities and resources. As a result, the population in Metro Manila continue to balloon every year with over 12.8 million inhabitants reported as of the 2015 census. According to 2005 estimates of the Population Commission, there are about 1.4 million Filipinos moving within the country, specifically those transferring and living in a different province or region. The most preferred areas of these inland migrants are the regions of Metro Manila, Calabarzon and Central Luzon. With the flocking in of more Filipinos in Metro Manila, it is expected that population would surge to about 29.3 million by 2030. These numbers reflect the disparity in resource allocation of government that has resulted in the uneven distribution and movement of people across the country. People are motivated to seek better opportunities elsewhere to ensure that they secure an improved future for themselves, as well as their loved ones. The term pakikipagsapalaran (venturing) is usually connected to the story of every promdi’s struggle of pursuing the daily demands of living in a totally different environment. They consider themselves as hardworking, resilient, aspirational and sincere – the positive core values that help them adopt, survive, and achieve in life (see illustration above). Page 5 of 34 Similarly, this has been the story of Karlo Nograles (KN), a boy born and raised in the Southern-most region of Mindanao. He completed elementary in Davao City before leaving for Manila where he finished high school and college. While in Manila, he aspired on entering the legal profession and formally took up law and passed the bar. He returned to Davao to practice law with the constituents of his congressman father as his clientele. And when his father retired from politics he would continue to serve his father's district for three consecutive terms. For KN, his life’s journey can be likened to any probinsyano’s goals toward achieving their dreams by exploring their chances and seeking opportunities in Manila. He had likewise found himself in difficult circumstances, failed at some point, but was able to proudly rise above every situation eventually. For others, his personal journey does not relate to their own hardships for they have already known the person as a politician from a wealthy and influential family. His stories as a struggling probinsyano are therefore overshadowed by what they presently believed him to be. The narrative of KN’s brand of “Ang Probinsiyano” must consistently be aligned with the core positive values of every probinsyano: hardworking, resilient, aspirational and sincere. The campaign messaging must associate him on how typical probinsyanos see themselves. Therefore, KN should align himself with these values in order for them (and eventually the general electorate) to create relatability, familiarity, and trust in him. This can be executed by frequently revisiting and retelling KN’s story as a probinsyano, highlighting and relating these to the experiences of ordinary people, and create connections that would enable the public to speak of and throw their support for KN as a senatorial candidate. Their likeability and approval of KN must strategically be converted to actual votes for him during election day. At the end of the day, the effectivity of his narrative is dependent on its authenticity and creative retelling to the public. The story of Karlo Nograles relates to similar struggles of ordinary promdis determined to effect change in their lives. He refuses to believe that one man’s destiny is purely written in stone. Instead, his journey shows that anyone can succeed in life by having determination and resilience to achieve their dreams. That every Filipino possess unique potentials and control over countless possibilities in their lives. And as an effect, transform these actions to the Page 6 of 34 collective benefit of their communities and their society, as a whole. Probinsiyanos are the great movers and leaders of our country. The purpose of this campaign is to make Filipinos realize their innate abilities that must be exemplified beyond their geophysical and cultural roots. Their identification as Probinsiyanos should not limit their passion, instead it should encourage them further to excel beyond any preconceived expectations. In effect, this campaign will show how Probinsiyanong Karlo. Moreover, this campaign should highlight his legislative accomplishments as testament to his commitment of helping his fellow Probinsiyanos by providing them with opportunities and conducive environment to excel and attain a better life. As a lawmaker, he has successfully crafted and passed into law some of the most relevant legislations today, such as the Free Education Act (RA10931), Free Irrigation Act (RA10969), the Ease of Doing Business Act (RA11032), National Feeding Program Act (RA11037), and the National ID Law (RA11055). Aside from these, he has actively been pushing for the passage of meaningful legislations in the lower house, such as the Freedom of Information Act (HB00063), Right to adequate food framework Act (HB00061), and the Establishment of regional drug rehabilitation centers (RA0009), among others. Development from Below: From Grassroots to Global The image of the “probinsyano” statesman cannot stand alone without the actual “probinsya” or province left unattended or underdeveloped. Equally important is to how to develop and improve the lot of its millions of inhabitants. A federal government is an appealing concept and makes sense for an archipelago of people with so many languages and cultural idiosyncrasies. It also makes it possible, if we can get it right, to bring about