November 12, 2011
(Standard Greetings)
In recognizing the undoubtedly significant role of local government units in the lives of our people, it has been a part of my advocacy to strengthen and empower LGUs through various projects and by supporting programs in our local communities.
As a Senator, I am aware that most of our LGUs still need much support from the national government. This is precisely why we have our Priority Development Assistance Fund, so that we can allocate funds to help […]
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October 13, 2011
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen:
It is my distinct pleasure to speak before you today in this important National Indigenous Peoples Cultural Summit.
Today, we take pride in our cultural rootedness and recognize the people whose lives take us through many centuries of struggle to protect the land we live in, preserve the virtues we uphold and bring us back to who we are.
Our indigenous peoples have shaped our story as a Filipino people- our music, arts and dance, our native knowledge and […]
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October 12, 2011
Mr. President,
The observance of the International Day for Disaster Reduction comes at a time when the grave effects of climate change and disasters increasingly strike all over the world. And today, we urge governments to “Step Up for Disaster Risk Reduction”.
The Philippines has consistently gone up in global rankings on, unfortunately and alarmingly, climate vulnerability. In 2009, the Philippines was number 12 most at risk from cyclones, floods, earthquakes and landslides based on the Mortality Risk Index by […]
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October 5, 2011
Mr. President,
Images of disaster filled our minds in the past week as typhoons Pedring and Quiel wrought havoc in various parts of the country and destroyed millions-worth of infrastructure including school buildings. In fact, for typhoon Pedring alone, 315 school buildings were damaged with estimated cost placed at P146.8-million.[1]
Thousands of children who went back to their schools after the typhoons were welcomed by damaged classrooms . But one strong image stands tall-the teacher. She has to go business […]
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September 26, 2011
Mr. President,
I stand here today, two years since one of the most devastating typhoons unleashed its wrath in our country, to renew my call for the administration to translate “transformational leadership” into measurable gains in protecting people’s lives and livelihoods and building our resilience as a nation against the worsening state of disaster and climate risks.
We already know the risks.
Tropical storm Pedring entered the Philippines exactly two years after three successive tropical cyclones – Ondoy, Pepeng and […]
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