Taking into account the alarming proliferation of pornography in various medium of communication, Senator Bong Revilla pushed for stiffer penalties in the Anti-Voyeurism Bill which was passed by the Senate on second reading last Wednesday (3 June 2009).
During his interpellation of Senator Chiz Escudero, the sponsor of the bill, Revilla recommended that the proposed one to five years imprisonment be changed to six to ten years to further strengthen the penalty provision of the said legislative measure, an amendment Escudero acceded to. Revilla, a co-author of the bill, also introduced an amendment to increase the fines ranging from ten thousand pesos to fifty thousand pesos to a range of one hundred thousand pesos to five hundred thousand pesos, which was approved.
He pointed out that heavier penalties should be imposed on voyeurs and sex video distributors to prove that the government is serious in curbing pornography.
"The rampant circulation of sex scandal videos and other forms of pornography is truly disturbing because our youth have easy access to these materials, worsened by the humiliation victims endure after the circulation of their images, particularly the women who were videotaped or photographed without their consent," Revilla said.
Under the Anti-Voyeurism Bill, principally authored by Escudero and Senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Pia Cayetano, it shall be unlawful to capture an image of a private area of an individual or any private act without his/her consent and knowingly does so under circumstances in which the individual has a reasonable expectation of privacy. It shall also unlawful to capture an image of a private area of an individual or any private act with his/her consent but broadcasts the said image without the written permission or consent of said individual.
The issue of sex videos caught national attention after Revilla's privilege speech where he vehemently denounced celebrity doctor Hayden Kho for deceptively videotaping his intimate private activity with actress Katrina Halili. He urged the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) to take action in revoking the medical license of Kho and ban him from the practice of medicine perpetually.
Revilla's privilege speech prompted the Senate to hold a pubic hearing on the matter and concerned government agencies to take actions on the growing proliferation of cyber pornography in the country.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
COLLEAGUES 'BACKRIDE' ON REVILLA HELMET BILL,
Recognizing the need to arrest casualties in motorcycle accidents, fellow lawmakers expressed support on the Mandatory Helmet Bill of Senator Bong Revilla, who was chosen as Safety Ambassador by a renowned motorcycle manufacturer for seriously advocating road safety in the country.
During their interpellation on the Mandatory Helmet Bill last week, senators from different political camps articulated their support to Revilla's promotion of motorcycle safety through the mandatory wearing of standard quality helmets of both motorcycle drivers and backriders.
The senators who backed Revilla's bill include Senate Pro-tempore Jinggoy Estrada, Senate Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri, Senate Minority Leader Aquino Pimentel and Senators Joker Arroyo, Benigno Aquino III and Richard Gordon. Prior to this, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano also expressed support during Revilla's sponsorship of the bill.
Among the questions raised the interpellation are the following: How can an ordinary masang Pilipino afford a standard quality helmet which costs at around P5,000, considering the present economic crisis?; Why tricycle riders are exempted from wearing standard quality helmet?; and whether the measure can be implemented along with insurance coverage policy to boost compliance of motorcycle riders.
Revilla explained that medical cost caused by accidents is incomparable to the cost of standard quality helmets and there are standard quality helmets which only cost around P800. He also pointed out that tricycle riders are exempted because they are less exposed to risks than motorcycle riders.
The senator thanked his colleagues for their support and assured them that he is willing to accept amendments to strengthen the enforcement and compliance to his proposed measure.
Under the Mandatory Helmet Bill, all motorcycle riders- the driver and the back rider- must wear standard quality helmets while driving motorcycles, whether on long or short drives, at any time of the day, and in any type of road or highway. Exempted are drivers of tricycles. "The World Health Organization maintains that wearing a helmet is the single most effective way of reducing head injuries and fatalities resulting from motorcycle crashes. Wearing a helmet has been shown to decrease the risk and severity of injuries among motorcyclists by about 70 percent and the likelihood of deaths by almost 40 percent," said Revilla, chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Services.
In a related development, motorcycle manufacturer Suzuki formally announced Revilla as its Safety Ambassador during the company's launching last Friday (June 5) of its state of the art Suzuki Hayabusa, which has been recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the world's fastest motorcycle.
In his message, Revilla disclosed that there are now about 4-million motorcycle owners in the Philippines, making it an increasingly popular mode of transportation in the country.
