Monday, May 13, 2013
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
NCCP Endorses Senatorial Bid of Bro. Eddie
The National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), the biggest ecumenical fellowship of Protestant and non-Catholic churches and service organizations, endorsed the senatorial bid of Bro. Eddie Villanueva yesterday in a gathering at the Legend Villas in Mandaluyong City. Led by its general secretary, Rev. Rex RB Reyes Jr., the NCCP said it will enjoin its member-churches and organizations nationwide to support Villanueva, the lone senatorial candidate of Bangon Pilipinas. NCCP has a membership of about 12 million all over the country. In the photo (L-R) are Bishop Leo Alconga and Bishop Dan Balais of the Philippines for Jesus Movement; Justice Raoul Victorino of UNIDA EKYUMENIKAL (formerly of Sandiganbayan); Bro. Eddie Villanueva; former Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Jun Yasay; Nora Lucero, general secretary of the Phil. Bible Society. Behind: Congressman Joe Tan Ramirez (Chairman of the Presidential Prayer Breakfast Foundation); Bishop Reuel O. Marigza, general secretary of UCCP; Atty. Felix Carao of Philippine Christian University; Rev. Ferdinand Mercado of IEMELIF); Rev. Romy Razon and Rev. Kenneth Aguillera, both of UNIDA.
Give workers chance to grow as entrepreneurs - Bro. Eddie
The minimum wage must rise to a level that can be considered a decent “living wage.” Otherwise, the government must open up more opportunities for the working class to grow as entrepreneurs.
This was the call of Bangon Pilipinas senatorial candidate Bro. Eddie Villanueva on the eve of this year’s Labor Day.
Villanueva said the government must break the chain of granting only non-wage benefits on Labor Day and work to increase the minimum wage.
“The minimum wage in Metro Manila for example at P456 can no longer sustain the cost of living. This is can no longer feed a family of five. If you add other expenses like entertainment and medical bills, the minimum wage is woefully lacking,” Villanueva said.
In 2008, it was estimated that the daily cost of living was already around P900.
As proof, Villanueva noted that the poverty rate has remained virtually unchanged despite glowing economic reviews by foreign firms, a credit ratings upgrade and record highs by the local stock market.
“Nobody should be left behind in the country’s economic growth. What we need is inclusive growth that includes growth from those in the fringes,” Villanueva, an economist-turned-evangelist, said.
He added that the platform of Bangon Pilipinas is to develop “ekonomiya ng sagigilid” or economics for the fringes with focus on growth in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors through industrial development.
Villanueva said growth in these sectors can form the foundation of a real and solid economic growth, rather than dependence on just a few factors like remittances from overseas Filipino workers and the business process outsourcing industry.
“There is still hope for a more equitable growth if we focus our agenda to giving more opportunities for those in the margins to better their lives. For example, grant them loans without collaterals so they can set up small businesses. This will be our legislative agenda in the Senate,” Villanueva said.
He added: “In the Senate, we will work for a government that provides opportunities for all, including the minimum wage earners. We will work for laws that will redistribute power and resources so everybody, including those living in the margins, will truly benefit from the country’s newfound economic strength. We will make sure the sagigilid will be part of the country’s economic growth.”
This was the call of Bangon Pilipinas senatorial candidate Bro. Eddie Villanueva on the eve of this year’s Labor Day.
Villanueva said the government must break the chain of granting only non-wage benefits on Labor Day and work to increase the minimum wage.
“The minimum wage in Metro Manila for example at P456 can no longer sustain the cost of living. This is can no longer feed a family of five. If you add other expenses like entertainment and medical bills, the minimum wage is woefully lacking,” Villanueva said.
In 2008, it was estimated that the daily cost of living was already around P900.
As proof, Villanueva noted that the poverty rate has remained virtually unchanged despite glowing economic reviews by foreign firms, a credit ratings upgrade and record highs by the local stock market.
“Nobody should be left behind in the country’s economic growth. What we need is inclusive growth that includes growth from those in the fringes,” Villanueva, an economist-turned-evangelist, said.
