Wednesday, July 29, 2020 No. 2a · 29-07-2020 · CLEAN-UP DAY IN THE PHILIPPINES PRESCRIBING EVERY SECOND Congressional Record PLENARY PROCEEDINGS OF THE 18thI CONGRESS, SECOND

RESUMPTION OF SESSION

At 3:00 p.m., the session was resumed.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abu). The session is resumed.

Majority Leader.

SUSPENSION OF SESSION

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abu). The session is suspended.

It was 3:00 p.m.




Majority Leader.

REP. TADURAN. Mr. Speaker, I move that we now proceed with the Reference of Business and request that the Secretary General be directed to read the titles of the bills.

I so move, Mr. Speaker.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abu). Any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the Secretary General is hereby directed to read the titles of the bills and resolutions, and other communications for referral to the appropriate committees.

ADDITIONAL REFERENCE OF BUSINESS

BILLS ON FIRST READING

House Bill No. 7111, entitled:“AN ACT INSTITUTING A BALIK

PROBINSYA PROGRAM AND OTHER STRATEGIC INTERVENTIONS FOR MANAGING INTERNAL MIGRATION FOR INCLUSIVE R E G I O N A L A N D L O C A L DEVELOPMENT AND RESILIENT COMMUNITIES DURING CRISIS SITUATIONS”

By Representative Garin (Sharon)TO THE DEFEAT COVID-19 AD HOC

COMMITTEE

House Bill No. 7113, entitled:“AN ACT PROHIBITING FURTHER

P R I V A T I Z A T I O N A N D CORPORATIZATION OF PUBLIC HOSPITALS, PUBLIC HEALTH FACILITIES, AND PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES, AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF”

By Representative VargasTO THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH

House Bill No. 7114, entitled:“ A N A C T E S T A B L I S H I N G T H E

PHILIPPINE eHEALTH SYSTEM AND SERVICES NETWORK IN THE DELIVERY OF HEALTH SERVICES WITH THE USE OF INFORMATION A N D C O M M U N I C A T I O N S TECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”


House Bill No. 7115, entitled:“AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING

THE INTERNATIONAL COASTAL CLEAN-UP DAY IN THE PHILIPPINES PRESCRIBING EVERY SECOND

Congressional RecordPLENARY PROCEEDINGS OF THE 18th CONGRESS, SECOND REGULAR SESSION

House of Representatives

Vol. 1 Wednesday, July 29, 2020 No. 2a

1907PHILIPPINES

HOU

SE O

F REPRESENTATIVES

2 Congressional Record • 18th Congress 2RS v.1 WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2020

S U N D A Y O F S E P T E M B E R A NATIONAL COASTAL CLEAN-UP DAY”

By Representative VargasTO THE COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY

House Bill No. 7116, entitled:“ A N A C T R E C O G N I Z I N G A

NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAYS IN THE PHILIPPINES, CREATING A SCENIC BYWAYS PROGRAM, A P P R O P R I A T I N G F U N D S THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representative VargasTO THE COMMITTEE ON TOURISM

House Bill No. 7117, entitled:“AN ACT RESTRUCTURING THE

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RAILWAY S Y S T E M , C R E A T I N G T H E PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, T H E P H I L I P P I N E R A I L W A Y CORPORATIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representative VargasTO THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT

ENTERPRISES AND PRIVATIZATION A N D T H E C O M M I T T E E O N TRANSPORTATION

House Bill No. 7118, entitled:“ A N A C T P R O H I B I T I N G

T E L E C O M M U N I C A T I O N S COMPANIES FROM IMPOSING AN EXPIRATION PERIOD ON THE VALIDITY OF PREPAID CALL AND TEXT CARDS, AND THE FORFEITURE OF LOAD CREDITS THEREOF”

By Representative VargasTO THE COMMITTEE ON INFORMATION

A N D C O M M U N I C A T I O N S TECHNOLOGY

House Bill No. 7119, entitled:“AN ACT ESTABLISHING RESOURCE

C E N T E R S F O R I N D I G E N O U S C U L T U R A L C O M M U N I T I E S /INDIGENOUS PEOPLES IN EVERY

R E G I O N O F T H E C O U N T R Y TO ENHANCE AND ENSURE DELIVERY OF ESSENTIAL SERVICES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representative VargasTO THE COMMITTEE ON INDIGENOUS

CULTURAL COMMUNITIES AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

House Bill No. 7120, entitled:“AN ACT GRANTING TAX INCENTIVES

TO PRIVATE EMPLOYERS THAT HIRE K TO 12 GRADUATES, A P P R O P R I A T I N G F U N D S THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representative VargasTO THE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND

MEANS

House Bill No. 7121, entitled:“AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING A

SPRING WATER COLLECTION SYSTEM FOR THE USE OF SCHOOLS IN THE PHILIPPINES”

By Representative SavellanoTO THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC

WORKS AND HIGHWAYS

House Bill No. 7122, entitled:“AN ACT ESTABLISHING A FIFTY-BED

CAPACITY DISTRICT HOSPITAL IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF LIMAY, PROVINCE OF BATAAN, TO BE KNOWN AS THE LIMAY DISTRICT HOSPITAL, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

By Representative Garcia (Jose Enrique)TO THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH

House Bill No. 7123, entitled:“AN ACT UPGRADING THE KAWIT

KALAYAAN HOSPITAL IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF KAWIT INTO A LEVEL II DISTRICT HOSPITAL A N D I N C R E A S I N G I T S B E D CAPACITY FROM TWENTY-FIVE (25) TO ONE HUNDRED (100), AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2020 18th Congress 2RS v.1 • Congressional Record 3

By Representative AbayaTO THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH

House Bill No. 7124, entitled:“ A N A C T E S T A B L I S H I N G A

M A N D A T O R Y P R E - A U D I T SYSTEM OF ALL GOVERNMENT DISBURSEMENTS AND USE OF FUNDS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representative RobesT O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

House Bill No. 7125, entitled:“AN ACT EXPANDING THE PURPOSE

AND APPLICATION OF THE SPECIAL EDUCATION FUND, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 272 OF REPUBLIC ACT 7160, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ‘LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991’ ”

By Representatives Castro (France), Zarate, Gaite, Cullamat, Brosas and Elago

TO THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION AND CULTURE

House Bill No. 7126, entitled:“AN ACT PROVIDING SPECIAL

HARDSHIP ALLOWANCE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS”

By Representatives Castro (France), Zarate, Gaite, Cullamat, Brosas and Elago

T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N APPROPRIATIONS

House Bill No. 7127, entitled:“AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING A

QUARANTINE FACILITY IN EVERYLEGISLATIVE DISTRICT IN THE

PHILIPPINES”By Representative SavellanoTO THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH


USE OF ECOLOGICAL WASTE-T O E N E R G Y M A N A G E M E N T SYSTEM, AMENDING FOR THE

PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8749, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE CLEAN AIR ACT OF 1999, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representative RobesTO THE COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY

House Bill No. 7129, entitled:“ A N A C T R E G U L A T I N G T H E

P A C K A G I N G , U S E , S A L E , D I S T R I B U T I O N , A N D ADVERTISEMENT OF ELECTRONIC N I C O T I N E / N O N N I C O T I N E DELIVERY SYSTEMS (ENDS/ENNDS), HEATED TOBACCO PRODUCT (HTP), AND NOVEL TOBACCO PRODUCTS”

By Representative Delos SantosTO THE COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND

INDUSTRY AND THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH

House Bill No. 7130, entitled:“AN ACT PROMOTING THE ADOPTION

OF ELECTRONIC MONEY AS A MEDIUM OF EXCHANGE FOR FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT AND ALL MERCHANTS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representative Delos SantosTO THE COMMITTEE ON BANKS AND

FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

House Bill No. 7131, entitled:“AN ACT CREATING A NETWORK

OF PERMANENT QUARANTINE FACILITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES”

By Representative Delos SantosTO THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH

House Bill No. 7132, entitled:“AN ACT REPEALING REPUBLIC ACT

NO. 10912, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ‘CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACT’ ”

By Representative Delos SantosTO THE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER AND

TECHNICAL EDUCATION

House Bill No. 7133, entitled:“THE MAGNA CARTA FOR WORKERS


I N T H E A G R I C U L T U R A L DEVELOPMENT SECTORS”

By Representative Delos SantosTO THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE

AND FOOD

House Bill No. 7134, entitled:“AN ACT AMENDING CERTAIN

PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7610, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ‘SPECIAL PROTECTION O F C H I L D R E N A G A I N S T ABUSE, EXPLOITATION AND DISCRIMINATION ACT’ ”

By Representative Delos SantosTO THE COMMITTEE ON WELFARE OF

CHILDREN

House Bill No. 7135, entitled:“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE

PROTECTION AGAINST PANDEMIC A N D T H E D E V E L O P M E N T OF THE HEALTHCARE AND MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, A N D P R O V I D I N G F U N D S THEREFOR”

By Representative VillafuerteTO THE DEFEAT COVID-19 AD HOC

COMMITTEE

House Bill No. 7136, entitled:“ A N A C T M A N D A T I N G F O O D

SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS TO PURCHASE THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE OF LOCAL FARMERS O R P R O D U C E R S F O R T H E I R F O O D P R E P A R A T I O N A N D PRODUCTION”

By Representative Yap (Eric)TO THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE

AND FOOD


ESTABLISHMENT OF CULTURE, ARTS, TOURISM AND HERITAGE COUNCILS IN EVERY PROVINCE OF THE COUNTRY”

By Representative VargasTO THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC

EDUCATION AND CULTURE

House Bill No. 7139, entitled:“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE LIFETIME

VALIDITY OF BIRTH CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY THE PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representative VargasTO THE COMMITTEE ON POPULATION

AND FAMILY RELATIONS

House Bill No. 7140, entitled:“AN ACT CREATING THE NATIONAL

EYE CENTER AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”


REORGANIZATION AND THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH

House Bill No. 7141, entitled:“AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE ROLE

OF PARENTS ASSOCIATIONS AND CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE THE NATIONAL PARENT COUNCIL”



House Bill No. 7142, entitled:“ A N A C T E S T A B L I S H I N G A

MAMMOGRAPHY AND BREAST CANCER CENTER IN NOVALICHES, QUEZON CITY”


House Bill No. 7143, entitled:“AN ACT CREATING PLANTILLA

POSITIONS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR VOLUNTEER TEACHERS WITH AT LEAST FIVE (5) YEARS OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

By Representative VargasT O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

House Bill No. 7144, entitled:“AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE


EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS OF MEMBERS OF THE RESERVE FORCE OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representative VargasTO THE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

House Bill No. 7145, entitled:“ A N A C T M A N D A T I N G T H E

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS TO PRIORITIZE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE ACCESSIBILITY OF ALL TOURISM SITES IN THE COUNTRY, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF”

By Representative VargasTO THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC

WORKS AND HIGHWAYS

House Bill No. 7146, entitled:“AN ACT ESTABLISHING A TERTIARY

HOSPITAL UNDER THE CONTROL, SUPERVISION, AND MANAGEMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IN THE CITY OF CANDON, PROVINCE OF ILOCOS SUR TO BE KNOWN AS THE ILOCOS SUR MEDICAL CENTER, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representative Singson-MeehanTO THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH

House Bill No. 7147, entitled:“AN ACT CREATING THE COMMISSION

ON IMMIGRATION, DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, EXPANDING, RATIONALIZING AND FURTHER PROFESSIONALIZING ITS ORGANIZATION, UPGRADING THE COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS OF ITS OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

By Representative TambuntingTO THE COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE

House Bill No. 7148, entitled:“AN ACT AMENDING SECTION 33

OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6975, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR A N D L O C A L G O V E R N M E N T ACT OF 1990, TO EXPAND THE ELIGIBILITY FOR LATERAL ENTRY INTO THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE”

By Representative RomualdoTO THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC

ORDER AND SAFETY

House Bill No. 7149, entitled:“AN ACT AMENDING SECTION

24 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6975, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR A N D L O C A L G O V E R N M E N T ACT OF 1990, TO PROVIDE FOR T H E E S T A B L I S H M E N T O F A NATIONAL POLICE CLEARANCE SYSTEM”

By Representative RomualdoTO THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC

ORDER AND SAFETY

House Bill No. 7150, entitled:“AN ACT GRANTING IMMEDIATE

COMPENSATION BENEFITS FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE USERS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 5 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11036, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE MENTAL HEALTH ACT”


House Bill No. 7151, entitled:“AN ACT PENALIZING PRANK CALLERS

TO EMERGENCY HOTLINES”By Representative VargasTO THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC

ORDER AND SAFETY

House Bill No. 7152, entitled:“ A N A C T P R O V I D I N G F O R A

NATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF DIGITAL CAREERS IN THE PHILIPPINES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”




House Bill No. 7153, entitled:“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A NATIONAL

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION POLICY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”



House Bill No. 7154, entitled:“AN ACT PROVIDING SENIOR CITIZENS

FREE MOVIE ACCESS TO ALL MOVIE THEATERS NATIONWIDE AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR”

By Representative VargasTO THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON

SENIOR CITIZENS

House Bill No. 7155, entitled:“ A N A C T R E Q U I R I N G T H E

ESTABLISHMENT OF QUARANTINE FACILITIES IN EVERY REGION IN THE COUNTRY, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”


House Bill No. 7156, entitled:“AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT

NO. 11332, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ‘MANDATORY REPORTING OF NOTIFIABLE DISEASES AND HEALTH EVENTS OF PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN ACT’ ”

By Representative VargasTO THE DEFEAT COVID-19 AD HOC

COMMITTEE

House Bill No. 7157, entitled:“AN ACT INSTITUTING THE MEDICAL

RESERVE CORPS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”


House Bill No. 7158, entitled:“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A UNIFIED

S Y S T E M F O R S E P A R A T I O N , RETIREMENT, AND PENSION OF THE MILITARY AND UNIFORMED PERSONNEL (MUP) SERVICES OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, C R E A T I N G T H E M I L I T A R Y AND UNIFORM PERSONNEL RETIREMENT FUND AUTHORITY, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representative VargasTO THE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

House Bill No. 7159, entitled:“AN ACT DEFINING AND PENALIZING

THE CRIME OF STAGED KIDNAPPING AND DETENTION, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE ACT NO. 3815, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE REVISED PENAL CODE”

By Representative RomualdoTO THE COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE

House Bill No. 7160, entitled:“AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT

NO. 5527”By Representative TaduranTO THE COMMITTEE ON CIVIL

SERVICE AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION

House Bill No. 7161, entitled:“AN ACT GRANTING HAZARD PAY TO

COURT SHERIFFS”By Representative TaduranTO THE COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE

House Bill No. 7162, entitled:“AN ACT PROVIDING PROTECTION TO

INDIVIDUALS ENGAGED IN THE FOOD AND GROCERY DELIVERY SERVICES”

By Representative OlivarezTO THE COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND

EMPLOYMENT

House Bill No. 7163, entitled:“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR AN


O P T I O N F O R Q U A L I F I E D ELECTED OFFICIALS TO PAY VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION TO THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM TO ENABLE THEM TO COMPLETE THE MINIMUM YEARS OF SERVICE, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTIONS 13 AND 13-A OF REPUBLIC ACT 8291, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ‘GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE ACT OF 1997’ ”

By Representative OlivarezT O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

GOVERNMENT ENTERPRISES AND PRIVATIZATION

House Bill No. 7164, entitled:“AN ACT ESTABLISHING EMERGENCY

EVACUATION CENTERS IN ALL PROVINCES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

By Representative SavellanoTO THE COMMITTEE ON DISASTER

RESILIENCE


PROTECTION AGAINST PANDEMIC A N D T H E D E V E L O P M E N T OF THE HEALTHCARE AND MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, A N D P R O V I D I N G F U N D S THEREFOR”

