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The Philippines, often hailed as one the most gender-equal countries in the world, placed 17th out of 156 countries in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2021. In the Asia-Pacific region, the Philippines came in second only to New Zealand, which ranked fourth globally.听听

The report doesn鈥檛 paint the whole picture, said Nathalie Africa-Verceles, director of the Center for Women and Gender Studies at the University of the Philippines.听In this B-Side episode, Ms. Africa-Verceles speaks with Gillian M. Cortez (who was a reporter for听大象传媒听at the time of the interview) about contradictions between Philippine culture and Philippine laws, in terms of gender equality.听

TAKEAWAYS听听

GENDER EQUALITY INCLUDES LGBTQ+ RIGHTS.听

鈥淭here are still many laws that need to be enacted and still many provisions of existing laws that need to be revised because there are provisions in existing laws that are discriminatory to women. But when we talk about gender, we don鈥檛 only refer to women,鈥澨齭aid听Ms. Africa-Verceles, emphasizing that gender equality includes the rights of the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and/or Questioning) community.听

Congress, she added, should prioritize passing the SOGIE (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression) Equality Bill.听鈥淚鈥檓 very disappointed it鈥檚 taking so long.鈥�听

THE WORKPLACE听SHOULD PROMOTE DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION.听

Employers have seen the necessity to include measures that encourage diversity in the workplace, said Ms. Africa-Verceles. Weaving in measures that call for inclusivity with current worker-centered practices will ensure the security of employees from experiencing discrimination at work.听听

鈥淭here will听always听be women and gender-diverse听individuals听in your organizations so you听need听to听ensure that they do not experience discrimination, marginalization, or subordination… that is the mandate of any decent听organization,鈥� she said.听

ENCOURAGE CRITICAL THINKING AT A YOUNG AGE.听

Families and schools are crucial to听the advancement of听gender equality.听Children who are encouraged to think critically听will be able to discern听unacceptable gender stereotypes and expectations听that听have been embedded in听literary and artistic听canons, pop culture, and media.听

鈥淲hat I would like to see us doing in our families and in our schools is raising the critical awareness of children and other individuals with respect to all these constructed notions of masculinity and femininity,鈥� she said.听听

鈥淲hat we want to do is to raise a generation that knows how to critique the gender norms and stereotypes听鈥μ齜ecause if you think critically, no matter what happens in your society, you鈥檙e not going to accept it just like that because you鈥檙e able to analyze.鈥�听

听

This B-Side episode was recorded remotely on May 18. Produced by Paolo L. Lopez听and Sam L. Marcelo.

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Based on a memorandum addressed to Labor Undersecretary Bernard P. Olalia dated May 27 that was made public, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello ordered the suspension due to 鈥渞eports that departing OFWs are being required by their employers/foreign recruitment agencies to shoulder the costs of the health and safety protocol for COVID-19 and insurance coverage premium upon their entry in the Kingdom (of Saudi Arabia).鈥�

The suspension of deployment is effective immediately and will be in place until further notice.

In a press briefing on Friday, the DOLE said that recruiters and employers requiring the OFWs to pay for their insurance premiums and health protocols violates the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration鈥檚 Memorandum Circular No. 1 series of 2021 which mandates that recruitment agencies and principals/employers of the OFWs should spend for these requirements.

The abrupt deployment suspension resulted in hundreds of OFWs who were en route to Saudi Arabia finding themselves stranded at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1. Over 400 OFWs were not allowed to board their flights on Friday DOLE reported.

At the same briefing, Mr. Olalia said that the department is working to provide a resolution to the issue and is asking for clarification from Saudi Arabian authorities regarding the conflicting guidelines.

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Friday said it 鈥渞egrets鈥� that it could not accommodate 282 passengers who were supposed to board a flight from Manila to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

PAL said in a statement that it 鈥渄id not receive official advice from the Philippine government regarding the prohibition on the entry into Saudi Arabia until further notice.鈥� — Gillian M. Cortez

This is the first time that the number of active cases breached the 8,000 mark since May 1.

In a statement released on Friday, the health department reported 8,748 additional positive cases of COVID-19. This brings the total case tally since the pandemic started to 1,209,154.

Of the 53,770 active cases, 93.2% were classified as mild while 2.2% were asymptomatic, 1.8% were severe, 1.4% were critical, and 1.3% were moderate cases, the DoH reported.

It also said that 3,017 people have recovered from the disease, bringing the total number of recoveries to 1,134,818. There were also 187 new deaths, bringing the total death tally to 20,566 since the pandemic started.

Across the country, 59% of ICU beds are being utilized while 48% of ward beds are occupied, as are 46% of isolation beds. Thirty-seven percent of ventilators in the country are currently in use. — Gillian M. Cortez

In a hearing on Friday, the House Committee on Appropriations approved the unnumbered bill that will consolidate House Bills 9196 and 9356 subject to style. The proposed law called for the extension on the release, obligation, and disbursement of funds under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, informally known as Bayanihan 2.

