Groups call on candidates to prioritize food and nutrition security

Food and nutrition security advocates challenged candidates to end hunger and malnutrition, support small farmers, achieve food sufficiency, and address the threat of climate change and natural disasters to food and nutrition.

The Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) led the call in a press forum in Quezon City, lamenting that millions of Filipinos, especially the rural poor, continue to suffer from hunger and malnutrition.

“Steady economic growth has not translated to the improvement of lives of many Filipinos. While there is reduction in the number of people experiencing hunger, there are still a lot that needs to be done to achieve food and nutrition security in the country,” said Romeo Dongeto, PLCPD executive director.

A recent Social Weather Stations survey showed that the 2015 average hunger rate at 13.4 was lowest since 2004. The 2013 National Nutrition Survey, however, found that one in 10 adult Filipinos suffers from chronic energy deficiency. The same survey also showed high prevalence of undernutrition among children – 19.9 percent of children aged 0-5 years were underweight.

The Philippine Coalition of Advocates for Nutrition Security (PhilCAN) attributed hunger and malnutrition in the country to various factors, including natural disasters, climate change and poor governance.

Moreover, the Pambansang Kaisahan ng mga Magbubukid sa Pilipinas (PKMP) lamented the sorry state of agriculture in the country, contributing to high prevalence of poverty and hunger among small farmers and rural communities.

“Ang isyu at usapin ng kasiguruhan sa pagkain ay isang pangunahing pangangailan na dapat tugunan ng kasalukuyang pamahalaan. Subalit matapos ang anim taon, nanatiling bigo ang gobyernong Aquino na kagutuman sa kanayunan sapagkat malinaw ang tunguhin ng pamahalaan na mas pangunahing suportahan ang agribusiness sa halip na kalingain ang maliitang pagsasaka,” said Nestor Diego, Secretary General of PKMP.

(Addressing food security should be top priority of the government. After 6 years, the Aquino administration has failed to end hunger, particularly in the countryside. It is clear that this administration favors agribusiness more than it cares for small farmers.)

Meanwhile, Dir. Angel Imperial, spokesperson of the National Food Authority, the main government agency in charge of rice, the country’s staple food, said that they will keep close watch to make sure that rice supply in the country remains sufficient, and prices are stable and relatively low.

“The nation’s food security cannot be overemphasized. After all, food security is synonymous to national security,” added Dir. Imperial.

The 2016 election is a critical opportunity for Filipinos to choose the leaders who will ensure food and security in the country. This will require a commitment to address income inequality and rural poverty by investing in rural economies to increase employment, among others. This will also require a commitment to reform policies and governance structures on food and nutrition security, Dongeto said.

“Filipino voters should elect a government that will deliver on our Sustainable Development Goals commitment and take all necessary measures to address inequalities and emerging issues like climate change to ensure that all people, particularly the poor and vulnerable, are able to access, avail, and consume safe, nutritious and sufficient food at all times,” Dongeto stressed.

For his part, Diego said that it is important that the government support small farmers. “Ang dapat gawin ng pamahalaan upang matugunan ang kasiguruhan sa pagkain at kahirapan ng magbubukid sa kanayunan ay suportahan ang maliliit na magbubukid sa pamamagitan ng seryosong pagpapatupad ng repormang agraryo, itigil ang land conversion sa lupang agrikultural, suporta sa presyo ng produktong palay at pataasin ang kakayahan ng NFA na bilhin ng mas marami ang ani ng magsasaka upang di mapagsamantalahan ng mga traders,” he said.

(To achieve food security and end rural poverty, the government should support small farmers by implementing agrarian reform, preventing conversion of prime agricultural lands to commercial use, influencing the farm-gate price of rice, and strengthening the mandate of the NFA to buy local produce and protect farmers from traders.)

Furthermore, Dyan Amee Rodriguez, PhilCAN vice lead convener, emphasized that the solution to hunger and malnutrition lies in the collective and concerted effort of all stakeholders, including the private sector.

“We can eradicate malnutrition through consistent and scaled up initiatives, and use of accurate, timely and credible information in designing and monitoring interventions,” she said.

GSIS offers emergency loan to members, pensioners in 2 Occ. Mindoro towns, Zambo City

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has opened the emergency loan program to assist active members and pensioners in typhoon Nona-hit municipalities of Lubang and Abra de Ilog in Occidental Mindoro, and those affected by El Niño in the City of Zamboanga.

GSIS has earmarked P24.3 million for 881 active members and pensioners in Lubang and Abra de Ilog.  It has similarly appropriated almost P488 million for 17,212 active members and pensioners in Zamboanga City.

The deadline for emergency loan application in Lubang and Abra de Ilog is March 4, 2016, while that for Zamboanga City is March 5, 2016.

Qualified to apply are active members who are residing or working in the said calamity-declared areas, not on leave of absence without pay, have no arrears in paying premium contributions, and have no loans that are unpaid for more than six months.

Active members applying for the first time may avail of a P20,000 loan, while those with existing emergency loan may borrow up to P40,000, from which their outstanding balance will be deducted.

