IN BRIEF

JV urges Senate probe on BI departure protocols

SENATOR Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito urged the Senate to investigate reports of unprofessionalism and inefficiency in the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) departure protocols and procedures for passengers bound abroad.

Earlier, he filed Senate Resolution No. 560 in response to recent incidents of Filipino travelers missing their flights due to “tedious and unreasonable” departure protocols and procedures.

“The power of the Bureau has been a subject of abuse over the years where there have been previous incidents of its officers subjecting travelers to a tedious and unreasonable departure procedure, causing travelers to miss their flights or their departure deferred by the officer altogether,” he said.

“There is an urgent need to review the processes and departure protocols being implemented by the Bureau for internationalbound passengers to avert similar incidents and to ultimately protect every Filipino citizen’s guaranteed constitutional right to travel,” he added.

Estrada cited a Filipino passenger who recently missed her Israel-bound flight after dealing with lengthy, irrelevant, and unreasonable inquiries from an immigration officer. Macon Ramos-Araneta

Daza to PRC: review your policies on license exams

NORTHERN Samar Rep. Paul Ruiz Daza urged his fellow lawmakers and concerned government departments, specifically the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC), to review its policies on licensure examinations and procedures.

Daza revealed data from the PRC stating that the average passing rate in 36 professions from 2017 to 2022 is only 40.81 percent.

Daza in a privilege speech said he particularly lamented how Certified Public Accountants (CPA), fishery technologists, and agriculturists only have ‘staggeringly low’ 24.36 percent, 33.18 percent and 36.92 percent passing rates, respectively.

President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, with 60 percent approval and 65 percent trust ratings; House Speaker Martin Romualdez, with 60 percent approval and 63 percent trust ratings.

The approval ratings of President Marcos and Vice President Duterte have substantially increased by +5 percentage points since the December 2022 survey. The approval ratings of Zubiri and Romualdez also increased significantly by +4 and +7 percentage points, respectively.

Dr. Paul Martinez, Executive Director of the RPMD, stated that Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) ranked first among Cabinet officials with an outstanding approval rating of 85 percent and a trust rating of 90 percent. The approval and trust ratings for Abalos has increased by +7 percentage points since December 2022.

Accordingly, he clarified that students themselves are not to be blamed. “These board exams are anti-student, anti-poor, and arbitrary.

The students should not be solely blamed for this,” he exclaimed.

Kasalanan po yan ng CHED, PRC, or maybe our society in general. And we need to find solutions.”

Daza explained that there is a need to consider implementing alternative “licensing routes” wherein a professional may acquire a license without taking the exams.

“While it does not stop those who want, and have the privilege, to take such exams, it also provides accessibility to professionals who are hampered from taking exams due to personal, practical, or economic reasons,” Daza said.

The congressman also urged that his fellow legislators and the regulators to recognize the need for such alternatives due to the current living situation of the average Filipino.

Daza asked. “Many of these graduates are from poor and disadvantaged groups and it is truly disheartening that they could not pursue their much-sought profession because they could not pass the board exams.”

One of the alternative licensure paths suggested is through an apprenticeship program.

“Aspiring professionals in a field may instead be allowed to practice their profession under a licensed professional for a significant period, and then be qualified to be licensed pending performance requirements and related training certificates,” Daza stressed. Maricel V. Cruz

Poe bats for Freedom of Information law for PH

Sen, Grace Poe said the government’s overarching goal should be to institutionalize Freedom of Information (FOI), through the creation of an FOI law.

Poe was reacting to a memorandum issued by Malacanang which seeks to add more exceptions to what could be accessed under former President Duterte’s previous executive order on FOI.

“We will continue to push for an FOI law — one that gives more access to information than restrictions,” she said.

She noted that transparency is crucial to accountability. “Without transparency, our people cannot access the information needed to participate in effective governance.”

She also said every Filipino has a right to information of public concern. “This is a sacred element in empowerment and democracy,” Poe said. Macon Ramos-Araneta areas as old geothermal sources start to run out.

President Marcos meanwhile appointed Henry Bensurto Jr. as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Turkiye, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced on Friday.

The PCO said Bensurto’s appointment has concurrent jurisdiction over Georgia and the Republic of Azerbaijan. The President also named key officials for the Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Agriculture, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development; Department of Labor and Employment; and National Security Council.

SUSTAINABLE FASHION SHOW.

Binibining Pilipinas 2023 candidates strut the runway in line with Women's Month and Earth Hour celebrations at a sustainable fashion show at Farmers Plaza in Quezon City. The candidates showcased the creations of 12 local artisans who specialize in unique sustainable designs.

Danny Pata

“We hope we can count on the support of the federation in our efforts to open up the Philippine economy and create more jobs here so that there would be fewer and fewer of our countrymen who will grow up without their father or mother,” he said. Aware of the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on businesses, he said the first bill filed in the House aimed “to provide assistance to distressed businesses.”

The Speaker was referring to House Bill (HB) 1, or GUIDE (Government Financial Unified Initiatives to Distressed Enterprises for Economic Recovery), which has been passed on third and final reading and sent to the Senate. He is the principal author of GUIDE.

Last Tuesday, the House also approved on third and final reading Bill 7363, or the “Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso Act,” which seeks to provide sustainable and collateral-free financing to micro and small enterprises.

“We are also pushing for the creation of the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF). In the House version transmitted to the Senate, businesses can invest in the MIF along with government in viable instruments, with guaranteed dividends, and part of the profits plowed back to strategic government projects,” the Speaker said.

The House is also working for the digitalization of government processes, to make it easier for people and businesses to transact with government, he said.

“We are currently pushing for the amendment of key economic provisions of the Constitution, which we view as restrictive, to make it easier for more businesses to set up shop in the country,” he said.

“These are just some of the initiatives we are undertaking at the House of Representatives.

Make no mistake about it: we are committed to bringing about a brighter future for Filipinos, and provide real, pragmatic solutions to many of the development problems that we face,” the House leader stressed.

He cited the importance of unity in attaining government’s goals and aspirations for the country.

“Indeed, through unity, we can achieve development and prosperity that much faster. This is the same principle that we applied at the House of Representatives to facilitate the passage of landmark measures to hasten economic recovery. Be assured that your representatives know and understand the important role businesses play in sustaining national development,” he said.

He thanked the federation for its barrio schools program.

“The school buildings that you have helped build go a long way toward ensuring that the country can look forward to an educated citizenry. On behalf of the beneficiaries, please accept our gratitude for your commitment and support to Philippine basic education,” he said.