"However, we are also aware that there are reports everyday of accidents and casualties involving motorcycle riders. As an avid motorcycle enthusiast, I believe that it is very important to promote riding safety, and this is why I have agreed to be Suzuki's safety ambassador," he added.
REVILLA BARES ACCOMPLISHMENTS, LAUDS COLLEAGUES FOR SUPPORT
Senator Bong Revilla today bared his accomplishments in the Senate, dispelling detractions that he is neglecting his duties as legislator and thanking colleagues for their support.
Senate Records will prove that Revilla is among those who authored the following legislative proposals which were approved on 3rd reading during the present 14th Congress: The Magna Carta of Women; Anti-Child Pornography Act; Decriminalization of Vagrancy; Legitimation of Children Born to Parents Below Marrying Age; National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009; Rent Control Act of 2009; Amusement Tax Exemption; New Pag-ibig Fund Law; Right of Reply; Salary Standardization Law III; Public School Teachers Salary Upgrade; An Act declaring the founding anniversary of Iglesia ni Kristo as Special Non-working Holiday; and the Migrant Workers Act; as well as 24 Engineering Districts Bills, 12 other bills of local application, and 3 telecommunication Franchise Bills. The Amusement Tax Exemption lapsed into law last May 21.
Revilla's bills meanwhile on Minimum Wage Tax Exemption; on the expanding of the organizational structure of the Court of Tax Appeals; Magna Carta for Small and Medium Enterprises; the new UP Charter; Renewable Energy; amendments on the Fire Code; the charter of the Mindanao University of Science and Technology; on strengthening and expanding the coverage of the Special Program for Employment of Students; and amendments to the Philippine Deposits Insurance Corporation Charter, have all been signed into law.
Revilla is also among those who filed a bill on the Girl Scouts of the Philippines Charter of 2009 and also a co-author of the Anti-Voyeurism Bill where he pushed for six to ten years imprisonment of photo and video voyeurs to strengthen the penalty provision of the said legislative measure. The said bills were already approved on second reading.
Aside from the Girl Scouts Charter and Anti-Voyeurism Bill, Revilla sponsored thirteen other bills of local application and another franchise bill which also passed on second reading before the Senate adjourned sine die last June 3. "Local bills at the onset may seem not to have national significance.
But, taking all of these local bills together, undoubtedly, its effect on the development of localities have a great national impact on the development of our people as a whole," he pointed out. Revilla has also sponsored Senate Bill No. 737, a bill that seeks to strengthen the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), to ensure the delivery of safe potable water in all 41,882 barangays nationwide. His Mandatory Helmet Bill that would oblige all motorcycle riders, including backriders, to wear standard quality helmets has also been passed in principle on second reading.
"I believe that slowly, silently but effectively, I am fulfilling my undertakings in the Senate. And partly, I have my colleagues to thank for their support in fulfilling my duties as a lawmaker. I thank them all for the encouragement and support, comments and advices; and in a way, for believing that there's more to Bong Revilla that meets the eye," he explained.
Revilla also vowed to push for the passage of the following bills before the 14th Congress ends: the Anti-Cable Television and Cable Internet Pilferage Bill, Kids' Off Motorcycles Bill, Disaster Management Bill, Magna Carta for Public School Teachers, Anti-Billboard Blight Bill, Registration of Heavy Equipments Bill, Compensation and Position Classification System Bill, Access to Information Bill and Closed Caption Bill.
The Kids' Off Motorcycles Bill, along with the Mandatory Helmet Bill, is part of Revilla's advocacy to promote road safety. It seeks to ban children seven years old and below from riding in motorcycles along national roads.
The Senate Committee on Public Works, under the chairmanship of Revilla, recommended the approval without amendments of the proposed Anti-Billboard Blight Act of 2007 that seeks to regulate the placement of non-mobile billboards including their support structures. In the same capacity, Revilla is also pushing for the approval of his bill that would require the compulsory registration of heavy equipment to generate substantial income for the government and to arrest the practice of unscrupulous contractors who bid for and are awarded projects even if they have no single piece of heavy equipment or machinery for their undertakings.
On the other hand, as chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Services, Revilla is pushing for a review of the franchise of telecommunication companies who are reportedly shortchanging their subscribers. He is also pressing for the passage of his Closed Caption Bill that would require all television networks to put closed captions in their news programs to ensure equal access of deaf Filipinos to public information.