By Representative RodriguezTO THE DEFEAT COVID-19 AD HOC

COMMITTEE


CONSTRUCTION OF A NATIONAL HIGHWAY IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF TUBOD AND BAROY, LANAO DEL NORTE FROM THE PANGUIL BAY BRIDGE ACCESS ROAD TO THE ARSENIO A. QUIBRANZA N A T I O N A L H I G H W A Y ( T U B O D - G A N A S S I R O A D ) AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

By Representative Dimaporo (Khalid)

TO THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS

House Bill No. 7167, entitled:“AN ACT GRANTING BENEFITS TO

MEDICAL WORKERS, PROVIDING FOR THE PROTECTION AND ADVANCING THE WELFARE OF MEDICAL FRONTLINERS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representative TambuntingTO THE DEFEAT COVID-19 AD HOC

COMMITTEE

House Bill No. 7168, entitled:“AN ACT PROVIDING FREE EDUCATION

T O S E N I O R C I T I Z E N S A N D PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR”

By Representative VargasTO THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON

SENIOR CITIZENS


PHILIPPINE GERIATRIC HEALTH AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE, DEFINING ITS OBJECTIVES, POWERS, AND FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”


REORGANIZATION AND THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH

House Bill No. 7170, entitled:“AN ACT GIVING PRIORITY TO RETIRED

TEACHERS IN THE AVAILMENT OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES AND PUBLIC UTILITIES”



House Bill No. 7171, entitled:“ A N A C T E S T A B L I S H I N G A N

EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP P R O G R A M F O R I M M E D I A T E DEPENDENTS OF OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWs) ,


BOTH SEA-BASED AND LAND-BASED, WHO DIED OR SUFFERED PERMANENT DISABILITIES WHILE WORKING ABROAD OR OVERSEAS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

By Representative VargasTO THE COMMITTEE ON OVERSEAS

WORKERS AFFAIRS

House Bill No. 7172, entitled:“ A N A C T C R E A T I N G O F F I C E

ERGONOMIC STANDARDS TO ADDRESS THE HEALTH RISKS RELATED TO COMPUTER-USE IN THE WORKPLACE”


House Bill No. 7173, entitled:“AN ACT PROVIDING PROTECTION TO

CONSUMERS AND THEIR EDICAL NECESSITIES DURING PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES, EPIDEMICS OR OUTBREAKS, AND PANDEMICS, AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7581, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ‘PRICE ACT’ AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”


COMMITTEE

House Bill No. 7174, entitled:“ A N A C T P R O H I B I T I N G T H E

ACTIVE USE AND DISPLAY OF C O M M E R C I A L B I L L B O A R D S DURING TYPHOONS”

By Representative VargasTO THE COMMITTEE ON DISASTER

RESILIENCE

House Bill No. 7175, entitled:“AN ACT RENEWING THE FRANCHISE

GRANTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES SYSTEM TO CONSTRUCT, ESTABLISH, MAINTAIN, AND OPERATE FOR EDUCATION AND OTHER RELATED PURPOSES RADIO AND TELEVISION BROADCASTING STATIONS WITHIN THE UNIVERSITY

OF THE PHILIPPINES AND SUCH OTHER AREAS WITHIN THE SCOPE OF ITS OPERATION UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8160 TO ANOTHER TWENTY-FIVE (25) YEARS”

By Representative VargasTO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE

FRANCHISES

House Bill No. 7176, entitled:“AN ACT GRANTING HAZARD PAY TO

WORKERS IN CRITICAL INDUSTRIES DURING A STATE OF CALAMITY OR EMERGENCY OR PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY”


COMMITTEE

House Bill No. 7177, entitled:“AN ACT INCREASING THE BED

CAPACITY OF THE PHILIPPINE GENERAL HOSPITAL FROM ONE THOUSAND AND FIVE HUNDRED (1,500) BEDS TO TWO THOUSAND AND TWO HUNDRED (2,200) BEDS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”


House Bill No. 7178, entitled:“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A WAGE

E M P L O Y M E N T A S S I S T A N C E PROGRAM FOR DISPLACED AND/O R V U L N E R A B L E W O R K E R S I N S T I T U T I O N A L I Z I N G F O R THE PURPOSE THE TULONG PANGHANAPBUHAY SA ATING DISADVANTAGED/DISPLACED WORKERS (TUPAD) PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representative VargasTO THE COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND

EMPLOYMENT

House Bill No. 7179, entitled:“AN ACT PROMOTING WOMEN


PARTICIPATION AND EQUITABLE REPRESENTATION IN AND BY POLITICAL PARTIES, GIVING INCENTIVES THEREFOR, CREATING THE WOMEN IN POLITICAL PARTIES EMPOWERMENT FUND, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representative Acosta-AlbaTO THE COMMITTEE ON WOMEN AND

GENDER EQUALITY

House Bill No. 7180, entitled:“AN ACT TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY

HEALTH GRANT TO PERSONS ITH DISABILITIES DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR”

By Representative ArroyoTO THE DEFEAT COVID-19 AD HOC

COMMITTEE

House Bill No. 7181, entitled:“AN ACT CREATING THE METROPOLITAN

DAVAO DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR”

By Representative UngabTO THE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL

GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ENTERPRISES AND PRIVATIZATION

RESOLUTIONS

House Resolution No. 1065, entitled:“RESOLUTION URGING THE HOUSE

OF REPRESENTATIVES THROUGH THE COMMITTEE ON OVERSEAS WORKERS AFFAIRS TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, O N T H E I N C O N S I S T E N C I E S O F G O V E R N M E N T F I G U R E S REGARDING OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS AFFECTED BY COVID-19 AND RECOMMEND URGENT MEASURES TO STREAMLINE DATA REPORTING”

By Representatives Gaite, Zarate, Cullamat, Castro (France), Brosas and Elago

TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES

House Resolution No. 1066, entitled:“ A R E S O L U T I O N D I R E C T I N G

THE COMMITTEE ON GOOD GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC A C C O U N T A B I L I T Y T O CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, INTO THE ALLEGED INEFFICIENCIES OF A N D C O R R U P T I O N A T T H E PHILIPPINE HEALTH INSURANCE CORPORATION”

By Representative TambuntingTO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES

House Resolution No. 1067, entitled:“A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE

INTER-AGENCY TASK FORCE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES (IATF-EID) TO RECONSIDER THE REQUIREMENT TO INSTALL A PHYSICAL BARRIER ON MOTORCYCLES”

By Representative TambuntingTO THE DEFEAT COVID-19 AD HOC

COMMITTEE

House Resolution No. 1068, entitled:“A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC A C C O U N T S T O C O N D U C T AN INVESTIGATION, IN AID O F L E G I S L A T I O N , O N T H E ALLEGED CORRUPTION IN THE PHILIPPINE HEALTH INSURANCE CORPORATION (PHILHEALTH)”

By Representative BarbersTO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES

House Resolution No. 1069, entitled:“RESOLUTION CALLING FOR A MOTU

PROPRIO INVESTIGATION, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, BY THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ACCOUNTS ON THE ALLEGED CORRUPTION IN THE PHILHEALTH”

By Representative Defensor (Michael)TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES

House Resolution No. 1070, entitled:“RESOLUTION FOR THE HOUSE OF

REPRESENTATIVES TO CALL FOR


AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE JULY 3 INCIDENT WHEREIN AN EXPLOSION OCCURRED WITH AC ENERGY CORPORATION LOCATED AT ZONE 3, BO. OBRERO, LAPUZ, ILOILO CITY”

By Representative SavellanoTO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES

House Resolution No. 1071, entitled:“A RESOLUTION HONORING AND

CONGRATULATING THE IGLESIA NI CRISTO ON THE OCCASION O F I T S 1 0 6 T H F O U N D I N G ANNIVERSARY”

By Representative MadronaTO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES

House Resolution No. 1072, entitled:“RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE

COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE SERIES OF HARASSMENT AND HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS A G A I N S T R E S I D E N T S O F KASIGLAHAN VILLAGE, BRGY. SAN JOSE, RODRIGUEZ, RIZAL”

By Representatives Cullamat, Zarate and Gaite


House Resolution No. 1073, entitled:“A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GOOD GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY TO CONDUCT AN URGENT INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, INTO THE ALLEGED ANOMALIES SURROUNDING PHILHEALTH’S OPERATIONS”

By Representative VargasTO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES

House Resolution No. 1074, entitled:“RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE

COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ENTERPRISES AND PRIVATIZATION TO INVESTIGATE, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, THE ANOMALIES ON THE RELEASE OF INTERIM

REIMBURSEMENT MECHANISM FUNDS OF AND OTHER RELATED CORRUPTION CASES IN THE PHILIPPINE HEALTH INSURANCE CORPORATION”

By Representatives Zarate, Gaite and Cullamat


House Resolution No. 1075, entitled:“RESOLUTION FOR THE HOUSE OF

REPRESENTATIVES’ COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE COVID-19 RELATED DEATHS OF INMATES, I N C L U D I N G H I G H - P R O F I L E PRISONERS, IN THE NEW BILIBID PRISON”

By Representatives Zarate, Gaite, Cullamat, Castro (France), Brosas and Elago


House Resolution No. 1076, entitled:“RESOLUTION URGING THE INTER-

AGENCY TASK FORCE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF EMERGING I N F E C T I O U S D I S E A S E S T O SUSPEND THE IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF THE MOTORCYCLE BARRIER RULE”

By Representative AcostaTO THE DEFEAT COVID-19 AD HOC

COMMITTEE

House Resolution No. 1077, entitled:“RESOLUTION CALLING ON THE

H O U S E C O M M I T T E E O N G O O D G O V E R N M E N T A N D PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY TO INVESTIGATE, REVIEW, AND ASSESS, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, THE CLUTTER AND DISARRAY ON THE ASSISTANCE PROVIDED FOR THE LOCALLY STRANDED INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING THE FACILITATION OF TRANSPORT SERVICES TO MEDICAL SERVICES”

By Representatives Villafuerte, Tolentino and Yap (Eric)



COMMUNICATIONS

Letter dated April 28, 2020 of Richard I. Gomez, DPA, Mayor, Ormoc City, Province of Leyte, transmitting the Report on Fund Utilization and Status of Program/Project Implementation for the month ended March 31, 2020 on the Local Government Support Fund − Financial Assistance to Local Government Units (LGSF-FA to LGUs) and Local Government Support Fund − Assistance to Cities (LGSF-AC).T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated April 30, 2020 of Michael Angelo S. Sestoso, Municipal Mayor, Municipality of Alcoy, Province of Cebu, giving notice to the House of Representatives of their Report on Fund Utilization of the Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities for the month of April 30, 2020.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated March 9, 2020 of Amparo M. Cabotaje-Tang, Presiding Justice, Sandiganbayan, Quezon City, submitting to the House of Representatives the Fortieth Annual Report of the Sandiganbayan for Calendar Year 2018.TO THE COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE

Letter dated March 12, 2020 of Caesar R. Dulay, Commissioner, Bureau of InternalRevenue, Department of Finance, submitting to the House of Representatives their Consolidated Monthly Report of Disbursements (FAR 4) for the month ofFebruary 2020.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated 20 March 2020 of Benjamin E. Diokno, Governor, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), submitting to the House of Representatives their Report on Economic and Financial Developments in the Philippines, Fourth Quarter 2019.TO THE COMMITTEE ON BANKS AND


Letter dated May 7, 2020 of Jonathan O. Mahimpit, Municipal Mayor, Municipality of President Roxas, Province of Cotabato, informing the House of Representatives that the Monthly Report on Fund Utilization and Status of Program/Project/Activity Implementation for the month of April 30, 2020 of the Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities was already posted in their LGU website (www.presroxascot.com) last May 6, 2020.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated May 7, 2020 of Glenn F. Baricuatro, Municipal Mayor, Municipality of Pinamungajan, Province of Cebu, informing the House of Representatives that the said LGU has posted in their website and in three (3) conspicuous places within their municipality the status report on their utilization of the Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities (BGCM) as of April 30, 2020.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated May 13, 2020 of Osmundo N. Dela Rosa, Municipal Mayor, Municipality of Malitbog, Province of Bukidnon, informing the House of Representatives that the said LGU had uploaded on May 12, 2020, into malitbog.com.ph the Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities (BGCM) Report on Fund Utilization and Status of Program/Project/Activity Implementation for the month of April 2020.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated May 13, 2020 of Kristine Vanessa T. Chiong, City Mayor, City of Naga, Province of Cebu, informing the House of Representatives that the said City has posted their Report on Fund Utilization and Status of Program/Project/Activity Implementation as of April 30, 2020 on the following sites:1. Three (3) conspicuous public places

within the City; and2 . T h e C i t y ’ s w e b s i t e a t w w w .


c i t y o f n a g a c e b u . g o v . p h u n d e r Transparency.


Letter dated May 15, 2020 of Melchor D. Diclas, MD., Provincial Governor, Municipality of La Trinidad, Province of Benguet, informing the House of Representatives that their Report on Fund Utilization and Status of Program/Project/Activity Implementation of the Bayanihan Grant to Provinces for the month of April 2020 has been posted in their website.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated May 19, 2020 of Amalia C. Cabrera, Municipal Mayor, Municipality of Nagbukel, Province of Ilocos Sur, submitting to the House of Representatives their Reports on Fund Utilization and Status of Program/Project/Activity Implementation for the months of April and May 2020.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated May 20, 2020 of Constantino H. Reyes, Municipal Mayor, Municipality of Ubay, Province of Bohol, informing the House of Representatives that the said LGU posted on May 20, 2020 their monthly Report on Fund Utilization and Status of Program/Project/Activity Implementation for the month of April 30, 2020 on their website and in at least three (3) conspicuous public places in the municipality.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated 20 May 2020 of Janice G. Ayson-Zales, Deputy Director, Office of the General Counsel and Legal Services, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), transmitting to the House of Representatives duly certified electronic copies of the following BSP issuances:1. Memorandum No. M-2020-041 dated

15 May 2020;

2. Memorandum No. M-2020-042 dated 18 May 2020; and

3. Memorandum No. M-2020-043 dated 18 May 2020.

TO THE COMMITTEE ON BANKS AND FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

Letter dated May 20, 2020 of Lilioso M. Nunag, Municipal Mayor, Municipality of Antequera, Province of Bohol, submitting to the House of Representat ives their Report on Fund Utilization and Status of Program/Project/Activity Implementation for the month of April 2020 of the Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated May 22, 2020 of Irene C. Montilla, Municipal Mayor, Municipality of Isabela, Province of Negros Occidental, informing the House of Representatives that the said Municipality has complied with the posting requirement at three (3) conspicuous places, of the Report on Fund Utilization and Status of Program/Project/Activity Implementation for the month of April 30, 2020 of the Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated May 26, 2020 of Bienvenido P. Margarico, M.D., Municipal Mayor, Municipality of Janiuay, Province of Iloilo, submitting to the House of Representatives the Notice of Posting Reports of the said municipality of their Report on Fund Utilization and Status of Program/Project/Activity Implementation of the Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities for the month of April 2020.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated May 26, 2020 of Rema B. Somo, Municipal Mayor, Municipality of Santa Barbara, Province of Iloilo, sending to the House of Representatives a copy


of the Report on Fund Utilization and Status of Program/Project/Activity Implementation for the month of April 2020 of the Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated May 26, 2020 of Nathalie Ann F. Debuque, Municipal Mayor, Municipality of Anilao, Province of Iloilo, informing the House of Representatives that the said municipality has already completed 100% of the implementation of its Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities and the said reports had already been posted in their website anilaoiloilo.com and in three conspicuous public places in their community.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated May 27, 2020 of Hji. Tiblan C. Ahaja, Municipal Mayor, Municipality of Sitangkai, Province of Tawi-Tawi, informing the House of Representatives that this LGU already posted their Report on Fund Utilization and Status of Program/Project/Activity Implementation for the month of April 2020, in compliance to Local Budget Circular No. 125, dated April 7, 2020.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated May 27, 2020 of Hon. Julius S. Lobrigas, Municipal Mayor, Municipality of Siocon, Province of Zamboanga del Norte, notifying the House of Representatives that the Report on Fund Utilization and Status of Program/Project/Activity Implementation for the month of April 2020 of this LGU relative to the Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities (BGCM) has been posted in three (3) conspicuous public places in the locality.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated 28 May 2020 of Juanito Victor C. Remulla, Provincial Governor, Trece

