FILIPINO bahagi pa din ng kurikulum

MAHALAGANG ANUNSYO: Mainit-init pa! Inihain nina ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. Antonio Tinio at Rep. France
Castro sa Kongreso ang Panukalang Batas Bilang 8954 o "BATAS
NA NAGTATAKDA NG HINDI BABABA SA SIYAM (9) NA YUNIT NG ASIGNATURANG FILIPINO SA
KURIKULUM NG KOLEHIYO" ngayong Enero 30, 2019. Sa mga susunod na araw ay sisimulan na po natin ang
pagkumbinsi sa ating mga kongresista at senador na suportahan ang panukalang batas na ito. Hinihintay pa natin ang final
na ruling ng Korte Suprema sa inihain nating motion for reconsideration noong Nobyembre 2018 kaya't hakbang pasulong
ang panukalang batas ng ACT Teachers Partylist. Magsisilbi rin itong presyur sa CHED na kusang maglaan ng mga yunit
para sa mga asignaturang Filipino sa kolehiyo. Alinsunod sa Konstitusyong 1987, tungkulin ng BUONG GOBYERNO na
isabalikat ang lubusang paggamit ng Filipino bilang wika ng opisyal na komunikasyon at bilang wika ng edukasyon.
Hindi maisasakatuparan ang gayong mandato ng Konstitusyon kung walang espasyo ang wikang pambansa sa mas mataas
na antas ng edukasyon (na siyang pinakamabisang daluyan ng intelektwalisasyon ng wikang pambansa). Kung gayon, ang
pagkakaroon ng mga asignaturang Filipino sa kolehiyo ay malinaw na pagpapatupad ng mga probisyong pangwika ng
Saligang Batas. Sa pangmatagalan, ang panukalang batas na ito ay hakbang na mapagpalaya at nagbibigay-kapangyarihan
sa sambayanang Pilipino na matagal nang gumagamit sa wikang pambansa bilang wika ng matalinong diskursong
panlipunan. Patitibayin nito ang pundasyon ng pulitikal na demokratisasyon sa bansa sa pamamagitan ng pagtitiyak na
ang wika ng bayan ang siyang mangingibabaw na wika sa mga paaralan at sa mga bulwagan ng kapangyarihan. Sa
esensya, karagdagang sandata natin ito laban sa misedukasyon at kolonyal na pag-iisip. Sulong sa pakikibakang anti-
kolonyal! Puspusang gamitin ang wika ng bayan sa edukasyon at lahat ng larangan! Wika at bayan, ipaglaban! A luta
continua! Tuloy ang laban!

#HB8954Isabatas

*Buong teksto ng panukalang batas:

PANUKALANG BATAS BILANG 8954

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ipinanukala ni ACT Teachers Party-List
Kinatawan ANTONIO L. TINIO at Kinatawan FRANCE L. CASTRO
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BATAS
NA NAGTATAKDA NG HINDI BABABA SA SIYAM (9) NA YUNIT NG ASIGNATURANG FILIPINO SA
KURIKULUM NG KOLEHIYO

PALIWANAG
Alinsunod sa 1987 Konstitusyon ng Republika ng Pilipinas, Artikulo XIV, Seksyon 6, “Ang wikang pambansa ng
Pilipinas ay Filipino. Samantalang nalilinang, ito ay dapat payabungin at pagyamanin pa salig sa umiiral na mga wika ng
Pilipinas at sa iba pang mga wika. Alinsunod sa mga tadhana ng batas at sang-ayon sa nararapat na maaaring ipasya ng
Kongreso, dapat magsagawa ng mga hakbangin ang Pamahalaan upang ibunsod at puspusang itaguyod ang paggamit ng
Filipino bilang midyum ng opisyal na komunikasyon at bilang wika ng pagtuturo sa sistemang pang-edukasyon.”
Magiging puspusan lamang ang pagtataguyod sa paggamit ng Filipino bilang midyum ng opisyal na komunikasyon at
bilang wika ng pagtuturo sa lahat ng antas ng sistemang pang-edukasyon kung puspusan ding itataguyod ang pagtuturo
nito bilang asignatura sa lahat ng antas ng edukasyon.
Sa kasamaang-palad, sa inilabas na bagong General Education Curriculum (GEC) ng Commission on Higher Education
(CHED) noong 2013, binura rin ang asignaturang Filipino sa kolehiyo.
Hindi sapat ang mga asignaturang Filipino sa Junior at Senior High School sa mga kadahilanan na: una, maraming aspeto
ng lenggwahe, halaga, at paggamit nito ang hindi itinuturo at hindi kayang ituro sa antas sekondarya; ikalawa, dapat
bigyang-diin na ang paggamit ng wikang Filipino sa intelektwal na diskurso, sa pagtalakay sa mga mahahalagang isyung
lokal, pambansa, at panlipunan, sa mataas na antas ng komunikasyon, sa pananaliksik sa at pagtalakay ng iba’t ibang
larangan; at ikatlo, ang pagtanggal ng Filipino sa kolehiyo ay isang malaking hakbang paatras mula sa deka-dekadang
pagsisikap ng pamahalaan na panatilihin ang pambansang wika hanggang sa pinakamataas na antas ng edukasyon at
upang payabungin at pagyamanin ito alinsunod sa Saligang Batas.
Wala tayong maiaambag sa edukasyong pangkultura ng mga mamamayan ng daigdig kung hindi natin lilinangin ang ating
sariling wika, kultura, at identidad.
Ang panukalang batas na ito ay naglalayong punan ang kakulangan ng bagong GEC at makapag-ambag sa paglinang ng
ating kamalayan sa sariling wika, kultura, at identidad, upang linangin at puspusang itaguyod ang ating pambansang wika,
gaya ng iniaatas ng Saligang Batas.
Ang agarang pag-apruba ng panukalang batas na ito ay inaasahan.