Revilla also co-authored Joint Resolution 26 that would authorize the President to modify the Compensation and Position Classification System of Civilian and Base Pay Personnel. This is to address the overlapping of salaries between salary grades which results to salary inequities of positions. He also filed Magna Carta for Public School Teachers to provide additional benefits and privileges to Public School teachers.
Meanwhile, the proposed Freedom of Information Act of 2009 or the Access to Information Bill which Revilla co-authored is aimed to implement the right of the people on issues of public concern and fully disclose in public all government transactions involving public interest.
To further address calamity problems that the country regularly faces, he also filed the Philippine Disaster Risk Management Bill to decentralize disaster management strategies down to the barangay level for more expeditious and coordinated response to calamities and disasters.
"I owe the Filipino people my service. I will just keep on working for the millions who gave me their trust in electing me to this position. After all, I will never be able to please those who are already close-minded and strongly prejudiced that an actor like me will never be effective in any government position, no matter what I do," said Revilla, one of the senators with the most number of bills passed into law during the 13th Congress and 14th Congress and the senator who gathered the second highest number of votes during the 2004 elections.
Senate Records will prove that Revilla is among those who authored the following legislative proposals which were approved on 3rd reading during the present 14th Congress: The Magna Carta of Women; Anti-Child Pornography Act; Decriminalization of Vagrancy; Legitimation of Children Born to Parents Below Marrying Age; National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009; Rent Control Act of 2009; Amusement Tax Exemption; New Pag-ibig Fund Law; Right of Reply; Salary Standardization Law III; Public School Teachers Salary Upgrade; An Act declaring the founding anniversary of Iglesia ni Kristo as Special Non-working Holiday; and the Migrant Workers Act; as well as 24 Engineering Districts Bills, 12 other bills of local application, and 3 telecommunication Franchise Bills. The Amusement Tax Exemption lapsed into law last May 21.
Revilla's bills meanwhile on Minimum Wage Tax Exemption; on the expanding of the organizational structure of the Court of Tax Appeals; Magna Carta for Small and Medium Enterprises; the new UP Charter; Renewable Energy; amendments on the Fire Code; the charter of the Mindanao University of Science and Technology; on strengthening and expanding the coverage of the Special Program for Employment of Students; and amendments to the Philippine Deposits Insurance Corporation Charter, have all been signed into law.
Revilla is also among those who filed a bill on the Girl Scouts of the Philippines Charter of 2009 and also a co-author of the Anti-Voyeurism Bill where he pushed for six to ten years imprisonment of photo and video voyeurs to strengthen the penalty provision of the said legislative measure. The said bills were already approved on second reading.
Aside from the Girl Scouts Charter and Anti-Voyeurism Bill, Revilla sponsored thirteen other bills of local application and another franchise bill which also passed on second reading before the Senate adjourned sine die last June 3. "Local bills at the onset may seem not to have national significance.
But, taking all of these local bills together, undoubtedly, its effect on the development of localities have a great national impact on the development of our people as a whole," he pointed out. Revilla has also sponsored Senate Bill No. 737, a bill that seeks to strengthen the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), to ensure the delivery of safe potable water in all 41,882 barangays nationwide. His Mandatory Helmet Bill that would oblige all motorcycle riders, including backriders, to wear standard quality helmets has also been passed in principle on second reading.
"I believe that slowly, silently but effectively, I am fulfilling my undertakings in the Senate. And partly, I have my colleagues to thank for their support in fulfilling my duties as a lawmaker. I thank them all for the encouragement and support, comments and advices; and in a way, for believing that there's more to Bong Revilla that meets the eye," he explained.
Revilla also vowed to push for the passage of the following bills before the 14th Congress ends: the Anti-Cable Television and Cable Internet Pilferage Bill, Kids' Off Motorcycles Bill, Disaster Management Bill, Magna Carta for Public School Teachers, Anti-Billboard Blight Bill, Registration of Heavy Equipments Bill, Compensation and Position Classification System Bill, Access to Information Bill and Closed Caption Bill.
The Kids' Off Motorcycles Bill, along with the Mandatory Helmet Bill, is part of Revilla's advocacy to promote road safety. It seeks to ban children seven years old and below from riding in motorcycles along national roads.
The Senate Committee on Public Works, under the chairmanship of Revilla, recommended the approval without amendments of the proposed Anti-Billboard Blight Act of 2007 that seeks to regulate the placement of non-mobile billboards including their support structures. In the same capacity, Revilla is also pushing for the approval of his bill that would require the compulsory registration of heavy equipment to generate substantial income for the government and to arrest the practice of unscrupulous contractors who bid for and are awarded projects even if they have no single piece of heavy equipment or machinery for their undertakings.