more equitable access to national resources and opportunities. It also happens that the outlying provinces rightfully complain about what they refer to as “Imperial Manila” – made famous during the courageous run of former Cebu mayor Lito Osmena in 1998 running under the Promdi (from the province) banner, a somewhat vague version of what is currently being espoused in this paper. Historically, after 14 years of authoritarian rule, President Corazon Aquino shifted swiftly from a revolutionary government under which she could rule by decree, to the new democratic Constitution of 1987 and lost no time in ensuring elections for both Houses. Four years later, she pushed for greater local political and fiscal autonomy, and signed the Local Government Code of Page 7 of 34 1991. This certainly energized the provincial areas and enhanced local capacities in governance. There has been much improvement in the economies of provincial areas, particularly in the major cities in the Visayas and Mindanao. Davao City, where the Probinsyano”” hails from was one of the areas that utilized and benefited from the law that in the past have been languishing in underdevelopment. This paper likewise believes that there should be a transition period and is against a radical shift to untried governance structures and practices. The move to strengthen local governments is positive but should first be carefully examined. There is a lot of space for innovation without rocking the boat and unnecessarily endangering the whole system. Local autonomy – in a single phrase - is the major advocacy of the “Probinsyano”. It is actually a transitional euphemism of its real meaning: Federalism. Page 8 of 34 PLATFORM OF GOVERNMENT LOCAL AUTONOMY 1. AMENDING THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE (LGC) ➢ Expanding/Modifying the Devolved Powers in Favor of Local Government Units (LGUs) ➢ Reforming the Barangays 2. REINFORCING THE FISCAL AUTONOMY OF THE LGUs ➢ Reformulating the 60-40 NGA-LGU Revenue Sharing ➢ Redesigning Local Tax System to Consider In Situs Principle ➢ Expanding LGUs’ Revenue Coverage 3. ENHANCING SOCIAL INVESTMENTS ➢ Institutionalizing the JobStart Philippines Program ➢ Ensuring Sustainable Food Security ➢ Strengthening Local Health Delivery System ➢ Assuring Senior Citizens’ Welfare Page 9 of 34 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA OF CONG. KARLO ALEXEI B. NOGRALES 1. Amending the 1991 Local Government Code (LGC) ➢ Expanding/Modifying the Devolved Powers in Favor of Local Government Units (LGUs) • When the LGC was enacted into law in 1991, the objective of the framers was to make LGUs independent from the national government. For which reason, Congress enhanced the taxing powers of the LGUs under the LGC and substantially increased the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) from the average level of twelve percent (12%) over the past years to forty percent (40%) However, despite the substantial increase in the IRA shares, many LGUs experienced financial difficulties due to the assumption of the devolved responsibilities, in particular health services. • To expand the devolved powers in favor of the LGUs, there is a need to amend the LGC with the sole objective of providing for the reallocation of the IRA share of LGUs. The allocation of the IRA shall be made after deducting the cost of devolved responsibilities, including the city-funded hospitals and other legislated benefits, such as the Magna Carta for Health Workers and the salaries of devolved personnel. • We seek to enact this proposed measure which shall not only rectify the disparity that the LGUs suffer from added cost of maintaining the devolved responsibilities but shall also correct the apparent mismatch between the allocation of the IRA shares and the Page 10 of 34 distribution of the financial burden as a direct consequence of devolution. ➢ Reforming the Barangays ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY HEALTH DELIVERY SYSTEM • As one of the top health campaigns of the government, primary health care relies heavily on barangay initiatives and community participation. In order to address the basic health necessities given the limited resources, LGUs count on Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), also known as Barangay Health Volunteers, who are accredited to function as such by the Local Health Boards in accordance with the guidelines promulgated by the Department of Health (DOH). • With the ever-increasing growth rate of the country's population, BHWs are truly indispensable in the delivery and promotion of the basic healthcare services in local communities. They are always in the frontline of providing maternal, newborn and child health care in the neighborhood. They also act as health educators and community organizers in order to effectively promote the health awareness campaigns of the government down to the smallest unit of the Filipino society—the family. Undeniably, the nature of their work is fulltime. • Thus, the Barangay Health Workers` Benefits and Incentives Act of 1995 needs to be amended in order to recognize the economic and social rights of BHWs to just compensation, consistent with the principle of equal pay for equal work of equal value. We therefore seek to provide compensation to BHWs with entry pay level equivalent to the prevailing Page 11 of 34 rate of Salary Grade One (SG1) under the Salary Schedule for Civilian Personnel. They shall also be entitled to the same incentives and benefits provided under the Magna Carta for Public Health Workers and shall be covered by the existing statutory benefits under the Government Service and Insurance System (GSIS), Philippine Health Insurance (Philhealth) and Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund). PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO ALL BARANGAY OFFICIALS, TANODS, AND EMPLOYEES • This measure seeks to give additional incentives to Barangay Captains, Councilmen, Secretaries, Treasurers, including Tanods, Members of the Lupong Tagamayapa and all Barangay Employees. • Barangay Officials implement programs at the grassroots level. While they work hard to ensure that benefits: are provided for their constituents, these same barangay officials are often left with the short end of the stick in terms of their own personal benefits. They deserve more government incentives for their dedication to public service, such as: (a) benefits under the GSIS, (b) coverage under existing medical health service programs of government, and (c) free legal representation. • This measure therefore seeks to give due recognition to the important jobs being, performed by these unsung workers as well as to acknowledge the vital role they play in the most basic government unit and political subdivision. Page 12 of 34 2. Reinforcing the Fiscal Autonomy of the LGUs ➢ Reformulating the 60-40 NGA-LGU Revenue Sharing in Favor of the Latter • With the enactment of the LGC in 1991, the IRA was designed to be an integral part of local governance and local government. In view of strengthening local autonomy, the IRA provides LGUs with resources to fund the implementation of their respective programs and projects. • However, the IRA or share of LGUs has remained at forty percent (40%) of the national taxes for over twenty years. Limited funding for the operational costs devolved to the LGUs proved to be a formidable challenge to the notion of devolution and self-reliance. As a result, programs that should serve the people have not been properly funded. • Achieving local autonomy by increasing the IRA prepares the way to achieving President Duterte's vision of decentralization by federalism. There is no more appropriate time than now to revisit the mandate of the 1987 Constitution and re-determine the standard for compliance to attain the progressive vision of the IRA of making each LGU selfsustaining. Revisiting the LGU's just share in the national taxes is being faithful to the constitutionally enshrined principles of decentralization and local administrative and fiscal autonomy that are the very foundations of the LGC. • These modifications seek to truly empower and challenge the LGUs to use the additional allocation in providing better services, creating mere Page 13 of 34 development projects and implementing different programs to further the interests of their constituents. Indeed, the autonomy and development of local governments is the most important aspect of regional and national development. In particular, we seek to amend the LGC by increasing the current IRA of LGUs to sixty percent (60%) from forty percent (40%). ➢ Redesigning Local Tax System to Consider In Situs Principle • The Philippines has a total land area of 30 million hectares, forty-seven percent (47%) or around 14.12 million hectares of which are classified as alienable and disposable. Had these lands been utilized efficiently, agricultural productivity and food security would not be the critical problems that they are today. • Over the last two decades, studies from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations show that the Philippines posted zero average growth rate in agricultural production in sharp contrast to the annual growth rate of at least four percent (4%) for Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, China, India and Pakistan. • It is lamentable to note that for a country with so much land resources, the Philippines lags behind those with less. Filipinos, it seems, have taken for granted what classical economists are wont to say, the “original gift of nature”. A trip in the countryside would give glimpses of large tracts of privately-owned productive agricultural lands that have remained idle and undeveloped over the years. Page 14 of 34 • Several reasons have been cited to explain the continuing noncultivation and non-utilization of these lands. Land owners would rather have their lands remain idle than invest on inputs to the land such as fertilizers, agricultural implements, new crop varieties, and irrigation, knowing that in time, its market value would definitely double or triple. Likewise, they would rather seek the conversion of their lands from agricultural to residential or commercial than engage in farming and similar activities wherein they face higher risks of loss due to weather conditions. • We therefore seek to increase the ceiling tax on idle lands from five percent (5%) to ten percent (10%) to give the LGUs more flexibility in their imposition of tax as well as in the maximization of their revenue potentials. ➢ Expanding LGUs` Revenue Coverage • There is no doubt that the tourism industry is one of the Philippines` strongest attractions in the international arena. Not only does it showcase the country’s culture, traditions, and inherent beauty, but it also boosts the local economies where tourists` sites are located. • In countries such as Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, South Korea, Mexico, Canada, Australia, and those in the European Union, tourists are given tax refunds in order to encourage more purchases from them during their temporary stay. These countries employ different models in their VAT refund system depending on what is most appropriate for their situation and circumstances Page 15 of 34 • As such, we are strongly proposing that conscious efforts be taken in order to increase the influx of local and foreign tourists visiting the country and maximize the industry’s potential to increase local revenue by incentivizing shopping and supporting locally-produced items through the refund of the value-added tax (VAT) on perishable and nonperishable goods. Thus, a measure is needed to be enacted in order to boost not only the number of tourists but also the income of the local tourism industries. 