By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian stated on Monday, July 15, 2024, that the whereabouts of suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo remain unknown.
“Hindi pa siya nahahanap. Kahapon ang report sa akin ay hindi pa rin nahahanap ‘yung magkakapatid. Hindi pa rin mahanap si Dennies Cunanan, ang nakita lang ay si Nancy Gamo,” Gatchalian said in a radio interview.
The Senate’s Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) served a warrant of arrest on Sunday against Guo and seven others, including her siblings. However, only her accountant, Nancy Gimenez Gamo, was found at Guo’s last known address.
Gatchalian, the chairman of the committee on ways and means, remarked that these individuals have been “hiding.”
“Pinuntahan kasi ng tracker teams ‘yung lahat ng registered addresses ni Alice Guo at ang kanyang pamilya,” Gatchalian said, adding that Guo has many registered addresses.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian praised the provincial government of Bulacan for its decision to prohibit Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) within the province.
The provincial government recently enacted an ordinance banning POGOs, in alignment with an executive order from Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando.
“Local government units should follow the decisive action taken by Bulacan and other cities in outlawing POGOs in our communities. With the various criminal activities associated with POGO operations, our communities have a better chance at achieving inclusive economic growth without them,” Gatchalian emphasized.
“We should no longer allow POGOs to remain in our communities if we want to improve the peace and order situation necessary for the rapid development of our economy,” he added.
Apart from Bulacan, other local government units such as Pasig and Valenzuela cities have also issued ordinances banning POGOs.
The senator reiterated his appeal to the President to enforce a nationwide ban on POGOs.
“A complete ban on POGOs is an essential step we must take, given the numerous social problems the industry causes,” he stated.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian has expressed gratitude to Vice President Sara Duterte for focusing on the country’s education system as she stepped down from her position as Department of Education Secretary.
“Unang-una nagpapasalamat ako sa kanyang serbisyo at sa kanyang pagtutok sa education system natin. At marami kaming naumpisahan rin sa pagitan ng EDCOM,” Gatchalian said.
Duterte announced her resignation on Wednesday during DepEd’s press conference.
Meanwhile, Gatchalian hopes that the undersecretaries in DepEd will remain the same, saying that they are the “workhorses” of the department.
“I just hope na yung mga Usec na nandoon will stay the same. Dahil sila talaga yung workhorses. Sila yung ma-detalye. Sila yung nasa field,” the senator said.
“Sila ‘yung pumupunta on a regular basis sa mga consultative meetings namin. So, I just hope na maiwan sila dahil magagaling sila at nabigyan na ng direksiyon.”
(elAmigo/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA –Senator Win Gatchalian on Monday (17 June 2024) said that the local government units should be held accountable for their failure to monitor Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in their areas.
Gatchalian, meanwhile, lauded the Pampanga provincial board for being able to take action against a POGO facility in their area.
“The immediate action of the Pampanga provincial board to investigate how an illegal POGO facility managed to undertake illegal activities right under the nose of LGU officials is commendable and worthy of imitation. Surely, certain LGU personnel have been neglectful of their duties for a POGO hub to commit unspeakable crimes and remain undetected but concerned LGU officials and personnel should be held accountable,” Gatchalian said.
“Other LGUs should emulate the Pampanga provincial government’s commitment to get to the bottom of the issue,” he added.
The senator made the statement in reaction to the Pampanga Provincial Board’s ongoing investigation of a recent police raid on a POGO compound that straddles Porac and Angeles City in Pampanga.
Gatchalian urged LGUs to ‘seriously consider’ banning all POGO operations in their jurisdictions.
“Our recent experience with POGOs shows that the industry is a breeding ground for various criminalities perpetrated by organized syndicates such as human trafficking, kidnapping, torture, and various scams such as love, cryptocurrency, and other investment scams,” he noted.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian highlighted the rationale behind his newly filed bill on Thursday, June 13, 2024, which seeks to ban the use of gadgets in schools. He expressed concern that students are spending excessive time on their cell phones.
“Our point is that children are losing too much time on their phones. We want them to focus more on studying and playing,” said Gatchalian.
Under the proposed Electronic Gadget-Free Schools Act (Senate Bill No. 2706), the Department of Education will be required to establish guidelines to prohibit the use of mobile devices and other electronic gadgets within school premises during class hours.
