ALMARIO: CONTRACTORS’ LICENSE LAW MUST PROTECT FILIPINOS

The Supreme Court last August ruled that Republic Act No. 4566 or the Contractors’ License Law does not explicitly prohibit foreign firms from participating in local government contracts to implement local projects. It struck down Section 3.1 of the law’s Implementing Rules and Regulations for disallowing foreign firms. The ruling effectively gives the go signal for foreign contractors to apply for regular contractors’ licenses putting them on equal footing with the Filipino contractors.

Davao Oriental 2nd District Representative Mayo Almario filed House Bill No. 7816 which seeks to amend R.A. 4566 “to protect our local economy and our people” by putting qualifications on foreign participation in the construction activities in the Philippines.

In his bill, the lawmaker said that foreign firms doing local projects will most likely bring into the country construction materials, equipment, and laborers - circumventing existing laws to the contrary. “Worst is that the undue advantage given to foreign contractors will inevitably result in the transfer of wealth from the Philippines to their mother countries, causing imbalance of capital and trade,” he added.

 

(c) Laguna Construction

Under the proposed measure, a foreign contractor may be allowed to do a local project if the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) and the implementing government agency jointly certify that no local contractor is capable of doing the project especially highly technical ones like underwater subways and long stretches of tunnels.  A license granted to a foreign firm should be on a per project basis only.

“To fully protect the interests of the Philippines and her people, the Filipino contractor must be given priority in local construction activities to develop his own native land, and only if he cannot do it will a foreign contractor be allowed,” concluded Almario. ###

DISCOUNT IN UTILITY BILLS FOR ECQ RESIDENTS

As people stay home to comply with Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) protocols in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, their electric and water consumptions increase and so do their utility bills.

This, after Davao Oriental 2nd District Representative Mayo Almario urged the power and water providers nationwide to be more accommodating to their affected consumers as part of their corporate social responsibility program.

The lawmaker proposes that consumers belonging to the low to middle income families living in ECQ areas nationwide with residential accounts for their power and water connections be assisted by the utility providers by way of a fifty per cent (50%) discount on their utility bills for March to April; and, likewise, in May should the ECQ be extended. The other 50%, according to Almario, is to be added to the regular monthly billings post-ECQ in a staggered manner over a period of 5 months.

“The consumers need to stay home to be safe. At home, they use more electricity and water which will increase their utility bills way over their budget. This will be a burden considering that many lost their jobs during the ECQ, and even after ECQ there is still uncertainty on how soon the economy can bounce back,” Almario said.

These suggested payment schemes will help spread the burden of accumulated expenses and, at the same time, provide our citizens the necessary utilities when they need them the most. 

SOLON URGES EMPLOYERS TO AVAIL OF TELECOMMUTING TO HELP SUPRESS THE SPREAD OF COVID-19

Quezon City – Davao Oriental 2nd District Representative Mayo Almario urges both employers and employees to avail of telecommuting pursuant to Republic Act No. 11165 or the Telecommuting Act to help suppress the spread of COVID-19.

Principally authored by Senator Joel Villanueva and signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte in December 2018, the law declares telecommuting as an alternative work arrangement to curb traffic, maximize work and family life balance, and minimize downtime, among others.  “In addition to the law’s intent, it becomes even more important now more than ever because of emergency health situations the country is currently facing,” says Almario.

The Department of Health (DOH) on March 7, 2020 raised the COVID-19 alert level to Code Red Sub-Level 1 and recommended a Declaration of State of Public Health Emergency to the President in view of the recently confirmed cases of localized transmission of COVID-19 in the country and in anticipation of sustained community transmission. ‘Those who are qualified to work at home pursuant to R.A. No. 11165 should be given the chance to avail of the said arrangement,’ adds Almario.

More importantly, it is a declared policy of the State under the law to “affirm labor as a primary social economic force. To this end, it shall protect the rights of workers and promote their welfare, especially in the light of technological development that has opened up new and alternative avenues for employees to carry out their work such as telecommuting, and other flexible work arrangements.”

Rep. Almario also reminds employers who will be telecommuting to the Fair Treatment policy as stated in Section 5 of the law - “the employer shall ensure that the telecommuting employee are given the same treatment as that of comparable employees working at the time employer's premises.”