3. Enhancing Social Investments ➢ Institutionalizing the JobStart Philippines Program • The October 2014 Philippine Statistics Authority's Labor Force Survey (PSA-LFS) reports that there are 1.23 million unemployed youth or 14.2 percent of the total labor force without a job. The alarming figure is more than twice the national adult unemployment rate of 6.8 percent. This validates the Asian Development Bank (ADB) 2009 survey which concludes that youth in the Philippines experience a slow school-to-work transition. The survey reveals that, on average a college graduate finds a permanent job after two (2) years while for a high school graduate, it takes four (4) years. The job search period is even longer for youth who dropped out of school. Of those high school graduates who find a job, less than half of them find work in the formal wage sector. • Moreover, the ADB survey identifies a set of risk factors that affected youth school-to-work transition. Main risk factors include: (i) the low level of educational attainment (e.g., high school graduate only and high school dropouts); (ii) family income status, with youth from low income Page 16 of 34 families having the most difficulty in the school-to-work transition because such families tend to have a lack of quality social networks, children tend to have insufficient life skills and job search skills necessary to successfully land a good job; and (iii) age and gender, such that young women are more at risk of not having employment, education and training compared to young men. • In May 2014, with funding support from the Government of Canada and technical assistance from the ADB, a project coined as “JobStart Philippines Program" was launched by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in four (4) localities (i.e., General Trias City, Cavite, San Fernando City, Pampanga, Taguig City, and Quezon City). JobStart is designed as a remedial program with the objective of assisting at-risk youth in improving their school-to-work transition and to increase their chances of integrating into productive employment. The pilot phase tested approaches and strategies that provide youth with enhanced career guidance services, life skills, and technical training with work experience at the establishment or company level. The pilot project included 3,200 program beneficiaries and the development of a model full-cycle employment facilitation services at the local level, benchmarking good practices from Kenya, Chile and the United States of America. • In view of the above, a measure ought to be proposed that will cascade the success of the JobStart Program on a national scale and institutionalize it. Given adequate resources and support of the private sector, the implementation of this proposed measure will cover at least 70,000 JobStart Program beneficiaries by 2020. The training and exposure in an actual work place will make the jobseeker ready to Page 17 of 34 assume the job and more responsive to industry skills requirement. Further, the Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs) will be able to offer an enhanced employment facilitation services and an improved local labor market information system. • Given the country’s employment thrust to address the job-skills mismatch and facilitate the smooth transition of graduates and trainees to the work force, we deem it imperative to institute reforms to modernize the PESOs and implement a nationwide youth employment program that enhances the employability of jobseekers and assist their integration into the labor force. ➢ Ensuring Sustainable Food Security RIGHT TO ADEQUATE FOOD FRAMEWORK • The 1987 Philippine Constitution along with domestic laws and a number of international instruments signed by the Philippines have the overarching objective of guaranteeing the right of Filipino citizens to adequate food as they recognize the fundamental right of everyone to be free from hunger. However, the lack of a comprehensive framework embodying the right to adequate food chasm between policy and implementation. Moreover, public funds are not only inadequate but dissipated due to corruption. • Thus, a comprehensive framework law is essential to make the right to adequate food meaningful. We therefore seek to enact a comprehensive law that will not only harmonize provisions of all laws related to Filipinos’ right to adequate food but would also clarify the scope and content of Page 18 of 34 the right, establish standards for compliance, lay down principles to shape the process of realization, and prohibit violations of the right to adequate food. • The enactment of this proposed measure shall ensure that in 10 years, land devoted to food production shall be increased to 50 percent of all prime agricultural lands in every region. It shall seek to improve methods of production, conservation and distribution of food by making full use of technical and scientific knowledge, by disseminating knowledge of principles of nutrition, and by developing or reforming agrarian systems in such a way as to achieve the most efficient development and utilization of natural resources. ADDRESSING THE LACK OF RICE RESERVES • The fact that rice is the