The P165-billion economic relief fund was signed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Sept. 11, 2020 and was initially set to expire on Dec. 20, 2020. Through the legislation, the appropriations were then extended until June 30, 2021.

鈥凄espite the best efforts to complete each program and initiatives to help the Filipino people rise above the adversity brought about the pandemic, the government finds it difficult to finish the disbursement of the allocated funds to all the beneficiaries until June 30, 2021,鈥� said ACR-CIS Rep. Rowena Ni帽a O. Taduran when she sponsored the measures during the hearing.

The Department of Budget and Management said at the hearing that all the funds under Bayanihan 2 have been remitted to the respective government agencies. Obligation and disbursement of the appropriations are on the part of the government agencies that received the funding.

With the proposed second extension, lawmakers wanted an assurance from all government agencies implementing programs under the Bayanihan 2 that extending the deadline to December 2021 will be long enough for them to finish all of their obligations. The agencies that attended the hearing all said that the December timeline will be sufficient to accomplish this.

APEC Party-list Rep. Sergio C. Dagooc said in the hearing that 鈥渢he problems in the first extension would not happen in the second extension鈥� once Congress passes the bill. — Gillian M. Cortez

In a statement听released听on Friday, the DOST said that it听鈥�approved seven new research and development (R&D) centers in the countryside through the Niche Centers in the Regions for R&D (NICER) Program.鈥�听NICER is a sub-program under the agency鈥�s Science for Change Program (S4CP) which aims to increase investment in R&D to boost the country鈥�s innovation in the science and technology sector.听

The听recipients will receive a total of P540,497,681.20.听

The R&D center recipients and their respective funding allocations are the following:听听

1. The Center for Vector of Diseases established by the De La Salle University-Laguna,听P26.5 million听
2. The Center for Advanced Batteries created by the Technological Institute of the Philippines in collaboration with the University of the Philippines-Diliman (UP听Diliman),听P142.9 million听
3. The Center for Sustainable Polymers led by the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology,听P107.8 million听
4. The Smart Water Infrastructure and Management R&D Center created by the Isabela State University in collaboration with Cagayan State University and Quirino State University,听P77.2 million听
5. The Coastal Engineering R&D (CoastER) Center led by Mariano Marcos State University with听UP Diliman听and Don Mariano Marcos State University,听P79.9 million听
6. The Center for Lakes Sustainable Development will be established under the leadership of the Laguna State Polytechnic University in collaboration with听UP Diliman,听P53.2 million听
7. The Center for Environmental Technologies and Compliance will be established under the leadership of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in collaboration with听UP Diliman听and Adamson University, P53.3 million.

Science and technology Secretary Fortunato T. dela Pe帽a said in a statement on Friday,听鈥凄OST-S4CP in funding R&D Centers, capacitates the regions to become innovation hubs…听By supporting R&D, we serve the academe, the local industry, and,听in turn, the country due to the entrepreneurial advancement provided to the local community.鈥�听

Science and technology Undersecretary for R&D Rowena Cristina L. Guevara also said in a statement that the S4CP听鈥�is a means to proportionately spread funding across all regions for capacity-building initiatives and securing partnerships across academia and industry members.鈥�听听

There are 35 R&D centers in all 17 regions听of the country听under the NICER听program,听with听total funding of P1.7 billion. — Gillian M. Cortez听

In plenary session late Wednesday, legislators approved House Bill 9343 or the proposed Capital Market Development Act. The measure was elevated by Committee on Banks and Financial Intermediaries Chairman and Quirino Rep. Junie E. Cua to the floor on May 17.

鈥淗ouse Bill 9343 is approved on second reading,鈥� Valenzuela Rep.听Weslie T. Gatchalian, sitting as deputy speaker, said.

The proposed law seeks to broaden the capital markets by addressing deficiencies in the current pension system. The bill hopes to make pensions 鈥渇ully-funded, portable, more actuarially fair, and stable.鈥�

Workers will be required to have an听Employee Pension and Retirement Income (EPRI) Account which they will maintain regardless of job changes. Both the employer and employee are required to contribute to the EPRI account, with employers initially contributing 4% and employees earning above minimum wage 1%. Those at minimum wage or lower pay nothing.

Micro enterprises only contribute to EPRI accounts if the employees have at least three years鈥� service or if a new hire has an EPRI account.

Account holders will have the option to invest in听accredited investment products. In the event no investment choice is indicated, regulators will designate a default investment product or products. An investment manager may be appointed by the EPRI account owner to guide the worker in making investment decisions.

The measure also calls for the establishment of the Capital Market Development Council to steer the reform of the pension system and promote investor confidence and financial literacy.

Economic managers have expressed support for the bill, describing as limited the current law governing pensions, the听Retirement Pay Law. 鈥� Gillian M. Cortez

In POEA Advisory No. 62, the agency said the new deadline is now June 20. The advisory applies to Philippine Recruitment Agencies (PRAs) and Licensed Manning Agencies (LMAs), which must report to the Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Welfare Monitoring System (OWMS).