________________________________
Kinatawan ANTONIO L. TINIO
ACT Teachers Party-List
________________________________
Kinatawan FRANCE L. CASTRO
ACT Teachers Party-List

Republika ng Pilipinas
MABABANG KAPULUNGAN NG KONGRESO
Lungsod Quezon

IKA-LABING-PITO NA KONGRESO
Ikatlong Regular na Sesyon

PANUKALANG BATAS BILANG ______

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ipinanukala ni ACT Teachers Party-List
Kinatawan ANTONIO L. TINIO at Kinatawan FRANCE L. CASTRO
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BATAS
NA NAGTATAKDA NG HINDI BABABA SA SIYAM (9) NA YUNIT NG ASIGNATURANG FILIPINO SA
KURIKULUM NG KOLEHIYO

Pinagtitibay ng Senado at Mababang Kapulungan ng Kongreso ng Pilipinas na ngayo'y nakatipon:

SEKSYON 1. Ang wikang pambansa ng Pilipinas ay Filipino, alinsunod sa 1987 Konstitusyon ng Republika ng Pilipinas.
Alinsunod dito, dapat magsagawa ang pamahalaan ng hakbangin upang linangin, ibunsod at puspusang itaguyod ang
paggamit ng Filipino bilang wika ng pagtuturo sa lahat ng antas ng edukasyon sa bansa.
Dapat ding magsagawa ng mga hakbangin ang pamahalaan upang ibunsod at puspusang itaguyod ang paggamit ng
Filipino bilang midyum ng opisyal na komunikasyon at bilang wika ng pagtuturo sa sistemang pang-edukasyon.
SEKSYON 2. Itinatakda ang hindi bababa sa siyam (9) na yunit ng asignaturang Filipino sa kurikulum ng kolehiyo. Ito ay
ituturo para sa lahat ng estudyante sa pampubliko o pribadong kolehiyo, mataas na institusyon o unibersidad sa Pilipinas,
anuman ang kurso ng estudyante.
SEKSYON 3. Pagkapasa ng Batas, agad magsasagawa ng mga pagsasanay ang mga ahensyang pang-edukasyon sa
pakikipagtulungan ng mga Departamento ng Filipino sa bawat kolehiyo, mataas na institusyon at unibersidad sa buong
bansa upang agarang maipatupad ang pagkakaroon ng mga asignaturang Filipino sa antas tersyarya.
SEKSYON 4. Sa loob ng tatlumpong (30) araw pagkapasa nitong Batas, maglalabas ng karampatang alituntunin at gabay
sa pagpapatupad nito ang Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
SEKSYON 5. Magmumula sa kasalukuyang badyet ng CHED, Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino at National Commission for
Culture and the Arts ang badyet na kailangan para sa inisyal na implementasyon ng batas na ito. Para sa mga susunod
pang taon, magmumula ang badyet sa General Appropriations Act.
SEKSYON 6. Hindi maapektuhan ang pagkabisa ng ibang probisyon kung madeklarang hindi konstitusyunal ang alinman
sa mga probisyon ng batas na ito.
SEKSYON 7. Itinuturing na wala nang bisa o inaamyendahan na ang lahat ng batas, kautusan, ordinansa at gabay, o mga
bahagi nila, na hindi angkop o salungat sa batas na ito.
SEKSYON 8. Agad na magkakabisa ang batas na ito pagkalipas ng labinlimang (15) araw mula sa pagkakalathala sa
Official Gazette o sa dyaryo na may pangkalahatang sirkulasyon.