basic staple of Filipinos gives credence to the sensitivity of our people in cases of shortage or even a slight increase in the price of rice. This scenario, as our experience would show, has staggering economic and political ramifications. It no longer matters if the cause is due to: 1) the absence of a mechanism that requires the government to maintain a minimum buffer stock level; 2) the lack of foresight of government planners; and 3) hoarding or inefficient distribution. • To obviate future rice shortages and to ensure an adequate, stable, continuous and affordable rice supply for our people especially during times of emergencies and calamities, this bill seeks to establish a Page 19 of 34 strategic food security and rice reserve. A minimum rice reserve equivalent to the 15-day national rice consumption is to be established, maintained, and controlled by the government through the National Food Authority (NFA), the agency mandated to assure the food security of the country especially during times of emergencies and calamities, and stabilizing the supply and price of grains. With a fifteen (15) day buffer stock, the government can unload or distribute anytime there is a noted gap in the supply of rice in the market in any part of the country to effectively stabilize the price of this staple. • The passage of such a measure will therefore ensure to satisfy the primordial objective of assuring a steady and ample supply of rice at affordable prices to our people, especially in times of disaster and calamities. ➢ Strengthening Local Health Delivery System ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY HEALTH DELIVERY SYSTEM Page 20 of 34 • The 1987 Philippine Constitution specifically declares that "the State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost." It also provides that "the State shall undertake appropriate health, manpower development, and research, responsive to the country’s health needs and problems." • Presently, neither of these objectives has been attained by the State. Primary health services remain elusive or inaccessible to majority of the country`s population, especially those living in the rural and poor areas. As for the Filipino health care practitioners, particularly those in the nursing profession, a good number of them are denied employment opportunities to practice their trade and, consequently, the training to further improve their skills. • The relationship of these twin objectives is unique in the sense that one can be achieved by means of the other. A program that aims to improve the accessibility and delivery of primary health services will inevitably create employment for the Filipino health care practitioners and hone their skills in the process. Conversely, increasing jobs and skill levels in the health sector will render primary health services more available to the public. • We propose the enactment of a Community Health Delivery and Health Team Placement Act which seeks to take advantage of this unique relationship. But instead on focusing on one of the objectives and expecting the efforts to result in the accomplishment of the other, this proposed measure shall simultaneously tackle both objectives. The end Page 21 of 34 goal is that the efforts to attain both objectives feed off each other and eventually initiate a virtuous cycle that shall elevate the availability of primary health care in the Philippines and the competence of Filipino health care practitioners to unprecedented heights. Playing a key role here are the LGUs whose functions include the delivery of primary health services at the grassroots level and the DOH that shall ensure overall program coordination between the LGUs and the relevant national agencies. ESTABLISHING A DRUG REHABILITATION CENTER IN EVERY REGION • The Dangerous Drugs Board reported that 1.7 million people are addicted to illegal drugs in the Philippines. According to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, more than 8,000 barangays or 92% of barangays in Metro Manila are said to be drug-affected This leads to drug-related health problems, loss of employment, increase in school dropout, domestic violence, commission of more crimes, and worse, death. Not only are the numbers and reports alarming, drug addiction magnifies greater social dilemmas, which significantly hamper economic growth and social development. • The current administration centers its campaign in crime suppression and eradication of the drug trade. For the users, there are existing government and private sector-operated rehabilitation facilities that offer their rehabilitation programs and services, but most are inaccessible and definitely expensive. Families in the provinces cannot meet the cost of placing their drug dependent relatives in private rehabilitation centers. Page 22 of 34 • A measure is sought to broaden the coverage of drug treatment and recovery programs for drug dependents by establishing a drug rehabilitation center in every region. This provides for possible partnership or collaboration between private people’s organizations or religious organizations and the government, through the Department of Health, for the management and operation of rehabilitation centers. • The process of rehabilitation is not just about treating the physical and mental state of the drug dependent. It also requires emotional preparation, psychological introspection, gradual social reintegration, and a post-monitoring mechanism that will ensure permanent self— rediscovery and continued productivity. This proposal could very well be the start of a comprehensive process of changing lives and bringing the drug dependents back to