By Liza Soriano

MANILA — Senator Loren Legarda has expressed her willingness to make changes to the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) projected budget for 2025 to promote tourism infrastructure projects, such as building new roads and bridges that connect the nation’s tourist destinations.

This statement follows the revelation from Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco that no funds have been allocated for new tourist routes in 2025.

Frasco noted that the total funding for the DOT’s Tourism Road Infrastructure Program (TRIP) in collaboration with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was P15.1 billion in 2024. However, for 2025, the budget has been reduced to P6.38 billion, which will only cover ongoing TRIP projects.

Legarda also learned that the DPWH aims to focus on its core mandate due to its limited fiscal space.

“Why are they discriminating against the DOT? If the DOT drives the local and domestic economy, why not? It creates thousands of jobs, etc.,” Legarda questioned during the continuation of the Finance Subcommittee G briefing on the DOT’s proposed P3.394 billion budget on Tuesday (15 Oct 2024).

“So, let’s look into this because I can amend it with a special provision if the Department of Budget and Management allows,” she added.

ia/mnm

By Liza Soriano

MANILA — Senator Loren Legarda spearheaded the inauguration of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) Sculpture Garden, emphasizing the enduring significance of arts and culture in defining the country’s identity.

“In a world dominated by technology and modernization, I firmly believe that arts and culture serve as our compass in preserving the meaningful essence of our identity, history, and societal narratives,” Legarda remarked during the launch event held on April 4.

“Through art, we freely express our critical thinking and aspirations for a more prosperous, peaceful, and equitable future,” she added.

The initiative was jointly undertaken by the Office of Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda and the UPLB administration.

Central to the Sculpture Garden is the Pavilion, envisioned by Architect Bimbo Baltre. The hall will serve as a venue for various events aimed at generating funds for the garden’s maintenance.

Conceived and crafted by renowned installation artist Luis “Junyee” Yee, Jr., the garden stands as a testament to artistic creativity and cultural appreciation.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Liza Soriano

MANILA — Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda introduced a resolution on Wednesday (21 Feb 2024) calling for a Senate investigation into the landslide that occurred in Maco, Davao de Oro, resulting in the loss of nearly 100 lives.

In Senate Resolution No. 930, Legarda emphasized the need for the relevant Senate committee to probe the tragic event that unfolded in Barangay Masara on February 6.

The resolution underscores that the area had been designated as a “No Build Zone” by the local government, following reports from the Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau indicating the fragility of the soil and its location atop the Philippine fault line.

Notably, similar landslides had occurred in the area in 2007 and 2008.

Legarda stressed that the proposed hearing aims to ascertain any lapses on the part of concerned agencies that may have contributed to the disaster.

Prior to this, Representative Erwin Tulfo had also called for an investigation into the incident.

(El Amigo/MNM)

By Liza Soriano

MANILA — Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda underscores the importance of safeguarding indigenous languages and characterizes the exhibitions as a wake-up call to raise public awareness about the critically endangered status of these languages.

“Enhancing awareness alone is not enough to address this issue. It presents a significant challenge to government agencies like the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF), which must develop programs to revitalize endangered languages,” Legarda stated.

“I also challenge communities, especially our elders and culture bearers, to revitalize their languages. It is crucial to pass down their languages and knowledge to the next generation to prevent their disappearance,” she added.

Arta, the language of the Arta people in Nagtipunan, Quirino, is categorized as “critically endangered,” with only 10 elders proficient in speaking it fluently.

On the other hand, Ayta Magbukun is spoken in 12 communities in Bataan. It belongs to the Malayo-Polynesian subgroup of the Austronesian language family and is also endangered.

(ai/mnm)

By Dang Samson-Garcia

SENATE President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda urged the government to make farm schools accessible to rice farmers.

Legarda stressed the importance of giving the public easy access to farm schools.

She made the suggestion after asking the Department of Agriculture how the local government units train farmers.

The DA said there are 681 farm schools nationwide accredited by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Legarda said the law provides that farmers need training and capacity building.

By Dang Samson Garcia

SENATE President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda called on the Commission on Higher Education to ensure that all State Universities and Colleges followed the provision on the Higher Education Act on the establishment of Centers for Excellence.

Legarda said that one of the provisions of Republic Act 7722 or the Higher Education Act is the establishment of centers of excellence in program areas needed for the development of world-class scholarship, nation building and national development.

The senator asked Dr. Tirso Ronquillo, president of the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges, whether that provision has been changed, updated or upgraded and whether all the 114 SUCs have centers of excellence.

“I would also like to know not just the name of the center of excellence or the discipline or the study, but what kind of standards of excellence would merit a center of excellence?” Legarda asked.

The senator was informed that a number of SUCs have established centers of excellence.

However, CHED Executive Director Cinderella Filipina Benitez-Jaro said the guidelines are being revised.

By Dang Samson Garcia

SENATOR Loren Legarda filed a measure that seeks to include Jose Rizal as a naturalist and medical doctor in the teaching of Rizal lessons in all levels.

Senate Bill 2430 aims to amend Republic Act 1425 or The Rizal Law.

Legarda said that the Rizal law, which was passed in 1956, helped students appreciate Rizal more.

However, since lessons are mostly focused in his two novels— El Filibusterismo and Noli Me Tangere — the other aspects of the hero’s life and work have been little studied and even less appreciated.

Legarda said that recent innovations in communication and the participation of the creative industries in the dissemination of the life and works of the country’s hero have bolstered the nation’s appreciation of Rizal.

Thus, the senator said a renewed interest in Jose Rizal and his imagining of a great Filipino nation is needed and government support for such studies and teaching is long overdue.