On the other hand, as chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Services, Revilla is pushing for a review of the franchise of telecommunication companies who are reportedly shortchanging their subscribers. He is also pressing for the passage of his Closed Caption Bill that would require all television networks to put closed captions in their news programs to ensure equal access of deaf Filipinos to public information.
Revilla also co-authored Joint Resolution 26 that would authorize the President to modify the Compensation and Position Classification System of Civilian and Base Pay Personnel. This is to address the overlapping of salaries between salary grades which results to salary inequities of positions. He also filed Magna Carta for Public School Teachers to provide additional benefits and privileges to Public School teachers.
Meanwhile, the proposed Freedom of Information Act of 2009 or the Access to Information Bill which Revilla co-authored is aimed to implement the right of the people on issues of public concern and fully disclose in public all government transactions involving public interest.
To further address calamity problems that the country regularly faces, he also filed the Philippine Disaster Risk Management Bill to decentralize disaster management strategies down to the barangay level for more expeditious and coordinated response to calamities and disasters.
"I owe the Filipino people my service. I will just keep on working for the millions who gave me their trust in electing me to this position. After all, I will never be able to please those who are already close-minded and strongly prejudiced that an actor like me will never be effective in any government position, no matter what I do," said Revilla, one of the senators with the most number of bills passed into law during the 13th Congress and 14th Congress and the senator who gathered the second highest number of votes during the 2004 elections.
REVILLA BACKS 50% SLASH ON SLEx, SKYWAY TOLL RATES
Citing financial and emotional hassles endured by private motorists and drivers of public utility vehicles (PUVs), Senator Bong Revilla today expressed support to the proposed 50 percent toll discount in the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) and Skyway where there is slow flow of vehicles due to its ongoing repair.
According to Revilla, it is only proper that the full toll rate in Slex and Skyway be cut in half because of the inconvenience its rehabilitation is causing to the hundred thousands of motorists that regularly pass the said roadways. "While the widening and repair continues, toll rates should be discounted until the full rehabilitation of Slex and Skyway is complete and the smooth and speedy travel is ensured. It is unfair to pay the full price of a still half-baked service," he said.
The senator is referring to the recommendation of Parañaque Rep. Eduardo Zialcita and Zambales Rep. Ma. Milagros Magsaysay that private and public vehicles should be given a 50 percent discount on the toll rates in the Slex. He also agrees with the proposal of another Parañaque lawmaker, Rep. Roilo Golez, that there should also be a fifty percent discount in the Skyway toll rates.
Revilla stressed that the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) should be considerate with the plight of private motorists and PUVs drivers who have no choice but to endure regularly the stress and expenses of using the SLEx. He added same consideration should be given by the Skyway Operations and Maintenance Corporation (SOMCo.), the operator of Skyway. "Right now, motorists are incurring the burden of passing through SLEx and Skyway in terms of additional time and fuel consumption because of the traffic. In effect, they are shortchanging the roadway users," he said.
At the same time, he urged the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Philippine National Construction Corporation (PNCC) to ensure that it will meet its 2009 deadline for the completion of the rehabilitation project in SLEx. "They must fulfill their promise to the public that the rehabilitation will be completed before this year ends. If the project will be delayed, it will need additional fund at the expense of taxpayer's money," said Revilla, chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Works.
Revilla said he will ask the DPWH and PNCC for the status update of the SLEx to determine if the project can really be finished before the end of 2009.
Over 250,000 vehicles pass through the SLEx every day, with an average 15 percent increase on holidays. Its rehabilitation started in 2006 and expected to finish this year. Formerly a 4-lane expressway from the approach to the Alabang Viaduct in Muntinlupa City to Brgy. Turbina in Calamba, Laguna, it has been widened to eight lanes from Alabang Viaduct to Sta. Rosa, and to six lanes from Sta. Rosa to Brgy. Turbina. It is also being extended by another 8 kilometers from Brgy. Turbina to Sto. Tomas in Batangas to link the SLEx to the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR).
On the other hand, the Metro Manila Skyway (MMSW) or Skyway is an elevated highway crossing over much of the existing SLEx. It begins in Brgy. San Isidro , Makati City , and ends in San Martin de Porres, Parañaque City . In the future, it will extend 11 kilometers from San Martin de Porres to Alabang and will be connected to North Luzon Expressway (NLEx).