their families and community. • Through this program drug dependents will have a greater opportunity for rehabilitation and eventual reintegration to the community. With appropriate public private sector partnerships, we can collectively help drug victims get right back on track and pursue life aspirations that temporarily took a backseat. INSTITUTIONALIZING AN EFFECTIVE NATIONAL INTEGRATED CANCER CONTROL PROGRAM • We believe that a National Integrated Cancer Control Program is in order to address the growing and alarming cancer incidence in the country. Page 23 of 34 • Section 15, Article II and Section 11, Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution provide: “SEC. 15. The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.” “SEC. 11. The State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost. There shall be priority for the needs of the underprivileged sick, elderly. disabled, women and children. The State shall endeavor to provide medical and care to paupers.” • Statistics show states that one in every ten registered deaths in the country is attributable to cancer. Since 2010, cancer is ranked 3rd in the list of top ten leading causes of adult mortality and morbidity and ranked 4th for child mortality and morbidity. As of 2012, the International Agency for Research on Cancer estimates that in the Philippines, there are 269 new adult cancer cases every day, 11 every hour. Moreover, there are at least 7 Filipinos dying from cancer every hour. This does not yet include deaths from childhood cancer. Experts opine that the actual cancer burden and cancer mortality in the Philippines is in fact very much higher. Many more cases and deaths from cancer remain uncounted, unrecorded and unreported. • Cancer affects not just the patient. It has a significant impact on their families, friends, communities and the country. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Harvard based Global Task Force on Expanded Access to Cancer Care has recognized this enormous burden, both in years of life lost, human pain and suffering, as well as in Page 24 of 34 economic terms. The economic impact of cancer is significant and is increasing. It is now considered as one of the three leading global economic risks based on its immense impact on global productivity and economic growth. • Cancer pushes Filipino families deeper into poverty. Cancer treatment costs are catastrophic, and the economic burden is overwhelming. This is because financial risk protection mechanisms are limited, with patients and their families often shelling out money from their own pockets to cover not only treatment but other costs, such as laboratory tests, medicines, medical supplies, nutritional supplements, food, temporary housing arrangements and transportation. The study called Philippine Costs in Oncology shows that the mean out-of-pocket expenditure for cancer treatment far exceeded their mean household income and leads the cancer patients to financial catastrophe. These huge out of pocket costs often deter health seeking behavior or leads to discontinuance and abandonment of treatment, such as voluntary stoppage by patient, beyond one month of necessary treatment. In some areas and with certain types of cancer, abandonment or discontinuance of treatment can be as high as seventy-five percent (75%). These conditions are most felt among the poor and marginalized sectors but occur even among the so-called middle class. • Current mortality statistics from various types of cancer in the Philippines are alarming. Survival rates for the most common adult cancer, such as lung, breast, colon, cervical, prostate and liver, are relatively low compared to other countries in Asia and the world. For Page 25 of 34 females, the Philippines ranks second highest among 15 countries in Asia, with 124 deaths per 100,000 population. ➢ Assuring Senior Citizens’ Welfare EXEMPTING SENIOR CITIZENS TO PAY THE FINAL 20% TAX ON INTEREST INCOME FROM BANK DEPOSITS • We fervently seek to exempt senior citizens from paying the final 20% withholding tax on interest income from bank deposits to enable them to fully utilize and enjoy their savings. • Section 4, Article XV of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that the family has the duty to care for its elderly members, but the State may also do so through just programs of social security. • Pursuant to this policy, Republic Act No. 7432 also known as the "Senior Citizens Act" and Republic Act No. 9257 also known as "Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003" were enacted to grant benefits and special privileges to the elderly as recognition of their significant role and contribution in society. Under these laws, senior citizens are exempted from the payment of individual income taxes, provided that their annual taxable income does not exceed the poverty level as determined by the National Economic Development Authority (NED A) for that year. • However, this exemption does not include exemption from payment of the final 20% tax. on interest income from bank deposits under the Page 26 of 34 National Internal Revenue Code. This failure deprives most of senior citizens a substantial portion of their income from the interest earnings on their life savings and retirement benefits deposited in banks. • This measure aims to remedy that loophole in the law by explicitly providing for such exemption, subject to certain conditions imposed by law. • The State should be liberal in granting benefits to our elderly, who make up about 6.4 percent or 5.2 million, of the population. This is a small gift to them who have devoted much of their productive years in service to