Martires City, Province of Cavite, informing the House of Representatives that their Report on Fund Utilization and Status of Program/Project/Activity Implementation for the month of May 2020, relative to the Bayanihan Grant to Provinces has been posted.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated May 29, 2020 of Eugene U. Caballero, Municipal Mayor, Municipality of Manukan, Province of Zamboanga del Norte, submitting to the House of Representatives their Report on Fund Utilization and Status of Program/Project/Activity (PPAs) Implementation for the month of May 2020 on their share from Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities (BGCM).T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated 1 June 2020 of Janice G. Ayson-Zales, Deputy Director, Office of the General Counsel and Legal Services, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), transmitting to the House of Representatives duly certified electronic copies of the following BSP issuances:1. Memorandum No. M-2020-044 dated

29 May 2020; and2. Advisory to Memorandum No. M-2020-

021 dated 08 April 2020.TO THE COMMITTEE ON BANKS AND


Letter dated June 1, 2020 of Hon. Rosendo “Dodoy” S. Labadlabad, Municipal Mayor, Municipality of Sindangan, Province of Zamboanga del Norte, notifying the House of Representatives that their Municipality has already complied with the Posting and Reporting Requirements of the Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities thru the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PHILGEPS).T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated June 1, 2020 of Patchito T. Eguia, Municipal Mayor, Municipality


of Katipunan, Province of Zamboanga del Norte, notifying the House of Representatives that their municipality has complied with the posting and reporting requirements on the Implementation of Programs/Projects/Activities (PPAs) in their local website (www.katipunan.gov.ph).T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated June 1, 2020 of Ciceron P. Altarejos, Municipal Mayor, Municipality of San Jacinto, Province of Masbate, transmitting to the House of Representatives the copies of their Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities Report on Fund Utilization and Status of Program/Project/Activity Implementation for the months of April and May 2020.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated June 1, 2020 of Rosalina G. Jaolosjos, City Mayor, City of Dapitan, Province of Zamboanga del Norte, submitting to the House of Representatives the following reports which were posted in the city’s website and in three (3) conspicuous places:1. Report on Fund Utilization and

Status of Program/Project/Activity Implementation for the month of May 2020 of the Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities;

2. Report on Fund Utilization and Status of Program/Project Implementation for the Quarter ended March 31, 2020 on the Local Government Support Fund; and

3. Report on Fund Utilization and Status of Program/Project Implementation for the Quarter ended December 31, 2019 on the Local Government Support Fund.


Letter dated June 1, 2020 of Jose Enrique M. Miraflores, Municipal Mayor, Municipality of Ibajay, Province of Aklan, submitting to

the House of Representatives the Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities Report on Fund Utilization of Program, Project and Activity (PPA) Implementation as of May 31, 2020.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated June 2, 2020 of Rolando L. Macasaet, President and General Manager, Government Service Insurance System, submitting their Investment Portfolio as of December 31, 2019.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

GOVERNMENT ENTERPRISES AND PRIVATIZATION

Letter dated June 3, 2020 of Sandra M. Balt, State Auditor IV, Audit Team Leader, Team R10-03, Audit Group NGS-SUCs and Other NGS Stand Alone Agencies, Commission on Audit, furnishing the House of Representatives a copy of the Annual Audit Reports (AARs) CY 2019 on the Mindanao State University − Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated June 3, 2020 of Jonathan O. Mahimpit, Municipal Mayor, Municipality of President Roxas, Province of Cotabato, informing the House of Representatives that the Monthly Report on Fund Utilization and Status of Program/Project/Activity Implementation for the month of May 31, 2020 of the Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities was already posted in their LGU website (www.presroxascot.com) last June 2, 2020.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated June 3, 2020 of Geraldford N. Balbin, Municipal Mayor, Municipality of New Bataan, Province of Davao de Oro, informing the House of Representatives that their Report on Fund Utilization and Status of Programs/Projects/Activities funded by Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities for the month of May 2020


have been posted in three (3) conspicuous areas on June 3, 2020.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated 4 June 2020 of Gian Carlo F. Occeña, Municipal Mayor, Municipality of Sibalom, Province of Antique, submitting to the House of Representatives their Report on Fund Utilization and Status of Programs/Projects/Activities Implementation as of the month of May 2020 of the Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated June 4, 2020 of Hon. Abel M. Matildo, Municipal Mayor, Municipality of Godod, Province of Zamboanga del Norte, informing the House of Representatives that their Municipality has already complied in the Posting and Reporting requirements on the Implementation of Program/Project/Activity or PPA’s in the (3) conspicuous places.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated June 4, 2020 of Hon. Rommel T. Labasan, Municipal Mayor, Municipality of Pinili, Province of Ilocos Norte, informing the House of Representatives that they already posted in their agency website their Report on Fund Utilization and Status of Program/Project/Activity Implementation of the Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities for the months of April and May 2020 on June 4, 2020.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated June 5, 2020 of Arth Bryan C. Celeste, City Mayor, City of Alaminos, Province of Pangasinan, forwarding to the House of Representatives a copy of their Report on Fund Utilization and Status of Program/Project/Activity Implementation of the Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities for the month of May 31, 2020.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated June 5, 2020 of Dale B. Corvera, Provincial Governor, City of Butuan, Province of Agusan del Norte, forwarding to the House of Representatives a copy of their Report on Fund Utilization and Status of Program/Project/Activity Implementation of the fund under Bayanihan Grant to Provinces for the month of May 2020.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated June 8, 2020 of Antonio L. Libuangan, Municipal Mayor, Municipality of Laak, Province of Compostela Valley, informing the House of Representatives that their Report on Fund Utilization and Status of Program/Project/Activity Implementation for the month of May 2020 under Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities (BGCM) has been posted at LGU’s website and in at least three (3) conspicuous public places in the locality on June 4, 2020.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated June 8, 2020 of Rogerio C. Acle, Municipal Mayor, Municipality of Mahinog, Province of Camiguin, informing the House of Representatives that their Monthly Report on the BGCM Fund Utilization and Status of Implementation of Programs, Projects and Activities for the month of May 2020 has been posted in the Office of the Municipal Mayor and Facebook Page on May 29, 2020.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Notice dated 9 June 2020 of Jovencio Li. Mayor, Jr., Municipal Mayor, Municipality of Ferrol, Province of Romblon, informing the House of Representatives that their Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities Report on Fund Utilization and Status of Program/Project/Activity Implementation for the months of April and May 2020 were posted in three (3) conspicuous public places in the locality.



Letter dated June 9, 2020 of Christyne R. Raymundo, State Auditor III, OIC-Audit Team Leader, Audit Team No. R3-09, SUCs and Other NGS Stand-Alone Agencies, Commission on Audit, furnishing the House of Representatives a copy of the Annual Audit Report on the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy, San Narciso, Zambales for the year ended December 31, 2019.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated June 9, 2020 of Gary T. Fuentes, Municipal Mayor, Municipality of Tangalan, Province of Aklan, informing the House of Representatives that their Monthly Monitoring Report on Fund Utilization of the Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities (BGCM) for the month ended May 31, 2020 has been posted on LGU’s website and in three (3) conspicuous public places in the municipality.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated June 10, 2020 of Emarie F. Agustino, Municipal Mayor, Municipality of Ayungon, Province of Negros Oriental, informing the House of Representatives that their Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities Report on Fund Utilization and Status of Programs/Projects/Activities Implementation for the months of April and May 2020 has been posted in the LGU website www.ayungon.gov.ph and in three (3) conspicuous public places in the locality.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated June 10, 2020 of Indira A. Carpio, State Auditor IV, Audit Team Leader, Audit Group CGS WDs and Other CGS SAAs, Audit Team R10-06, Commission on Audit, furnishing the House of Representatives with copies of the CY 2019 Annual Audit Report on the following Water Districts:1. Metro Ozamiz Water Distr ic t ,

Maningcol, Ozamiz City;

2. Tangub City Water District, Tangub City; and

3. Oroquieta City Water District , Oroquieta City.


Report dated June 10, 2020 of Honorable Jose Luis G. Montales, Secretary General, House of Representatives, on enrolled consolidated version of Senate Bill No. 1083 and House Bill No. 6875 transmitted to the Office of the President, for His Excellency’s consideration and signature, pursuant to Section 18(h), Rule VI of the Rules of the House of Representatives, entitled:“AN ACT TO PREVENT, PROHIBIT

AND PENALIZE TERRORISM, THEREBY REPEALING REPUBLIC A C T N O . 9 3 7 2 , O T H E R W I S E K N O W N A S T H E ‘ H U M A N S E C U R I T Y A C T O F 2 0 0 7 ’ ” .

Letter dated June 11, 2020 of Reynaldo L. Dayanghirang, Municipal Mayor, Municipality of Mabini, Province of Davao de Oro, submitting to the House of Representatives their Report on Fund Utilization and Status of Program/Project/Activity Implementation for the month of May 2020 under the Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities and has been posted in their LGU website (lgumabini.com).T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated 15 June 2020 of Janice G. Ayson-Zales, Deputy Director, Office of the General Counsel and Legal Services, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), transmitting to the House of Representatives duly certified electronic copies of the following BSP issuances:1. Circular No. 1088 dated 11 May 2020;

and2. Memorandum No. M-2020-049 dated

9 June 2020.TO THE COMMITTEE ON BANKS AND



Notice of Posting dated June 15, 2020 of Janice V. Degamo, Municipal Mayor, Municipality of Pamplona, Province of Negros Oriental, informing the House of Representatives that their Report on Fund Utilization and Status of Programs/Projects/Activities funded out from the Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities (BGCM) for the month of May 2020 are posted at the following:1. Pamplona NegOr FB Page; and2. Three (3) Conspicuous Places:

a. Municipal Hall Lobbyb. Public Marketc. Pamplona Public Plaza.


Letter dated June 15, 2020 of Ricster P. Jabien, State Auditor III, Audit Team Leader, Audit Group R10-02 - SUCs and Other Stand Alone Agencies, Region 10, Commission on Audit, transmitting the Annual Audit Report on the Bukidnon State University (BukSU), Malaybalay City for the year ended December 31, 2019.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated June 15, 2020 of Felix M. Basallaje Jr., OIC-Regional Director, Regional Office No. XIII, Commission on Audit, submitting to the House of Representatives copies of the Annual Audit Reports (AARs) for CY 2019 on the following NGS-State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) under the audit jurisdiction of this Regional Office:1. Caraga State University, Ampayon,

Butuan City;2. Agusan del Sur State College of

Agriculture and Technology, Bunawan, Agusan del Sur;

3. Surigao del Sur State College University; and

4. Surigao State College of Technology (SSCT).


Letter dated 17 June 2020 of Benjamin

E. Diokno, Governor, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), submitting to the House of Representatives their Report on Economic and Financial Developments in the Philippines, First Quarter 2020.TO THE COMMITTEE ON BANKS AND


Letter dated June 17, 2020 of Eleanor O. Mena, State Auditor V, Supervising Auditor, Audit Group CGS − Water District I, II and Other CGS Stand Alone Agencies, Commission on Audit, furnishing the House of Representatives with copies of the CY 2018-2019 Annual Audit Reports (AARs) and Management Letter on the following Water Districts:A. Annual Audit Reports1. Alimodian Water District, Alimodian,

Iloilo (CY 2018-2019);2. Calinog Water District, Calinog, Iloilo

(CY 2019);3. Zarraga Water District, Zarraga, Iloilo

(CY 2019);4. Igbaras Water District, Igbaras, Iloilo

(CY 2019);5. Dingle-Pototan Water District, Brgy.

Abangay, Pototan, Iloilo (CY 2018-2019);

6. Dumangas-Barotac Nuevo Water District, PD Monfort North, Dumangas, Iloilo (CY 2018-2019); and

7. Culasi Water District, Culasi, Antique (CY 2018-2019).

B. Management Letter1. Sibalom Water District, Sibalom,

Antique.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated June 18, 2020 of Michael G. Aguinaldo, Chairperson, Commission on Audit, furnishing the House of Representatives with copies of the CY 2018-2019 Annual Audit Reports (AARs) on the following Government-Owned or Controlled Corporations in the NCR:1. Batangas Land Company, Inc. (A

Subsidiary of the National Development Company);

2. First Cavite Industrial Estate, Inc.


(A wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Development Company);

3. Gy Real Estate, Inc. (A Subsidiary of the National Development Company);

4. Inter-Island Gas Service, Inc. (A wholly-owned subsidiary of the Manila Gas Corporation);

5. Kamayan Realty Corporation (A Subsidiary of the National Development Company);

6. Manila Gas Corporation (A Subsidiary o f the Nat iona l Deve lopment Company);

7. NDC − Philippine Infrastructure Corporat ion (A whol ly-owned subsidiary of the National Development Company);

8. Pinagkaisa Realty Corporation (A Subsidiary of the National Development Company);

9. Northeastern Luzon Pacific Coastal Service Inc.; and

10. Philippine Institute for Development Studies.


Letter dated June 18, 2020 of Richard I. Gomez, DPA, Mayor, Ormoc City, Province of Leyte, informing the House of Representatives that the LGU of Ormoc has uploaded to its official website (http://ormoc.gov.ph/oromocweb) their Reports on Fund Utilization and Status of Programs/Projects/Activities funded out of the Bayanihan Grant for Cities and Municipalities (BGCM) for the month ofMay 2020.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated 18 June 2020 of Sec. Adelino B Sitoy, Presidential Adviser on Legislative Affairs and Head, PLLO, submitting the details on Appropriations, Obligations and Disbursements of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) for the months ending February 29, 2020; March 31, 2020; April 30, 2020 and May 31, 2020 pursuant to Section 88 of the General Provisions of Republic Act No. 11465.