Pensioners need to apply in person to avail of the P20,000 pensioners’ emergency loan.  Pensioners who are also active members may apply for the loan only once.

Emergency loan is payable in 36 equal monthly instalments at 6 percent interest rate per annum computed in advance.  It is covered by a loan redemption insurance, which deems the loan fully paid in case of demise of the borrower, provided that loan repayment is up to date.

Active members may apply through the GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System (GWAPS) kiosks located in all GSIS branch and extension offices; provincial capitols; city halls; selected municipal offices; large government agencies such as the Department of Education; selected Robinsons Malls; and SM Super Malls in Manila, Pampanga, and Cebu.

Loan proceeds are electronically credited to the borrower’s GSIS eCard or unified multipurpose identification (UMID) card.

CHIZ SLAMS SSS FOR USING SCARE TACTIC TO STOP PENSION HIKE

Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero slammed the Social Security System (SSS) for using the “threat of bankruptcy” to prevent the Congress-ratified P2,000 across-the-board increase in the monthly pension of its members from being enacted into law.

Escudero said such position by the private sector pension fund, which became the basis for President Aquino to veto the SSS pension hike bill, was merely an excuse for the “inefficiencies” within the agency, as he insisted that the increase was “doable and financially viable.”

“Ang panakot o scare tactic ng SSS ay mababangkarote raw ang ahensya at mauubos daw ang pondo nila kapag tinaasan ang pensyon ng mga retirado. Sa tingin ko ay palusot lamang ito. Kung gusto may paraan, kung ayaw maraming dahilan,” Escudero said.

The veteran lawmaker said it would not be difficult for the SSS to fund a pension increase if major institutional reforms have been put in place to make the pension fund sustainable and viable over the long term.

Escudero, the frontrunner in the vice-presidential race, noted that the failure of past and present SSS officials to establish an efficient collection system for contributions from employers who failed to remit employees’ share.

He said the SSS may also consider alternative ways of generating revenue like condoning penalties on overdue loan obligations by members, instead of focusing on giving fat bonuses to its executives.

“All it takes is for the SSS to be more innovative and focused on fixing the inefficiencies that impede them from giving retirees in the private sector the much-needed increase in their monthly pension,” Escudero pointed out.

At the 2009 Senate proceedings for the approval of the SSS Condonation Law, it was discovered that SSS had failed to collect a total of P94 billion from employers.  At the end of the condonation period, only 24,043 employers availed themselves of the program by remitting P3.545 billion.

In an SSS report dated Jan. 12, 2013, there were 174,985 delinquent employers with total liabilities of P8.515 billion as of Dec. 31, 2010. The number did not include the 131,907 intermittently paying and delinquent employers with total liabilities of P8.005 billion.

SSS failed to collect P13 billion from delinquent employers as of 2014 while its aging member loans amounted to P64.01 billion, of which P19.407 billion represents outstanding loans of more than five years.

Despite this, the SSS is notorious for giving hefty bonuses to its top executives.

In October 2013, the SSS came under fire after eight members of its board got a performance bonus of about P1 million each for the state-run firm’s performance for 2012. SSS employees were also given bonuses worth P276 million in 2012.

Reports about the bonus bonanza came out the same month the SSS announced an increase in the monthly members’ contribution from 10.4 percent to 11 percent effective Jan. 1, 2014.

According to the SSS, the P2,000 across-the-board increase for 1.9 million pensioners every month would shorten the life of the pension fund from its previous projection of 27 years or until 2042 to 13 years or until 2029.

Escudero said the bankruptcy threat is baseless because the government, under Republic Act No. 8282 or the Social Security Act of 1997, has the obligation to allocate funds should the SSS suffer from insufficient funding brought about by pension increase.

“The solvency of SSS is guaranteed by the government. This means it may infuse funds to the SSS to strengthen its fund life, as well as its capacity to provide services to its members,” he pointed out.

Escudero earlier rallied his colleagues in Congress to override the President’s veto of the SSS pension hike bill that would have benefited close to two million pensioners.

“There is no better time than now to have the SSS pension hike bill enacted into law, and I urge my colleagues in the Senate and members of the House of Representatives to do the right thing and vote to override the President’s ill-advised veto of this bill,” he added.

Under Article VI, Section 27 of the 1987 Constitution, Congress can override a presidential veto by passing the bill with a two-thirds vote in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Legarda Joins Celebration of World Radio Day

On World Radio Day (February 13), Senator Loren Legarda highlighted the invaluable contributions of radio in disaster management.

Legarda, UNISDR Global Champion for Resilience and Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, underscored the importance of radio in disseminating all types of information, be it news or disaster alerts, among the widest number of people especially those living in the rural and remote areas.

“The job of our radiomen is very crucial in disaster preparedness and management. They can disseminate early warning and advisories to allow communities to prepare for natural hazards such as typhoons, ahead of time. Also, when it comes to responding to emergencies, radiomen are on the ground within the first 24 hours of a disaster to relay health and other vital information over the airwaves,” Legarda said.