the nation. GRANTING ADDITIONAL BENEFITS TO FILIPINO CENTENARIANS • Data from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) would show that in 2016 and 2017 only a total of 2,992 Filipinos were able to reach 100 years old and enjoy the centenarian cash gift. • However, in the data published in 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that life expectancy in the Philippines is just 65.3 years for males and 72 years for females, which is way below the 100 years that Filipino senior citizens have to reach to avail of the Centenarian cash gift. • As a result, only a few of the elderly, whom we would want to honor and appreciate for their many years of contribution to nation-building, get Page 27 of 34 to avail of the Centenarian grant, as many of them succumb to illness and die before their 100th birthday. There is therefore a need to provide our elderly, whose need for medical and subsistence assistance are more pronounced, with additional monetary incentives that will be given at an earlier age, so they can still enjoy and use and help defray their basic expenses. • Every Filipino senior citizen, we believe is entitled to receive cash grants graduated in the following manner, as follows: 70th Birthday will receive P25,-th Birthday will receive Additional P25,-th Birthday will receive Additional P25,-th Birthday will receive Additional P25,000.00 Note: This list is a work in progress and totally dependent on the discretion of the principal. As “Ang Probinsyano” the above list covers the wide ambit of initiatives that promotes Local Autonomy leading or transitioning to Federalism. There are also suggestions among supporters that the phrase “Tatak Probinsyano replace Ang Probinsyano” – just a food for thought. TABLE OF SALIENT NUANCES OF REFERENCED LEGISLATIVE MEASURES NATURE BILL OF TITLE OF BILL AUTHOR/S STATUS OF BILL Page 28 of 34 EXPANDING DEVOLVED POWERS IN FAVOR OF LGUs AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE RE-ALLOCATION OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE ALLOTMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 285 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991 ANGARA, EDGARDO JUAN Pending with the Committee on LOCAL GOVERNMENT since- REFORM THE BARANGAYS AN ACT TO IMPROVE AND TO PROMOTE QUALITY DELIVERY OF HEALTH SERVICES IN BARANGAYS, ENACTING THE "BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS AND SERVICES REFORM ACT OF 2016" VILLAFUERTE, RAYMUND LUIS JR., F. Pending with the Committee on LOCAL GOVERNMENT since- REFORM THE BARANGAYS AN ACT PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO ALL BARANGAY OFFICIALS, INCLUDING BARANGAY TANODS AND MEMBERS OF THE LUPONG TAGAPAMAYAPA, AND BARANGAY EMPLOYEES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES NOGRALES, KARLO ALEXEI B.; NOGRALES, JERICHO JONAS B.; Pending with the Committee on LOCAL GOVERNMENT since- FISCAL AUTONOMY AN ACT INTENSIFYING LOCAL GOVERNMENT PARTICIPATION IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT BY INCREASING THE INTERNAL REVENUE ALLOTMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS FROM 40% TO 60% OF ALL NATIONAL TAXES COLLECTED BY THE BUREAU OF INTERNAL REVENUE AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND AUTHORIZING THE LGUs TO AUTOMATICALLY RETAIN THEIR IRA, AMENDING THE SECTION 284 AND 286 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991 VILLAFUERTE, RAYMUND LUIS JR., F. Pending with the Committee on LOCAL GOVERNMENT since- REDESIGN LOCAL TAX SYSTEM AN ACT INCREASING THE TAX ON IDLE LANDS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE, SECTION 236 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991 ANGARA, EDGARDO JUAN Pending with the Committee on LOCAL GOVERNMENT since- EXPAND LGU REVENUE COVERAGE AN ACT INTRODUCING A SYSTEM TO INCENTIVIZE TOURIST PURCHASE THROUGH THE REFUND OF VALUE ADDED TAX ON PERISHABLE AND NON-PERISHABLE GOODS AND ITEMS TO BOOST LOCAL ECONOMY AND TOURISM, AND OTHER PURPOSES THEREFOR ROMERO, MICHAEL ODYLON, L. Pending with the Committee on WAYS AND MEANS since- SOCIAL INVESTMENTS (LABOR) AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE NATIONWIDE IMPLEMENTATION OF JOBSTART PHILIPPINES PROGRAM, PROVIDING FUNDS THERETO, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES ANGARA-CASTILLO, BELLAFLOR Pending with the Committee on LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT since- Page 29 of 34 SOCIAL INVESTMENTS (FOOD SECURITY) AN ACT PROVIDING A FRAMEWORK FOR THE RIGHT TO ADEQUATE FOOD, AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION THEREOF NOGRALES, KARLO ALEXEI B.; NOGRALES, JERICHO JONAS B.; & ET AL Approved by the House on-, transmitted to the Senate on- and received by the Senate on-, Pending in the Committee of Justice and Human Rights of the Senate (2/27/2018) SOCIAL INVESTMENTS (FOOD SECURITY) AN ACT ESTABLISHING A STRATEGIC FOOD SECURITY RICE RESERVE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES SENATOR BIAZON RODOLFO Pending in the Committee of Agriculture and Food (9/3/2007) SOCIAL INVESTMENTS (HEALTH) AN ACT ESTABLISHING A RESPONSIVE LOCAL HEALTH UNIT IN EACH CITY AND MUNICIPALITY TO ENSURE DELIVERY OF PRIMARY HEALTH SERVICES AND TO PROVIDE A MECHANISM TO ENSURE THE PLACEMENT OF REQUIRED HEALTH PERSONNEL IN THESE LOCAL HEALTH UNITS AND OTHER GOVERNMENT OPERATED HEALTH FACILITIES ANGARA, EDGARDO JUAN Pending with the Committee on HEALTH since- SOCIAL INVESTMENTS (HEALTH) AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING A NATIONAL INTEGRATED CANCER CONTROL PROGRAM AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR NOGRALES, KARLO ALEXEI B., NOGRALES, JERICHO JONAS B. Approved by the