He added that the platform of Bangon Pilipinas is to develop “ekonomiya ng sagigilid” or economics for the fringes with focus on growth in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors through industrial development.
Villanueva said growth in these sectors can form the foundation of a real and solid economic growth, rather than dependence on just a few factors like remittances from overseas Filipino workers and the business process outsourcing industry.
“There is still hope for a more equitable growth if we focus our agenda to giving more opportunities for those in the margins to better their lives. For example, grant them loans without collaterals so they can set up small businesses. This will be our legislative agenda in the Senate,” Villanueva said.
He added: “In the Senate, we will work for a government that provides opportunities for all, including the minimum wage earners. We will work for laws that will redistribute power and resources so everybody, including those living in the margins, will truly benefit from the country’s newfound economic strength. We will make sure the sagigilid will be part of the country’s economic growth.”
Friday, April 26, 2013
Philippines can rise higher and faster with inclusive growth from the margins
After a credit-rating agency hailed the Philippines as a “rising star” in the global economic spectrum, Bangon Pilipinas senatorial candidate Bro. Eddie Villanueva said the country can rise higher and faster if the government were to make inclusive growth from the margins a priority.
“The country can grow so much faster and higher if the economy grows not just at the top, but from and within the bottom and the margins. Equitable growth will result in a more productive citizenry and a strong and resilient economy. This is the commitment of our platform and this will be our legislative agenda in the Senate,” Villanueva, an economist, said.
He also noted that domestic consumption and remittances from overseas contract workers can only go so far in propping up the economy.
“The thinking should be long-term. We need industrial development and create an industrial backbone based on agriculture and manufacturing. We need to translate economic growth to genuine human development,” said Villanueva.
The Bangon Pilipinas candidate, who is presenting himself as an alternative candidate to political dynasties, said his legislative agenda will also include protection of overseas Filipino workers from exploitation; an education system that not only produces skilled laborers and technicians but engineers, scientists and knowledge workers that will help in the country’s industrial development; and to the poor and marginalized to bank loans for entreprenuership.
In a recent report, Moody’s Analytics said the country can grow between 6.5 to 7 percent in the next two years and 8 percent by 2016, outperforming advanced economies ravaged by the current global economic slump and growing emerging markets.
“The country can grow so much faster and higher if the economy grows not just at the top, but from and within the bottom and the margins. Equitable growth will result in a more productive citizenry and a strong and resilient economy. This is the commitment of our platform and this will be our legislative agenda in the Senate,” Villanueva, an economist, said.
He also noted that domestic consumption and remittances from overseas contract workers can only go so far in propping up the economy.
“The thinking should be long-term. We need industrial development and create an industrial backbone based on agriculture and manufacturing. We need to translate economic growth to genuine human development,” said Villanueva.
The Bangon Pilipinas candidate, who is presenting himself as an alternative candidate to political dynasties, said his legislative agenda will also include protection of overseas Filipino workers from exploitation; an education system that not only produces skilled laborers and technicians but engineers, scientists and knowledge workers that will help in the country’s industrial development; and to the poor and marginalized to bank loans for entreprenuership.
In a recent report, Moody’s Analytics said the country can grow between 6.5 to 7 percent in the next two years and 8 percent by 2016, outperforming advanced economies ravaged by the current global economic slump and growing emerging markets.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Bro. Eddie Meets With Navotas Fisherfolk
Bangon Pilipinas senatorial candidate Bro. Eddie Villanueva held a dialogue with fisherfolk in Navotas Thursday in a bid to push his platform of “economy in the margins.”
Villanueva visited Market 3 of the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) Compound in Navotas at 8:00 am where he talked with leaders of the fishing community headed by Rolly Serna, president of Market 3 PFDA informal settlers.
“I am doing this to personally get the pulse of our sagigilid or the marginalized sectors of our society. We will talk directly to the people and find out their dreams, hopes and aspirations. We want to hear straight from them what it is they want from their government and their leaders so we can be better servant-leaders to them,” he said.
Villanueva said he also explained his platform of developing an “economy in the margins” to offset the imbalance of economic growth in the country. Recently, media reports said the poverty rate in the country has remained unchanged.
