Sen. Bam Refiles Vetoed Magna Carta of the Poor Bill

As the Philippines grows, no Filipino should be left behind.

Senator Bam Aquino emphasized this as he refiled Senate Bill No. 2370 or the Magna Carta of the Poor Act, which was vetoed by Malacanang last Congress for being 'unrealistic.'

This time, Aquino expressed confidence that his version of the bill will be signed into law, saying it went through the necessary revisions and consultations with stakeholders before it was refiled.

"The bill is now fine-tuned to make the country's strong economic growth felt by all of one hundred million Filipinos," said Aquino, chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

In his explanatory note, Aquino said the country's economic performance in recent years has been impressive and unprecedented.

"Our 7.2% GDP growth in 2013 was the highest in the ASEAN earning the country improved investment grade ratings," the senator said.

However, Aquino said the country still faces many challenges as millions of Filipinos are jobless and a fifth of the populace remains poor.

"The daunting task for the State is how to capitalize on its outstanding growth, the critically acclaimed reform efforts and the renewed global confidence, in order to make growth more inclusive and felt by all of the one hundred million Filipinos," the senator said.

Aquino's measure seeks to ensure the protection and promotion of five basic rights of every Filipino: the right to food, employment, education, shelter and basic health care.

"It supports the creation of a just and dynamic environment where prosperity is shared through the provision of adequate social services, enabling a rising standard of living and improved quality of life for everyone," the senator explained.

Under the bill, concerned government agencies are mandated to establish a system that will provide opportunities for the full enjoyment of the five basic rights, which are essential requirements towards poverty alleviation.

The Departments of Social Welfare and Agriculture will focus on the right to adequate food while the Department of Labor will ensure that the poor's right to decent work is assured.

The Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will promote quality education while housing will be the responsibility of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).

The Department of Health, for its part, will assure that the poor's right to highest attainable standard of mental and physical health is assured.