SOLON BACKS MANDATORY DRUG TEST FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS

DAVAO ORIENTAL – A lawmaker undergoes and mandates his district office staff and employees to undergo a random drug test.

Davao Oriental 2nd District Representative Mayo Almario on November 7 submitted himself together with all of his district office staff to a self-imposed drug test.

The lawmaker has been doing this since he served as Vice Governor of the same province for 3 terms.

“This is to sustain the confidence manifested by the people not just during election but all throughout our journey as a public official,” Almario said.

“I want this drug test to inspire other local officials to voluntarily submit themselves and their staff to the same test. Of course, there will be corresponding actions to unfavorable results. This is a way of showing support to the ongoing war on drugs program of the PRRD administration,” the lawmaker added.

Almario further added that government offices should also conduct random drug testing for their personnel to ensure a drug-free environment.

He also supports the call to order mandatory drug tests to elected officials as recently proposed in the House of Representative. He said that it is a blatant betrayal of public trust if a public official yields positive on use of illegal substance.

ALMARIO GI DASIG ANG DENR UG KOMUNIDAD ALANG SA KALAMPUSAN SA ENGP

            OPISYAL nga gisugdan ang pagpananom sa kinatibuk-an sa Distrito Dos sa Davao Oriental pinaagi sa Ceremonial Tree Planting ug Launching sa Enhanced National Greening Program – Urban Greening Program niaging Biyernes, Disyembre 7, 2018 sa Sitio Mangguihay, Bobon, Mati, Davao Oriental.

Right before the ceremonial tree planting,
there was an overview of the project given to the community.

Ang Enhanced National Greening Program dinhi sa Distrito Dos gikan sa niaging National Greening Program nga mas gipanindot tungod kay ang pagpananom ug mga punuan, 30% lamang sa bukid pagahimuon ug 70% sa patag/sentro (Urban areas). Ang mao’ng kausaban gipasiugdahan ni Congressman Almario aron mas makita ug mabati sa mga taga Distrito Dos ang importansya ug kabug-aton sa tree planting nga programa.

Gawas sa pinaka tumong nga ma alibyuhan ang kainit sa panahon ug pagka upaw sa kabukiran, tumong usab sa programa nga mailhan ang probinsya sa mga maanindot nga indigenous tree species sama sa Palawan Cherry, Golden Shower, Ypil, Molave, Narra, etc., butang nga makadugang atraksyon sa mga turista nganhi sa Davao Oriental.

CENRO Mati Zaldy Lumaan assists Congressman Mayo Almario
during the ceremonial tree planting.

“Muingon na ko daan ninyo, PENRO, CENRO, ug kaninyong tanan nga ani-a karon nga espesyal ni nga proyekto, pag expect mo sa akoa ug sa akong opisina nga mag apil kay gawas sa dako nga pondo ang atung gihisgutan, kinabuhi sa mga punuan, kaugmaon sab sa atoang mga kabataan ang nakataya ani nga programa” matod pa ni Almario sa iyahang mensahe.

Si Almario, isip representante sa Distrito Dos ngadto sa hawanan sa kongreso, mao ang naninguha nga magahinan ug dakong pondo ang distrito alang ani nga programa. Tungod sab sa maayong relasyon ni Almario kay DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu ug kay DENR-XI Regional Director Ruth Tawantawan mao nga gi-dasig sa kongresman ang tanan nga himuon ang tanan aron magmalampuson ang programa.

Ang pagpananom diri sa Ciudad sa Mati gipahigayon na sa Barangay Taguibo ug Bobon ingon man sab sa Barangay Calapagan ug Marayag sa Munisipyo sa Lupon. Sa kinatibuk-an, 593 hektaryas ang target sa programa nga matamnan.

“Aduna’y mga identifying tree species sa matag munisipyo ug sa Ciudad sa Mati timailhan nga nakaabot na ang ga biyahe sa Banaybanay, Lupon, San Isidro, Gov Gen, ug Mati,” dugang ni Almario.

Congressman Almario with PENRO, CENRO, and other stakeholders

Sa tibuok Rehiyon XI, dinhi lang sa Distrito Dos sa Davao Oriental ang adunay Urban/Highway Greening nga inisyatibo ang gidugang sa Enhanced National Greening Program. 