Aprubado.
‘No homework’ policy could create wrong values among learners

Published August 27, 2019, 2:43 PM

By Merlina Hernando-Malipot

Educators from both public and private schools on Tuesday expressed concern on the “no homework” bills noting that the
proposal might promote “wrong values” among learners – thus, making the country’s education system more
“problematic.”

TDC National Chairperson Benjo Basas

(Teachers’ Dignity Coalition / MANILA BULLETIN)

Proposals made by lawmakers to ban homework for students in both public and private schools – across all basic
education levels – did not sit well with the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) and the Federation of Associations of
Private Schools & Administrators (FAPSA).

Both groups urged lawmakers, as well as the Department of Education (DepEd), which supported the bills banning home
works, to rethink and reconsider the implications on both learners and the education system, as a whole.

For TDC, homework should not be seen as a burden but as an avenue to instill discipline and responsibility among
learners. “Our teachers are trained educators, [so] we know the value of homework,” said TDC National Chairperson
Benjo Basas.

Basas, a former public school teacher of Baesa High School in Caloocan City, noted that doing homework teaches a
student not only about the subject matter, but also about good values. “Homework is not intended to make life difficult for
our students,” he said.

On the contrary, Basas believed that homework was all “about discipline, responsibility and continuity of learning.” He
added that doing homework also promoted quality time when family members help out the learner to complete the task at
hand. “It may also strengthen family bonding – thus quality time,” he added.

Meanwhile, FAPSA President Eleazardo Kasilag warned about the impact of the “no homework” bills should they pass
into law. “Our lawmakers should consider the situation in our country,” he said. “Homework helps to sustain the flow of
lessons [and] banning it for non-academic reasons such as bonding time at home is contrary to the vision of education,” he
added.

Given that the students do not have the “innate” discipline, Kasilag noted that “we should ban what hinders them from
studying like social media, untimely malling or computer games, but not homework.”

Kasilag also lamented how the lawmakers have “practically padded our curriculum with everything” –from illegal drugs
prevention, election duties, surveying, population census, disaster, nutrition, seminars and training, mass immunizations,
community mapping, deworming, and feeding – among others. These efforts, he added, are nothing but “pa-pogi” points.
“They are not educators they just need sustaining votes for longer power,” he added.
Earlier, Sorsogon representative Deputy Speaker Evelina Escudero filed House Bill (HB) No. 3611 which seeks to
remove homework as a class requirement and limit school activities to the campus noting that “homework assignments
can deprive students and parents precious quality time for rest, relaxation and interaction after school hours and even on
weekends.” Citing studies suggesting that “homework does impact upon family life,” Quezon City Representative Alfred
Vargas also filed a similar proposal through HB 3883 which focus on stopping teachers from giving assignments or
homework on weekends.

Homework as a ‘burden’

Meanwhile, the DepEd backed the bills banning homework among learners. In an interview, Education Secretary Leonor
Briones noted that DepEd already had an “existing policy” which discourages giving of homework to learners. “Alam
naman natin na kung minsan, ang homework, hindi naman ang bata ang gumagawa pagdating sa bahay,” she said.

Briones was referring to the DepEd Memorandum No. 392 series of 2010 which was issued by former Education
Secretary Br. Armin Luistro. The said memorandum directed schools that “no homework/assignments shall be given
during weekends for pupils to enjoy their childhood.”

“I am in favor of this,” Briones said when asked if DepEd supports the said proposals to ban giving of homework. She
noted that despite the earlier directive given by her predecessor, there are still schools that continue to give homework to
their students “that’s why our lawmakers proposed” these bills.

In supporting the said bills, Briones underscored the need for learners and parents – as well other family members – to
have quality time for bonding. “Ang gusto natin lahat ng pormal na pag-aaral – assignment, projects, whatever – gagawin
sa loob ng paaralan [para] pag-uwi nila, free time nila to bond with their parents, with their friends,” she said. “Meron
mga bata na gusto nila, tuloy-tuloy sila mag-aral pero hindi kailangan homework dahil dagdag na burden ito sa bata,” she
added.

With complaints on overly congested curriculum and school requirements, Briones agreed that homework should no
longer be required from the learners. “Marami nagko-complain na mabigat ang curriculum – lalo na sa senior high school
tapos may school activities pa sila,” she added.

In a separate interview, Undersecretary Annalyn Sevilla noted that DepEd has yet to receive a copy of the said proposals.
However, she assured that “this is something our experts will look into.”