鈥淚n view of the continuous requests received from the PRAs, LMAs, and industry organizations and associations, the deadline to create and/or update the welfare records in the OWMS of all OFWs onsite (workers) and seafarers onboard is hereby further extended until 20 June 2021,鈥� according to the advisory.

The first deadline extension lapsed on April 30. The original deadline was March 31.

Submission of OFW welfare monitoring reports is required under the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995.
The POEA said failure to submit the reports will trigger possible administrative sanctions. 鈥� Gillian M. Cortez

鈥淭here is no victory to be celebrated by anyone. If anything, it should remind some not to waste our time and resources for narrow parochial selfish gains,鈥� Mr. Leonen said in an e-mailed statement on Thursday.

鈥淎 dismissal on the basis of the mere face of the impeachment complaint affirms the baselessness of the grounds raised. It is an act that powerfully speaks for itself,鈥� he added.

Mr. Leonen said the country鈥檚 leaders will eventually see the motives of those who filed the complaint and 鈥�(a)t the right time, they will do the right thing.鈥�

He also told 鈥渢he prime movers of this baseless complaint and those who have supported them鈥� that he wishes them well, 鈥渁nd I wish that you will also find your own peace.鈥�

The complaint was filed in Dec. 2020 by Edwin M. Cordevilla, secretary-general of the Filipino League of Advocates for Good Government. It was endorsed by House Speaker Lord Allan Jay Q. Velasco in March.

The House of Representatives dismissed the complaint for lack of authentic and verified documents supporting his alleged violations of the Constitution.

The complaint alleged that Mr. Leonen violated the 1987 Constitution by failing to submit his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) when he was with the University of the Philippines, and for his slow disposal of cases before the Supreme Court.

Deputy Speaker Rufus R. Rodriguez, during his manifestation on Thursday, said the complaint lacked the authenticated documents that are meant to determine its sufficiency in form. Most of the documents submitted were published newspaper articles.

鈥淭he complaint is beyond verifying because they are all hearsay. All of the documents are hearsay. All the attached in annexes are hearsay,鈥� Mr. Rodriguez said.

Albay Rep. Edcel C. Lagman, for his part, said the supposed violations relating to the filing of SALNs cannot be impeachable as the allegations happened before Mr. Leonen鈥檚 appointment to the Supreme Court.

鈥淕ranting if this is true, it cannot be a ground for impeachment for the following reasons: one, the alleged failure was before Justice Leonen was appointed as Associate Justice in 2012. An impeachable incumbent official should be impeached for offenses done during his incumbency,鈥� he said. 鈥� Bianca Angelica D. A帽ago and Gillian M. Cortez

THE HOUSE of Representatives on Tuesday evening approved on second reading the proposed P401-billion economic stimulus measure, which seeks to drive recovery with additional support for pandemic-hit businesses and families.

House Bill No. 9411 or the Bayanihan to Arise as One Act (Bayanihan III) was passed by lawmakers via viva voce voting.

AMBIS-OWA Party-list Rep. Sharon Garin told reporters on Wednesday that there is a rush to pass the third stimulus bill on final reading before Congress鈥� sine die adjournment on June 4.

鈥淵esterday we did some…amendments by substitution… Rightfully so, maa-approve siya (the bill will be approved) before we adjourn next week,鈥� she added.

Since it is not certified by Malaca帽ang as urgent, Bayanihan III can only be approved on third and final reading next week. Under the Congress鈥� rules, a bill can only be passed on third reading three session days after it was approved on second reading.

As of Wednesday, there are 297 members of the House who signed to be the authors of the measure.

Ms. Garin said the stimulus fund鈥檚 amount was adjusted to P401 billion from P405.6 billion, to reflect the priority programs.

However, Bayanihan III still lacks a certification from the Treasury that funds are available for its implementation. This is a requirement for special appropriations bills on Section 25 of the 1987 Constitution.

While the Senate and the Executive department are hesitant to support the stimulus measure, Ms. Garin said their concern over funding sources can be further discussed.

鈥淲e continue our dialogue with (National Treasurer Rosalia V. de Leon), to (Finance) Secretary (Carlos G. Dominguez III)鈥� we continue. The communication is regular…kahit hindi pa tapos 鈥檡an (even if we are still not finished with the talks) we are in the opinion that we do need this now and we are passing this kasi kailangan talaga natin (because we really need it),鈥� she said.

Lawmakers earlier identified the bill鈥檚 potential funding sources such as the realignment of the 2019 and 2020 national budgets; expanding the minimum required remittances of government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs); and giving the President the authority to withdraw capital from overcapitalized GOCCs, among others.

The main feature of Bayanihan III is the 鈥淎yuda (aid) for All鈥� which will provide P2,000 for all Filipinos regardless of social status, given out in two tranches.听

鈥淲e decided to prioritize ayuda for all… and additional ayuda according to need,鈥� Marikina Representative and the bill鈥檚 primary author Stella Luz A. Quimbo said.

Bayanihan III will also provide assistance for workers and businesses affected by the lockdowns; areas affected by disasters; fund pensions of military personnel; and other critical sectors affected by the ongoing crisis. It also includes additional allocations for cooperatives and higher education.