“We have seen the country get a credit ratings upgrade and the local stock market hitting new highs. But development has not trickled down to the common folk, especially to the poor and the marginalized,” he said.
Villanueva, an economist, also explained that our economy should be “aggressive and inclusive” if the common folk like the Navotas fisherfolk are to benefit.
“What I will push in the Senate is inclusive growth and an economics for the fringes – or ekonomiya ng sagigilid. We need to focus our economic legislative agenda on industrial development by creating an industrial backbone based on agricultural modernization and manufacturing,” he said.
The Navotas fishport is the hub of fish trading in Metro Manila where enterprising fish sellers procure the fish they would sell in public markets all around Metro Manila.
Villanueva visited Market 3 of the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) Compound in Navotas at 8:00 am where he talked with leaders of the fishing community headed by Rolly Serna, president of Market 3 PFDA informal settlers.
“I am doing this to personally get the pulse of our sagigilid or the marginalized sectors of our society. We will talk directly to the people and find out their dreams, hopes and aspirations. We want to hear straight from them what it is they want from their government and their leaders so we can be better servant-leaders to them,” he said.
Villanueva said he also explained his platform of developing an “economy in the margins” to offset the imbalance of economic growth in the country. Recently, media reports said the poverty rate in the country has remained unchanged.
“We have seen the country get a credit ratings upgrade and the local stock market hitting new highs. But development has not trickled down to the common folk, especially to the poor and the marginalized,” he said.
Villanueva, an economist, also explained that our economy should be “aggressive and inclusive” if the common folk like the Navotas fisherfolk are to benefit.
“What I will push in the Senate is inclusive growth and an economics for the fringes – or ekonomiya ng sagigilid. We need to focus our economic legislative agenda on industrial development by creating an industrial backbone based on agricultural modernization and manufacturing,” he said.
The Navotas fishport is the hub of fish trading in Metro Manila where enterprising fish sellers procure the fish they would sell in public markets all around Metro Manila.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Bro. Eddie on Unchanged Poverty Rate: That's why we need growth from the margins
Despite an upgrade of the country’s credit rating and record highs by the stock market, the country’s poverty rate remains unchanged because there is no inclusive growth from the margins.
This was the assessment of Bangon Pilipinas senatorial candidate Bro. Eddie Villanueva on the recent report of the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) that said poverty incidence was a 27.9 percent in the first semester of 2012, which was “practically unchanged” from the same period in 2009 (28.6 percent) and 2006 (28.8 percent).
“This is the best proof that development is not reaching the grassroots. The rich just keep getting richer. For this country to move forward, the poor and the marginalized must be given a chance to better their lives. In the Senate, this will be our legislative agenda,” Bro. Eddie, an economist, said.
He explained that Bangon Pilipinas program of the development of an “economics in the margins” or “ekonomiya ng sangigilid” can solve the current imbalance of development in the country.
“The platform of Bangon Pilipinas was drafted exactly to address this long-standing problem of imbalance in development. We will push for a government that provides opportunities for all. We will champion policies that will redistribute power and resources so those living in the margins will reap the benefits of the country’s development.”
Bro. Eddie also said the country’s economy has become highly dependent on remittances from its overseas contract workers and domestic consumption.
“We need development in the industrial and manufacturing sector so more people, especially the poor and the marginalized, can get jobs. Nobody should be left behind,” he said.
Bro. Eddie, who was also a professor, also said he would push for an education system that is relevant and responsive to the needs of the country’s workforce.
“We need an education system that will not only produce a large pool of skilled laborers and technicians but engineers, scientists and knowledge workers who can help in the country’s industrial development.”
This was the assessment of Bangon Pilipinas senatorial candidate Bro. Eddie Villanueva on the recent report of the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) that said poverty incidence was a 27.9 percent in the first semester of 2012, which was “practically unchanged” from the same period in 2009 (28.6 percent) and 2006 (28.8 percent).
“This is the best proof that development is not reaching the grassroots. The rich just keep getting richer. For this country to move forward, the poor and the marginalized must be given a chance to better their lives. In the Senate, this will be our legislative agenda,” Bro. Eddie, an economist, said.
