BETTER DAYS There was a lot of brouhaha over the launch of the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) new slogan “Love the Philippines,” which replaces the 12-year-old It’s More Fun in the Philippines campaign conceptualized during the administration of the late former President Benigno Aquino III....
BETTER DAYS This year we mark the 21st Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day (Phil-Span). By virtue of Republic Act 9187, we commemorate the cultural and historical ties, friendship and cooperation between the Philippines and Spain on June 30 of each year. This was one of the legacies of my father,...
BETTER DAYS During the recently-concluded International Trade Forum held in Taguig City, the Marcos administration unveiled its Philippine Export Development Plan 2023 to 2028 (PEDP), a comprehensive strategy on how to grow our exports and make it at par with our neighboring countries and even the...
BETTER DAYS Last February, as chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship, we conducted a hearing on the bill providing for Protected Geographical Indications (GIs) of locally produced agricultural or natural products, processed products, or any products of...
BETTER DAYS Every year on June 25 the world commemorates the Day of the Seafarer. First celebrated in 2011, it pays tribute to all seafarers around the world for their invaluable contribution to international trade and the world economy. It has been over a decade since we first filed the bill...
BETTER DAYS Over the years, our government has taken steps to address the structural challenges of the economy — be it the high cost of power, inadequate skills of our workforce, or poor logistics. What has been lacking is a coordinated transformation of the economy across three specific, albeit...
BETTER DAYS Starting Aug. 25 this year, the Philippines, along with Japan and Indonesia, will take center stage as hosts of the International Basketball Federation/FIBA Basketball World Cup (FBWC) - the biggest and most prestigious basketball event participated by 32 countries from all around the...
BETTER DAYS Early this month the World Health Organization (WHO) ended Covid-19’s status as a public health emergency of international concern. This has been in place since Jan. 30, 2020 so understandably there was a collective sigh of relief from people of all nations, including here in the...
BETTER DAYS On March 26, 2010, Republic Act 10066 or the National Cultural Heritage Act was enacted to boost our country’s efforts in preserving our cultural treasures. My father, the former Senate President Ed Angara, who was the principal author of the law in the Senate, said the law was not...
BETTER DAYS Before Congress adjourned its sessions last March, we filed a counterpart measure to the bill of Marikina City Rep. Stella Quimbo institutionalizing the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). This measure...
BETTER DAYS Since the start of the year, the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) has been conducting regular meetings and consultations as part of its mandate to perform a comprehensive assessment of the Philippine education system. As one of the commissioners of EDCOM 2, I can...
BETTER DAYS Respect for elders is one of the well-known attributes of Filipino culture and heritage. In fact, our Constitution contains several provisions that deal with the protection of our lolos and lolas. It is the duty of the family and the State to take care of the elderly members of society....
