By Liza Soriano
MANILA — On Monday, December 9, 2024, the Senate passed on third and final reading the bill recognizing Pampanga as the Culinary Capital of the Philippines.
Senator Mark Villar, sponsor of Senate Bill No. 2797, vowed that Pampanga’s declaration as the country’s food capital is just the first of many efforts by the Senate to recognize and enrich the nation’s culinary treasures.
“This recognition of Pampanga is a way of celebrating its extraordinary influence on Filipino food, while still honoring the cultural diversity that makes our nation’s cuisine so rich and vibrant,” Villar said.
“We will continue to boost our nation’s culinary pride by recognizing Filipino destinations that are significantly contributing to the continuous enrichment and development of Filipino cuisine,” he added.
The bill directs the Department of Tourism to feature and promote Pampanga as the country’s culinary capital in all its regional and national promotion programs.
Senator Lito Lapid, author of the bill, said Pampanga has long been recognized for its exceptional culinary heritage, making it a deserving candidate for the title.
“The culinary arts of Pampanga are not only significant in preserving Filipino culture but are also integral to the country’s tourism industry. The province has become a ‘must-include’ destination in culinary tourism within the Philippines, attracting both local and international tourists who seek to experience authentic Filipino flavors,” Lapid said.
Ia/mnm
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senators Mark Villar and Win Gatchalian, along with PAGCOR Chairman Al Tengco, conducted an inspection of the Special Class BPO (SCBPO) operations in Aseana.
“We are conducting this inspection to better understand the operations of SCBPOs and to distinguish them from POGOs, which we are set to shut down before the year ends,” said Villar, who chairs the Senate Games and Amusement Committee.
“Our goal is to ensure that these SCBPOs are operating legitimately, as we don’t want our fellow Filipinos to lose their jobs,” he added.
During the visit, Villar also spoke with some employees to reassure them of their job security.
The senator noted that SCBPOs in the country employ over 5,000 Filipinos across various roles and industries.
Villar has scheduled committee hearings in the coming weeks to discuss the implementation of the President’s directive to phase out all POGO operations by the end of the year.
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By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Mark Villar has joined riders in celebrating Road Safety Month, emphasizing the priority of safety for cyclists and motorists.
“I am one with the celebration of ‘Road Safety Month’ this month. We are united in advancing the safety of cyclists, motorists, and commuters who traverse our roads,” Villar said.
“We are also advocating for increased public awareness regarding the impact of road safety on our health and economy,” the senator added.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), road traffic deaths reached an all-time high of 11,096 in 2021 and remain the leading cause of death among Filipinos aged 15-29 years old.
“With each life lost in these accidents, there are families affected,” he emphasized.
Villar also promotes green infrastructures that can withstand the test of time and facilitate the comprehensive, sustainable development of the economy and the nation.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Mark Villar urged the concerned agencies to look into the situation of construction workers as there have been heat-induced accidents and deaths, particularly these workers.
Villar said that the government must take immediate action on such issues.
“Nakakabahala na po ang heat index natin ngayon dahil talagang marami na ang naapektuhan. We received reports of accidents and deaths caused by the extreme heat. Kailangan na po nating aksyunan ito at magkaroon ng preventive measures na mababawasan ang exposure sa init ng ating mga manggagawa,” Villar said.
According to the Department of Health, they have recorded 77 heat-related illnesses and 7 heat-related deaths since January.
The senator said these cases should serve as a wake-up call to have “appropriate adjustments and consideration” for the said workers.
“Noong nakaraang linggo ay mayroon po na mga traffic enforcers and construction workers na pumanaw dahil sa kanilang over-exposure sa araw. Ang mga kaso po nila ay isang wake-up call para sa ating lahat para magkaroon ng mga appropriate adjustments and consideration para sa kanila,” Villar said.
He urges local government units to look into adjustments on working hours, work attire, and rotational shifts of workers.
The lawmaker is also urging the increased presence of local medical personnel around areas of high foot traffic during the peak of the heat.
“As much as possible, gusto po nating ma-minimize ang effect ng mataas na temperature sa ating mga manggagawa and at the same time, be ready for the worst case. I am urging our LGUs to look into how they could provide additional aid to our construction workers and enforcers to minimize their exposure to the heat,” Villar emphasized.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liza Soriano
Several stakeholders in the creative industry were reportedly unanimous in their position to have the 27-year old Intellectual Property Code revised to make room for provisions that would address the prevalence of online piracy by blocking unauthorized downloading or streaming of internet contents.
During a consultative discussion with Senator Mark Villar over the weekend, representatives from both the private and public sector took turns in arguing for the need to fight online piracy which, according to the 2022 studies of the Philippine Statistics Authority, had caused a revenue leakage of at least one billion U.S. dollar.
Sen. Villar, chairman of the Senate committee on trade, commerce and entrepreneurhsip, would have started on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 the series of public deliberations on the two bills seeking to revise the IP Code, but the conduct of such Senate hearings was pushed back to later dates.