Meanwhile, TDC and FAPSA maintained that bills such as these are “unnecessary” given the multitude of challenges that
the county’s education system currently face. “Homework is not meant to burden learners but to teach them self-learning,
self-discipline and time management,” TDC reiterated. Homework or assignments, the group added, instead teaches
learners to be responsible individuals and could be maximized as a “bonding activity” for parents and their children.

For FAPSA, lawmakers need to come up with “better” and timely proposals that would help address the quality of
education in the country. “We need something better from our lawmakers not this very simple HB [and] if they are out of
better ideas, we can give you relevant vital and pressing needs of educators,” the group ended.

SOGIE bill won’t promote equality; only ‘special’ rights to LGBT – solon

By: Daphne Galvez - Reporter / @DYGalvezINQ

INQUIRER.net / 07:31 PM August 28, 2019
Instead of promoting equality, the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Equality bill will only
“unduly give special rights” to some members of society at the expense of others, a lawmaker said Wednesday.
Citizen’s Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC) Partylist Rep. Eddie Villanueva manifested his opposition against the
SOGIE bill during a privilege speech on Wednesday.
“Let it be put to record that this representation is in opposition to SOGIE bill. [In] its current form and provisions, I believe,
[it] will not promote equality but will, instead, unduly give special rights to some members of our society at the expense of
the rights of other members and to the detriment of the social order in our community,” Villanueva said.
He reasoned that the SOGIE bill “undermines the role of parents in the family,” “threatens academic freedom,” “imperils
freedom of speech and religion,” and “puts into question the very foundation” of the country’s laws.

The lawmaker also said the SOGIE bill is “loaded with legal infirmities and unsettling questions on social acceptability
and feasibility of implementation.”

During his speech, Villanueva further put emphasis on the August 13 incident where a transgender woman, Gretchen
Diez, was barred by a janitress to use a women’s toilet room in a mall in Quezon City.
He noted that the side of the janitress has been given “little, if any, attention.” Villanueva came to the janitress’s defense,
saying that she was “just doing her job.”
Villanueva said his party-list filed a resolution calling for a probe on the August 13 incident but will put particular
attention to get the side of the janitress, “whose side has not yet been comprehensively heard.”
“To guarantee impartiality and objectiveness in this issue, hearing all sides of the story is a must,” the lawmaker said.
As interpellation on Villanueva’s speech was not allowed, Bataan 1st District Rep. Geraldine Roman instead manifested
her request for lawmakers to read the SOGIE bills filed in the chamber.
“My request to all is to read the bills. Let us not be carried away by extrapolations nor by fear by very far away scenarios
from other countries,” Roman said.

She added that lawmakers should also focus on the “essence” of the bills which is to afford all Filipinos and LGBT
community (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) members the same rights when it comes to work, schooling, receiving
services from the government, access to public establishments, and “not to be insulted in the streets.”
“There is nothing to fear but everything to look forward to in a society that welcomes everyone even people that is coming
from the minority,” Roman said.

