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28 April 2011
Thursday
Senate of the Philippines
As part of my mandate under the Magna Carta of Women to review all laws concerning women, specifically those discriminatory to women, I conducted a hearing on WOMEN IN THE WORKFORCE. We reviewed a number of laws applicable to women. A lot of matters were discussed but what was highlighted were the following: concerns on the implementation of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 or Republic Act No. 7877, violence committed against our women Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and working conditions of women in the informal sector (such as market vendors, sari sari store owners and home based pieceworkers and street vendors). We also looked at the statistics of women in the workplace from various industries both private and public sector and we recognize the need for more data.
Also discussed was the provision in the Magna Carta of Women which states that “Within the next five years, the number of women in third level positions in government shall be incrementally increased to achieve a fifty-fifty (50-50) gender balance.” Although there are more than enough highly qualified women to fill these positions, we recognize the need to put a system where the roster of qualified women can easily be harnessed and made available once vacancies arise. In fact, the Civil Service Commission sent a letter urging the government to comply with the 50:50 ratio of men and women in the workplace.
We ended the hearing on a positive note. There were detailed assignments for everyone including the holding of hearings and/or technical working group meetings to craft amendments and/or pass new legislation(s), and also the review of certain policies that can be done by relevant agencies at Executive level.
8 February 2011
Senate of the Philippines
Started my day attending the Senate Committee on Education hearing. There were three main topics:
(1) Culture and Arts- Establishing the National Maritime Musuem, Protecting and Conserving the Underwater Cultural Heritage, and Declaring a National Children’s Day, a National Teacher’s Day and a National Thank You day.
(2) Sports Educational Institutions- Creating the Philippine Sports University, and Creating Philippine High School for Sports
(3) Early Childhood Education
Later in the afternoon, I chaired my Health Committee’s 3rd hearing on reproductive health.
Also, my Committee Report Nos. 5 and 6 were passed on Second Reading today. Both amends certain provisions of the Family Code which was enacted 20 years ago to make it consistent with existing laws.
In his privilege speech entitled “Avoiding a Food Crisis”, Senator Edgardo Angara pointed out that with rising cost of production of food, climate change and other unforeseen circumstances, it is imperative that we take action to prevent a food crisis.
I interpellated Senator Angara and raised my concern regarding the lack of a government’s food security plan and expressed my view that in fact, we already have a food crisis because so many people are living below the poverty level and are not eating three meals a day. I also pointed out the need to pass the National Land Use Act which I filed to clearly define land that will be used for agricultural production, forest protection, residential or commercial use. Finally, I expressed my commitment to support the budget for agriculture infrastructure and support for farmers to ensure our food security.
Tuesday, 18 January2011
New World Hotel
At the Anlene Campaign for Bone Health
For many years I have championed health issues specific to women.
As a new mother, I breastfed my babies and promoted breastfeeding.
I have been a runner most of my life and later a passionate advocate of a healthy lifestyle. Thus, when I became a Senator, it was natural that I veered towards the Committee on Health.
Over the years, I have supported health issues specific to women such as breast cancer, cervical cancer and now, bone health.
Health experts say the best way to prevent osteoporosis is through a healthy lifestyle. That is: eating calcium and vitamin D- rich food; exercising, particularly weight-bearing exercise such as walking, running and weight lifting; and avoiding smoking and drinking.
Today, 17 January 2011, is the first day of session for the year 2011.
I sponsored my Committee Report on Foster Care.
There are currently over 10,000 children in institutional care in various facilities managed by DSWD. There are thousands of children characterized as “street children”, all over the country. The Foster Care Bill seeks to institutionalize foster care as an alternative mode of taking care of these abandoned, abused, neglected or other children with special needs, as opposed to placing them in child caring institutions or youth centers.
I also co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 2625, a bill which provides amendments to the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2008. There are about 60,000 to 100,000 children and 300,000 to 400,000 women trafficked annually. The intention of the bill is to strengthen the existing law considering the difficulty in prosecuting offenders under the present law.
Aside from the sponsorships of the bills, the highlight of today’s session was Senator Sonny Trillanes’ presence. It was his first day in session.
After session, I had a brief interview with GMA 7’s Reporters’ Notebook on the issue of “Nurses OJT-for-fee.” It will be shown on Reporters’ Notebook, hosted by Jiggy Manicad and Macky Pulido on GMA 7, tomorrow night, 18 January, Tuesday , after SAKSI!
Interesting how the Senate budget hearings for the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) was scheduled back to back with the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW). I was able to explore the link between drugs, crime and women.
More on this on my blog mydailyrace.
Tuesday, October 5
Geneva
I am at the Inter-Parliamentary Union session on the subject matter: Parliament’s Role in Ensuring Sustainable Development Through the Management of Natural Resources, Agricultural Production and Demographic Change.
One of the delegates posed the question, “How many people can the world support?”
I decided to write my blog from this angle as it is a more interesting way of studying this subject matter.
By 2050 the world population will reach 9 billion.
We will need to increase food production by 70% worldwide.
Climate change, the financial crisis, water shortage and the energy crisis- all contribute to the issue of food shortage.
During the session, experts shared their opinions. After that the debates began where parliamentarians expressed their concerns and offered solutions.
More on this subject on my other blog mydailyrace.
Monday, October 4.
Geneva
Here now in Geneva for the conference of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) where members of Parliament gather from all over the world.
 I and Ambassador Evan Garcia at the Opening Session. I have been active since 2005. In fact, I just finished my two year term as President of the Women Parliamentarians last April. This year, I am head of the Philippine delegation which include Senators Kiko Pangilinan and Bong Bong Marcos.
For this session, there are three panel discussions scheduled. Debates follow. The topics are:
- immigration and development;
- preventing electoral violence by improving election monitoring and smooth transition of power;
- transparency and accountability regarding funding of political parties;
- role of parliament in ensuring sustainable development through the management of natural resources, agricultural production and demographic change.
Details to follow on my blog mydailyrace and my official report to the Senate.
Sunday, October 3.
Barcelona
At the Museu de Agua for a lecture and tour on Barcelona’s water supply.
Below, our lecturer shows us a diagram of all the wells and the facilities of the water company.
 That's Consul General Eddie de Vega, my daughter Nadine, me and our lecturer/guide Marta Our tour took us through the history of Barcelona’s water supply from the time there was only one well until the present where there are 31 wells.
The Museum was very educational and a great way for everyone to understand the importance of water.
More details and pictures to follow on www.mydailyrace.com.
Oct 1, Friday.
We are in Segovia, an old city which is an hour away from Madrid.
It is known for its Aqueduct which was built by the Romans to bring water from the mountains to the City.
Full story on www.mydailyrace.com.
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