Points of discussion between Sen. Villar and representatives from the IT- related gov’t agencies and advocacy groups reportedly centered on the exponential impact of the online piracy on the creative industry and copyright-related industries which comprise around 7.1 percent of the country’s gross domesric product (GDP).
The Villar committee was reportedly briefed by the resource persons that aside from revenue loss, the pervasive theft of digital contents also resulted in foregone income from gov’t taxes and the loss of livelihood since online piracy serves as disincentives for creatives, artists, and content producers.
The resource persons also apprised Sen. Villar about the risk reportedly being posed by internet piracy on those consuming pirated contents like serious malware infection which might be used in some cyber scams.
A comparative study was reportedly presented also to the Villar committe during the consultative meeting on countries where online site blocking was implemented:
“Where unauthorized downloading or streaming of pirated contents were blocked a drastic decline in the incidence of digital theft had been observed, as well as a change in in the behavior of the consuming public leading to the eventual growth of legal content providers.”
Results from the same study have reportedly established also that the viewers moved to legal content subscriptions after the online site blocking was pursued.
The study reportedly found out that 92% of the respondents in the Philippines projects negative attitude towards online piracy and shows the willingness of the Filipinos to pay for legal sites to access online contents.
For its part, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines reportedly informed the Villar committee during the consultative discussion that it has long been advocating for the amendment of its Code to include provisions that would authorize the IPOPHL to disable access to online sites which infringe on copyrighted materials.
Representatives of the internet service providers expressed optimism that the online site blocking would fix most of the issues, but stressed that other concerns like detection and reporting are also essential components in addressing online piracy.
Officials from the Department of Information and Communication Technology and law enforcers who also attended the discussion have expressed their full support to the fight against digital piracy.
The consultative meeting participants also echoed the need for the passage of the site blocking law as an effective tool to curb piracy, referring to Senate Bill Nos. 2150 and 2385.
These two bills have sought to amend the IP Code and remove its existing provisions which limit its scope of authority to cover electronic and online content within the definition of pirated goods.
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Mark Villar on Wednesday (10 Jan 2024) lauded police officers, devotees, and organizers for the peaceful and successful Traslacion 2024.
“We owe the success of the Traslacion to the organizers, the members of Ihos del Nazareno, police officers, and devotees. Ang inyo pong kooperasyon sa selebrasyon ng Traslacion ay nakatulong sa matiwasay na prusisyon ng Nazareno,” Villar said.
The Traslacion took place again this year after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The lawmaker also expressed his gratitude to those who assisted during the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene on Tuesday (January 9).
“Ako po ay nagpapasalamat sa ating mga kapulisan, sa mga miyembro ng Philippine Red Cross, at sa lahat ng tumulong upang maipabalik nang maayos ang Nazareno sa Minor Basilica. Having no record of any major injuries or illnesses speaks volumes about the success of the security measures implemented by our police force, medics, and organizers,” Villar said.
The procession commenced at the Quirino Grandstand as the image of the Black Nazarene left the venue at 4:45 am to start the Traslacion.
Throughout the image’s procession towards the Basilica, the Philippine National Police (PNP) recorded an estimated 6.5 million devotees and spectators who joined the religious celebration.
“I am with you in faith as we commemorate our answered prayers to the Nazarene,” the senator said.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Mark Villar teamed up with Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual to oversee the prices of noche buena products at grocery stores in Divisoria on Thursday.
“As Christmas is just around the corner, we need to intensify our monitoring of product prices to ensure a joyful holiday season for our fellow Filipinos,” stated Villar, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship.
Noche Buena essentials such as pasta packets, spaghetti and tomato sauce, sandwich spreads, and canned goods are among the items under scrutiny.
The senator emphasized their commitment to ensuring compliance with the price guide provided by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
“We remain focused on monitoring the prices of goods this Christmas season. We will make sure that our sellers adhere to the DTI’s price guide,” Villar stressed.
“Our ongoing price monitoring activity, conducted in collaboration with the DTI, aims to protect our consumers and ensure that our fellow countrymen can celebrate a joyful Christmas,” added the senator.
(ai/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
Senator Mark Villar said Wednesday the country should consider the increase on mental health issues on children as “national concern,” citing the recent cases of suicide involving school children.
“Ang mas nakakabahala sa dumaraming insidente ng suicide ng mga kabataan ay nangyayari na ito ngayon sa mismong loob ng paaralan na dapat ay “safe spaces” para sa mga kabataan bilang kanilang ikalawang tahanan,” Villar said.
The Department of Education (DepEd) has reported that there is a total of 404 students who died by suicide during the school year 2021-2022, while 2,147 attempted to take their lives during the same time period.
“It is high time that we ask why there is a growing number of suicides among our youth and enact solutions that will help our children deal with various mental health conditions. Coordination among schools and relevant agencies should be our top priority,” the senator said.