Letter dated June 19, 2020 of Jeri Mae E. Calderon, Municipal Mayor, Municipality of Angono, Province of Rizal, submitting to the House of Representatives a written notice that their Bayanihan Grant for Cities and Municipalities (BGCM) Reports on Fund Utilization and Status of Program/Project/Activity Implementation have been made and posted on the Municipality’s website and other conspicuous places.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated 23 June 2020 of Enrico L. Español, Legal Counsel, Primeworld Digital Systems, Inc., submitting to the House of Representatives their Annual Report for the year ending December 31, 2019.TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE

FRANCHISES

Letter dated 23 June 2020 of Enrico L. Español, Legal and Regulatory, Smart Communications, Inc., submitting to the House of Representatives their Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2019.TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE

FRANCHISES

Letter dated 23 June 2020 of Enrico L. Español, Legal Counsel, Smart Broadband, Inc., submitting to the House of Representatives their Annual Report for the year endedDecember 31, 2019.TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE

FRANCHISES

Letter dated 23 June 2020 of Roy Cecil D. Ibay, Legal and Regulatory, Digitel Mobile Phils., Inc., submitting to the House of Representatives their Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2019.TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE

FRANCHISES

Email dated June 23, 2020 of Roy Perez, Municipal Budget Officer, Municipality


of Balete, Province of Aklan, forwarding to the House of Representat ives their Report on Fund Utilization and Status of Program/Project/Activity Implementation of Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities for the month of April 2020.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated 29 June 2020 of Benjamin E. Diokno, Governor, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), submitting to the House of Representatives the 2019 BSP Annual Report.TO THE COMMITTEE ON BANKS AND


Letter dated June 29, 2020 of Maria Eloisa A. Cajeles, OIC-Audit Team Leader, Office of the Auditor, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Olongapo City, Commission on Audit, transmitting to t he House of Representatives a copy of the 2019 Annual Audit Report on the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) for the year ended December 31, 2019.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

Report dated July 1 2020 of Honorable Jose Luis G. Montales, Secretary General, House of Representatives, on enrolled bills transmitted to the Office of the President, for His Excellency’s consideration and signature, pursuant to Section 18(h), Rule VI of the Rules of the House of Representatives,1. House Bill No. 4463, entitled:“AN ACT EXTENDING FOR ANOTHER

TWENTY-FIVE (25) YEARS THE F R A N C H I S E G R A N T E D T O FIRST UNITED BROADCASTING C O R P O R A T I O N , P R E S E N T L Y KNOWN AS GLOBAL SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY SERVICES INC., AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8079, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED ‘AN ACT GRANTING THE FIRST UNITED BROADCASTING CORPORATION

( F U B C ) A F R A N C H I S E T O C O N S T R U C T , I N S T A L L , O P E R A T E , A N D M A I N T A I N FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES R A D I O A N D T E L E V I S I O N B R O A D C A S T I N G S T A T I O N S ANYWHERE IN THE PHILIPPINES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES’ ”; and

2. House Bill No. 4583, entitled:“AN ACT RENEWING FOR ANOTHER

TWENTY-FIVE (25) YEARS THE F R A N C H I S E G R A N T E D T O BROADCAST ENTERPRISES AND AFFILIATED MEDIA, INC. UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8098 TO CONSTRUCT, INSTALL, ESTABLISH, OPERATE, AND MAINTAIN RADIO AND TELEVISION BROADCASTING STATIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES”.

Letter dated 2 July 2020 of Janice G. Ayson-Zales, Deputy Director, Office of the General Counsel and Legal Services, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), transmitting to the House of Representatives duly certified electronic copies of the following BSP issuances:1. Memorandum No. M-2020-054 dated

26 June 2020;2. Circular Letter No. 2020-029 dated 30

June 2020; and3. Circular Letter No. 2020-030 dated 27

June 2020.TO THE COMMITTEE ON BANKS AND


Letter dated 9 July 2020 of Janice G. Ayson-Zales, Deputy Director, Office of the General Counsel and Legal Services, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), transmitting to the House of Representatives duly certified electronic copies of the following BSP issuances:1. Circular Letter No. CL-2020-031 dated

6 July 2020;2. Circular Letter No. CL-2020-032 dated

6 July 2020; and3. Circular No. 1089 dated 7 July 2020.TO THE COMMITTEE ON BANKS AND



Letter dated 17 July 2020 of Janice G. Ayson-Zales, Deputy Director, Office of the General Counsel and Legal Services, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), transmitting to the House of Representatives duly certified electronic copy of Memorandum No. M-2020-055 dated 11 July 2020.TO THE COMMITTEE ON BANKS AND


Certification letter dated June 17, 2020 of Kathrine B. Robles, Municipal Mayor, Municipality of Baras, Province of Rizal, that they have completed with the posting requirements of the BGCM Utilization Report as of April 30 and May 31, 2020 as mandated under Section 4 of LBC No. 125.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

2019 Annual Report of the Bureau of Customs.TO THE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND

MEANS

Copies of ASEAN China Report dated April/May 2020 Vol. 5 No. 4/5.TO THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON

EAST ASEAN GROWTH AREA

Quarterly Financial and Physical Report of Operations for the Quarter ending March 31, 2020 of the Province of Surigao del Sur, on the Local Government Support Fund – Conditional Matching Grant to Provinces for Road Repair, Rehabilitation and Improvement (CMGP), attested by Alexander T. Pimentel, Provincial Governor.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

2019 Official Development Assistance Portfolio Review, Main Report and Annexes of the National Economic and Development Authority.TO THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC

AFFAIRS

2019 Annual Audit Reports and Consolidated Annual Audit Report on the following State Universities/Colleges, Other Stand

Alone Agencies and Water Districts from the Commission on Audit:A. Annual Audit Reports1. Northwestern Mindanao State College

of Science and Technology, Tangub City, Misamis Occidental;

2. Mindanao State University − Naawan, Naawan, Misamis Oriental;

3. Bulacan Agricultural State College, Pinaod, San Ildefonso, Bulacan;

4. Bulacan State University, City of Malolos, Bulacan;

5. Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, Cabanatuan City;

6. Don Honorio Ventura State University, Bacolor, Pampanga;

7. Subic-Clark Alliance for Development, Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga;

8. Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization;

9. Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU);

10. University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTsP), Cagayan de Oro City;

11. University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTsP), Claveria Campus, Claveria, Misamis Oriental;

12. Camiguin Polytechnic State College (CPSC) , Ba lbagon, Mambajao , Camiguin;

13. Bataan Peninsula State University, City of Balanga, Bataan;

14. Linamon Water District, Linamon, Lanao del Norte;

15. Kauswagan Water District, Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte;

16. Bacolod Water District, Bacolod, Lanao del Norte;

17. K o l a m b u g a n W a t e r D i s t r i c t , Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte;

18. Tubod-Baroy Water District, Tubod, Lanao del Norte;

19. Kapatagan Water District, Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte;

20. Government Arsenal, Department of National Defense, Camp General Antonio Luna, Limay, Bataan;

21. President Ramon Magsaysay State University, Iba, Zambales;


22. Quirino State University, Diffun, Quirino;

23. University of Southeastern Philippines, Davao City; and

24. C e n t r a l M i n d a n a o U n i v e r s i t y (CMU) University Town, Maramag, Bukidnon.

B. Consolidated Annual Audit Report1. Philippine Carabao Center.T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N

APPROPRIATIONS

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abu). Majority Leader.

PRIVILEGE HOUR

REP. CRISOLOGO. Mr. Speaker, with leave of the House, I move that we open the Privilege Hour, Mr. Speaker.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abu). Any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; with leave of the House, the Privilege Hour is opened.

Majority Leader.

REP. CRISOLOGO. Mr. Speaker, I move that we recognize the honorable Rep. Yasser Alonto Balindong from the Second District of Lanao del Sur for his privilege speech.


THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abu). The Representative from the Second District of Lanao del Sur, Hon. Yasser Balindong, is recognized to avail of his Privilege Hour.

REP. CRISOLOGO. Mr. Speaker, it looks like the Representative has some difficulty with communication. I withdraw my motion to recognize Representative Balindong.

I therefore move that we recognize the honorable Representative from the ACT Teachers Party-List, Rep. France Castro, for her privilege speech.


THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abu). The Representative from the ACT Teachers Party-List, Hon. France Castro, is recognized to avail of the Privilege Hour.

PRIVILEGE SPEECH OF REP. CASTRO (F.L.)

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). Salamat po, Mr. Speaker. Magandang araw po sa ating lahat.

Ang akin pong pribilehiyong talumpati ay iyong tungkol sa Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan.

Muli, magandang araw, Ginoong Speaker, at sa mga kapwa ko Kinatawan. Gusto ko pong ipaabot ang tunay na kalagayan ng sektor ng edukasyon ngayong nalalapit na ang pagbubukas ng School Year 2020 to 2021 sa Agosto 24. Dahil sa pandemya, wala munang face-to-face classes ngunit magpapatuloy ang edukasyon sa pamamagitan ng implementasyon ng Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan ng Department of Education na i-implement sa tatlong paraan: Online Distance Learning, Modular Distance Learning or Television/Radio-Based Instruction.

Sa kasalukuyan, ang mga pampublikong guro ay nagsimula nang mag-work from home o mayroong alternative work arrangement noon pang Hunyo 1. Ang Kinatawan pong ito ay naniniwala na ang Learning Continuity Plan na gusto ng DepEd ay masasabing inaccessible at discriminatory para sa mga mahihirap at marginalized sector. As of today, Mr. Speaker, July 29, nasa 22.1 million students in public and private schools, or 79.87 percent out of 27.7 million, noong 2019 to 2020 enrollment pa lamang ang naka-enroll at halos 5.6-million pa ang kulang. Dapat ang inaasahan ng DepEd ay mas mataas pang percent ng enrollment kasi may increment naman ito bawat taon. Sobrang liit din ng enrollment ng learners with disabilities.

Mula sa mga konsultasyon sa aming constituents, Mr. Speaker, lumalabas na ang problema ay Internet accessibility, walang electronic gadget o hindi marunong ang magulang sa electronic enrollment. Dagdag pa mula sa survey ng DepEd, halos 49 percent ng 787,066 teachers ang nagsasabi na wala silang access sa computer at Internet connection sa kanilang tahanan. Nakita natin ito sa balita. Kinakailangan pang mag-camping ang mga guro sa kalsada upang magkaroon ng signal at makasali sa webinars or online in-service trainings.


Mr. Speaker, kung inyo pong ipapahintulot, ipi-present ko po ang resulta ng survey ng Alliance of Concerned Teachers-Philippines, na siya pong pinakamalaking bahagi ng constituents ng Kinatawang ito, tungkol sa preparedness ng public school system sa August school opening. Ito po iyong tinatawag nating “Rapid Assessment of the Public School System Preparedness for August Class Opening.” Sa survey po, the survey was done online through Google Forms from July 18 to July 22. There were a total of 1,463 teachers randomly selected all over the country who responded to the survey, of which 33 or 2.3 percent indicated that their schools are not offering classes in the next academic year. Because the survey was done online, it must be stressed that the sample may under represent teachers from far-flung communities which do not have access to electricity, much less an Internet connection. Of those working in schools that are offering classes in August, two-thirds or 67.5—next slide, please—two-thirds or 65.5 percent said their schools are implementing online distance learning in the coming academic year. In terms of access to resources, about one in five teachers who will be teaching online reported not having a computer they can use for school work, while one in four does not have Internet access.

Please continue with the slides, please. Okay, so makikita po natin diyan, doon sa

ating mga slides, sa na-survey po natin mula July 18 to 22, iyong mga teachers, from 1,463 teachers—sige po, continue. In terms of access to resources, about one in five teachers who will be teaching online reported not having a computer that they can use for school work, while one in four does not have Internet access. In terms of who funds the printing of modules, about one in four respondents answered their schools, while close to one in five said they do not have an idea. Some five percent noted they are shelling out funds or soliciting in order to print out the modules.

Another finding is that some 45 percent of the respondents said their schools do not have a functional clinic. At rural areas, 56 percent of teachers reported not having a working clinic.

Additionally, sanitation infrastructure is severely lacking in schools. Only about four in 10 teachers noted that their schools comply with the Sanitation Code-prescribed ratio of one functional hand washing station per 50 students. Only one in three said they have one toilet per 30 female students, and only one in five said they follow the ratio of one toilet and one urinal per 50 male students. Meanwhile, 38 percent of the respondents stated that they do not have separate toilets for male and female teachers and learners. The situation is even graver in rural areas, which is at 48.5 percent.

Ginoong Speaker, kahit pa po sa Modular Distance Learning Approach, parehong nahihirapan ang mga guro at ang paaralan dahil na rin sa kakulangan ng pondo para sa kanilang Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses. Halimbawa, ang isang estudyante ay may walong subjects. Kung ang isang subject ay may 10 pages na printed module, magiging 80 pages times four weeks is equal to 320 pieces of paper. Halos kalahating ream ng papel ang magagastos sa bawat estudyante na hindi kayang tustusan ng pondo ng eskwelahan at ng DepEd mismo. Madalas ay ipinapasa ang procurement ng materials at iba pang mga kagamitan sa local government o sa private individual, ngunit ang mas nagiging kalakaran ay bahala na ang guro sa kanilang pangangailangan. Napakalabo na dekalidad na edukasyon ang maibibigay ng LCP at naniniwala ang DepEd na kaya ng mga estudyante ang self-learning sa bahay sa pamamagitan ng printed, soft or online modules.

Mula sa mga konsultasyon at pati na rin sa reports na lumalabas sa iba’t ibang news outfits, hindi puwedeng iasa sa mga magulang ang pagtuturo ng modules dahil madalas nagtatrabaho o naghahanapbuhay, hindi nakatapos ng pag-aaral o talagang “no read, no write” and mga ito kung kaya wala ring kakayahan. Mas nakakalungkot na hindi nagpapakita ng kongkretong commitment ang DepEd para i-ensure para sa kanilang mga guro at education support personnel ang ligtas na pagbabalik trabaho. Wala ring commitment ang gobyerno kung paano gagawing accessible at dekalidad ang edukasyon sa gitna ng


pandemya. Ang lagi lang tugon nito ay wala munang formal education hangga’t walang vaccine at puro pangungutang ang nakikitang solusyon sa pandemya. Sa P1.5 trillion na inutang ng gobyerno ngayong taon, wala naman itong naging dagdag na pondo para sa pagsasagawa ng BE-LCP o kahit tugunan man lang ang perennial problem sa education.

Kaya ang Kinatawang ito, Ginoong Speaker, ay patuloy ang pagsuporta sa walong demands ng mga guro para sa mas ligtas at viable na balik-trabaho at balik-eskwela:

Una po ay iyong health check and screening by medical personnel and all employees required to report physically. Kailangan po, Mr. Speaker, sa pagbabalik ng ating mga guro at iba pang mga school personnel sa eskwelahan, kung hindi man sila magsabay-sabay, Mr. Speaker, kailangan po ng health check and screening sa ating mga school personnel and teachers.

Pangalawa po, mass testing of suspect cases, close COVID-19 contacts, and vulnerable populations. Ito po, Mr. Speaker, iyong sinasabi nating may mga comorbidities. Ito po iyong mga school personnel natin, mga guro, na mayroon pong mga diabetes, hypertension at iba pa pong mga sakit. Kailangan po talaga ng targeted mass testing para sa kanila. Hindi lang po naire-report, Ginoong Speaker, may mga ilang mga teachers na po ang nag-positive sa COVID-19 sa isang Division dito sa NCR.

Pangatlo po ay iyong safe and accessible transportation. Ano ba iyong plano ng ating LTFRB, DoTr sa ating mga jeepneys? Ito lang iyong tanging nagagamit ng ating mga guro para sa kanilang transportation. Hindi pa lahat ng mga jeepneys ay talagang namamasada na, Mr. Speaker. Kaya ano ba ang gagawin ng school? Magkakaroon ba ng school service para doon sa mga personnel, mga teachers na kakailanganing pumunta sa eskwelahan?

Pang-apat, health sanitation and disinfection facilities, equipment and personnel at the school level. So sa ngayon, nakikita natin wala pa po o hindi pa po kumpleto ang mga ganitong pasilidad sa ating mga eskwelahan. Mula noong June 1 po ay pumapasok na iyong ilang mga school personnel at nakikita natin sa mga eskwelahan ay hindi pa po in place itong mga health facilities and equipment na

kinakailangan para po makaiwas sa COVID-19.

Panlima, free face masks, hygiene kits and PPEs. So, kinakailangan rin po ito.

Pang-anim, sa mga teachers po, mga personnel na magkakasakit, kailangan po ng sick leave, lalong-lalo na po doon sa ating mga teachers. Sa ngayon, may kasabihan nga iyong mga guro na bawal daw magkasakit.

Pampito po, para sa kanilang Internet access. Mula po noong nagsimula iyong mga webinars, mga seminars, mga in-service trainings para po sa paghahanda dito sa new mode of teaching, nangangailangan po ang teachers ng allowance man lang para sa kanilang Internet. Kaya po ang mungkahi po ng Kinatawan na ito ay at least P1,500 per month na Internet allowance.

At pangwalo po ay medical fund for free treatment of those who will be infected by COVID-19. Nangangamba po ang mga guro na kapag sila po ay nagkasakit—nakita naman po natin na overwhelmed na ang ating mga ospital at nakita natin iyong pagtitipid ng PhilHealth kaugnay noong gastusin para sa mga pasyente ng COVID-19. So nangangamba po ang mga guro na kung sakali pong sila po ay magkaroon ng COVID-19, saan po sila pupunta at saan po sila puwedeng mapagaling kung ganito po iyong kalagayan?