The Philippines remains in a recession, after gross domestic product (GDP) fell by an annual 4.2% in the first quarter of 2021.

The worse-than-expected first-quarter GDP, coupled with the spike in COVID-19 cases and lockdown restrictions in late March to April, prompted the government to slash its growth targets to 6-7% from 6.5-7.5% penciled in last December 2020.

However, this was still an improvement from the record 9.6% contraction in 2020. 鈥� GMC

Congressmen will amend the three-decade-old Charter by inserting鈥� the phrase 鈥渦nless otherwise provided by law鈥� in clauses that limit foreign ownership in some sectors.

This will give lawmakers the leeway to pass laws that will lift the Charter change (Cha-cha) limits.

The House committee on constitutional amendments endorsed the measure in plenary in January. Congressmen have prioritized idebates on the measure since sessions resumed on May 17 after a two-month recess. 鈥� Gillian M. Cortez

Local authorities would keep watching the geopolitical situation in Israel and Gaza before sending more workers, Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III told an online news briefing on Wednesday.

鈥淚f the situation gets better, let us start processing,鈥� he said.

The agency may start deploying Filipino workers to Israel starting next month, Mr. Bello said. About 400 workers were supposed to be deployed to Israel this month.

鈥淕ive it another two to three weeks,鈥� he said, adding that the government would like to see if Israel鈥檚 ceasefire deal with Palestinians would be followed.

Israel and Hamas both claimed victory last week after they ended 11 days of fighting where more than 200 people died and caused widespread destruction in the Gaza Strip, Reuters reported.

Humanitarian officials said the damage to Gaza would take years to rebuild, according to the news wire.

Palestinian officials put the rebuilding costs at tens of millions of dollars, while economists said the fighting could curb Israel鈥檚 economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, Reuters said.

Hamas, the Islamic militant group that seeks to destroy Israel, needs to rebuild a territory that is already suffering from poverty, widespread job loss and a raging coronavirus pandemic.

Mr. Bello said the situation seems to have improved after the ceasefire.

The Labor department imposed the deployment ban last week, which the presidential palace backed. No Filipino death had been reported, he added. 鈥� Gillian M. Cortez

On Wednesday, AAMBIS-OWA Party-list Rep. Sharon S. Garin said legislators recently met with the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council on the three measures, all certified by President Rodrigo R. Duterte as urgent.

The House versions of the amendment bills have been approved on third reading while the Senate is still deliberating its own bills seeking to amend the Public Service Act and the Foreign Investments Act.

Ms. Garin said while discussions on the Foreign Investments bill at the Senate have been promising, the PSA amendments have fallen behind in the approval process.

鈥淭he Foreign Investments Act鈥� is going along. It has a good chance na matatapos siya (to be finished) before the break. 鈥榊ung Public Services Act, medyo complicated 鈥榶un (that is a bit more complicated). I don鈥檛 know if they can finish but they are trying,鈥� she said.

Ms. Garin said the Senate and the House of Representatives will begin the bicameral conference for the Retail Trade amendment bill soon. The Senate approved its bill earlier this month.

Congress will go on sine die adjournment on June 2.

Ms. Garin said that the proposed Bayanihan to Arise as One Act, known informally as the Bayanihan III stimulus package, is not deemed a priority measure.

鈥淏ayanihan III is not in their priority of the executive. It is a priority of the House and then eventually the Senate,鈥� she said, adding that the three investment-liberalization bills are the top priority for the executive.

The House of Representatives has approved the Bayanihan III bill on second reading. 鈥� Gillian M. Cortez听

At a House hearing Tuesday, Information and Communications Undersecretary Emmanuel Rey R. Caintic said the SUF was on the DICT鈥檚 wish list when legislators were discussing the proposed third Bayanihan economic stimulus package. The DICT said the fee can only be imposed by law. The funding generated by the fee will allow more fiber connectivity in remote areas.

鈥淚f you will allow us… (to unlock the) spectrum users fee, we will be able to invest in digital infrastructure鈥� so that it is sustainable, economical, and better,鈥� he said, in response to Catanduanes听Rep. Hector S. Sanchez鈥檚 question on the DICT鈥檚 plan to 鈥渇iberize鈥� the telecom infrastructure.

The House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability was holding the hearing Tuesday to debate House Resolution No.听1751, investigating irregularities in the implementation of the free public Wi-Fi program.

The DICT said the program has enabled up to 6,000 communities along the so-called last mile to access free internet services.

Mr. Caintic said the free Wi-Fi roll-out was carried out in partnership with the听United Nations Development Program. It has led to the activation of 9,122 sites. Mr. Caintic said in 2021, more sites will be set up and funds are available to establish 14,000 more. 鈥� Gillian M. Cortez

Voting 192 to 34 with four abstentions, legislators approved House Bill 9007, or the proposed听Non- Combustible Nicotine Delivery Systems Regulation Act. The bill sets regulations for the manufacture, use, sale, packaging, distribution, advertisement, and promotion of electronic nicotine and non-nicotine delivery systems (ENDS/ENNDS) and heated tobacco products (HTPs).