No more catcalling: Duterte signs ‘Bawal Bastos’ law

By: Nestor Corrales - Reporter / @NCorralesINQ

INQUIRER.net / 06:36 PM July 15, 2019

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed the so-called “Bawal Bastos” law, which aims to punish catcalling and other gender-
based harassment in public spaces and online.
Duterte signed Republic Act 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act on April 17, but the information was released to the media
only on Monday.
“It is the policy of the state to value the dignity of every human person and guarantee full respect for human rights. It is
likewise the policy of the state to recognize the role of women in nation-building and ensure the fundamental equality
before the law of women and men,” stated the new law.
“The state also recognizes that both men and women must have equality, security, and safety not only in private, but also
on the streets, public spaces, online, workplaces, and educational and training institutions,” it added.
According to the Safe Spaces Act, actions or deeds considered as gender-based street and public spaces sexual harassment
are committed through unwanted and uninvited sexual actions or remarks against any person, regardless of the motive.
These acts include catcalling, wolf-whistling, unwanted invitations, misogynistic, transphobic, homophobic and sexist
slurs, persistent uninvited comments or gestures on a person’s appearance; relentless requests for personal details,
statement of sexual comments and suggestions; public masturbation or flashing of private parts, groping, or any unwanted
advances.
It also enumerated that gender-based online sexual harassment includes acts that use the information and communications
technology in terrorizing and intimidating victims through physical, psychological, and emotional threats, unwanted
sexual misogynistic, transphobic, homophobic and sexist remarks and comments online.
Likewise deemed as sexual harassment under the new law are the invasion of privacy through cyberstalking and incessant
messaging, uploading and sharing without consent of any unauthorized photos, videos or information, impersonating
identities of victims online or posting lies to harm their reputation, or filing false abuse on online platforms to silence
victims.
Gender-based sexual harassment in the workplace includes unwanted sexual advances, requests or demands for sexual
nature, whether done verbally, physically or through the use of technology, it noted.
For acts of cursing, wolf-whistling, catcalling, leering and intrusive gazing, taunting, unwanted invitations, misogynistic,
transphobic, homophobic and sexist slurs, etc., a P1000 fine, 12 hours of community service and attendance to a gender
sensitivity seminar will be imposed on first-time violators.
A six to 10 days imprisonment or a fine of P 3,000 will be imposed on second-time violators while third-time offenders
will be sent to jail for up to 30 days and fined P10,000.
or acts such as making offensive body gestures and exposing private parts, public masturbation, groping and similar lewd
actions, first offenders will be fined P10,000, ordered to do 12 hours of community service and compelled to attend a
gender sensitivity seminar.
Second-time violators will be punished with 11 to 30 days imprisonment and a P 15,000-fine while third-time offenders
will be imprisoned from one month and one day to six months and fined P20,000.
The new law also punishes stalking and brushing against any part of the victim’s body. On the first offense, violators will
be fined P30,000, jailed 11 to 30 days, and required to attend a gender sensitivity seminar.
On the second offense, violators will be punished to pay a P 50,000-fine and face imprisonment of one month and one day
up to six months; while on the third offense, violators will be slapped with a P 100,000-fine.
Meanwhile, the penalty of prision correcional in its medium period or a fine ranging from P 100,000 to P 500,000 will be
imposed on any person found guilty of gender-based online harassment.
The law authorizes the Land Transportation Office to cancel the license of a person found guilty of committing sexual
harassment in public utility vehicles. It also allows the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to suspend
or revoke the franchise of operators who commit similar actions.
Employers are required to post a copy of the law in the workplace, as the new decree orders the Department of Labor and
Employment and the Civil Service Commission to conduct yearly spontaneous inspections to ensure compliance of both
employers and employees to the law.
Local Government Units were also directed to “bear primary responsibility in enforcing the provisions” of the Safe Spaces
Act by passing ordinances to localize its applicability.
Schools are likewise mandated to adopt grievance procedures to facilitate the filing of complaints by students and faculty
members who may violate this new law.

CHR hopes Duterte will follow 'Anti-bastos Law'

By CNN Philippines Staff
Published Jul 16, 2019 11:26:29 PM
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has high hopes that President Rodrigo Duterte will obey the new law
penalizing catcalling and other forms of harassment in public areas.

"As the chief ng bansa dapat sya 'yung unang tutupad ng panukala na 'yan (of the country, he should be the first one to
follow the policy) and it remains to be seen how he's going to act after this kasi pinirmahan nya ngayon (now that he has
signed it). Mas magbabantay na ang women's group at kami din.. (We, along with women's groups will keep a strict eye
on his actions)," Twyla Rubin, head of CHR's Center for General Equality and Women's Human Rights, told CNN
Philippines' Newsroom Tuesday.

"May tiwala naman kami na sana ay maging senyales to sa kanyang sinseridad na tutuparin nya 'yung 'bawal bastos',"
she added.

[Translation: We hope that this is a sign of his sincerity to follow the law.]

Republic Act 11213 or the Safe Spaces Act signed by Duterte on April 12 outlines gender-based harassment in streets and
other public areas such as online space, government offices, workplaces and educational institutions.

Under the policy, those apprehended for cursing, wolf whistling, catcalling, and saying misogynistic, transphobic,
homophobic, and sexist slurs for the first time will be fined ₱1,000 and will serve 12 hours in community service,
including attendance in a gender sensitivity seminar. Second-time offenders will be jailed for six to 10 days or fined
₱3,000, while third-time offenders will be jailed 11 to 30 days and fined ₱10,000.
Penalties for making offensive body gestures and exposing private parts are at ₱10,000 for first-time offenders, and
₱15,000 for first-time offenders along with jail time of 11 to 30 days for second-time offenders. Those who commit the
crime for the third time will be fined ₱20,000 and will be detained for a minimum of one month and a day up to six
months.

Rubin said the President, who is known for cracking rape jokes in public speeches, has no immunity against the policy.

"Not necessarily na (that it is) directed to a specific person, it could be the impact ng sinabi nya sa taong nakarinig
noon (of what he said to the people who heard his remarks), it could be that, but of course it has to be stated in an
affidavit," she said.