Gatchalian noted that children today prefer using their cell phones over interacting with their classmates.
“They are forgetting how to socialize and make friends. There are also new studies showing that excessive gadget use, particularly social media, can negatively impact mental health, especially due to issues like cyberbullying,” Gatchalian explained.
The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition has previously stated that gadget use should be regulated rather than completely banned.
(el Amigo/mnm)
MANILA — Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has introduced Senate Bill (SB) No. 2706, known as the “Electronic Gadget-Free Schools Act,” aimed at prohibiting the use of mobile devices and electronic gadgets during class hours in schools across the Philippines.
The bill targets students from kindergarten to senior high school in both public and private educational institutions, as well as teachers, to minimize distractions and enhance academic performance.
Gatchalian cited data from the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), which highlighted that a significant majority of 15-year-old students (80%) reported being distracted by smartphone use during class. This distraction is linked to a decline in academic performance, with decreases noted in key subjects: 9.3 points in mathematics, 12.2 points in science, and 15.04 points in reading.
The bill proposes several exceptions, including:
- Learning-related exceptions: For activities such as classroom presentations and class-based learning tasks.
- Health and well-being exceptions: For students with health conditions requiring the use of electronic devices.
- Risk management exceptions: For emergencies, perceived threats, and during off-campus activities like field trips.
The legislation also mandates the Department of Education to establish guidelines for implementing these restrictions. Non-compliance by schools and students will result in appropriate sanctions.
Gatchalian underscored the need for such a bill by pointing to the broader issue of smartphone distractions in classrooms globally, referencing a 2023 report from UNESCO which recommends stricter regulations on mobile phone use in schools.
The report noted that only a small fraction of countries have laws or policies in place to restrict such use in educational settings.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Heeding the marching order of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr that government services should trickle down to the grassroots, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian led the turnover of farming carabaos to Pag-Abot program beneficiaries in Barangay Maruglu in Capas, Tarlac on Thursday (30 May 2024) as part of the agency’s livelihood assistance to the Aeta community.
During the provision of livelihood assets, 50 members of Tarlac Aeta community were each given a carabao and P10,000 cash aid which can be used for their farming activities.
“Bumalik kami kasi natandaan ninyo pumunta kami dito, nakinig kami sa pangangailangan ninyo. Ang utos sa amin ng ating Pangulo Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ay siguraduhin na ang serbisyo ng DSWD ay para sa lahat. Wala dapat naiiwanan,” Gatchalian said in his message.
“Ayaw po namin na maramdaman ninyo na malayo kami. Ang utos ng Pangulo, ang mga ahensya ng pamahalaang nasyunal dapat sa kasuluk-sulukan na lugar ng Pilipinas nararamdaman at nakikita po ninyo,” the DSWD chief said.
In his first visit to the Aeta community last February, Gatchalian led the DSWD social workers in a profiling activity which helped the agency in determining the most appropriate interventions for reached-out individuals from different sitios in Barangay Maruglu.
“Narinig namin noong nagpunta kami dito ang request ninyo para sa kalabaw kaya inayos ng departamento namin na makabili ng kalabaw para sa inyo. Magagamit na ho natin iyan,” the DSWD secretary said.
In his short speech, Gatchalian stressed the agency’s commitment in addressing the needs of marginalized communities, especially of the Capas Aeta community.
“Hindi po kami titigil na binigay na kalabaw tapos na kami. Kundi maya’t maya makikita ninyo ang mga kawani namin para masigurado na ang inyong mga needs, ang mga pangangailangan ninyo ay natutugunan ng pamahalaang nasyunal,” the DSWD chief said.
Gatchalian said the provision of carabaos and livelihood assistance is just one of the many programs provided by the DSWD in prompting the welfare of indigenous peoples and other disadvantaged Filipinos.
Citing the commitment expressed by Capas Municipal Mayor Roseller B. Rodriguez, Gatchalian assured the Aeta community of sustained support as he highlighted the collaborative efforts between the national and local governments that are vital in sustaining the program.
“Alam ko naman, tutulungan kami, sabi nga ni Mayor, tutulungan kami na ma-sustain at ma-maintain ang programa na ito,” Gatchalian noted.
The provision of carabaos and livelihood grants to the Aetas in Tarlac was the result of the DSWD’s reach out operations during the Pag-Abot sa Pasko program in December 2023.
