Villar eyes more empowerment for Filipino women

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATOR Cynthia Villar eyes further empowerment of women, stoppage of gender bias and promotion of equality in the community as the country observes National Women’s Month.

“If half of the population of the Philippines are women and contribute to the betterment of the country, it will create a positive impact to our economy,” Villar said.In her inspirational message during the 2023 National Women’s Month Celebration at the Department of Agriculture Compound in Quezon on Monday, Villar underscored the need to empower and equip Filipino women to help us in food security and production.

A known advocate of women’s rights and welfare, Villar noted that when more women work or earn, the economy will grow.

For its celebration, the DA adopted the theme. “We for gender equality and inclusive society” and sub-theme: “Expanded Opportunities for Women Participation, Leadership and Benefits in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), ICT, Infrastructure and Energy”.

Villar said RA No. 6949 declares 8th day of March of every year as a special working holiday to ensure meaningful observance of holiday to all government offices. The senator said heads of government offices shall encourage sufficient time and opportunities for their employees to engage and participate in any activity conducted within the premises of government offices or establishments to celebrate National Women’s Day.

Cyberbullying Law Posting of photos/ videos without the consent of the immigration Personnel is a direct violation of the Data Privacy Act,” the post stated.

Curiously, the prohibition was enforced amid a controversy over long lines in the airport’s the BI area that the state-run Land Bank of the Philippines.

The first type involves ARBs who have Agrarian Reform Receivables Account with the Land Bank and have not paid or have incomplete payments of their amortization on the principal, interests, penalties, and surcharges of their lands under Presidential Decree 27, Republic Act 6657 and its subsequent amendments. This involves 409,206.91 hectares or debt amounting to P14.499 billion to be written off from the books of Land Bank

The other type covers Voluntary Land Transfer Scheme and Direct Payment Scheme as provided by RA 6657, which has 92,824 agrarian reform beneficiaries. The land area covers 178,063.95 hectares amounting to P119.61 million to be paid from Agrarian Reform Fund.

Villar’s bill also seeks to dismiss motu proprio all the cases related to the nonpayment of agrarian reform beneficiaries with the Department of Agrarian Reform and that they will be exempted from the have reportedly caused dozens of travelers to miss their flights.

The Manila Standard tried but failed to get any statement from the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and other pertinent agencies.

“Why not ask BI about it? I am sure they have an explanation to that,” said MIAA chief information officer Connie Bungag.

A Customs official also said “I tend to agree. But I will study it thoroughly because the airport is a public place and we are public officers.”

Over the past days, the BI came under fire from irate air passengers and netizens over the long lines at the Immigration booths, especially at NAIA termi- payment of estate taxes.

The bill reiterates the provision of RA 6657 that the land cannot be sold, transferred, or conveyed within 10 years except through hereditary succession or to the government or the Land Bank of the Philippines or to other qualified beneficiaries through the DAR from the issuance of the Certificate of Land Ownership Award.

Upon approval of the bill, future beneficiaries shall be awarded lands without any additional costs or financial obligations on their part.

Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and Research Office Luis Meinrado Pañgulayan said apart from Senator Cynthia Villar, the co-authors of the bill included Senators Joel Villanueva, Francis Escudero and Imee Marcos.

He added that Senators Nancy Binay, Christopher Lawrence Go, Ronald dela Rosa, Robin Padilla and Loren Legarda moved to co-author Senate Bill No. 1850 or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act.