Rubin lauded the enactment of the policy, which she said will address the "gaps" in the current anti-sexual harassment
law.

"Dati kasi 'pag naha-harass ka tapos nasa daan, nasa public transport, usually mahirap makahanap ng batas (When
people are harassed in roads or public transport, they usually couldn't find laws) that would cover that. It's very
challenging for women to invoke laws or provisions ng (of the) revised penal code, pero (but) with this law, ma-
address na 'yung gap na 'yun (this gap will be addressed), pwede mo nang sampahan ng kaso 'yung mga nambabastos
sayo.. (you can sue those will harass you)," she said.

Malacañang had earlier said that Duterte would be the first to obey the policy.

Anti-bastos law pinirmahan ni Digong

Last updated Jul 15, 2019 (abante tonite)

Hindi na uubra ang paninipol, panghihipo, at mga parinig na may himig seksuwal sa mga kababaihan at maging sa mga
miyembro ng LGBTQ+ community.

Ito ay matapos lagdaan ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte bilang ganap na batas ang Republic Act No. 11313 o ang Safe
Space bill o Anti-Bastos bill.

Kung dati ay sa Quezon City lamang bawal ang “cat calling”, sa pamamagitan ng Anti-Bastos Law ay bawal na ito sa
buong bansa.

Ang bagong batas na layuning proteksiyunan ang gender-based sexual harassment ay ipatutupad sa mga kalsada,
pampublikong lugar, online, work places at maging sa mga paaralan at training institution.

Pinirmahan ni Pangulong Duterte ang batas noon pang Abril 17, 2019, at hindi ito napaso para maging batas, taliwas sa
naunang pahayag ng ilang mambabatas mula sa oposisyon.

Nakapaloob sa Anti-Bastos Law na bawal na ang mga paninipol, pagtawag ng kung ano-ano, panghihipo o mga
negatibong parinig lalo na sa mga kababaihan at sa LGBT.

Kabilang din dito ang online sexual harassment gaya ng pananakot, panghihimasok sa privacy at cyber stalking.

Ang mga mapapatunayang lumabag sa nabanggit na batas ay pagmumultahin ng mula isang P1,000 hanggang P100,000 at
maaari ring makulong ng hanggang isang buwan depende sa uri ng ginawang pambabatos o gender-based harassment.

Multang P100,000 hanggang kalahating milyong piso naman ang parusa sa online harassment.

Inaatasan din ang mga local government unit na magpasa ng ordinansa para mapairal ang anti-bastos law habang ang
Philippine National Police (PNP) at Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) naman ang manghuhuli sa
mga lalabag sa nasabing batas.
Ang mga paaralan ay inaatasan ding magtakda ng mga mekanismo para sa mga reklamo ng mga estudyante at faculty
member.

Ang Philippine Commission on Women ang mangunguna sa pagbalangkas ng Implementing Rules and Regulations
katuwang ang iba pang ahensiya ng pamahalaan.(Aileen Taliping)

Klase na mas maaga sa 8:30 a.m. gustong ipagbawal

By: Leifbilly Begas - 07/05/2019

MULA sa alas-6 ng umaga, nais ng isang solon na itakda ang oras ng pasukan sa alas-8:30 ng umaga.
Inihain ni Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya ang House bill 569 upang ipagbawal ang pagkakaroon ng klase ng mas maaga
sa 8:30 ng umaga sa mga paaralan na nasa ilalim ng Department of Education at Commission on Higher Education.

Sinabi ni Gasataya na naaapektuhan ng masyadong maagang pasok sa paaralan ang kalusugan ng mga estudyante lalo at
maraming dapat na gawin ang mga ito sa ilalim ng K-12 curriculum.
“It is the policy of the State to adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development in schools. We
must give priority to the physical, mental, and social well-being of students, among others, through a system of education
which gives primordial interest and concern to the health and safety of students,” saad ni Gasataya sa panukala.
Sinabi ni Gasataya na kinunsulta niya ang mga estudyante at magulang sa kanyang distrito bago ginawa ang panukala.
May mga datos din umano sa ibang bansa na nagsasabi na mas gumanda ang performance ng mga estudyante ng hindi na
masyadong maaga ang klase ng mga ito.
“This could also help parents who wake up earlier than supposedly to attend to their children’s needs be more productive
at work, raise teacher quality, and help working students manage their time.”