According to Revilla, it is only proper that the full toll rate in Slex and Skyway be cut in half because of the inconvenience its rehabilitation is causing to the hundred thousands of motorists that regularly pass the said roadways. "While the widening and repair continues, toll rates should be discounted until the full rehabilitation of Slex and Skyway is complete and the smooth and speedy travel is ensured. It is unfair to pay the full price of a still half-baked service," he said.
The senator is referring to the recommendation of Parañaque Rep. Eduardo Zialcita and Zambales Rep. Ma. Milagros Magsaysay that private and public vehicles should be given a 50 percent discount on the toll rates in the Slex. He also agrees with the proposal of another Parañaque lawmaker, Rep. Roilo Golez, that there should also be a fifty percent discount in the Skyway toll rates.
Revilla stressed that the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) should be considerate with the plight of private motorists and PUVs drivers who have no choice but to endure regularly the stress and expenses of using the SLEx. He added same consideration should be given by the Skyway Operations and Maintenance Corporation (SOMCo.), the operator of Skyway. "Right now, motorists are incurring the burden of passing through SLEx and Skyway in terms of additional time and fuel consumption because of the traffic. In effect, they are shortchanging the roadway users," he said.
At the same time, he urged the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Philippine National Construction Corporation (PNCC) to ensure that it will meet its 2009 deadline for the completion of the rehabilitation project in SLEx. "They must fulfill their promise to the public that the rehabilitation will be completed before this year ends. If the project will be delayed, it will need additional fund at the expense of taxpayer's money," said Revilla, chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Works.
Revilla said he will ask the DPWH and PNCC for the status update of the SLEx to determine if the project can really be finished before the end of 2009.
Over 250,000 vehicles pass through the SLEx every day, with an average 15 percent increase on holidays. Its rehabilitation started in 2006 and expected to finish this year. Formerly a 4-lane expressway from the approach to the Alabang Viaduct in Muntinlupa City to Brgy. Turbina in Calamba, Laguna, it has been widened to eight lanes from Alabang Viaduct to Sta. Rosa, and to six lanes from Sta. Rosa to Brgy. Turbina. It is also being extended by another 8 kilometers from Brgy. Turbina to Sto. Tomas in Batangas to link the SLEx to the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR).
On the other hand, the Metro Manila Skyway (MMSW) or Skyway is an elevated highway crossing over much of the existing SLEx. It begins in Brgy. San Isidro , Makati City , and ends in San Martin de Porres, Parañaque City . In the future, it will extend 11 kilometers from San Martin de Porres to Alabang and will be connected to North Luzon Expressway (NLEx).
Friday, July 10, 2009
Bacooreños
Kapansin pansin ang pagbabago at pag unlad ng Bayan ng Bacoor.. Madaming proyekto ang napatupad tulad ng paglawak ng kalsada, paggawa ng alternatibong daan, at marami pang iba..
Ang mga Bacooreños ay nakikiisa sa mga proyektong ito sapagkat malaki ang maitutulong nito sa bayan..
Isang Halimbawa nito ay ang sama-samang paglilinis ng kalye ng mga mamamayan ng Bacoor, ito’y isang programa na kung saan pinapakita ang kahalagahan ng malinis na kapaligiran. Alam naman natin na kapag malinis ang ating paligid, makakaiwas tayo sa ibang sakit.
Pagdating naman sa sports, ang mga Bacooreños din ay may maipagmamalaki tulad sa larong basketball. Sa katunayan nagpaliga si Senator Bong Revilla na ang mga kalahok ay mga SK chairman. Sa Bacoor, Cavite mo din matitikman ang iba't ibang masasarap na pagkain tulad ng; adobo, sinigang, tahong, talaba, mechado, menudo atbp.
Ang mga Bacooreños ay nakikiisa sa mga proyektong ito sapagkat malaki ang maitutulong nito sa bayan..
Isang Halimbawa nito ay ang sama-samang paglilinis ng kalye ng mga mamamayan ng Bacoor, ito’y isang programa na kung saan pinapakita ang kahalagahan ng malinis na kapaligiran. Alam naman natin na kapag malinis ang ating paligid, makakaiwas tayo sa ibang sakit.
