Privilege Speech: Isang Habi, Isang Lahi

November 8, 2010

In culmination of the celebration of the National Indigenous Peoples Month that was celebrated throughout October and as we resume our sessions in this chamber, allow me to speak to you on this important subject matter of the protection of Indigenous Peoples Rights and their cultural integrity.
I. Recognition of Indigenous Peoples in the International Arena
Indigenous Peoples (IPs) make up over 370 million or about 5% of the world’s population and live in 90 countries all over the world.[1] […]

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International Day for Disaster Reduction

October 13, 2010

MANIFESTATION
Today, we join the world in marking the International Day for Disaster Reduction, celebrating the small victories that we have so far won yet recognizing the persistent challenges that remain—foremost of which is the challenge to build more sustainable and disaster-resilient towns and cities.
In many parts of the globe, disasters of unprecedented proportions made it into the headlines. The earthquake in Pakistan, the flooding in Bangladesh, Myanmar, China and tropical storm Ondoy and typhoon Pepeng in the Philippines […]

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World Teachers’ Day 2010

October 5, 2010

Today, we join the international community in celebrating World Teachers’ Day by giving honor to our Filipino Teachers.
For this year’s celebration, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization and Education International came up with the theme: Recovery begins with teachers, placing teachers in the lead to recovery from various global crises.
Many of our people’s woes are primarily the effects of our societal problems—such as the financial crisis that has affected the economies of many nations, and the […]

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Privilege Speech: One Year After: Ondoy’s Wake-Up Call Remains Unheeded

September 27, 2010

In a survey conducted by the Nielsen Company and the Oxford University Institute of Climate Change late last year, the Philippines registered the highest level of concern for climate change among 54 countries surveyed. 78% of Filipino respondents said they are concerned[1]. In fact, VERY CONCERNED.
They have good reasons to feel that way. Let us review our records.
Looking Back
The Philippines was severely hit by three successive tropical cyclones: “Ondoy”, “Pepeng”, and “Santi” between September 24 to November […]

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Speech on the Millennium Development Goals

September 19, 2010

1. The MDG Summit 2010
Today, the 20th of September, heeding the urgent call of the United Nations Secretary-General, world leaders convene an important summit in New York to review the progress of countries on the collective commitment of nations for human development under the Millennium Declaration of 2000 – that is, the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by the year 2015.
The MDGs represent human needs and basic rights that every individual around the world should be […]

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