Dapat maglunsad din ang DepEd ng agarang konsultasyon, harapin ang mga unyon ng mga guro, organisasyon ng mga ESP, magulang at estudyante para masolusyunan ang immediate concerns. Huwag dapat magpatali ang DepEd sa urban areas lamang dahil wala doon ang pinakamasahol na sitwasyon ng mayorya ng mga mamamayan; wala doon ang pinakamahirap na kalagayan ng mga guro at education support personnel.

Nananawagan din ang Kinatawang ito na dapat sa lalong madaling panahon ay maghapag ng pag-aaral at plano kung paano maipagpapatuloy na maide-deliver ang edukasyon sa gitna ng pandemya na walang kasiguraduhan kung kailan matatapos.

Ayon nga sa SONA ni Pangulong Duterte, “Education that is delayed can be recovered.” Ngunit sa katotohanan, isa lamang itong excuse upang di agarang harapin ang problema sa


edukasyon at iasa na lamang ito sa private sector initiatives, efforts ng mga magulang, guro at iba pang mga stakeholders upang punan ang lahat ng mga shortages na ngayon ay lalala dahil may dagdag na requirements tulad ng ICT, modules, sanitation, disinfecting at iba pa.

Ang nararapat na pagtanaw ng DepEd at ng ating administrasyon sa edukasyon habang nasa ilalim ng pandemya ay ang edukasyon ay isang indispensable tool para sa COVID response, kung ito ba ay logistically prepared to prevent the spread of COVID and to continue providing education, and at the same time with maximum protection for all individuals, pati na rin sa mga guro at education support personnel bilang indispensable frontliners laban sa pandemya. Sa ganitong pananaw, magiging epektibo at tunay na medical, socio-economic, at long-term ang response ng ating gobyerno sa COVID o ano pa mang pandemya sa hinaharap.

Bilang pagtatapos, Ginoong Speaker, hindi po papayag ang Kinatawang ito na basta na lang isuko ng ating gobyerno ang kaniyang mandato na magbigay ng ligtas at dekalidad na balik-eskwela at edukasyon sa ating mamamayan, lalo na po sa far-flung areas at marginalized sectors. Sa mga susunod na araw, magsusumite po ang Kinatawang ito ng mga resolusyon patungkol sa iba’t ibang aspeto ng programa at polisiya in light of COVID sa edukasyon, tulad ng work-from-home arrangement, financial hardship of teachers in distance learning, at iba pa pong mga issues.

Maraming salamat, Mr. Speaker. Muli, magandang hapon po sa ating lahat.


REP. TADURAN. Mr. Speaker, I move that we recognize the Gentleman from the First District of Samar …

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abu). Before that, will you refer it to the proper committee, please.

R E P . T A D U R A N . … f o r h i s interpellation.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abu). Ah, for interpellation.

REP. TADURAN. Interpellation.Okay. Mr. Speaker, once again, I would

like to move that we recognize the Gentleman from the First District of Samar, the Hon. Edgar Sarmiento, for his interpellation.


THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abu). The honorable Chairperson of the Committee on Transportation, Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento, is recognized to interpellate the Lady from the ACT Teachers Party List, Hon. France Castro.

REP. SARMIENTO. Maraming salamat, Mr. Speaker.

Puwede po bang magtanong, Kagalang-galang na France Castro, itong Kinatawan ng Primera Distrito ng Samar dito po sa privilege speech po ninyo?

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). Opo, Mr. Speaker. Ikasisiya po ng Kinatawang ito na sumagot sa ilang mga katanungan po ng ating kagalang-galang na Representante mula po sa Eastern Samar, Kinatawan Sarmiento, Edgar Sarmiento.

REP. SARMIENTO. Ng Samar po.Ganito po, Mr. Speaker, ang una kong

tanong, ito po bang privilege speech po ninyo, may balak po ba kayong kausapin ang Department of Education dito, si Secretary Briones?

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). Sa ilan pong mga committee hearings, Mr. Speaker, ay sinasabi po natin iyong mga problema na hinaharap po ng ating mga kaguruan kaugnay nitong BE- LCP, lalong-lalo na po nang nag-decide na po ang Department of Education na majority po ay Modular Distance Learning po ang gagamitin. Kaya po mayroon na po akong mga naibigay na mga halimbawa po na nagiging problema sa ilan pong mga pagpupulong, mga committee hearings po mula sa Committee on Basic Education, Higher Education at iba pa po.


REP. SARMIENTO. Sana kung kayo po ay magpupulong uli bilang Kinatawan po ng ACT Teachers, gusto ko lang sana maparating rin sa Department of Education—idaan ko na lang po sa inyo—kung magmi-meeting po kayo na sana ibahin po ng Department of Education ang sitwasyon po ng metropolitan test centers po or urban centers, magkakaiba po ito. Sana maisama ninyo lang po.

Kagaya ng sinabi po ninyo, ibang iba po ang sitwasyon when it comes to, number one, sa online po, napakahirap po ng signal. Alam naman po nating rason ito at maliwanag rin po na 15 percent lang po ang nararating po ng signal online dito po sa tinanong natin na eskwelahan. Kayo po ba ay ganoon rin po ang figures ninyo? Nasa 15 percent lang po ba, Kagalang-galang na France Castro, Mr. Speaker?

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). Doon po sa ginawa nating survey po na mga teachers po na kulang-kulang na 1,500, nakita po natin dito na karamihan po ng ating mga teachers, lalong-lalo na po doon sa mga rural areas, ay halos wala pa pong kalahati ito. So, tama po kayo, mga more than 15 percent ang talagang mayroong access sa Internet at sila nga po ay nangangamba dahil minsan po may mga pagmi-meeting, may mga pagpupulong po na hindi po nakaka-attend iyong ating mga teachers. Kaya problema po talaga, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor, iyong Internet access po, lalong-lalo na po doon sa mga rural areas po.

Dito po sa urban area, nakita natin, bagama’t malakas po ang signal dito, ang problema po ng mga guro ay iyong putol-putol ang mga signal at talagang hindi quality iyong signal na ipino-provide ng mga telcos natin, lalo na rin dito sa urban areas po.

REP. SARMIENTO. Mr. Speaker, ako po ay humingi po ng pahintulot po sa inyo na magtanong kasi po ako po ay isa sa mga utusan ng bayan po natin, lalong-lalo na rito sa Samar. Ako po ay nag-submit ng buong picture po ng status ng eskwelahan natin dito po sa First District. (Inaudible) noong taong 2017 kung hindi ako nagkakamali, ano, sa—at iyong (Inaudible) and this in on record

po. May buong compilation, anim pong libro, kasama na po doon iyong picture po ng lahat ng eskwelahan sa First District, ilan pong classrooms, ilan pong sira, ano pong gusto nating hingin.

Bakit ko po ito sinasabi, Mr. Speaker? Kasi po nandoon rin po ang unang-una kong hinihingi. Ang sinasabi ko po roon, at nabanggit rin po ito ng Kagalang-galang na France Castro, sinasabi niya hygiene po, lalu’t lalo na ang sitwasyon po ng kubeta natin. Masakit man sabihin, pero hindi po natin tinuturuan po ang mga kabataan natin ng tama po. Kasi, Mr. Speaker, paano po natin matuturuan po ang mga kabataan natin ng paglilinis samantalang ang primary education po, Grade 1, na kung saan po ay pundasyon sana ng mga leaders po nating parating sa bayan po natin, itong mga estudyante, they are the future leaders, of course, the youth, ay tinuturuan po natin nang hindi tama po. Kapag pumasok po sila, nakikita po nila, ang kubeta po natin ay napakarumi. Ang normal po sa kanila ay nakikita po nila ang dumi. Ang normal po sa kanila, nakikita po na mabaho po ang comfort rooms. Kaya doon po sa hiningi ko, at ito ay on record po, sinulatan ko po rito si Secretary Briones. Ang sinasabi ko, at ito ay relevant din po sa hinihingi natin na stimulus act doon sa Department of Education, hindi lang po dapat classroom ang ibigay sa kanila. Siguro naman sa lahat po ng eskwelahan—Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao—habang tinuturuan po natin ang mga kabataan, Mr. Speaker, ng tamang hygiene, ibigay po natin sa kanila ang dapat po na instrumento na magkaroon sila ng tamang hygiene.

Ito po ang source ng water. Karamihan po sa lugar ko, dito sa First District, wala man lang storage facility ng tubig, wala rin kami ritong supplier ng water. Hindi naman dito kagaya ng metropolitan centers na mayroon po tayong waterworks; dito po wala. Sana po mai-program ito, Mr. Speaker, na lahat ng eskwelahan ay magkaroon.

Uulitin ko, Mr. Speaker at Hon. France Castro, sana maisama ninyo na lahat po sana ng eskwelahan ay magkaroon ng water reservoir, water tank, kumpleto po ng water system, umaandar po 24/7. Sana naman sa


18th Congress, dalawang taon pa po, mabigay po natin sa eskwelahan ang nararapat pong tinatawag na kalinisan. Makita man sana ng ating mga kabataan na ang kubeta po natin ay may tubig 24/7. Makita man sana nila na ang banyo po ay malinis para naman pagdating po sa bahay nila, bitbit po nila ang tamang turo ng paglilinis na galing mismo sa eskwelahan, na sila na rin mismo ang magsasabi po kung makakakita po sila ng dumi, “Linisin po natin kasi kami po ay tinuruan sa eskwelahan ng tama pong paglinis.”

Iyon lang po, Mr. Speaker, Kinatawan France. Sana maisama ninyo po ang hygiene. Tamang-tama po kayo. I am appealing, Mr. Speaker, that the eight items on the list that you have will become a reality. I know where you are coming from, Your Honor, Mr. Speaker. Kayo po ay Kinatawan ng mga teachers po ng buong bayan po natin and I find it appropriate to thank you for your privilege speech and to come up with the truth because there is no way for us to address the problem unless we all know the real truth.

Magandang hapon po. Thank you so much, Mr. Speaker. Thank you so much, Hon. France Castro. Magandang hapon po sa ating lahat.


REP. CASTRO (F.L.). Sagutin ko lang po, Mr. Speaker. Konting comment po.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abu). Please proceed.

REP. CASTRO (F .L . ) . Ako po ay nasisiyahan at ang ating Kinatawan ay very sensitive po doon sa pangangailangan ng mga eskwelahan, lalo na po sa kaniyang distrito, ng facilities, lalong-lalo na po iyong water facilities at maayos na palikuran para sa ating mga estudyante. Hindi lang po problema iyan sa mga rural areas, problema din po talaga iyan dito sa urban areas. Kahit nandidito na po talaga iyong mga pangangailangan na nandidiyan na po pero hanggang ngayon kulang pa rin po talaga sa water facilities.

Tama po si Kinatawan Sarmiento na isa sa hakbang para malunasan natin iyong anumang sakit, anumang mga pagkakasakit ng ating mga estudyante ay yoong tamang paglilinis ng katawan at tamang mga cleaning habit ng mga estudyante, at iyan po ay natututunan sa ating mga eskwelahan. Kaya po kasama po ako ng Kinatawang Sarmiento, Mr. Speaker, para sa susunod na budget ng ating Department of Education masama talaga itong sapat na water facilities and toilets para sa ating mga estudyante.

Maraming salamat, Mr. Speaker.


REP. TADURAN. Mr. Speaker, I move that we recognize the Hon. Roman Romulo of the Lone District of Pasig City for his interpellation.


THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abu). The Chairperson of the Committee on Basic Education, Hon. Roman Romulo from the Lone District of Pasig City, is recognized to interpellate the Representative from ACT Party-List, Hon. France Castro.

REP. ROMULO. Yes. Maraming salamat, Mr. Speaker, Majority Leader, Honorable France at sa lahat po ng ating kasamahan na nandidiyan sa Batasan ngayon o kasama rin natin through Zoom. Magandang hapon po sa ating lahat.

Unang-una po ay nagpapasalamat tayo kay Honorable Castro na naitaas niya itong isyu na ito dahil sa totoo naman, kahit sa iba-iba nating mga pag-uusap, whether through Viber groups o iyong mga committee meetings natin, ay talagang marami─hindi marami, lahat ng Miyembro ay concerned talaga dito sa ating pagbubukas sa August 24.

In fact, Mr. Speaker, natutuwa akong banggitin, noong naipasa po natin on Third and final Reading iyong amendment para bigyan ng kapangyarihan ang Pangulo na iatras muli iyong pagbukas ng calendar o opening of the calendar year from August 24, during emergencies, to another date, ay


naipasa po natin sa House of Representatives iyan na ang lahat ay affirmative ang boto, walang nag-negative. Kaya nakikita po natin talaga iyong concern. Pero natuwa ako noong nakikinig ako kay Honorable Castro at sabi ko nga ay siguro maganda ring mag-clarify ng mga ibang nabanggit ni Congresswoman Castro. Honorable France, would it be possible for me to ask you a few questions?

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). Yes, Mr. Speaker. Isa pong karangalan na magkaroon ng discussion, tanungan, at ma-clarify iyong ating mga sinabi po sa aking talumpati. Isa po itong karangalan, kagalang-galang na Kinatawan Romulo.

REP. ROMULO. Maraming salamat, Congresswoman France. Congresswoman France, unang-una, nakinig naman tayong lahat at siguro lahat ng Miyembro, kaya naging unanimous iyong boto doon na lahat tayo ay gusto natin siguraduhin muna iyong kaligtasan at kalusugan ng bawat estudyante, kanilang mga magulang at siyempre, iyong ating mga guro. Sigurado po iyan, wala ho tayong problema. Pero ito lang po iyong gusto kong liwanagin. Alam naman po natin na dito sa ating bansa, more or less po ano, Honorable France, kung tama iyong naalala kong datos, ang estudyante po natin from K-12, ang numero niyan more or less, approximately, mga 28 million. Tama po ba iyon?

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). Tama po. Ayon po sa Department of Education yesterday, mayroon na po tayong more than 21 million na enrolled sa lahat ng lebel po ng ating eskwelahan, including po dito iyong ating mga private schools po.

REP. ROMULO. Yes. In fact, Honorable Castro, kaya nababanggit iyong 21 million na iyan kasi kulang pa iyan dahil taon-taon, year in, year out, ay nag-i-increase iyong population. Ang pagkaalala ko, iyong huling numero, more or less, ay 27 to 28 million students coming from both the public and the private sectors. Kaya ngayon iyong 21, more or less, nasa 70 or 75 percent pa lamang po iyan, hindi ba?

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). Tama po iyan, Mr. Speaker. Noong nakaraang school year po, mayroon po tayong 27.7 million students.

REP. ROMULO. Yes.

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). Kaya sa ngayon po ay mayroon po tayong mga seven million pa po dahil nakita po natin, sa trend ng enrollment, taon-taon po nag-i-increase po iyan ng more or less ay two million every year. Kaya kung 27.7 million po noong nakaraang taon, malamang 29 na po sana iyan dahil on the average po, nag-i-increase po tayo ng two million every school year.

REP. ROMULO. Tama po. Tapos po doon po sa, sabihin natin

iyong 28 million, iyon na iyong numerong gamitin muna natin, iyong 28 million po na iyon, humigit-kumulang po, ilan po iyong nanggagaling sa public schools po? Humigit-kumulang mga 22 million po ba iyon?

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). Sa enrollment po, mukhang ang huling datos po mayroon na daw po, mula sa four million from private schools, mayroon na pong more than one million ang naka-enroll ngayon sa iba’t ibang private schools. So, ibig sabihin noon, at nakita ko rin po iyon sa datos, 300,000 ang lumipat na po sa public schools po natin.

REP. ROMULO. Yes.