Pagbabawal sa klase na mas maaga sa 8:30, isinusulong sa Kamara

By Mary Rose Garzon
Jul. 5, 2019 at 12:05pm
Gawing 8:30 ng umaga ang simula ng mga klase sa paaralan para sa kapakanan ng mga estudyante.
Ito ang isinusulong ni Bacolod City Rep. Greg Gasataya, na naghain ng panukalang magbabawal sa lahat ng paaralan sa
ilalim ng Department of Education (DepEd) at Commission on Higher Education (CHED) na magtakda ng klaseng mas
maaga sa 8:30 AM.
Sa paghahain ng House Bill No. 569 nitong Lunes, pinaliwanag ni Gasataya na napapanahon nang baguhin ang class
hours dahil sa kasalukuyang lagay ng transportasyon sa bansa.
Binanggit niya rin ang workload sa ilalim ng bagong K-12 curriculum, pagsasaalang-alang ng mental health, at
accessibility ng mga paaralan sa ilang bahagi ng bansa na maaaring makaapekto sa kalusugan at kaligtasan ng mga
estudyante.
“It is the policy of the State to adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development in schools. We
must give priority to the physical, mental, and social well-being of students, among others, through a system of education
which gives primordial interest and concern to the health and safety of students,” ani Gasataya.
Iginiit din ng mambabatas na base sa pag-aaral, bumubuti ang performance ng mga mag-aaral ‘pag hindi masyadong
maaga ang klase, na aniya ginagawa na rin ng ibang bansa.
Sakaling maipasa, makikinabang din aniya ang mga magulang na hindi na kakailanganing gumising nang maaga para
asikusuhin ang mga bata.
Liban sa nasabing panukala, naghain din si Gasataya ng bill para sa komprehensibong scholarship para sa persons with
disabilities (PWD) at mga anak nila, at bill na hangaring magtalaga ng dagdag na mental health personnel sa universities
and colleges.

Rice tariffication law amendment sought

Jess Diaz (The Philippine Star) - September 10, 2019 - 12:00am

The opposition Liberal Party (LP) yesterday called for the amendment of the Rice Tariffication Law to help farmers amid
falling prices of palay while retail prices of rice remain high.

Quezon City Rep. Jose Christopher Belmonte, who is LP secretary general, said he and his party-mates in the House of
Representatives would push for the adoption of a resolution that would help the government explore more sources of
funds for direct cash transfers for farmers.

He said the resolution was filed in the Senate on Thursday by their party president, Sen. Francis Pangilinan.

Belmonte said the resolution seeks the amendment of the law to allow the use of up to P13 billion as immediate assistance
to rice farmers.

The two chambers of Congress have to adopt the resolution for it to have the effect of a law.

Another LP lawmaker, Josephine Sato of rice-producing Mindoro Occidental, said her constituents have been
complaining of record low palay prices of P7 per kilo.

“We need to move quickly to help our farmers who are in a dire situation. They are gearing up for the worst harvest
season in the history of palay production this September and October and we should be able to assist them in their most
difficult time,” she said.

Other congressmen called for the inclusion of rice farmers in the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or
4Ps.

Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero of 1-Pacman party-list said at the P7 buying price, a rice farmer loses P5 for every kilo he
harvests since his production cost is P12.

“They will not be able to pay for the loans they have obtained mostly from loan sharks. If they borrowed funds from
banks, these lenders should restructure their loans and should give them relief in the form of discounts. They should even
condone some payments,” he said.

Romero called on the Department of Agriculture (DA) to expedite the grant of soft loans under the P10-billion rice
competitiveness enhancement fund (RCEF).

He added that other forms of RCEF assistance such as farm inputs and machineries would take time to materialize, as
these would still have to go through the tedious procurement process.
Another House leader, Deputy Speaker Mujiv Hataman of Basilan, said the subsidy under 4Ps should be in addition to
whatever assistance farmers would get from the DA.

Rice for 4Ps beneficiaries

Sen. Cynthia Villar has asked the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to implement a proposal
raised last year to provide rice to 4Ps beneficiaries.

Villar, chairperson of the Senate committee on agriculture and food, said the government should buy rice from local
farmers in providing the staple to beneficiaries of the cash transfer program.

“The DSWD can help ease difficulties as we transition to the ‘tariffied’ rice importation regime by using its P28 billion
rice subsidy under the 4Ps to buy rice from local farmers,” she said.

Aside from health and education grants, 4Ps beneficiaries are entitled to a 20-kilo rice subsidy per month but were given
cash instead of rice.