Lack of guidance counselors in schools hampers the mental health services that could have been offered to students, Villar said.
“The difficulty of seeking professional help should be addressed as soon as possible. Kailangan po nating gawin na mas accessible ang mental health consultations and interventions para sa ating kabataan,” he added.
(AI/MNM)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Mark Villar has lauded the passage of Republic Act No. 11963 which paved the way for renaming two important roads in Quezon City after the late Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago.
The said bill was left untouched, as such, it lapsed into law.
Villar said as a public servant, he admires Defensor-Santiago, stressing that her dedication was anchored on the desire to improve the lives of our fellow Filipinos.
“Her brilliant career and commendable work ethic have inspired me to pursue this path in service of the Filipino people,” Villar said.
“It is very heartwarming that we are honoring one of the outstanding icons of Philippine politics through this tribute of naming an avenue after her. The late Sen. Miriam has immensely contributed to the development of our political landscape and has positively influenced thousands of public servants like myself,” the senator added.
Villar graced the ceremony where the street marker, renaming the two roads after the late senator.
He joined Vice President Sara Duterte, local government unit officials of Quezon City led by Mayor Joy Belmonte, Defensor-Santiago’s husband, Atty. Jun Santiago, and fellow senators Sens. Koko Pimentel, Francis Tolentino, and Robin Padilla in the program.
The renaming ceremony of BIR and Agham roads to Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago Avenue was made last Saturday (11 Nov 2023).
Santiago served as senator for three terms, a presiding judge of the Regional Trial Court in Quezon City, and a commissioner of the Department of Immigration.
“Sen. Miriam isn’t dubbed as the “Iron Lady of Asia” for nothing. She has defended the interests of the people in different platforms and at all levels. Her steadfast commitment to public service merits our lifelong remembrance of her through this avenue. As we pay tribute to her, I hope that the next generations of Filipino youth and public servants will mirror Sen. Miriam’s commitment to the public,” Villar said.
(ai/mnm)
Sen. Mark Villar, the main sponsor of the Internet Transaction Act of 2023
MANILA – The eagerly anticipated Internet Transactions Act (ITA) of 2023 has gained approval from both chambers of Congress and now awaits the President’s signature to become law.
“We at the Philippine Transportation and Communication Advocates (PTCA) welcome and consider this measure a significant milestone in our country’s ongoing battle against digital and online scammers,” PTCA president Aio Bautista said Friday (06 Oct 2023).
The chief convenor of the non-government organization added that their group which is advocating the fight against fake news and digital fraud hopes the chief executive sign the measure as soon as possible as they see it as an additional tool against cybercrime.
“The expeditious signing of this measure by President Marcos will provide substantial support to our nation’s fight against cybercriminals as it will enhance the Department of Trade and Industry’s ability to regulate digital platforms more effectively,” Bautista said.
When this bill becomes law, it will empower the DTI Secretary by granting the authority to issue takedown orders, rendering digital platforms inaccessible in the country if the advertised goods, services, or digital products are considered “imminently injurious, unsafe, or dangerous to the public,” stated Senator Mark Villar, the primary sponsor of the bill.
The House of Representatives adopted the Senate’s version of the bill on September 27, 2023, while the Senate version of the ITA (SB 1846) was passed by the Upper Chamber on the third and final reading on September 25.
Under this proposed law, digital platforms or e-marketplaces will be held accountable for any failure of online merchants or retailers to fulfill their responsibilities as outlined in the bill, thereby safeguarding consumers.
Once enacted, PTCA believes that the ITA will effectively curb online scams and ensure the safety of both consumers and e-commerce merchants.
“Filipinos are now one step closer to enjoying the benefits of the digital world while protecting their privacy and security,” added Bautista.
The Senate passed Senate Bill No. (SBN) 1846 with a vote of 20-1-0, aiming to ensure that all digitally transacted goods and services match their advertisements. The bill also guarantees the reliability, security, and accessibility of e-commerce transactions for all consumers.
In summary, SBN 1846 will hold digital platforms or e-marketplaces accountable, along with online merchants or retailers, if they fail to meet their responsibilities as defined in the bill and cause harm to consumers.
The proposed measure establishes penalties for e-marketplaces, e-retailers, online merchants, or digital platforms that sell illegal digital products. These penalties range from P50,000 to P100,000 for the first offense, and P500,000 to P1.5 million for third and subsequent offenses.
“These are substantial fines, and we can reasonably assume that scammers will think twice before committing fraudulent acts and taking advantage of our fellow citizens,” Bautista added.
SBN 1846 also outlines a code of conduct for all companies involved in e-commerce to protect and promote consumer interests.
Additionally, upon its signing, the bill will pave the way for the creation of an e-commerce bureau under DTI, responsible for overseeing internet-based activities currently lacking regulation. The e-commerce bureau will establish and maintain an online business registry of all Internet merchants to assist the public in verifying information on Internet transactions.
(ai/mnm)