If signed, the bill will also set product standards for ENDS/ENNDS which will be determined by the Department of Trade and Industry in consultation with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It will also outline standards for HTPs as identified by the DTI in consultation with the Inter-Agency Committee on Tobacco.

Penalties for noncompliance are capped at P500,000 for a first offense and P750,000 for a second offense. Third offenses warrant a fine of more than P1 million or imprisonment of up to five years.

The bill will also lower the minimum age for persons allowed to purchase from 21 years to 18 years.

The bill will allow the online sale and advertisement of ENDS/ENNDS and HTPs as long as the website or e-commerce platform restricts sales to those under 18.

The head of the House health committee opposed the passage of HB 9007, claiming that the health safeguards are too lax.

Quezon Rep. Angelina DL Tan said in explaining her No vote that 鈥淚 cannot in any manner support House Bill No. 9007… as it pretends to be a health measure for all when if in fact gives primordial consideration to trade and commercial interests of the few.鈥�

She added that the bill runs afoul of various health laws since it does not require warnings on the possible hazards of ENDS/ENDDS and HTP use.

Muntinlupa Rep. Rozzano Rufino B. Biazon said in explaining his No vote that HB 9007 has put some distance on its original intent as a health measure and lacks teeth in denying young people access to such products.

鈥淭his bill has turned into a trade and industry measure rather than a health measure as we started out. This bill does not protect the youth from the harm of END/ENNDS abuse addiction and as well as the vapes and HTPs because of the permissiveness of the online trading and advertising rules, which IT experts said cannot guarantee the protection of the youth from access,鈥� he said.

Agusan del Norte Rep. Lawrence H. Fortun said that the bill also deleted crucial provisions such as designating the FDA as the regulatory agency for e-cigarettes and prohibition of advertising methods attractive to children. 鈥� Gillian M. Cortez

Late Monday, House legislators approved a motion to concur with the Senate鈥檚 version of the measure,听adopting Senate Bill (SB)听2208. The bill鈥檚 House counterpart is House Bill (HB)听7068, which proposes to extend the estate tax amnesty by another two years.

鈥淲e have been informed that the Committee on Ways and Means, sponsor of House Bill No. 7068, as well as the authors thereof, are in concurrence with the provisions of Senate Bill No. 2208. In accordance with our rules, I move to adopt Senate Bill No. 2208 as an amendment to House Bill No. 7068,鈥� Iloilo City Rep. Lorenz R. Defensor said at the plenary session Monday.

With the House adopting the measure, there will be听no need for a bicameral meeting on the bill and the bill will be transmitted to the President, skipping a potentially time-consuming stage before Congress adjourns on June 4.

The Senate approved SB 2208 on third and final reading on Monday afternoon. HB 7058 was approved in September.

If signed, the proposed law will amend Republic Act (RA) No. 11213 or the Tax Amnesty Act of 2019, which was set to expire on June 15.

The bill amends the expiration provision to 鈥渇our years听from the effectivity of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of this Act鈥� from the original two years provided for in RA 11213.听This will move the expiration date for amnesty applications to June 14, 2023. 鈥� Gillian M. Cortez

The House Committee on Legislative Franchises on Monday approved House bills 9367 and 9313, which grant the franchise of Maynilad and Manila Water, respectively. The panel voted 23-2 for Manila Water and 19-2 for Maynilad.

If legislated, the bills will extend the authority of Maynilad and Manila Water to establish, operate, and maintain waterworks and sewerage in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani T. Zarate opposed the speedy grant of the franchise at committee level, adding that the bills were approved before thorough discussions on amendments were made and before crucial stakeholders have yet to air their issues.

He added that the importance of the presence of representatives from Department of Finance, Department of Justice (DoJ), and the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel who did not appear in the hearing. The said departments were involved in the water concession negotiations with the two water service providers.

鈥淭his happened even when the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System-Corporate Office (MWSS-CO) had raised issues on the bills, and, the amendments being proposed by the sponsors have yet to be fully discussed,鈥� he said in a statement on Monday.

鈥淩epresentatives from the Office of the President should have been invited to discuss the implications of the revised concessionaire agreements between the Duterte administration and the two (2) water concessionaires. We have yet to fully scrutinize the texts and annexes of the new deals and if they are detrimental to Filipino consumers,鈥� he added.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte first offered the two concessionaires new contracts last year after the DoJ found onerous provisions in the original concession agreements, which was blamed for high water rates. The same department was also tasked to draft the new contracts, which were signed by Manila Water and Maynilad this year. 鈥� Gillian M. Cortez

On Monday, the House Committee on Trade Industry approved an unnumbered substitute bill to House Bill 1833 or the proposed Philippine Motor Vehicle Manufacturing Industry Act.听

鈥淭here is a motion (to approve) the substitute bill, duly seconded and there being no objection, the motion is approved,鈥� according to Navotas City Rep.听John Reynald M. Tiangco, the committee鈥檚 chairman.