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). So, marami po talaga iyong mga private school students natin na either hindi po sila makakapag-aral or sila po ay lilipat doon sa ating mga public schools, Mr. Speaker.

REP. ROMULO. Yes. Honorable Castro. Fair po ba itong sabihin na based on

performance, iyong mga nakaraang taon, usually po itong mga estudyante nating nasa private schools, ito ang sinasabi na ngayon na mga three to four million, more or less po, dahil mas konti naman iyong kaya talaga nilang makagpagpatuloy ng kanilang pag-aaral at siguro ang karamihan nga sa kanila, nagkakapagtuloy ng kolehiyo ang ating mga nasa private schools?


REP. CASTRO (F.L.). Ah, opo. Totoo po iyon, Mr. Speaker. Talaga pong kaawa-awa ang itsura ng ating mga private schools ngayon dahil po karamihan, marami po na mga eskwelahan ang nagpahayag na rin po na baka hindi magbukas ng eskwelahan ngayong school year. Dapat po ang makuha natin sa Department of Education, Mr. Speaker, Chairman Roman, iyon pong real na datos po mula sa private school o mula sa Department of Education kaugnay noong kalagayan pa noong ating private schools. Dahil sa binabanggit po na data, kung mayroon pong four million noon, last year, at mayroong one million na naka-enroll, at mayroong 300,000 na lumipat, so ang ibig sabihin po, marami po tayong hahabulin na mga estudyante natin, Mr. Speaker.

REP. ROMULO. Tama. Pero sa ngayon po, sabihin na natin may mga one million, humigit-kumulang mga isang milyon na naka-enroll na sa private schools at iyon po, medyo nagpatuloy na po iyon ng kanilang pag-aaral dahil ang rinig ko po iyong ibang private schools, especially iyong mid-sized to big private schools, medyo nag-umpisa na sila noong kanilang online education. Tama po ba? Pareho rin po ba iyong ating nabalitaan?

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). Tama po, Mr. Speaker. Iyong one million na iyon, nagsimula na po ng kanilang klase, online, sa iba’t ibang mga private schools.

REP. ROMULO. Yes.

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). Tama po iyong data natin, Mr. Speaker?

REP. ROMULO. And, Honorable Castro, siyempre ayaw naman natin na iyong ating mga estudyante na nasa public schools po, DepEd schools natin, ay maiiwan. Tama ho kayo noong sabi ninyo kanina na puwede namang ma-delay, pero ayaw naman nating maiwan sila dito sa mga nag-umpisa na na mga private schools online. Tama po ba iyon?

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). Tama po, Mr. Speaker.

Nagkakaisa po kami ni Chairman Roman doon sa pananaw na kahit na sa panahon ng pandemya, dapat magtuloy ang pag-aaral ng ating mga estudyante, lalong-lalo na po iyong sa mga mahihirap, lalong-lalo na po sa public school.

REP. ROMULO. And, Congresswoman Castro, hindi ba ang sinasabi naman natin, more or less, tatlong modality ang gagamitin: iyong online, iyong through radio and television, at iyong panghuli, iyong pag-deliver ng self-learning materials?

Ang sinabi ninyo kanina sa talumpati po ninyo, ang napag-usapan talaga doon ay iyong tungkol dito sa online, na sinabi nga ninyo na base sa sistemang ina-adopt ng DepEd ay mayroon pa ring risks sa teachers at sa magulang kasi magkakaroon ng mga araw na pupunta rin sila ng paaralan kasi blended nga, kailangan nilang makuha either iyong self-learning materials or iyong mga modules. Tama po ba iyon?

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). Tama po.

REP. ROMULO. Iyon yung concern, hindi ba po?

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). Opo, tama po. Doon po sa nabanggit ko sa aking talumpati na base po sa mga survey na natanong natin po sa buong bansa, sa mga teachers, 90 percent po ay talagang magmo-modular distance learning at ilang bahagdan po iyong mag-o-online dahil po nakita natin na hindi naman 100 percent ng mga teachers natin at students ay may mga computer or laptop at Internet connection. Kaya po lumalabas po na mas pinipili ng lahat, ng halos lahat na mga division ng eskwelahan sa public school ay modular.

R E P . R O M U L O . O k a y . P e r o , Congresswoman Castro, nandiyan pa rin iyong puwedeng gamitin iyong telebisyon at iyong radio. In fact, I think sa mga nakita po nating datos, more or less, ang buong Pilipinas, sa iba-ibang TV and radio stations—TV na muna tayo, more or less, 90 percent covered ng mga local stations o ng mga national stations, hindi ba po? So, hindi ba dapat—pareho


naman tayo, kaisa naman tayo na gusto nating maipagpatuloy iyong edukasyon sa bahay pero ang ayaw lang natin ay may risk, katulad noong kapag hindi pa tayo komportable dito sa blended form—ang ating itulak sa DepEd ay bigyan na tayo ng maliwanag na plano dito sa telebisyon at radyo? Kasi ito, siguro mas safe talaga ito at mas wide iyong range na maaabot niya. Hindi ba po puwedeng doon tayo papunta?

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). Naniniwala po ako, Mr. Speaker, sa ating Kagalang-galang na Chairman Roman na lahat naman po ng mga modes of learning na puwede nating gamitin kagaya nga po ng TV and radio, na kahit na sinasabi nating one-way mode, sinasabi natin na makakatulong doon sa pag-aaral ng ating mga estudyante. So, maaari din po ito, Mr. Speaker, iyong radio and television.

Ang magiging problema na lang po natin dito, Mr. Speaker, pagdating sa radio and television, dahil sa 22 million na mga estudyante natin ay may iba’t ibang level, iba’t ibang mga subject at siyempre iba’t ibang time na kinakailangan natin sa pagtuturo ng iba’t ibang mga subject—ay ma-i-arrange kung paano ito doon sa ating television network or sa radio. So, ito po iyong magiging problema natin.

Alam ninyo po, Mr. Speaker, Kagalang-galang na Roman, wala pa pong nilalatag na plano. Siguro baka hindi ko narinig iyong mga iba pang mga plano ng Department of Education kaugnay po nitong radio and television. Sana po magkaroon na po ng talagang nakalatag na plano sa bawat region, bawat division kung paano magagamit itong radio network or television, Mr. Speaker.

R E P . R O M U L O . T a m a p o i y a n , Congresswoman Castro. In fact po, kung maalala po ninyo sa isang Committee meeting natin, ang hinihikayat po natin sa DepEd ay—itong nangyari naman sa atin na COVID-19, wala namang nakapagprepara. Hindi lang naman po tayo; kahit sa ibang bansa, walang nakapagprepara. Wala namang may alam na mangyayari ito at ganitong kalawak ang pangyayaring ito. So siguro rin, kung naalala po ninyo, tinatanong natin, baka naman pupuwede kung umpisahan muna

natin, iyong pagtuturo ay pumili na tayo ng mga essential na gusto nating matutunan noong ating mga mag-aaral? Halimbawa po, sa Kinder to Grade 3, siguro lahat naman tayo mag-a-agree na ang pinaka-importante ay matutong magbasa, maintindihan niya iyong binabasa niya at siguro iyong basic mathematics. Huwag na ho natin munang problemahin ang katakot-takot na subjects.

Hopefully po, ang DepEd po noong Committee meeting naman na iyon ay mukhang nakikinig naman. Ang sinasabi lang nila sa atin ay binaba na po nila iyong competencies from 15,000 plus competencies to 5,000 competencies. Pero ang sabi natin, hindi ganoon. Ang gusto natin talaga ay maging mas specific kasi gusto nating matuloy iyong edukasyon sa bahay, pero gusto natin ligtas, pero i-zero in na natin sa mga essential na basic na dapat matutunan katulad ng pagbabasa at pag-intindi noong binabasa niya, at siyempre po iyong mathematics.

I am sure po, kaisa rin namin kayo dito, Congresswoman Castro, na hikayatin na, let us not aim for the moon, na maituturo natin ang lahat ng tinuturo natin noong panahon ng face-to-face classes. Ngayon ay talagang dapat iyong pinaka-basic at essential.

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). Tama po, Mr. Speaker, kaisa po ako ng Kagalang-galang Romulo doon po. Sa panahon ng pandemya, nararapat lamang na ituro natin iyong mga basic. Ito nga tama po siya. Iyong halimbawa, iyong Kinder to Grade 3, dahil ang problema natin ngayon base din na lang sa ating mga karanasan sa tests, tayo po iyong kulelat internationally in terms of reading comprehension. Baka dito dapat mag-focus. Halimbawa, iyong ilang level, like iyong Kinder to Grade 3, iyong mga basic. Noong araw nga po, iyong three hours, hindi ba, ang mga bata natin noon three hours pero ang gagaling po noong ating mga produkto noong curriculum na three hours dahil nakita natin iyong focus noong bata doon sa subject.

So, tama po iyan, Mr. Speaker, naniniwala po ako na dapat po ay—pero iyong sinasabi po nating basic, na dapat basic po, dapat nandodoon pa rin po iyong pag-aaral natin, dahil panahon ng pandemya, …


REP. ROMULO. Tama.

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). … ng values, pag-aaral natin ng pangangalaga sa ating kalikasan, pangangalaga sa ating kapaligiran, at pangangalaga po sa ating pangangatawan. Dahil ngayon po ay panahon ng pandemya, kailangan ingatan din po iyong ating sarili dito sa panahon ng pandemya.

REP. ROMULO. Tama po iyan. In fact, Congresswoman Castro, again, kasama tayo sa Committee na tayo ang nakapagpasa noong GMRC Law para masigurado po natin na maibalik po iyan especially po sa Kinder to Grade 3.

So, at least po naliliwanagan naman po ako, Congresswoman Castro, na kaisa naman tayo, na gusto natin kahit panahon ng pandemya o ng COVID-19 ngayon, lalo na walang kasiguraduhan kung kailan lalabas ang vaccine, dapat siguraduhin natin kahit papaano ay maihatid ang edukasyon sa bahay ng ating mga mag-aaral. Hindi naman kailangan na sa August 24 sabay-sabay. Lahat ito ay nandiyan na, kumpletung-kumpleto. Puwedeng sabihin na nating step-by-step para iyong ating mga learners, lalo na iyong sa ating mga DepEd schools, ay hindi maiwan at iyong gana po nila na mag-aral ay magtuluy-tuloy.

Ito lang siguro iyong last point dahil alam kong marami pa kong magsasalita raw, nabigyan na rin ho ako ng message. Kanina nabanggit po ninyo iyong ating mga rural areas. Nabanggit nga ninyo, dito sa ating mga rural areas ay wala naman dito masyadong connectivity. Sang-ayon po ba kayo doon sa mga ibang nababanggit po na mayroon tayong mga probinsya o mga lugar, island barangays, municipalities and provinces na hanggang ngayon, wala pa namang COVID-19, wala naman pong dumarating doon na COVID-19, basta magawa nila na sigurado iyong minimum health protocols, siguro po sa mga lugar po na iyan, hindi ba dapat ay pag-aralan natin na mabuti na doon ay ibalik natin iyong face-to-face classes?

Kasi nabasa ko po—hindi ko na ho maalala kung saan—na may mga probinsya pa po tayo like Batanes po, ang pagkarinig ko, wala

namang COVID-19, so, sa mga lugar po na iyan ay baka puwede namang pag-aralan na ng DepEd at ng IATF natin at mag-impose po ng mga health protocols? Baka doon naman pupuwede tayong mag face-to-face diyan dahil wala namang problema po doon sa lugar. Baka naman dapat ay bantayan na lang natin para iyong mga mag-aaral naman ay hindi maiwan sa learning nila.

Sang-ayon po ba kayo dito, Congresswoman Castro?

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). Ang makakapag-determine po, Mr. Speaker, kung puwede na po iyong face-to-face classes ay iyong health condition ng lugar.

REP. ROMULO. Yes.

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). Iyon po iyong una na prinsipyo na dapat nating tingnan. Tama po si Chairman Roman, may mga lugar po tayo sa ngayon po na wala pa pong COVID-19 o positive cases ng COVID-19. Pero sinasabi po ng ating eksperto, dahil ngayon ay August at nakikita natin po, Ginoong Speaker, na mabilis po ngayon iyong transmission ng COVID-19. In fact, hindi po bumababa sa 2,000 cases iyong average for the last two weeks noong COVID-19 positive.

Kaya po, tama po iyon, kung mababantayan po iyong mga health protocols at iyong area po na talagang walang COVID-19, kung talagang iyong ating LGU ay talagang mahigpit po, halimbawa po, doon sa pagpapatupad noong mga kinakailangang health protocols, baka maaring tingnan ng ating Department of Education, pag-aralan iyong face-to-face classes ng, halimbawa, 15 students per class, one meter apart ang mga bata, or two meters. Pero kailangan din po, Mr. Speaker, iyong eskwelahan ay kumpleto din po sa health facilities, like iyong water facilities na binabanggit nga namin kanina ni Congressman Sarmiento, iyong water, iyong clinic, iyong toilet. Kasi kapag nagkaroon po halimbawa ng spike—sinasabi kasi ng expert natin sa UP, isa lang po ang magkaroon ng case ay grabe po ang magiging impact nito doon po sa area. Kaya kailangan po nating pag-aralan iyong tinatawag nating face-to-face classes sa area po na wala pa pong COVID sa ngayon, Mr. Speaker.


REP. ROMULO. Panghul i na po, Congresswoman Castro.

So, kaisa rin siguro tayo na sinasabi natin na hindi dapat na maging excuse itong COVID-19, dapat maghanap tayo ng paraan na maihatid ang edukasyon, pero hindi natin naman dapat na isugal iyong kalusugan o kaligtasan noong mga estudyante, magulang at teachers. So, kung ma-delay man ng kaunti, siguro naman hindi naman masama iyon. Gusto lang natin sigurado, ngayon na umaakyat naman iyong bilang sa mga urban cities or areas, umaakyat iyong COVID positive. Baka iyon naman ay puwede ring pag-aralan ng DepEd. Hindi naman siguro masama na ma-delay ng kaunti. Hindi naman natin sinasabi na hindi sila preparado. Ang sinasabi lang natin ay hindi natin hawak iyong nangyayaring pag-increase ng COVID 19. So, dapat sa mga lugar na iyon ay maging reasonable tayo at maging makatotohanan. Dito naman ho siguro sang-ayon tayong dalawa, Congresswoman Castro.

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). Tama po kayo, Mr. Speaker.

Kaisa ko po ang ating Chairman ng Basic Education na pangunahin po ay iyong health sa panahon ng pandemya at hindi naman natin kailangang—ibig sabihin ay kailangan po magpatuloy ang edukasyon.

Kaya nga po iminumungkahi po ng Kinatawang ito, Mr. Speaker, na dapat po ay unahin natin iyong testing din po sa ating mga teachers, lalong-lalo na sa ngayon na malapit na po iyong pasukan.

Alam ninyo po, kanina nabanggit ko po, isa po sa division dito sa Metro Manila ay may dalawa na pong teachers who tested positive at nagkakaroon po ng mass testing sa lugar na ito. Mayroon pa pong isang teacher na naka-home quarantine habang inaantay iyong swab test. Kaya po dadami pa po iyan habang lumalaon iyong panahon. Kaya ang pinakauna po sana ay iyong screening sa ating mga teachers at sa ating mga school personnel at ngayon po ay pumapasok na rin po iyong iba sa kanila. Kaisa ko po kayo na pangunahin iyong health concerns natin sa ating mga personnel po at estudyante, Mr. Speaker.

REP. ROMULO. Maraming Salamat, Congresswoman Castro.

Mr. Speaker, Majority Leader, thank you very much for the time po.

Again, congratulations Congresswoman Castro.

Salamat po.

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). Salamat po.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abu). Thank you very much.

Majority Leader.

REP. TADURAN. Mr. Speaker, may we recognize the Hon. Mark Go of the Lone District of Baguio City for his interpellation.


THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abu). The Chairman of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education, Hon. Mark Go of the Lone District of Baguio City, is recognized to interpellate the Lady from the ACT-Teachers Party-List, Hon. France Castro.

REP. GO (M.). Thank you, thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Majority Floor Leader. Gusto ko pong humingi ng pahintulot

sa ating Sponsor na kung puwede ako ay magtanong sa kanya.

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). Isa pong karangalan, Mr. Speaker, na matanong ng ating kagalang-galang na Chair ng Committee on Higher and Technical Education, Kagalang-galang na Mark Go, Mr. Speaker.

REP. GO (M.). Marami pong salamat, Honorable Castro.

Kayo po ba ay naniniwala na iyong mga binanggit ninyong mga problema—mga imprastraktura, mga logistical requirements ng iba’t ibang public schools—ay nandiyan na iyan even before this COVID pandemic na kinakaharap natin ngayon, kagaya po ng tubig, toilet, clinic? Naniniwala po ba kayo na ito ay problem na kahit na wala pa po itong COVID-19 pandemic na ito?


REP. CASTRO (F.L.). Tama po kayo, Mr. Speaker.

Iyong binabanggit po ng ating Kinatawan Go, na iyong mga kakulangan po natin sa mga pasilidad like iyong water facilities, iyong ating mga toilets ay existing na po iyan bago magkaroon ng pandemya. Kaya nga po hina-highlight po natin sa talumpati natin dahil sa panahon ng pandemya po, kailangan po talaga iyong maayos na pasilidad, lalong-lalo na po sa pagbubukas ng klase, lalong-lalo na po na sinasabi po ng ating mga health experts na dapat iyong washing of hands para makaiwas po tayo doon sa COVID-19. So, existing na po iyan, Mr. Speaker.

REP. GO (M.). So, siguro ang kailangan natin diyan, itong susunod na budget natin, ang DepEd ay dapat isama iyong funds para maiayos itong mga pasilidad na iyan, para kung halimbawa maaayos natin itong problema natin sa COVID ay maganda pa rin ang makikita natin, ang iba’t ibang paaralan sa buong Pilipinas. Hindi lang natin dapat gawin ito dahil may pandemya kung hindi ito ay dapat na ibigay natin sa mga bata na nag-aaral sa iba’t ibang paaralan sa buong bansa.

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). Sumasang-ayon po ako, Mr. Speaker, sa tinuran po ng ating Kinatawan Go na dapat po sa susunod na budget hearing ay magkaroon po ng enough budget para maayos na po natin kahit na hindi na po panahon ng pandemya itong mga mahahalagang pasilidad ng kalinisan sa ating mga eskwelahan at makakatulong ninyo po ako, Mr. Speaker, Kinatawan Go, sa pananaw na iyan.

REP. GO (M.). Kanina po, nabanggit po ninyo na tatlo ang modalities na gustong gamitin ng Department of Education sa pagpapatuloy ng pag-aaral ng mga bata: una, iyong online learning; pangalawa, iyong modular learning modality ; at iyong pangatlo, paggamit ng telebisyon at ng radyo sa pag-aaral. Ito pong tatlong ito, sa inyo pong palagay, ano po bang pinaka-epektibong paraan para iyong kalidad ng edukasyon ay maisagawa ng ating gobyerno, given iyong current situation natin? Ito po

bang modular distance learning, sa palagay ninyo, ito ang pinaka-epektibo given the fact that 90 percent, binanggit po ninyo kanina na 90 percent ng ating mga guro at mga estudyante ay favorable po ang kanilang response sa paggamit ng modular distance learning?

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). Tama po, Mr. Speaker, mayroon po tayong three modes of learning and teaching. Ito po iyong modular distance learning, online, at iyong TV, at 90 percent po ay talagang kumikiling para sa paggamit ng modular. Pero ang nagiging problema po natin, Mr. Speaker, sa paggamit ng modular teaching, kagaya nga po ng nasabi ko sa aking talumpati, ay iyong, paano po ang isang teacher, halimbawa po na mayroong limang subject o limang klase? Halimbawa po, sa isang linggo, ilan pong mga bata ang tse-tsekan niya iyong modules? So, hindi po ito kakayanin ng ating mga teachers o ng isang teacher. Kaya po, sana po para maging epektibo itong pagpili ng modular, sana po ay mabawasan at maging epektibo rin iyong learning process natin, mabawasan iyong class size, mabawasan iyong number of students handled by each teacher. Kasi po, ngayon po, Mr. Speaker, nakikita po natin, parang regular na scheduling ang ginagawa sa ating mga eskwelahan. Pinapakita nga po ng teacher sa akin kung ilan pong mga estudyante, na 40 to 50 students per teacher. So, iyan lang po iyong isang klase. Kung magha-handle po siya halimbawa ng limang klase, paano po iyong retrieval, iyong pag-tse-check, distribution? Doon po tayo magkakaroon ng problema bagama’t sinasabi ko po na pinaka-appropriate siguro ngayon iyong modular distance learning po.

REP. GO (M.). Opo. Alam po ninyo, noon pong nakaraang linggo, nagkaroon po kami ng inauguration dito sa Lungsod ng Baguio. Nagsimula po itong pilot activity namin dito sa apat na paaralang pampubliko dito sa Lungsod ng Baguio. Nandoon sa inauguration namin iyong mga guro na represented by the PTA President and other officers ng PTA, mga parents nandoon din, mga teachers, mga heads ng iba’t ibang paaralaan, pati na iyong


SDS namin o iyong Division Superintendent, plus iyong mga other officials. At dito, nagkasundo sila na magkakasama sila sa pag-implement nitong modular learning modality na gagamitin. Hindi kaya posible nating gawin ito sa iba’t ibang lugar, iba’t ibang distrito sa buong bansa na magkaroon talaga ng partnership dito iyong mga parents, mga teachers, mga iba pang mga private individuals para maisagawa nila itong modular learning modality?

Kamukha iyong nabanggit ninyo kanina, iyong isang napakalaking problema dito, iyong pag-print ng mga materials, at dito, doon sa napag-usapan namin dito, tutulong ang local government para maiprint ito. Iyong ibang parents na nandoon, doon sa pagpupulong namin, mayroong mga nag-volunteer na sila ang magpi- print ng iba pang mga materials na gagamitin. So, ito po ba ay posible kayang magawa natin? Mayroon tayong general directive from DepEd National at ito, ma-i-implement ito based on the conditions of training in every municipality or city or district. May kasabihan nga, “Think national, but act local,” based on the condition doon sa bawat lugar. Kasi hindi naman natin puwedeng magawa ito na one size fits all. Kailangan depende sa kondisyon ng bawat munisipalidad, ng siyudad, o barangay para angkop iyong ginagawa natin o gagamitin nating modality para maipagpatuloy iyong pag-aaral ng mga bata.

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). Tama po kayo, Mr. Speaker, at natutuwa po akong malaman na mayroon din po palang simulation sa Baguio na pinangunahan po ng ating Kinatawan Mark Go. Maganda po iyang pamarisan at makita po natin na hindi lang po—halimbawa, isang section, maganda rin po ma-simulate natin iyong ganoong istilo po doon sa ibang mga lugar, lalong-lalo na po iyong mga malalaking eskwelahan dahil tama po, Mr. Speaker, si Kinatawan Go, na hindi naman lahat ng pamamaraan ay iisa lang o iisa lang iyong puwedeng gamitin. So, puwede pong paghalu-haluin o pagsabay-sabayin itong different learning modalities po na binabanggit po ng Department of Education.

REP. GO (M.). Opo. Kasi po, halimbawa, iyong pag-disribute ng mga modules, ginagawa iyan sa isang strategic place at sa time na iyong mga parents, halimbawa, pumupunta sa palengke. Imbes na iyon lang ang gagawin nila, pupunta sa palengke, dadaanan na nila iyong mga materials na gagamitin ng kanilang mga anak sa kanilang pag-aaral. At pagbalik nila iyan, after one week or after four days, at iyon ay kokolektahin sa isang area, at iyong mga magulang na kasapi sa PTA ay tutulong para masiguro na talagang pupunta sa mga anak iyong kanilang mga papel na kailangan nilang gamitin. Makakatulong din ito sa mga teachers para hindi din sila mahirapan sa pagkokolekta nitong mga materials na nanggaling dito sa tinatawag na modular distance learning na nabanggit kanina.

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). Tama po, Mr. Speaker, pero ang problema po ng Kinatawang ito, dahil hindi rin po natin maiiwasan iyong face-to-face meetings, pagdating diyan, hindi man kasama po iyong mga estudyante, kailangan din po sana na sa ganitong proseso ng retrieval-distribution na may cycle, magkaroon din po sana ng, bukod sa health protocols, sana magkaroon din po, Mr. Speaker, ng testing. Alam po natin na magkakaroon din po talaga dito ng face-to-face meetings kaya po sana masiguro po natin na iyong mga teachers natin, iyong mga magulang, lalong-lalo na po iyong magre-retrieve at magdi-distribute, at magbabalik ulit, magdi-distribute ay magkaroon din po ng periodic na testing para matiyak din po natin iyong kalusugan noong ating mga magulang, personnel, at ang ating mga guro.

REP. GO (M.). Sang-ayon po ako doon. Kailangan iyong mga involved na mga teachers, mga parents ay kailangan din po na magkaroon nito nga. Para masiguro natin walang transmission ito, magkaroon dapat ng mass testing sa mga involved na mga tao. At the same time, provided sila ng mga mask. Siguraduhin natin na iyong kanilang pupuntahan na lugar ay talagang malinis, maayos, at hindi posibleng magkaroon ng transmission doon sa ganoong setup. Sang-ayon po tayo doon at siguro ito na rin ang


pagkakataon na, habang ginagawa natin itong modular distance learning, ayusin na iyong ibang aspeto ayon doon sa naipaliwanag kanina. Gawin na natin iyon habang inaayos natin ito and by the end of this program, siguro kumpleto na iyong pag-aayos ng mga paaralan, mga pasilidad. Iyong mass testing, puwede rin naming gawin iyan kahit na tinutuloy natin ito at kailangan magkaroon ng kooperasyon iyong local government, national government, iyong mga iba pang mga stakeholders sa bawat lokasyon o distrito at ito ay inaasahan natin na magkaroon talaga ng pagtulong ang bawat isa para maisagawa itong planong ito.

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). Opo, Mr. Speaker, sang-ayon po ako doon sa sinabi ng ating Chairman ng Committee on Higher and Technical Education. Kasabay po noong ating ginagawang learning modalities, pangunahin po iyong health and sanitation ng ating mga school personnel at mahalaga po dito iyong periodic na mass testing doon sa mga involved na mga personnel po.

Salamat po.

REP. GO (M.). Marami pong salamat.Kasama po ninyo ako, Congresswoman

France, sa inyo pong mga panukalang mga improvements dito sa pag-handle nitong ganitong mga programa. Alam ko po na talagang importante po iyong edukasyon ng ating mga anak, but i-carry out natin ito without sacrificing iyong kanilang buhay o iyong kanilang kalusugan.

At I take this opportunity na nakita na natin na napakalalim pala ng problema natin in terms of the infrastructure, facilities, at kailangang gawin na natin iyan. The beginning of this will be when we incorporate iyong budget nito sa susunod na budget hearing natin para matulungan naman natin ang ating edukasyon, particularly iyong Department of Education and the other agencies of the government.

So, again po, Mr. Speaker, Majority Leader and Congresswoman Castro, marami pong salamat at pagpalain po tayo ng ating Panginoong Diyos.

Thank you.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abu). Marami pong salamat, Hon. Mark Go.

Majority Leader.

REP. TADURAN. Mr. Speaker, may we recognize our last interpellator, the Hon. Vicente “Ching” Veloso of the Third District of Leyte, for his interpellation.


THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abu). The Representative from the Third District of Leyte and the Chairperson of the Committee on Justice, Hon. Vicente “Ching” Veloso, is recognized.

REP. VELOSO. Maraming salamat po, Mr. Speaker.

Will the Honorable France Castro yield to a few questions?

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). My honor, …

REP. VELOSO. Puwede po ba akong magtanong?

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). … Mr. Speaker.

REP. VELOSO. Puwede po ba akong makapagtanong sa Kagalang-galang na France Castro?

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). Isa pong karangalan, Mr. Speaker, na magkaroon ng talastasan sa ating Kinatawan mula sa Third District ng Leyte, ...

REP. VELOSO. Mr. Speaker, bihira ako …

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). Honorable Veloso.

REP. VELOSO. … mag-interpellate sa mga privilege speeches. Nangyari lang po this morning, lahat ng district supervisors sa Third District of Leyte, nagpunta sa bahay, sa opisina ko, nakipag-meet sa akin about this matter of opening of classes sa August 24. At tamang-tama, noong nabuksan ko itong TV, ito pala ang pinag-uusapan natin ngayon.

Mr. Speaker, Kagalang-galang France Castro, sinasabi po sa Section 1, Article XIV


ng ating Konstitusyon, mandato po ito ng gumawa ng Konstitusyon na ang ating mga kabataan ay kailangang bigyan ng quality education. Tama po ba iyon, Mr. Speaker?

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). Tama po, Mr. Speaker. In fact, ang kampanya nga po natin ay iyong ligtas, dekalidad na edukasyon para sa lahat, at iyan po ay enshrined sa ating Constitution.

REP. VELOSO. Salamat po.At ito ay mandato with or without COVID-

19. Tama po ba?

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). Tama po, Mr. Speaker.

REP. VELOSO. Okay.Kanina, sinabi sa akin ng mga District

Supervisors na sa report daw ng division office nila a few days back, ang instruction sa kanila from Central Office ng DepEd, Secretary Briones, ay maghanda ng face-to-face instruction in areas na hindi naman problema ang COVID-19. But lately, nagkaroon sila ng instruction sa mga modular na tinatawag nila. In fact, apat po ang sinabi sa akin na options: number one, modular distance learning; pangalawa, TV/radio instructions; pangatlo, mayroon pa silang blended distance learning; at ang pang-apat po ay face-to-face instruction. Ngunit nagtataka sila, all of a sudden, binigyan sila ng instruction na dapat modular na tayo, TV/radio, to the point na, for example, in Tacloban, mayroon silang PRTV-12 doon that can provide two hours for this modular instruction. Eh ang problema daw ay iba ang subject content para Grade 1, iba sa Grade 2, iba sa Grade 3, iba sa Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6. Paano nila maipapasok in a span of two hours ang subject matter na dapat ituro sa mga bata from Grades 1 to 6 in two hours? May naiintindihan ka ba diyan o may narinig ka ba, Honorable Castro, kung bakit nagbago ang desisyon ni Secretary Briones? Kasi ito ang ipinapatanong nila sa akin eh.

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). Mr. Speaker, iyan din po ang nangyayari doon sa ibang mga lugar, sa ibang mga division dahil may mga pabago-

bagong mga instructions. Nalilito po iyong mga teachers. Halimbawa po, iyong unang instructions, sila daw iyong magbibigay, ang Department of Education Central Office ang magbibigay ng module sa ating mga teachers at ang gagawa daw po ng mga modules ay iyong mga supervisors, mga master teachers. Pero pag dating po sa baba, pag dating sa mga division level, ang nangyayaring instructions iba naman; ang mga teachers na daw po iyong gagawa ng mga modules. Kaya po hindi po kaiba iyong nangyayari ngayon sa Third District ng Leyte kaugnay po doon sa nakuhang report ng ating Kinatawan, Kagalang-galang na Veloso, kaugnay noong pabago-bagong instructions. Kaya nga po, Mr. Speaker, ang mga teachers po ay nalilito kung ano daw po iyong mga gagawin. So, hindi po naiiba iyong ganyang pabago-bagong instructions po ng Department of Education, Mr. Speaker.