The event is part of the DSWD’s broader efforts to provide sustainable livelihood to Pag-Abot Program beneficiaries.
Gatchalian was joined by DSWD Undersecretary for Innovations Edu Punay, Special Assistant to the Secretary (SAS) for Innovations Marcelo Nicomedes Castillo, Social Technology Bureau (STB) Asst. Director Marilyn Moral, and DSWD Field Office-3 (Central Luzon) Assistant Regional Director for Operations (ARDO) Armont C. Pecina.
Tarlac Provincial Governor Susan Yap witnessed the turnover of carabaos to the Aeta community.
Launched in July 2023, the Pag-Abot Program is being implemented in Metro Manila to reach out to people living and staying on the streets and provide them with the necessary and appropriate interventions, as well as opportunities to improve their social and economic status and enjoy their fundamental rights.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — The Senate will conduct a hearing on the effects of extreme heat during classes and the shift to Alternative Delivery Modes (ADMs) on Tuesday, 30 April 2024, Senator Win Gatchalian said on Monday (April 29, 2024).
Gatchalian noted that classes in several areas have been suspended due to the high heat index.
One of the reasons the Department of Education (DepEd) suspended face-to-face classes on April 29 and 30 was due to extreme heat.
Gatchalian acknowledged that while schools have the option to implement remote learning, the shift to ADMs also poses challenges.
The senator cited the lack of internet access in some households and the difficulties parents face in supporting their children in a remote learning setup.
“Some parents are not fully supportive of online or blended learning because their children are not learning, and the parents themselves end up answering their textbooks or workbooks. It appears that many parents still prefer face-to-face classes,” he said.
“Nevertheless, many classes have been suspended in recent days due to extreme heat. We will balance all of these factors,” Gatchalian added.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian stated on Friday (April 26, 2024) that the quality of student’s education has been compromised by gadgets, emphasizing that excessive use of electronic devices impacts children’s concentration.
“There’s a connection because our children can’t concentrate. I just read a research today that shows a direct link between excessive cellphone use and children’s concentration,” Gatchalian mentioned in a radio interview.
Previously, the senator expressed his desire to prohibit cellphone use during class hours to enable students to focus on their studies.
Gatchalian emphasized the importance for students to socialize with classmates and prioritize reading books while at school.
“Excessive cellphone use is also detrimental to young people… especially in terms of its psychological effects,” he added.
The lawmaker referenced studies that recommend limiting cellphone use while studying.
(el Amigo/MNM)
MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian is calling for an inquiry into the alleged sale of diplomas to foreign students in Cagayan for P2 million.
“While we encourage students from other countries to study in our colleges and universities, we cannot overlook the selling of degrees or diplomas that should be earned through hard work,” Gatchalian stated.
“We need to hold accountable anyone found involved in the sale of diplomas. This is not the quality education we advocate for in the country,” he added.
In Proposed Senate Resolution No. 1007, the senator aims to verify the allegations. University of the Philippines professor Chester Cabalza, founding president of the think tank International Development and Security Cooperation, reported that some of these students do not attend classes.
Earlier, Gatchalian urged the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to investigate the matter. CHED has requested Cabalza to formalize a complaint before starting an investigation.
CHED has not received any complaints regarding violations by any higher education institution in Cagayan.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian is advocating for the establishment of the National Education Council (NEDCO) to address what he perceives as a lack of cohesive, long-term vision in education.
NEDCO aims to develop a unified national education agenda and enhance coordination among the country’s three key education agencies: the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
“The evolving landscape of skills and industry demands necessitates a unified vision for education. Our aim through legislation is to establish a body that aligns us all towards a common educational trajectory,” stated Gatchalian.
According to Senate Bill No. 2017, NEDCO is tasked with institutionalizing a coordinated system for planning, monitoring, evaluating, implementing, and managing the national education agenda.
Additionally, NEDCO will assume responsibility for overseeing the National Achievement Test, Programme for International Student Assessment, Education Index, Education for All Development Index, and other relevant indices and measures.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Local governments should intensify their vaccination efforts against Pertussis to support the Department of Health (DOH) in its catch-up vaccination campaign, Senator Win Gatchalian stated on Monday (April 4, 2024).