Pagdating naman sa sports, ang mga Bacooreños din ay may maipagmamalaki tulad sa larong basketball. Sa katunayan nagpaliga si Senator Bong Revilla na ang mga kalahok ay mga SK chairman. Sa Bacoor, Cavite mo din matitikman ang iba't ibang masasarap na pagkain tulad ng; adobo, sinigang, tahong, talaba, mechado, menudo atbp.
Bonggang Bonggang Bong Bong!!!
Bongang bonga talaga ang ating superhero na si Sen. Bong Revilla Kung natatandaan nyu pa ang nangyari kay Christopher borja(AKA Inday Garutay) at sa sister nating si binibining gandang hari(AKA Rustom Padilla). Ito ay nung pwersahang palabasin ng Aruba bar and restaurant itong dalawang sister natin na naganap ng mag kahiwalay na araw. ito ay dahil lamang sa pagsusuot nila ng damit pang babae, makikita nyu dito kung gaano katindi ang diskriminasyon sa ating bansa. (OMG Grabe na itech!!!)
Nakarating agad kay Sen. Bong Revilla ang pangyayareng ito. kaya’t inaksyunan niya agad at nagsumite ng hearing sa Philippine Senate patungkol sa anti-discrimination bill(senate bill no. 1738). Ngunit, subalit, datapwat ito ay hindi sinang-ayunan ng ating mga lola sa senado.
Gayun pa man ay malaking pasasalamat naming kay Sen. Bong Revilla dahil sa kanyang tugon at pagbibigay simpatya sa ganitong issue. Dahil binibigyan nya ng halaga ang katulad naming mga 3rd sex.
Ika nga nila eh.. it’s the thought that count. Kaya Sen Bong Revilla, panalo ka sa puso ng mga bading!!!
Nakarating agad kay Sen. Bong Revilla ang pangyayareng ito. kaya’t inaksyunan niya agad at nagsumite ng hearing sa Philippine Senate patungkol sa anti-discrimination bill(senate bill no. 1738). Ngunit, subalit, datapwat ito ay hindi sinang-ayunan ng ating mga lola sa senado.
Gayun pa man ay malaking pasasalamat naming kay Sen. Bong Revilla dahil sa kanyang tugon at pagbibigay simpatya sa ganitong issue. Dahil binibigyan nya ng halaga ang katulad naming mga 3rd sex.
Ika nga nila eh.. it’s the thought that count. Kaya Sen Bong Revilla, panalo ka sa puso ng mga bading!!!
Revilla seeks Senate probe on Cavite coastal project
BACOOR, Cavite – Responding to a public clamor, Senator Bong Revilla said yesterday that he will seek a Senate inquiry on the allegedly slow construction of the Cavite Coastal Road extension project in Bacoor Bay.
The senator said that in his capacity chairman of the Senate’s committee on public works, he will initiate a move to summon the executives of UEM-Mara Philippine Corp., the firm undertaking the project, to testify at the inquiry.He said he would like to find out if the company still has the financial capability to finish the project which also involves reclamation of a big portion of Bacoor Bay. "If the company cannot finish the project, it would be better that the government would take over it."The delay in the completion of the project adversely affects the livelihood of our fishermen," he said.The senator, who is a native of Bacoor, noted the fishermen’s complaint that during high tides, it is very difficult for them to navigate their boats when passing through a viaduct that serves as the gateway to the sea from the reclaimed road.The senator said he had received reports that until now, some of the families displaced by the reclamation are not yet paid the whole amount which was promised by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).Revilla said he would try to find out in the Senate probe if there is a suitable relocation site for the displaced families.The relocation program should include basic domestic needs such as electricity and water supply, he said.The senator assured the coastal residents of this town that he will exert efforts as chairman of the Senate committee on public works to ensure that they will be relocated at a livable area and compensated properly.However, he appealed to the affected families not to be misled, noting that the government’s objective in undertaking the project is to spur further progress not only to a single city or town but to the whole Cavite Province."The concern of the affected coastal residents is valid. They will be far from their place of livelihood. As a fellow Caviteño, among my concerns is to alleviate the plight of my kababayans. I will see to it that the government would not renege on its accountability to them," Revilla said.Meanwhile, Bacoor Mayor Strike Revilla, the senator’s brother, said that the municipal government has offered to take care of the right-of-way payment for the affected families."We already sent few months ago a formal letter to the DPWH expressing our intention to shoulder the payment for the right-of-way claims. Until now, we are waiting for their response," Mayor Revilla said.
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