REP. VELOSO. Well, Mr. Speaker, sinabi po rin nila na bawat region daw binigyan ng toka. For example, Region VIII, Science daw ang pinapag-aralan, pinagawa sila ng module for Science para magamit later on nationwide o sa buong Visayas na ito. They are talking of Region VIII, Science. Now, ibig sabihin nito, when you talk about modular instruction, iba ang gumawa for Regions I up to XIII, maliban sa Region VIII. Ang punto ko po, Mr. Speaker, is, sila mismo nahihirapan i-implement itong module. Isa sa napag-usapan, ang district, Third District of Leyte, basically agricultural area ito, rural area ito, ang mga magulang dito, nanay at tatay, masyadong busy sila sa farming. So, doon lang sa module itself, eh sila nga nahihirapang maintindihan ang laman ng module, pag-implement pa ba nito.

Pangalawa, sinabi po nila na kailangan ng assistance ng nanay o tatay or anybody in the family na literate at nakakaintindi ng laman ng module. Eh ito po ang problema natin dito sa Third District of Leyte because this area has been neglected talaga ng pamahalaan. In fact, it was only few months back na dinalaw kami ni Pangulong Duterte dahil sa insurgency dito, na nag-distribute pa siya ng mga lupa dahil sa kahirapan ng mga tao dito. But balik tayo rito sa punto ng module. Alam po ba natin, Mr.


Speaker, na in rural areas katulad ng Third District of Leyte, wala kang mapapala, wala kang makukuha na assisting tutor sa mga bata? Alam po ba ito ni Honorable Castro?

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). Alam ko po iyan, Mr. Speaker. Iyan po iyong aking mga common na nare-receive na mga complaint or problem noong ating mga magulang. Dahil kung mayroon pong halimbawa isa, dalawa, tatlong anak sa isang pamilya at ang magulang ay sabihin naman nating hindi man lang nakatungtong po ng high school, so paano po nila tuturuan iyong kanilang mga estudyante or kanilang mga anak kahit na mayroon pong module?

So, doon po nagkakaroon ng problema. Kung mayroon naman pong tu tor , halimbawa kapitbahay, kung sino man po na makakatulong, ang problema natin, Mr. Speaker, Honorable Veloso, ay iyong health concern na naman. So, siyempre, baka kapag nagkaroon ng outsider na pupunta sa bahay, hindi tayo nakakatiyak ng kaniyang health condition. Baka mag-spread pa ito ng COVID or iba pang mga sakit. So iyon po talaga iyong problema.

Kaya po sinasabi natin sa Department of Education, iyong kanilang mga simulation ay dapat gawin po sa iba’t ibang klase o sa iba’t ibang condition ng bawat pamilya para matugunan itong mga ganitong mga problema natin, lalong-lalo na po iyong binabanggit, Mr. Speaker, ng ating kagalang-galang na Kinatawan mula po sa Third District ng Leyte.

REP. VELOSO. Salamat po. Isang napakalaking problema ng mga guro

natin dito is that, if we will implement itong modular distance learning instruction, wala daw silang mga printers, wala silang mga copiers, reprographic machines at pinapag-solicit pa kami ng printers, reprographic machines na kahit isa for every school district mabigyan man lang.

Sabi ko, ang laki-laki ng problemang iyan because ang isang school district ng, say, we in Villaba have up to two districts, but this covers a lot of schools in the rural areas. Mayroon ba naman o pupunta ang mga guro, ang mga

bata sa poblacion doon sa opisina ng district supervisor para makapag-print o makapag-copy lang ng modular instructions. On the other hand, kung iaasa natin ito sa mga guro, sobrang burden ito naman sa kanila. Kawawa sila.

So, ano ba ang solusyon natin dito dahil wala silang pera at ang sabi naman ng mga district supervisors, wala silang maasahan sa Special Education Fund or sa LGU dahil ang available lang daw is 30 percent sa MOOE? Eh wala talagang maibibigay para sa printers at saka reprographic machines. Ano kaya ang magandang solusyon kung saan tayo pupulot ng pondo dito, Kagalang-galang na Castro?

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). Mr. Speaker, iyan din po iyong isang problema. Ang teachers na po iyong gumagastos para doon sa printing ng mga modules, worksheets, at mga kinakailangan nila dito sa distance learning modality. Kaya po minumungkahi ko po, Mr. Speaker, Honorable Veloso, ay sana magkaroon ng supplemental budget. Sana po tayo po ay magpasa nito. Iyon nga po ang inaantay ko doon sa SONA ng ating Pangulo, iyong suporta po pinansyal para dito sa sinasabing LCP ng Department of Education. Kaya kailangan po natin dito sa Kongreso, magpasa po tayo ng budget, urgently at masama po natin iyong budgeting para doon sa pagpapagawa ng module, iyong pagpapa-print at iba pa pong pangangailangan para doon sa modular distance learning po.

REP. VELOSO. A while ago, sinabi ni Hon. Mark Go, Chairman Mark Go na kailangan magkaroon tayo ng National Modular Program but subject to conditions ng locality. Meaning, anong pangangailangan because tama naman po siya na, for example, in advanced areas like NCR, talagang mas lamang sila, mataas na ang kaalaman nila compared dito sa mga rural areas. You know, as to content, kailangan talagang pag-usapan ito. Certainly, hindi ito matatapos in two to three months or even in five months. But more importantly, si Honorable Romulo, si Chairman Romulo, may sinabi rin siya and this is now material to the fourth option na sinabi, na nai-propose dito ng mga district supervisors. Kasi kami


dito sa Leyte, hindi masyadong problema ang COVID-19. In fact, sa Third District of Leyte, wala kaming masyadong problema din diyan kapag nagkakaroon ng positive finding because of locally stranded individuals dahil after 14 days, nagiging negative naman. Ang sinabi ni Kagalang-galang Romulo, which I really agree with, dapat magkaroon tayo ng face-to-face instruction, formal instruction in non-COVID areas.

Marami akong confirmation from the district supervisors na sa kanilang mga distrito, hindi problema masyado ang COVID-19. In fact, in Villaba, we only had two, pagkatapos biglang nawala. Noong minsan sa Leyte, nagkaroon ng 13, but nawawala naman, mga asymptomatic kasi ito. At sinabi pa po nila na kapag nag-face-to-face with social distancing, 30 na learners lang daw ito bawat klase. Kapag hinati mo, magiging 15, so puwede daw sa umaga, 15 pupils at sa hapon, 15. Mas malaki pa ang lamang ng face-to-face instruction kaysa modular distance learning. Anong masasabi mo po diyan, Honorable Castro? Tama po ba iyon, ang observation nila?

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). Tama po iyan, Mr. Speaker. Pinakamabisa pa rin iyong face-to-face methods of teaching. So, kasi nakikita natin dito iyong interaction, nakikita natin dito iyong kung paano iyong mga bata ay alam ba nila o hindi iyong sinasabi ng teachers. So pinakamabisang paraan pa rin po. Kaya lang po, ang problema po natin sa panahon ngayon dahil pandemya po, karamihan po ngayon, ang nakikita natin mga asymptomatic cases na po ang nate-test positive. Kaya po, maganda po iyan na gagamitin natin kung unang-una po ay magkaroon tayo ng targeted mass testing. Bago po mag-face-to-face instruction, kailangan po mass testing at maihanda iyong mga facilities katulad ng kuwentuhan namin kanina ni Congressman Go at ni Congressman Sarmiento. Iyong mga facilities po natin sa mga eskwelahan, sa mga mag-face-to-face instruction ay dapat maayos po iyong water facilities, iyong toilet, iyong clinic at iba po. Maaari naman po iyan na magawa natin basta masiguro lang po natin na mayroon itong mga basic facilities natin sa eskwelahan po, Mr. Speaker.

R E P . V E L O S O . F i n a l l y , k a n i n a , napagkasunduan na kailangan lang talaga i-improve ang health protocols natin from hand washing to using alcohol, sa mga contact tracing, iyong sinasabi mong mass testing. I-improve natin ang health protocols at saka dapat i-localize ang problema so kung localized po ang problema, ang solusyon ay karapat-dapat lamang doon sa may problema sa lokal. For example, in Leyte, kapag mayroong positive sa Tacloban dahil LSI, say dalawa, hindi naman kami nagla-lockdown sa buong Leyte. Doon lang sa Tacloban nagiging istrikto sila.

Secondly, even in Tacloban, kung halimbawa may dalawa doon nag-positive, hindi naman buong Tacloban nila-lockdown. Tinitingnan kung anong barangay ang may problema, doon lang tinututukan atsaka talaga ini-improve ang protocol.

In this regard, babalikan ko at uulitin ko, ang Third District of Leyte, hindi pa kami ganoon ka-problemado, sa awa ng Diyos. Wala kaming ganoong problema katulad ng urban areas, in Manila, in Cebu at saka we welcome—sana malaman ng IATF na kailangan talagang ibalik na sa kanilang mga probinsya iyong mga locally stranded individuals basta at susundin nila iyong protocol. Anong ginagawa po namin? Nagpapaalam sa LGU na pupunta itong LSI at sinusundo from either sa airport or doon sa pantalan, sa pier. And then pagdating nila sa lugar nila sa LGU, naka-quarantine na sila. Then sabi pa nga ni Dr. (inaudible) dito sa Villaba, wala na silang magawa because asymptomatic, hindi naman nila i-prescribe o hindi naman nila puwedeng gamutin na ng panggamot sa ubo dahil wala namang ubo. Hindi naman puwedeng i-prescribe ang gamot para sa lagnat dahil wala naman lagnat. What he is saying is, i-quarantine na lang ito, after 14 days, tapos na. That is exactly what we are saying. If face-to-face instruction is still a viable option katulad noong sinasabi ni Honorable Romulo, sana ang proposal ko, sana sang-ayunan ako ni Hon. France Castro, i-spare kami sa mga modular na ito dahil, uulitin ko, dito sa Third District of Leyte, ang TV na available dito iyong mga national television network. Pangalawa, bihira ang may TV sa rural areas. Ang radio stations namin sa Tacloban, hindi umaabot dito. Ang umaabot dito, ang radio stations na broadcasted


from Cebu. Talagang hindi puwede sa amin ang modular. Hindi rin puwede sa amin ang online dahil wala kaming Internet dito. Hindi rin puwede ang TV at radio. Ang option na available is face-to-face.

Puwede po bang makausap natin si Secretary Briones, Honorable Castro, na sana huwag naman nilang pilitin bigyan ng solusyon, halimbawa, bigyan ng antibiotic ang isang pasyente kung hindi naman nangangailangan ng antibiotic? Huwag po bigyan ng mga problema on modular, TV, et cetera na hindi naman available dito. Wala naman kaming problema sa COVID-19 that would deter iyong face-to-face instruction.

Iyon na lang po, Mr. Speaker. Kung sasang-ayon sa proposal ko si Honorable Castro, kausapin na lang po natin si Secretary Briones to take a second look doon sa problema and i-reconsider iyong modular learning instruction dahil pabigat lang ito sa mga guro dito at saka sa mga LGUs. Wala namang pera ang mga LGUs natin dito.

Maraming salamat po, Mr. Speaker.

REP. CASTRO (F.L.). Mr. Speaker, sumasang-ayon po ako sa ating Kinatawan mula sa Third District ng Leyte at mahalaga lang din po para sa Kinatawang ito iyong health condition muna ng ating mga teachers, students at iba. At makakasama po ng Kinatawang ito iyong ating Kinatawan mula sa Third District ng Leyte para po makumbinsi si Secretary Briones na pag-aralan po o i-reconsider po itong plano doon sa modular teaching on a localized level, depende po sa kondisyon ng health sa ilang area.

Iyon po, Mr. Speaker.


REP. TADURAN. Mr. Speaker, may we refer the privilege speech of the Hon. France Castro of the ACT Teachers Party-List and the subsequent interpellations to the Committee on Rules for its appropriate action.


THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abu). Referred to Committee on Rules.

Majority Leader.

REP. TADURAN. Mr. Speaker, may we recognize the Hon. Arlene Brosas of Gabriela Party-List for her privilege speech.


THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abu). The Representative from Gabriela Party-List, Hon. Arlene Brosas, is recognized to avail of the Privilege Hour.


REP. TADURAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the session.


It was 4:56 p.m.

RESUMPTION OF SESSION At 5:01 p.m., the session was resumed. THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abu). The

session is resumed. Majority Leader.

REP. CRISOLOGO. Mr. Speaker, for the time being, while we wait for the Hon. Arlene Brosas, I move that we suspend the Privilege Hour.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abu). Any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the Privilege Hour is suspended.

Majority Leader.

CONSIDERATION OF H. RES. NO. 1052

REP. CRISOLOGO. Mr. Speaker, I move that we consider for adoption House Resolution No. 1052 and direct the Secretary General to read the title of the resolution.


THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abu). Any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the Secretary General is hereby directed to read


the title of House Resolution No. 1052 for adoption.*

THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Resolution No. 1052, entitled: RESOLUTION E X P R E S S I N G T H E P R O F O U N D CONDOLENCES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO THE FAMILY OF ATTY. PERFECTO RIVAS YASAY JR., FORMER SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND FORMER CHAIRPERSON OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.

ADOPTION OF H. RES. NO. 1052

REP. CRISOLOGO. Mr. Speaker, I move that we adopt House Resolution No. 1052.

VIVA VOCE VOTING

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abu). Those who are in favor, please say Aye.

SEVERAL MEMBERS. Aye.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abu). Those who are against, please say Nay. (Silence) The ayes have it; House Resolution No. 1052 is adopted.

Majority Leader.


REP. CRISOLOGO. Mr. Speaker, I move to consider for adoption House Resolution No. 1053 and direct the Secretary General to read the title of the resolution.


THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abu). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the Secretary General is hereby directed to read the title of House Resolution No. 1053 for adoption.*

THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Resolution No. 1053, entitled: RESOLUTION

E X P R E S S I N G T H E P R O F O U N D CONDOLENCES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO THE FAMILY OF MRS. LEONORA GALLARDO CALIXTO, M O T H E R O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E ANTONINO G. CALIXTO OF THE LONE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT OF PASAY CITY AND FORMER REPRESENTATIVE IMELDA CALIXTO-RUBIANO, INCUMBENT MAYOR OF PASAY CITY.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abu). Majority Leader .


REP. CRISOLOGO. Mr. Speaker, I move for the adoption of House Resolution No. 1053.

VIVA VOCE VOTING




Majority Leader.


REP. CRISOLOGO. Mr. Speaker, I move that we consider for adoption House Resolution No. 1064 and direct the Secretary General to read the resolution.


THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abu). Any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the Secretary General is hereby directed to read the title of House Resolution No. 1064 for adoption.*

THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Resolution No. 1064, entitled: RESOLUTION

* Copies of the resolution were distributed to the members earlier. Section 53, Rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives provides that “[a] bill or joint resolution on Second Reading shall be read in full unless copies thereof have been distributed to the Members.”


CONGRATULATING THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ON THE CELEBRATION OF ITS 122ND FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY, AND COMMENDING ITS MEN AND WOMEN FOR THEIR SELFLESS AND DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THEIR COUNTRY AND THEIR FELLOW FILIPINOS DURING THIS TIME OF PANDEMIC.



REP. CRISOLOGO. Mr. Speaker, I move for the adoption of House Resolution No. 1064.


VIVA VOCE VOTING




Majority Leader.


REP. CRISOLOGO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the session for a few minutes.


It was 5:04 p.m.




Majority Leader.

ADJOURNMENT OF SESSION

REP. CRISOLOGO. Mr. Speaker, I move that we adjourn the session until Monday, August 3, 2020, at three o’clock in the afternoon.


THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abu). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the session is adjourned until August 3, 2020, at three o’clock in the afternoon, Monday.

It was 5:06 p.m.

Published by the Publication and Editorial Service, South Wing Basement • 931-7868; 931-5001 local 7602The Congressional Record can be accessed through the Legislative Documents of the official website

of the House of Representatives at www.congress.gov.ph FLL/MLA/09012020/2224