“Last year, the proposal was shelved because of logistical requirements. But I want them to take another look at this
especially now that we’re finding ways to help our farmers get through the transition phase of the rice tarrification law
even if it’s difficult,” Villar said. – With Paolo Romero, Rhodina Villanueva, Artemio Dumlao

Farmers blame rice tariffication law for low palay prices, a lawmaker blames a natural disaster
By Carolyn Bonquin, CNN Philippines
Published Sep 3, 2019 9:20:20 PM
Senator Cynthia Villar, one of the main proponents of the rice tariffication act, doubted that the measure pushed unmilled
rice prices down.

This, after several farmers groups claimed that prices of palay have plummeted to ₱6-10 per kilo.

"Based on the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the average buying price of palay is ₱17," Villar said at a Senate
hearing Tuesday.

She also refuted the claims of the farmers that rice should cost ₱21 per kilo.

"The only time it was ₱21 was last year, wherein we were in a difficult period," Villar said.

The price of rice was among the main drivers of last year's high inflation, which hit an average rate of 5.2 percent.

To combat this, President Rodrigo Duterte passed the rice tariffication act, which took effect this year. The measure eased
import restrictions on rice, which improved the supply in the country.

However, farmers claimed that they're finding it hard to compete with the oversupply of imported rice.

Farmers said the PSA data does not match the reality that they are facing.

"Ang data ng PSA mukhang hindi nagmamatch sa reality sa ground. As of last night nagmonitor kami practically all over
the country pinakamataas ₱17, [Translation: PSA's data does not match reality on the ground. As of last night, we
monitored practically all over the country and the highest was ₱17.]" said Romeo Royandoyan, executive director of
Centro Saka. He added that traders buy unmilled rice at ₱8 per kilo in Nueva Ecija.

Representatives from Bantay Bigas, another farmers' organization, said that unmilled rice prices hit ₱6 per kilo in Arayat
Pampanga.
On the other hand, Villar attributed low rice prices to natural disasters.

"It's caused by natural disaster na to para dumapa. Ba't dadapa? Disaster nga, typhoon," Villar said.

[Translation: Rice plants were damaged because of natural disasters. Why would they be damaged? It's disaster. Typhoon.
]

High moisture content from heavy rains can damage rice stocks, according to the senator. Villar called on the National
Food Authority to buy unmilled rice. She also told farmers to sell their rice to the provincial government.

In an interview with CNN Philippines Politics as Usual, Senator Imee Marcos took Villar's side.

"Para sa akin, hindi naman niya kasalanan. Talagang uncompetitive na ang ating agrikultura," Marcos said.

[Translation: For me it's not Villar's fault. Our agriculture sector is just not competitive.]

On the other hand, the Department of Agriculture acknowledged that local rice prices could be adversely affected by rice
tariffication.

"There's a recognition na meron siyang epekto kaya tinitingnan natin kung ano ang dapat agad nating gawin,"
Agriculture Undersecretary Ariel Ayanan said.

[Translation: We recognize that it has an effect, so we're looking at what we can do to immediately solve it.]

A supposed ₱10 billion fund should be collected from tariffs on imported rice. The rice tariffication law states that this
fund should be used to improve the livelihood of local rice farmers.

Mga magsasaka, lalo raw nabaon sa utang dahil sa Rice Tariffication Law
Setyembre 4, 2019 6:24pm GMT+08:00
Umaaray ang ilang magsasakang Pilipino sa bumagsak umanong presyo ng palay kasabay ng pagpapatupad ng Rice
Tariffication Law.
Ayon sa ulat ni Maki Pulido sa Balitanghali ng GMA News TV nitong Miyerkules, lalong nabaon sa utang ang mga
magsasaka matapos bumaha ng imported na bigas sa bansa.
Sumadsad na raw sa P7 hanggang P8 kada kilo ang bilihan ng palay sa ilang lugar sa Nueva Ecija at Tarlac.
Ang ilang mga nawalan na ng pag-asa sa industriya ng pagsasaka, ibinenta na umano ang kanilang mga bukid.
Hindi naman naniniwala si Senador Cynthia Villar, may-akda ng naturang batas, na bumaba sa ganoong presyo ang
benthan ng palay.
"Siguro dapat 'yung mga naapektuhan ng disaster puntahan niyo na at tulungan niyo para hindi sila salita nang salita na
ang presyo ng palay ay P6, P7, P8," ayon kay Villar.
Giit ng mga magsasaka, dapat suspendihin muna ang pagpapatupad ng Rice Tariffication Law.
Ngunit ayon naman kay Villar, hindi na raw maaaring pigilan ito.
"Wala na tayong choice kasi after 22 years we have to liberalize because that is the agreement with WTO [World Trade
Organization]," ayon sa senadora.
Pebrero 2019 nang pirmahan ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang naturang batas. — Dona Magsino/