The bill authorizes three-year planning for the industry, culminating in a document known as the National Motor Vehicle Manufacturing Development Plan, to be prepared by the Board of Investments (BoI).

Quezon City Rep. Jesus C. Suntay, headed of the technical working group that evaluated the bill, said the measure hopes to build up the domestic open industry to the point where it is integrated with the global auto industry.

鈥淭he objective of the bill is first to develop a comprehensive policy that will accelerate the sound development of the Philippine motor vehicle manufacturing industry thereby contributing to capital formation, technology transfer, technical skills development and employment generation,鈥� Mr. Suntay said at the hearing.

The bill also provides for investment incentives for motor vehicle manufacturers registered with the BoI such as income tax holidays, deductions for training expenses, and the opportunity to carry over net operating losses, among others. 鈥� Gillian M. Cortez

Legislators sponsored the measure to the House floor late Monday, after the measure was approved jointly by the听House Committees on Economic Affairs and Social Services that morning.

鈥淚听appeal to the members of Congress (to) pass this swiftly because this is what we see that our people need,鈥� AAMBIS-OWA Party-list Rep. Sharon S. Garin said during her sponsorship speech.

Congress resumed session on May 17, naming the passage of Bayanihan III as a top priority for approval before sine die adjournment on June 2. As of Monday, the bill has the support of 293 of the 300 members of the House of Representatives, who had signed on as co-authors.

Marikina City Rep. Stella Luz A. Quimbo, the bill鈥檚 original author, said during her plenary sponsorship,听鈥淚 speak for all the authors of this measure when I declare our听main objectives: We want the poor to have food on their tables and money in their pockets. We want businesses to survive. We want government to have the needed听power to control the spread of COVID and achieve herd immunity. We want the most听critically impacted sectors to arise, and with their contributions, along with our collective will and dynamism as a people, re-engage the engines of the national听economy. Inclusiveness is the only path to true recovery.鈥�

The bill contemplates giving out P1,000 each to the entire population of 108 million, regardless of social class or standing.

The bill will also seek to provide relief for workers displaced due to the pandemic; businesses whose operations were impacted by the economic downturn; areas hit by disasters; and allowances and aid for critical sectors affected by current restrictions on business operations.

Albay Rep. Jose Ma. Clemente S. Salceda said the bill can be funded.

鈥淔irst, Bayanihan III already meets the constitutional requirement that the proposal be supported听by funds to be raised by revenue proposed in the same bill. The question of presentation of听certification of availability of funds is superfluous because the proposal meets the condition that a special appropriations bill be supported 鈥榖y funds 鈥� to be raised by a corresponding听revenue proposed therein,鈥欌�� he said during his sponsorship speech to the plenary.

These funding sources include provisional advances by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to the听National Government not exceeding 10% of the average income of the government between 2018 and 2020; expanding the minimum required remittances of government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs); and giving the President the authority to withdraw capital from GOCCs.

Ms. Quimbo said in a briefing Monday that the bill will also reallocate funds from the 2020 and 2021 national budgets but will not touch those on projects that are being implemented or have logged significant work in progress.

鈥淲e will realign funds from those that are not essential spending items such as discretionary travel,鈥� she said, noting that one of the guiding principes is 鈥渘ot discontinue programs that are already fully implemented.鈥�

The bill will also direct the National Economic Development Authority to create a long-term plan to develop economic resilience to prepare the economy for any future crisis. 鈥� Gillian M. Cortez

In a statement on Sunday, Probinsyano Ako Partylist Rep. Jose C. Singson, Jr. said household helpers need 鈥渋mmediate protection鈥� and called on the national task force managing the COVID-19 response to consider their addition in the A4 vaccination category.

鈥淚 can鈥檛 see any valid justification to exclude kasambahays in the vaccine priority list.听 If we want families that do not go outside their homes safe from the virus, we should also have our kasambahays inoculated the soonest possible time like all other workers tagged as essential or frontline,鈥� he said.

Mr. Singson cited that Republic Act No. 10361 or the Domestic Workers Act mandates employers to safeguard the health and security of the household helper.

There are about 1.4 million kasambahays in the country as of Oct. 2020, based on data from the Labor department and the Philippine Statistics Authority. 鈥� Gillian M. Cortez

Blackboard Asia Regional Vice President Philip Murray, in a virtual event last week, said the main focus has been accommodating students鈥� learning needs in what is now the new normal, but younger people tend to adapt faster to digitalized learning than educators.

鈥淭hey (teachers) have been asked to make very rapid change from being traditional or conventional decorum of teaching鈥� but (now) they have to learn a lot of new skills,鈥� he said.

鈥淢any teachers have taught the same way for some years and they are a bit concerned with how this new world might look like, will their teaching methods have value and of course they will. But then again, it鈥檚 looking at other resources available that will help them,鈥� he added.

He said their company provides the Blackboard Learning Management System, wherein the programs are designed to be easy for educators.

