Senator Loren Legarda today expressed her support for the programs of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to improve agricultural productivity, increase the income of farmers, and promote food security and sustainable farming as she urged the agency to ensure that unobligated funds are spent.
During the hearing on the proposed 2017 budget of the DA, Legarda, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, said she supports the Department’s program to give free irrigation to farmers to increase productivity and hopes it can be done within the year if the DA can use its remaining unobligated funds under the 2015 budget.
In celebration of World Teachers’ Day on October 5, Senator Loren Legarda lauded the dedication of those in the teaching profession and pushed for the approval of a measure that would provide greater benefits for teachers.
“We should never take for granted the difference our mentors created in our lives. A sincere appreciation of their work by sending our personal thanks to them would inspire them and uplift their morale. But we should also pursue the changes we eagerly want for our teachers especially through improved benefits and other privileges,” said Legarda.
In observance of the World Habitat Day (October 3), Senator Loren Legarda renewed her call for the passage of a bill seeking to create the Department of Housing and Urban Development (DHUD), which aims to address the country’s housing needs and other related issues through an efficient and holistic national shelter program.
Senator Loren Legarda is calling for the urgent passage of a bill seeking for mandatory registration of all prepaid subscriber identity module (SIM) cards to avoid unregistered numbers to be utilized for malicious or any unlawful acts.
“If we can make postpaid mobile subscribers submit identification, why can’t we do the same for prepaid mobile phone users? With SIM cards registered, criminals and perpetrators who exploit the anonymity provided by prepaid SIM can be identified and tracked down easily,” Legarda stressed.
“I mourn the passing of an esteemed colleague, an admirable and fearless woman, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago. My sympathies are with her husband and the family she left behind. Her death leaves a huge void in the nation.