“Given the ongoing rise in Pertussis cases, we must bolster our vaccination efforts to protect our fellow citizens, especially children at higher risk of contracting the disease,” Gatchalian emphasized.
“The safety and efficacy of vaccines against diseases have been proven, thus we urge LGUs to ramp up vaccination efforts,” he added.
According to the DOH, the total number of Pertussis cases is already 30 times higher than the figures reported at the same time last year.
The department also documented 49 deaths attributed to Pertussis since the beginning of the year.
Furthermore, the department noted that 79 percent of infected patients were children younger than five years old, with six out of ten either unvaccinated or having an incomplete vaccination history.
On Monday, the DOH issued a Pertussis alert in Calabarzon.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian stated on Thursday (April 4, 2024) that the original school calendar may be reinstated by 2025 as the Department of Education initiates its gradual transition.
“It will be a gradual process because we can’t rush it. If we do, we might end up with a year without breaks,” the chairman of the Senate basic education committee remarked during the Kapihan sa Senado forum.
“So, the timeframe is around two years. I believe that by the school year 2025, we can revert to our original calendar. The good news is that the transition has already begun,” Gatchalian added.
The disruption of the school calendar due to the pandemic was highlighted by Gatchalian as one of the issues.
“One of the unfortunate consequences of the pandemic is the disruption of our school calendar,” he emphasized.
“If we recall, in 2020, schools opened in October. Consequently, academic breaks fell in July or even August.”
The senator is in favor of returning to the old school calendar.
“We support that initiative. In fact, 88% of our fellow citizens want to revert to the previous academic calendar. Firstly, because it’s what we’re accustomed to,” he stated.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian urged principals on Tuesday (April 2, 2024) to implement blended learning in response to parents’ concerns about the threats of pertussis (whooping cough) and the hot weather.
“Gusto nating paalalahanan ang mga punong-guro na kung may banta sa kaligtasan ng ating mga mag-aaral, maaaring ipatupad ng mga paaralan ang blended learning lalo na’t may agam-agam tayo sa pagkalat ng pertussis at sa mainit na klima. Patuloy nating maisasagawa ang edukasyon ng ating mga kabataan habang binibigyang prayoridad ang kanilang kalusugan at kaligtasan,” Gatchalian said.
More schools and local government units (LGUs) suspended face-to-face classes on Tuesday (02 April 2024) due to extreme heat.
Meanwhile, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada emphasized that schools and LGUs may implement blended or distance learning by Department of Education Order No. 44, s. 2022.
“Naiintindihan natin ang mga pangangamba ng mga magulang, guro, at maging ng mga mag-aaral dahil sa matinding init na nararanasan nitong mga nakaraang araw. Bukod sa mahirap mag-focus sa pag-aaral dahil sa mainit na panahon, ang kapakanan ng mga kabataang mag-aaral ang dapat nating isaalang-alang sa kasalukuyan,” Estrada said.
“Ang DepEd order ay maaaring gamiting batayan ng mga LGUs at opisyal ng paaralan upang maiwasan ang pagkalat ng pertussis sa mga paaralan.”
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian has highlighted the need for clarity regarding the effectiveness of the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) programs in addressing overcrowding in public schools.
Gatchalian referenced the 2018 COA Performance Audit Report, which revealed that the Department of Education (DepEd) had limited data on the impact of GASTPE on public school decongestion.
“Parang lumalabas na hindi malinaw ang mga panuntunan,” said Gatchalian during a hearing on the implementation of the expanded GASTPE law (Republic Act No. 8545).
He emphasized the importance of focusing on congested areas while implementing the initiative.
However, the COA results indicate a lack of explicit policy dictating the location of the voucher program and the implementation of the Educational Service Contracting (ESC).
ESC is a partnership program under GASTPE where the government covers the tuition and other fees of excess learners in public schools who enroll in private schools contracted by the DepEd.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian has called on the government to intensify its fire prevention measures amidst the prevailing El Niño conditions in the country.
“Because the El Niño weather phenomenon poses additional risks of fire incidents, we need to assist our fellow citizens in acquiring extra knowledge in preparation to prevent fire incidents in the country,” Gatchalian emphasized.
The senator made this appeal as the nation prepares to observe Fire Prevention Month in March.
In line with his advocacy, Gatchalian has extended food assistance to fire victims in Puerto Princesa City. He visited the evacuation center to assess the situation and the conditions of the affected families.