鈥淭hat is where a lot of our programs especially the digital teaching and learning series have helped remove a lot of fear that faculty have had in making that change,鈥� he said.

Over 150 million users from 80 countries have utilized tools operated by Blackboard that are offered by institutions as part of their remote learning platforms. 鈥� Gillian M. Cortez

At a House hearing Wednesday,听Labor Undersecretary Ana C. Dione said the department supports the听unnumbered substitute bill that will establish a National Unemployment Insurance Program. However, she added that requirements for workers to qualify for unemployment insurance should be less stringent.

鈥淲e support the bill but we have a听suggestion on eligibility to reduce the requirements,鈥� she said, adding that retrenched persons need to more easily avail of the benefits.

Ms. Dione said the current bill requires workers to undergo job counselling provided by the program or its accredited partners in order to be eligible for unemployment benefits.

Marikina City Rep. Stella Luz A. Quimbo, author of the bill, said: 鈥淚 agree 100% maybe it is onerous (what the employee) has undergone.鈥� She added that applicants might instead provide proof that they have started job counselling or produce a certificate stating that they are willing to undergo counselling.

The House Subcommittee on Employment on Wednesday approved the substitute bill, subject to style and amendments. It will next face the subcommittee鈥檚 mother panel, the House Committee on Labor and Employment.

The proposed unemployment insurance program aims to provide lost-income protection for workers involuntarily separated from employment. The bill also proposes to create the Philippine Job Insurance Corp. , which will oversee the viability and implementation of the program. 鈥� Gillian M. Cortez

In a statement Thursday, Mr. Bello said, 鈥淭he processing of those who already qualified continues. We are merely suspending their actual departure while the tensions are still high.鈥�

The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) had said earlier that deployment of workers, especially caregivers and healthcare workers, to Israel will continue for work sites that are deemed safe.

Mr. Bello called on caregivers and healthcare workers set to work in Israel to delay their flights. He added, 鈥淚t will just be a few days of delay. We just want to be sure they will be safe.鈥�

He said deployments to Israel are not yet banned outright.

Almost 30,000 overseas Filipino workers reside in Israel, with DoLE estimating that around 300 live in areas subject to Palestinian rocket attack. 鈥� Gillian M. Cortez

On Wednesday, Nestl茅 and TESDA signed a memorandum of agreement for an initiative called the Coffee Production Level II Program and Scholarship, a 176-hour certification course offered to coffee farmers in Bukidnon and Sultan Kudarat, which produce 80% of the country鈥簊 Robusta beans. The program also hopes to aid indigenous people (IP).

During the signing on Wednesday, Nestl茅 Philippines CEO Kais Marzouki said: 鈥淲e are grateful to be working with TESDA to promote entrepreneurship in the agriculture sector and enhance the competencies of the farmers.鈥�

The program also aims to boost the supply of Robusta coffee which had been declining for years before a recent improvement.

鈥淲e will enable the farmers and our IP coffee growers to produce quality beans that are at par with the standards of Nestl茅 Philippines. We will also be able to help them increase their yields and pursue a more sustainable livelihood. This partnership will scale the impact of the work we do in TESDA for the farmers and IPs,鈥� TESDA Director-General Isidro S. Lape帽a said in a statement Wednesday.

TESDA Deputy Director General Lina C. Sarmiento said the program will accommodate an initial 400 scholars at a cost of P5.1 million.听She added coffee agronomists, technicians, and others will be trained as trainers for the program.

鈥淭ESDA has allocated 200 training slots for farmer beneficiaries at the Bukidnon Integrated Coffee Center… In Sultan Kudarat, 200 farmer scholars from five key coffee communities in the municipalities of Esperanza and Kalamansig will also be trained in听Coffee Production Level II,鈥� she said. 鈥� Gillian M. Cortez

Speaker Lord Allan Jay Q. Velasco said in a statement Thursday that he received a letter from PRC Chairman Teofilo S. Pilando, Jr. agreeing to such a scheme.

Mr. Pilando was quoted as saying, 鈥淪hould (nursing graduates) be employed as nurse attendants or aides, they should be under the supervision of a registered nurse.鈥�

Mr. Pilando said such emergency manpower drafts are permitted by听Commission on Higher Education Memorandum Order No. 14, series of 2009.

Mr. Velasco earlier proposed to deploy nursing graduates due to take the May nursing board exams to address hospital staffing issues.

The board exams for the first batch of board examinees was since rescheduled to July 3-4. The second batch schedule was maintained at Nov. 21-22. 鈥� Gillian M. Cortez

ILO Philippines Country Director Khalid Hasan said at a forum Thursday that enterprises surveyed by the ILO in the Philippines which implemented gender diversity initiatives have reported improved performance.

鈥淓ighty-four percent agreed that gender diversity initiatives enhance businesses outcomes. This is significantly higher than the (average) in the Asia Pacific area region which is 68%,鈥� he said.

He added that of those reporting benefits from implementing gender diversity initiatives, 73% noted increased profitability and productivity. Also cited as benefits by over 50% of those surveyed were an improved ability to attract and retain talent; improved innovation and creativity; elevated company reputation; and increased consumer interest.