He explained that Bangon Pilipinas program of the development of an “economics in the margins” or “ekonomiya ng sangigilid” can solve the current imbalance of development in the country.
“The platform of Bangon Pilipinas was drafted exactly to address this long-standing problem of imbalance in development. We will push for a government that provides opportunities for all. We will champion policies that will redistribute power and resources so those living in the margins will reap the benefits of the country’s development.”
Bro. Eddie also said the country’s economy has become highly dependent on remittances from its overseas contract workers and domestic consumption.
“We need development in the industrial and manufacturing sector so more people, especially the poor and the marginalized, can get jobs. Nobody should be left behind,” he said.
Bro. Eddie, who was also a professor, also said he would push for an education system that is relevant and responsive to the needs of the country’s workforce.
“We need an education system that will not only produce a large pool of skilled laborers and technicians but engineers, scientists and knowledge workers who can help in the country’s industrial development.”
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Bro. Eddie to PNOY Admin: How safe are candidates?
Bangon Pilipinas senatorial candidate Bro. Eddie Villanueva called on the Aquino administration to step up operations against known threat groups to ensure the safety of candidates running in the May elections.
Villanueva made the call after his visit to Gingoog, Misamis Oriental Mayor Ruthie De Lara Guingona who was ambushed recently by armed men said to be members of the New People’s Army (NPA).
“With the ambush on Mayor Guingona, we must question the safety of candidates campaigning in conflict areas, particularly in areas ‘controlled’ by communist rebels,” Villanueva said. Earlier, he condemned the attack and called on the government to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The NPA already apologized for the attack but said it was the mayor's guards who fired first.
Villanueva also noted the recent order of President Aquino to police and military units to dismantle checkpoints of communist rebels and to protect campaigning politicians. But Villanueva said it remains to be seen if the President’s orders are carried out.
“The President must ensure his orders are carried out to the letter. He must show that these are just not mere words and he must exact accountability from police and military units who fail to carry out his orders,” Villanueva said.
The Bangon Pilipinas candidate, who is running on a platform of inclusive economic growth in the margins, also said true economic growth can be stunted by the existence of armed violence.
“Armed violence is not good for economic growth. The President’s recent order seems short-term to me. What we must work for is a long-term solution to armed violence so the economy can flourish. Residents in conflict areas can feel safe to work and better their lives,” Villanueva explained.
He also noted that internal security should be a concern for the administration with the recent bombing at the Boston marathon and the foiling of a possible terror attack in Canada.
“Globally, governments face threats to their internal security. The government must show it is taking these threats seriously,” he said.
Villanueva made the call after his visit to Gingoog, Misamis Oriental Mayor Ruthie De Lara Guingona who was ambushed recently by armed men said to be members of the New People’s Army (NPA).
“With the ambush on Mayor Guingona, we must question the safety of candidates campaigning in conflict areas, particularly in areas ‘controlled’ by communist rebels,” Villanueva said. Earlier, he condemned the attack and called on the government to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The NPA already apologized for the attack but said it was the mayor's guards who fired first.
Villanueva also noted the recent order of President Aquino to police and military units to dismantle checkpoints of communist rebels and to protect campaigning politicians. But Villanueva said it remains to be seen if the President’s orders are carried out.
“The President must ensure his orders are carried out to the letter. He must show that these are just not mere words and he must exact accountability from police and military units who fail to carry out his orders,” Villanueva said.
The Bangon Pilipinas candidate, who is running on a platform of inclusive economic growth in the margins, also said true economic growth can be stunted by the existence of armed violence.
“Armed violence is not good for economic growth. The President’s recent order seems short-term to me. What we must work for is a long-term solution to armed violence so the economy can flourish. Residents in conflict areas can feel safe to work and better their lives,” Villanueva explained.
He also noted that internal security should be a concern for the administration with the recent bombing at the Boston marathon and the foiling of a possible terror attack in Canada.
“Globally, governments face threats to their internal security. The government must show it is taking these threats seriously,” he said.
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