ANTIQUE REP. LOREN LEGARDA, who’s running as senator in the next election, organized the show “Stories for a Better Normal” to show how a “better normal” can be realized in our communities even during the pandemic.
This is in partnership with the Climate Change Commission and the Dept. of Education, highlighting the eco-friendly practices made by micro and social enterprises for gift-giving as we celebrate the Christmas season. They’re environmentally friendly and reduces waste while promoting our culture and heritage.
Loren praised these small business for integrating sustainability in their daily operations. “They recycle, upcycle and find beauty in everything around us,” she says.
Loren had a zoom Christmas chikahan with the press and her list of relevant laws funded are impressive. These are some of them:
Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (RA 10931), National Feeding Program in Schools (RA 11037), Universal Healthcare Act (RA 11223), Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-nanay Act (First 1000 Days) (RA 11148),
Free Irrigation Service Act (RA 10969), Magna Carta for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (RA 9501), Philippine Tropical Fabrics Law (RA 9242).
These are the laws for health: Restoration of P15 Billion for Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) for the improvement of health facilities (2019). Provision of P4.797 Billion for Human Resource for Health Development (2019),
Increased allocation for medical assistance for indigent patients, as well as medicines for cancer patients, Realignment of P18 billion to provide for the implementation of the Universal Healthcare Law,
Additional P100M for Nutrition Intervention Package for the First 1000 days (NIP/First 1000 Days) under NNC (2018), P3.5 Billion for Philhealth Plus to provide for the health insurance of government employees under the executive department (2018).
These are for livelihood: Funding for social services programs such as DSWD 4Ps, cash for work, and DOLE Pangkabuhayan,
Additional Funding for Shared Services Facilities to support the growth of MSMEs, Subsidy for irrigation service fees being paid by farmers to the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) (2017, 2018).
These are for education: P800 million for the allowance of teachers for World Teachers’ Day (2019), Funding to increase the chalk allowance of teachers (2017, 2018),
Additional 1 Billion to effectively implement RA 11037, Act which institutionalizes a National Feeding Program in Schools (2019), Across the board additional Capital Outlay funds amounting to P10 million each for all state universities and colleges (SUCs) (2018).
Loren is also co-sponsor of the Universal Healthcare Act (RA 11223), law which mandates PhilHealth to “implement a comprehensive outpatient benefit, including outpatient drug benefit and emergency medical services in accordance with the recommendations of the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC)” which was also created by the same law.
The two-year old law also provides assistance to our healthcare workers for their career advancement to ensure that they are able to efficiently perform their duties.