Asian Development Bank Gender Equity Chief Samantha Hung said at the forum that minimizing the unequal privileges granted to men and women transforms the work environment as well as the broader society.

鈥淲e really need to address a sustainable gender agenda… to really address gender inequality in the workplace which is really about power and in redistributing the power between women and men,鈥� she said.

She added that for the private sector, the bank has introduced policy interventions to address gender gap issues for use by individual human resources departments.

Vice-President Maria Leonor G. Robredo said at the forum that gender equality needs to be a national priority.

鈥淧rogress in workplace culture calls us to examine higher leadership practices to abandon tradition that could prevent othering, discrimination, and sexism in the workplace. This also means standing up to the greater societal pressures and stereotypes that have burdened women and other genders for so long,鈥� she said. 鈥� Gillian M. Cortez

In a virtual briefing on Wednesday, he said lawmakers are committed to speedy deliberations of Resolution of Both Houses No. 2 in the plenary and 鈥渨rap it up by next week.鈥�

The resolution seeks to insert the phrase 鈥渦nless otherwise provided by law鈥� in what are deemed 鈥渞estrictive鈥� economic provisions of the Constitution to open more sectors to foreign investments.

鈥淲hen we go back to normalcy, we would want the business sector to be really up and about and be able to receive foreign investments. When we have more foreign investments then we have more employment to our people and more taxes to our government,鈥� he said.

Mr. Rodriguez also said that even with just nine days left before the Congress鈥� sine die adjournment, the House will ensure the passage of the third Bayanihan bill, which will provide for a P405.6-billion economic stimulus fund if legislated.

鈥淚 am willing to stay on until midnight for the deliberation of this bill. We have to have additional support to our people especially because the pandemic is still ongoing and raging,鈥� he said. 鈥� Gillian M. Cortez

In a hearing Wednesday, the panel approved House Bill 8151, a proposed law to adopt a 30-year National Infrastructure Program.

鈥淭here is a motion to approve, subject to amendments,鈥� the committee鈥檚 chairman, Romblon Rep. Eleandro Jesus F. Madrona, said during the hearing.

The bill was sponsored by its author, CWS Party-list Rep. Romeo S. Momo, who said if passed, it will ensure the continuity of big-ticket projects when governments change.

鈥淭his 30-year infrastructure program will rationalize and interconnect in a seamless manner our six-year medium term and yearly infrastructure programs… the 30-year program will ensure continuity in the development and implementation of infrastructure projects across administrations regardless of changes in national leadership,鈥� he said.

The bill is intended to provide a blueprint for the construction sector, investors, and other stakeholders, providing guidance on the direction of public construction over the next 30 years. 鈥� Gillian M. Cortez

鈥淲ith the arrival of more vaccines in the country, the swift roll out of the vaccine is needed for the efficient administration and prevention of possible expiration of the doses,鈥� reads part of House Bill No. 9354, which will amend the recently enacted Republic Act No. 11525 or the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act.

Under the existing law, those permitted to administer COVID-19 vaccines are duly trained doctors, nurses, pharmacists and midwives.

The government targets to vaccinate around 70% of the 108 million population to develop herd immunity. Around 2.2 million Filipinos have been vaccinated as of Monday since the start of the vaccination drive in March.

The proposal was jointly filed by Representatives Angelina DL Tan, Jose Christopher Y. Belmonte, and Stella Luz A. Quimbo.听鈥� Gillian M. Cortez

Marikina Rep. Stella Luz A. Quimbo filed House Resolutions 1769 and 1770 on Monday. The first urges PhilHealth to settle its balance to hospitals, while the second asks the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability to launch an investigation on the agency鈥檚 expenditures.

鈥淭here is an urgent need to settle payments due to hospitals so as not to further hinder our health system鈥檚 capacity to respond to the ongoing pandemic,鈥� Ms. Quimbo said in HR 1769.

The investigation in aid of legislation will focus on the unpaid benefit claims of healthcare facilities and look into the efficiency of PhilHealth鈥檚 mechanisms in addressing unsettled claims.

Ms. Quimbo, in a privilege speech on Monday, said the measures are urgent as these unpaid claims have reportedly forced private hospitals to cut costs by retrenching personnel and downsizing facilities despite the continued high demand amid the coronavirus crisis. 鈥� Gillian M. Cortez

The cost of damage was estimated at P300,000, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection.

In House Resolution 1768 filed by Quezon City Rep. Jose Christopher Y. Belmonte on Tuesday, the solon urged the Budget department and other pertinent agencies 鈥渢o immediately release funds for the rehabilitation鈥� of the state-run UP-PGH.

Mr. Belmonte also said the inter-agency task force handling the coronavirus response should establish 鈥渟top-gap鈥� measures to help UP-PGH continue providing crucial medical services.

There were no casualties in the fire that broke out in the early hours of May 16 due to faulty electrical wiring.

Medical workers on duty promptly evacuated patients, including several newborns. 鈥� Gillian M. Cortez