The theme of World Radio Day 2016 is ‘Radio and Emergency and Disaster Situations’. Said event is an initiative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

“On this World Radio Day, I salute the pioneers of the industry, and those who work and contribute to fulfilling its role to inform, educate and entertain the public,” said Legarda, who was a broadcast journalist for 20 years before she became a senator.

“Let us continue to find ways to make radio a true agent of change and social transformation and a meaningful forum for the discussion of relevant issues affecting the nation,” she added.

Legarda has filed a Senate Resolution urging the national government to lead the national observance of World Radio Day every 13th day of February in recognition of the important role of radio as a medium of free expression.***

CHIZ HOPEFUL OF FAVORABLE SC RULING FOR POE IN MARCH

PANGASINAN -- Independent vice-presidential candidate Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero is looking forward to a favorable Supreme Court ruling for his presidential running mate Sen. Grace Poe as they expect the high court to hand down its decision next month.

During the campaign sortie of the Partido Galing at Puso in vote-rich Pangasinan province, Escudero said the SC was expected to conclude within the month hearing the oral arguments on Poe’s consolidated petition against two Commission on Elections (Comelec) decisions canceling her certificate of candidacy (COC) for president.

“Inaasahan namin na matatapos sa buwan ng Pebrero ang oral arguments sa kaso ni Sen. Grace. Inaasahan namin na lalabas sa buwan ng Marso ang kanilang (SC) pasya at desisyon, at buo ang pag-asa namin na ito’y papabor kay Sen. Grace,” Escudero told a press conference.

In canceling Poe’s COC, the Comelec claimed that she made “material misrepresentations” regarding her citizenship and residency.

Poe, the frontrunner in recent presidential voter preference surveys, had petitioned the SC to reverse the Comelec rulings on ground that the poll body committed grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack of jurisdiction.

She also insisted that just like all other foundlings found in the Philippines, she is a natural-born Filipino citizen, and that she complied with the 10-year residency requirement for presidential candidates having been a resident of the country since May 24, 2005.

Escudero believes the 15-member tribunal will not go beyond its 2004 decision that declared Poe’s father, the late actor Fernando Poe Jr., whose citizenship was also questioned when he ran for president at the time, a natural-born Filipino.

“Sa kaso tungkol sa kababayan nyong si FPJ, sinabi ng Korte Suprema sa pamamagitan ni Chief Justice (Reynato) Puno, sa wikang Ingles: ‘We cannot leave to the unelected members of this court the power and right to decide who the next president will be. That decision is best left to the sovereign Filipino people,’” Escudero said referring to the late actor, who is a native of San Carlos City in Pangasinan.

“Kung susundin nila (SC justices) ‘yun, walang rason para hindi sila pumabor kay Sen. Grace,” he added.

Only Duterte, Cayetano attend election forum; Other candidates got scared, a no-show

"Last men standing.”

This was how Davao City Mayor Rodrigo "Rody" Duterte and Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano were described by the host of an election forum organized by Rappler held at the De La Salle University’s (DLSU) Teresa Yuchengco Auditorium on Wednesday.

It was reported that Duterte and Cayetano were the only candidates who attended the forum. Sources said that after confirming their attendance to the forum, all of the tandems vying for the May presidential polls backed out of the event.

“Maraming nadismaya at hindi dumalo ang iba pang tambalan sa forum na ito. Their absence to this first presidential and vice presidential forum is quite bothering," Cayetano said.

Nonetheless, the duo presented their platform, which they said is a comprehensive and bold response to the chaos in the country. They pointed to the worsening traffic problem, rising crime and illegal drug trafficking, lack of job opportunities and social injustice that need to be addressed. Duterte and Cayetano said the only way to effect real change is to end the country's chaos swiftly and decisively.

“There is so much disorder. People don't have security. Sobra na ang gulo at pahirap na dinadanas ng tao. Sino ba naman ang hindi mapapamura kung pag-gising mo pa lamang sa umaga hanggang sa pagtulog mo sa gabi, walang tigil ang pahirap at gulo sa ating bayan,” Duterte said.

“This is the reason why I am angry. This is the reason behind my constant cursing. Behind my curses is the tragedy and suffering of the Filipino people,” Duterte said.

Cayetano said he and Duterte have the experience and principles necessary to fight injustices committed by those benefiting from the country’s chaotic state of affairs.

The senator highlighted the need to fight crime and corruption in the police force through harsh penalties for the corrupt and increasing salaries for honest police officers, removing excuses for corruption and helping to attract the best and brightest to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Cayetano also underscored the need for the country to transition to federalism to democratically decentralize governance and resources, and attain lasting peace. He specifically mentioned the need to spread development by infusing the regions with the necessary funds for development.

"Hindi na pwede ang pwede na. Hindi na pwede ang konting pagbabago. At lalong hindi na pwede na magpatuloy ang ligaya ng mga nang-aabuso. Ang kailangan ay matapang na solusyon at mabilis na aksyon para tapusin ang gulo. This is what Mayor Duterte and I will bring,” Cayetano stressed.