Committee on Health for Technical Working Group (TWG Study) since- SOCIAL INVESTMENTS (SENIOR CITIZENS) AN ACT EXEMPTING THE BANK DEPOSITS OF SENIOR CITIZENS FROM THE 20% WITHHOLDING TAX ON INTEREST INCOME, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7432 SEN. LOREN LEGARDA Pending in the Committee of Ways and Means (7/31/2013) SOCIAL INVESTMENTS (SENIOR CITIZENS) AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE GIVING GRADUATED CASH GRANTS TO SENIOR CITIZENS VILLARICA, LINABELLE OF B. Pending with the Committee on POPULATION AND Page 30 of 34 FAMILY RELATIONS since- SOCIAL INVESTMENTS (ERADICATION OF ILLEGAL DRUGS) AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A DRUG REHABILITATION CENTER IN EVERY REGION AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR FARIÑAS, RODOLFO C.; ALVAREZ, PANTALEON D.; ANDAYA, ROLANDO JR. G.; DUAVIT, JOHN MICHAEL R.; COJUANGCO, CARLOS O.; KHO, ELISA "OLGA" T.; ABU, RANEO "RANIE" E.; SALIMBANGON, BENHUR L.; NOGRALES, KARLO ALEXEI B.; SUAREZ, DANILO E.; BATOCABE, RODEL M.; Pending with the Committee on DANGEROUS DRUGS since- REFERENCES Page 31 of 34 • Teehankee, J., and Thompson, M., 2016. The vote in the Philippines: Electing a strongman. • Talabong, R., June 2018. Drug War: killings continue, but fewer at police hands. Rappler • Abesamis, Teresa S., July 25, 2018. Grassroots and Governance. Business World. • Perez, J. 2015 Filipinos on the Move: Current patterns and factors of internal migration in the Philippines. • Ordinario, C. 2016. Manila’s Population could expand to 29.3M by 2030 due to urban migration—EIU report. Business Mirror • Llanto, G. 2004. Infrastructure development: Experience and policy options for the future. pp73-74. • Duterte, R. 3rd State of the Nations Address • AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE RE-ALLOCATION OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE ALLOTMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 285 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991 (http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_13/hb00109.pdf) • AN ACT TO IMPROVE AND TO PROMOTE QUALITY DELIVERY OF HEALTH SERVICES IN BARANGAYS, ENACTING THE "BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS AND SERVICES REFORM ACT OF 2016" (http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB01339.pdf) • AN ACT PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO ALL BARANGAY OFFICIALS, INCLUDING BARANGAY TANODS AND MEMBERS OF THE LUPONG TAGAPAMAYAPA, AND BARANGAY EMPLOYEES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES (http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB00276.pdf) • AN ACT INTENSIFYING LOCAL GOVERNMENT PARTICIPATION IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT BY INCREASING THE INTERNAL REVENUE ALLOTMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS FROM 40% TO 60% OF ALL NATIONAL TAXES COLLECTED BY THE BUREAU OF INTERNAL REVENUE AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND AUTHORIZING THE LGUs TO AUTOMATICALLY Page 32 of 34 RETAIN THEIR IRA, AMENDING THE SECTION 284 AND 286 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991 (http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB04697.pdf) • GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND AUTHORIZING THE LGUs TO AUTOMATICALLY RETAIN THEIR IRA, AMENDING THE SECTION 284 AND 286 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991 (http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_13/hb00107.pdf) • AN ACT INCREASING THE TAX ON IDLE LANDS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE, SECTION 236 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991 (http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB07231.pdf) • AN ACT INTRODUCING A SYSTEM TO INCENTIVIZE TOURIST PURCHASE THROUGH THE REFUND OF VALUE ADDED TAX ON PERISHABLE AND NONPERISHABLE GOODS AND ITEMS TO BOOST LOCAL ECONOMY AND TOURISM, AND OTHER PURPOSES THEREFOR (http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB00573.pdf) • AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE NATIONWIDE IMPLEMENTATION OF JOBSTART PHILIPPINES PROGRAM, PROVIDING FUNDS THERETO, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES (http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/third_17/HBT7193.pdf) • AN ACT PROVIDING A FRAMEWORK FOR THE RIGHT TO ADEQUATE FOOD, AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION THEREOF (http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_15/HB04364.pdf) • AN ACT ESTABLISHING A RESPONSIVE LOCAL HEALTH UNIT IN EACH CITY AND MUNICIPALITY TO ENSURE DELIVERY OF PRIMARY HEALTH SERVICES AND TO PROVIDE A MECHANISM TO ENSURE THE PLACEMENT OF REQUIRED HEALTH PERSONNEL IN THESE LOCAL HEALTH UNITS AND OTHER GOVERNMENT OPERATED HEALTH FACILITIES (http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB06210.pdf) • AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING A NATIONAL INTEGRATED CANCER CONTROL PROGRAM AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR (http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB06210.pdf) Page 33 of 34 • AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE GIVING OF GRADUATED CASH GRANTS TO SENIOR CITIZENS (http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB00009.pdf) • AN ACT ESTABLISHING A STRATEGIC FOOD SECURITY RICE RESERVE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES (https://www.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/-!.pdf) • AN ACT EXEMPTING THE BANK DEPOSITS OF SENIOR CITIZENS FROM THE 20% WITHHOLDING TAX ON INTEREST INCOME, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7432 (http://senate.gov.ph/lisdata/-!.pdf) Page 34 of 34