Categories
Politics

PNR TRAIN TO EASE MANILA-BULACAN COMMUTE – VILLANUEVA

Senator Joel Villanueva hailed the construction of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Clark project linking Tutuban in Divisoria, Manila, to the City of Malolos in his home province of Bulacan. A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Advance Construction Mobilization for Phase I of the Clark railway at an open area in Maria Socorro, Marilao, […]

Categories
Politics

STRICTER LAW TO ENSURE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF WORKERS – VILLANUEVA

Senator Joel Villanueva called for the immediate prioritization of a bill promoting a safer workplace following the recent fire mishap at the NCCC Mall in Davao City. The tragedy left 38 fatalities, one of them worked as a safety officer of the mall and 37 are all employees of Research Now SSI, a Texas-based call […]

Categories
Politics

Fresh Graduates Exempted from Fees and Charges for Job Application Documents – VILLANUEVA

Senator Joel Villanueva sponsored Senate Bill No. 1629 or the “First-time Jobseekers Assistance Act” under Committee Report No. 191 which exempts fresh graduates from paying government fees and charges on documents needed for their job application. First-time jobseekers include fresh graduates, students who have taken leaves of absence and those who are not engaged in […]

Categories
Politics

Philippines to Co-Host the 2023 FIBA World Cup with Japan and Indonesia – VILLANUEVA

Senator Joel Villanueva welcomed the successful bid of the Philippines to co-host the 2023 FIBA World Cup with Japan and Indonesia. “We are extremely happy that basketball-loving Filipinos will finally witness the FIBA World Cup here in our home soil. We congratulate the officials of the Samahan ng Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP) for their triumphant […]

Categories
Politics

Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF) Approved by Senate – VILLANUEVA

The Senate approved on third and final reading a bill which would institutionalize the Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF), in order to address job mismatch, and align training and education of Filipino workers with actual industry standards and needs. Senate Bill No. 1456, or the Philippine Qualifications Framework Act of 2017, was authored and sponsored by […]

Categories
Politics

Taxes on Coal and Mining to Increase – VILLANUEVA

  Senator Joel Villanueva introduced amendments to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Bill proposing to increase taxes on coal and mining. With 11 affirmative votes, one negative and one abstention, the Senate approved the amendment raising the coal tax from P10 per metric ton to P300 per metric ton. “The coal tax […]

Categories
Politics

First-Ever Public Hospital in Bocaue to Open – VILLANUEVA

  Senator Joel Villanueva led the ceremonial turnover of the land that will be used for the construction of JB Lingad Memorial Hospital extension in Bocaue, Bulacan. With a total floor area of 2,968 square meters, the cost of the first public hospital in Bocaue is estimated at P250 million. The medical center will have […]

Categories
Politics

Philippines Meets Requirements of Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) – VILLANUEVA

  Senator Joel Villanueva lauded the latest achievement of the Philippines by being the first country to meet all the requirements of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). The EITI is an internationally recognized framework and practice that monitors revenue and public benefit from mining and other extractive resources. According to the ‘Validation’ report which […]

Categories
Politics

Employees Entitled to 100% of Service Charge Paid by Customers – VILLANUEVA

  Senator Joel Villanueva filed a measure that mandates establishments to give 100 percent of its collected service charge and tips to their employees. Currently, Article 96 of the Labor Code provides that employees are entitled to only 85 percent of the service charge paid by customers in hotels, restaurants and similar establishments while 15 […]

Categories
Politics

Retain Tax Incentives for Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Companies – VILLANUEVA

  Senator Joel Villanueva called for the retention of tax incentives being given to business process outsourcing (BPO) companies such as Regional Operating Headquarters (ROHQs). Republic Act No. 8756 defines ROHQ as “any foreign business entity formed, organized, and existing under any laws other than those of the Philippines whose purpose is to service its […]