“This is not merely assistance; it is a promise to stand together in overcoming challenges. I firmly believe that with every family we aid, success in their recovery is inevitable, and through their triumphs, the foundation of our communities grows stronger,” Gatchalian asserted.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senators criticized certain members of the House of Representatives for deeming Resolution of Both Houses No. 6 “unconstitutional” due to its proposed voting method.
The House of Representatives recently introduced RBH No. 7, similar to RBH 6, except that the lower house advocates for a “joint vote” between the House and Senate.
“Those four words ‘each House voting separately’ are not in the Constitution. Our colleagues in the Senate cannot and should not insist on that language… I am not a lawyer, but that is unconstitutional,” stated House Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr.
Senator Jinggoy Estrada emphasized the importance of separate voting for the Senate and the House.
“When you say Congress, there are both Houses, there are two Houses. The House of the Senate, and the House of Representatives. Okay?” remarked Estrada.
“In joint voting, we only have 24 members. We will be outnumbered by the congressmen,” he added.
Senator Win Gatchalian also criticized the allegations made by the congressman, stating that it was not fabricated by the Senate.
“It’s not made up because it’s very clear in the first hearing (on RBH6). Justice Villanueva stated that the intention is indeed bicameral… It might not be explicitly stated, but the intention is to vote through a bicameral system. So, that’s why the Senate included it,” explained Gatchalian.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian has issued a warning to the public regarding love scams, noting that with Valentine’s Day approaching, individuals are more likely to turn to online dating.
“Individuals interested in online dating should be vigilant against unscrupulous individuals seeking to exploit them through romance or love scams,” Gatchalian cautioned.
The senator also emphasized that scammers often target both men and women, particularly those experiencing relationship difficulties or emotional vulnerability, including older individuals.
“Huwag tayong basta nagpapabihag sa iba’t ibang uri ng love scam. Kailangan nating maging mapanuri sa ating mga transaksyon lalo na kung may kinalaman ito sa pinagpaguran nating pera,” he stressed.
Gatchalian has also introduced a bill aimed at penalizing individuals who knowingly act as money mules, participate in social engineering schemes, or perpetrate other fraudulent financial activities, including love scams.
Earlier, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos also issued a similar warning to the public.
Abalos emphasized the importance of providing a platform for discussing such illegal activities to raise public awareness.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian has reiterated his call for the effective implementation of the Excellence in Teacher Education Act, Republic Act No. 11713.
“Ang Excellence in Teacher Education Act is a crucial reform aimed at elevating the quality of education and training for our teachers. To ensure the administration delivers skilled educators, the law must be implemented smoothly,” said Gatchalian, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.
This call comes in response to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive to the Department of Education (DepEd) to enhance teaching quality, prompted by the results of the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).
The Excellence in Teacher Education Act, authored and sponsored by Gatchalian during the 18th Congress, overhauls the Teacher Education Council (TEC) by strengthening coordination between the DepEd, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). This coordination ensures coherence between pre-service and in-service teacher education programs. The TEC is also mandated to set minimum requirements for teacher education programs.
While Vice President and Secretary of Education Sara Duterte has committed to the full functionality of the new Teacher Education Council and Secretariat, Gatchalian emphasized the importance of implementing other provisions, such as the designation, identification, development, and establishment of Teacher Education Centers of Excellence in all regions.
Teacher Education Centers of Excellence have demonstrated and continue to maintain an outstanding track record in teacher education, producing top-caliber graduates.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian is pushing for more severe penalties to be levied against industry players found culpable of mismanaging power-related issues leading to economic losses.
“I propose that, as part of our legislative output, we align the penalty with the economic losses experienced by affected areas due to negligence and incompetence,” stated Gatchalian.
This proposal comes in the wake of a hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Energy regarding the recent power outage in Western Visayas.
“It’s not enough,” Gatchalian commented, referring to the maximum penalty of P50 million imposed by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for any violation of the country’s grid code.
Gatchalian believes that the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) would take these issues more seriously if stricter penalties were in place for violations.
“The situation was abnormal because there was a power supply deficiency when a power plant went offline afternoon on January 2. The demand surged, creating an imbalance in the grid. When you have a negative margin, that will undoubtedly disrupt the grid,” he explained.
(el Amigo/MNM)