DAVAO ORIENTAL TO ESTABLISH UNIVERSITY AND NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOLS

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Roa Duterte, on May 2018 signed into law R.A. 11033 establishing the Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU) and four other Republic Acts for the creation of national high schools and an integrated school in Davao Oriental, all authored by Congressman Mayo Z. Almario, 2^nd District, Davao Oriental.

May 28, 2018 During the signing of R.A. 11033 which converts Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology (DOSCST)
to Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU)

(c) Jeffrey Medalla

R.A. 11033 converts the Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology (DOSCST) in the City of Mati and all its satellite campuses located in the Province of Davao Oriental into a state university to be known as the DOrSU. This is in recognition of the institution’s valuable role in producing professionals and experts who contributed to the advancement of the Davao Region and entire Mindanao.

Founded on December 13, 1989 by virtue of Republic Act No. 6897, DOSCST began as the Mati Community College in 1972, a local government-run community college stated by Former Representative Thelma Z. Almario. From its modest beginnings, the college eventually grew to a Level 3 state college offering numerous courses ranging from education, agricultural technology, to nursery, civil engineering, and other relevant fields in accordance with national and global educational standards.

May 28, 2018 During the signing of R.A. 1033 - with Former Congresswoman Thelma Z. Almario, the DOSCST founder,
DOSCST President Dr. Edito Sumile and Department Heads, and the author of the DOrSU conversion, 2nd Dist,
Davao Oriental Representative Mayo Z. Almario

(c) Jeffrey Medalla

“It is my sincere hope that our country’s newest university will continue to take part in nation-building by offering advanced technological instruction and [by] pursuing highly specialized research programs in various fields of science and technology,” the President said in his speech during the signing of the law.

DOrSU’s recognition as a state university will enable the institution to provide a wider range of courses to the people of Davao Oriental and other neighboring provinces. It will also allow the university to introduce need-based researches, extension services, and production activities which complement the promotion of socio-economic progress.

July 9, 2018 - Official opening of the new Talisay National High School
in Barangay Talisay, San Isidro, Davao Oriental


(c) Jeffrey Medalla

Meanwhile, R.A. 11025, 11026, and 11027 establishing national high schools in Barangay Talisay, Municipality of San Isidro; Barangay Corporacion, Municipality of Lupon; and Barangay Magdug, Municipality of Governor Generoso respectively, as well as R. A. 1108 establishing an integrated school in Barangay Sainz, City of Mati were likewise signed into law by the president. All authored by Congressman Almario under his MAYOng Edukasyon Para sa MAYOng Kaugmaon Program, these laws are in line with the thrust of the administration to make quality education accessible to the common folk and will allow elementary graduates in these barangays better to access to secondary education.

HOUSE PASSES BILL MAKING SIM CARD REGISTRATION MANDATORY

The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading the mandatory registration of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Card.

House Bill No. 7233, otherwise known as the “SIM Card Registration Act” orders all Public Telecommunication Entities (PTEs) and direct sellers to require SIM card buyers to present a valid identification card with photo upon purchase of a SIM card. Upon purchase, all direct sellers shall record the full name, date of birth, gender and address of the buyer as it appears in the valid government-issued ID with photo. Foreign nationals are likewise covered by the House Bill and are required to present their passports and submit a SIM card registration form. All existing mobile phone subscribers with prepaid SIM cards are also mandated to register with their respective PTEs or suffer automatic deactivation for non-compliance within the prescribed period.

(c) alldaywifi.com

Davao Oriental 2^nd District Mayo Z. Almario, one of the principal authors, explains that the bill was passed in an effort to help law enforcement agencies track down criminals who use mobile phones to engage in criminal activities. “The proliferation of mobile devices really benefited our citizens, however, it cannot be helped that unscrupulous individuals abuse these modern devices. As legislators, we need to do our part in protecting the Filipinos from these criminals,” Almario stated. “By asking end users to register their SIM cards upon purchase, it is hoped that they will be deterred from doing their criminal acts because they can be easily traced by the authorities.”

House Bill No. 7233 was passed by the Congress on May 16, 2018, a Senate version must be passed and approved for the signature of the President before the bill is enacted into a law.