Roxas: Now the real work begins

Given the assured passage of the Quality Affordable Medicines Act on or before Labor Day, Senator Mar Roxas, principal sponsor and author of the bill, challenged the executive branch to come up with a concrete action plan for its effective implementation.

“I thank House Speaker Prospero Nograles and the House panel headed by Palawan Rep. Tony Alvarez for agreeing to deal with the issue of ‘generics-only’ prescriptions in a separate bill. The Quality Affordable Medicines bill can now become a law, with no hurdles left to its passage,” said Roxas, co-chair of the bicameral panel for the bill.

“With our decade-long struggle to turn this into law over, we can now focus our energies on a concrete national action plan to bring medicine prices down,” he added.

Roxas, during his time as Trade Secretary in 2000, was a main proponent for amendments to the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), which allowed for concessions to developing countries such as the easing of patent restrictions, a major aspect of the Quality Affordable Medicines bill. The measure had already been passed by the Senate in the 13th Congress, but a quorum problem in the House prevented its enactment then.

The senator proposed a P1-Billion Special Fund to purchase quality drugs from India as a way to jumpstart the implementation of the forthcoming landmark law. He cited the growing number of Filipinos suffering from hypertension and diabetes as examples of specific ailments that require expensive daily maintenance medicines.

“Parallel importation of life-saving medicines would benefit millions of ailing Filipinos. This is one way of giving back to the people what the government collects by way of taxes,” he said.

Roxas pushed for amendments to the Intellectual Property Code which seek to allow the parallel importation of locally patented drugs and to allow generic manufacturers to test, register, produce patented drugs prior to patent expiry, among others.

“With the present condition of high prices, poor families are forced to choose between medicines and food. We need to push for the effective implementation of this law to enable them to save money and maintain good health by bringing in more affordable medicines,” Roxas said.

The Liberal Party President urged the Department of Health to lay the groundwork for an Affordable Medicines Summit participated by local and national government officials, the business sector and other stakeholders.

“It is our duty as lawmakers to oversee the executive’s actions, to ensure that our new law is taken full advantage of and that its noble intentions are actually felt by the public,” Roxas said.

The Quality Affordable Medicines Act will also strengthen the Bureau of Food and Drugs to serve as a counterfoil to attempts to bring in fake or substandard medicines by allowing BFAD to retain its operating income from fees and other charges so it could upgrade its facilities and beef up its human resources.

The measure also allows for the imposition of price regulation of medicines, as an option in case the free market by itself is unable to bring down prices. This would be implemented by the President, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Health. An initial P25-million appropriation is also set for such implementation.

Thursday, April 24, 2008 | posted in bfad, cheaper medicines bill, doh, mar roxas, pgma, philippines, president, prospero nograles, tony alvarez | 0 comments [ More ]

The trashVin takes a peek on the Mar Roxas 2010 Blog!

As I was surfing my Sitemeter Stats, I observed that this blog was linked to http://trashvin.blogspot.com by Marvin Trilles

I visited the site and saw his blog post entitled "Presidential Campaign for 2010 Invades the Web" and read it.

Here's an excerpt of his blog post:

Using the web as one of the primary channel for political campaigns is becoming a trend. Look at how the US presidential race has been gaining a lot of attention primarily because it is in the internet. Call it web-hype of some sort.

Just tonight, I stumbled upon a blogger site purposely created by a teen blogger to somewhat persuade Mar Roxas to run for presidency this 2010. Honestly, it is my first time to see a blog site with political campaign motive behind.

I find it entertaining at some point yet informative on the other. Entertaining in the sense that it contains all the political gimmicks that can be possible to implement in the "webosphere". Taking the Roxas site for example, it comes loaded with wittily created jingles that plays in the background. It also contains songs that can be related to the candidate. In Roxas' site, the song ranges from the famous Mr. Palengke song (a rip off of Parokya ni Edgars' Mr. Suave) to a more serious Umagang Kay Ganda.

Read more...

| posted in blog, campaign, eventful, facebook, friendster, mar roxas, philippines, president, youtube | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas to hold dialogues on rice situation in Quezon

Senator Mar Roxas will be at Lucena, Quezon on Thursday, April 24, to get updates and to determine the "best practices" in handling the rice situation, in order to ensure the continued availability of rice at affordable levels both in the province and nationwide.

"I want to discuss with local officials, including my fellow Liberal, Gov. Raffy Nantes, how they have managed to remain responsive to the rice situation even as the rest of the nation is struggling to do so. Quezon's best practices will help us national leaders provide for the needs of other local governments," Roxas, the Liberal Party President, said.

"Every province would have its own specific and unique concerns even on issues of a national scope, such as the impending food crisis. With the help of all, we will be able to ensure food security for the long-term. I also want to hear what their constituents' concerns are in terms of the production and distribution of rice and other commodities," he added.

Gov. Nantes invited Roxas as a special guest in a public consultation on Thursday morning with local leaders and stakeholders on national issues such as the continued rise in the prices of rice and oil to record levels. The forum will be held at the Bulwagang Kalilayan at the Provincial Capitol Compound in Lucena City.

Another issue to be dealt with is the Quality Affordable Medicines bill, which is nearing passage at Congress. The committee composed of members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, are set to meet tomorrow to finalize the bill, which Roxas said is already "99% complete."

"Once this bill to lower the prices of medicines is passed, the real work begins. I urge the national government to coordinate closely with local governments to bring the benefits of the measure to all," he said, adding that he would initiate the holding of conferences across the nation on the merits of the proposed law and how to best implement its provisions.

Roxas will also attend the graduation ceremonies of Southern Luzon State University as guest of honor, on Thursday noon at the Quezon Convention Center, also in Lucena.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008 | posted in cheaper medicines bill, e-vat, food crisis, oil, pgma, philippines, president, quezon, rice crisis | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas: Gov't stonewall on oil VAT suspension "unjust, oppressive"

With crude oil prices continuing to break records, Senator Mar Roxas renewed his call for the suspension of the value-added tax (VAT) on oil and petroleum products to curb domestic price shocks that have begun to hurt consumers.

"Oras na para i-suspinde ang VAT sa langis, para bigyan ng ginhawa ang mga mamimili sa panahong pataas nang pataas ang presyo ng bilihin (it's time to suspend the VAT on oil to give consumers relief at a time when prices of goods continue to increase)," he said.

"For the government to continue charging a 12% VAT on oil at this time is simply unjust. For the government to continue making the people shoulder what should otherwise be collected from big-time tax evaders and smugglers is simply oppressive," he stressed.

The chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade and Commerce said the world price of crude oil has already broken the $115-a-barrel mark due to increased demand from newly-industrialized countries and diminished production from oil exporters. Furthermore, local pump prices of diesel, gasoline and kerosene have increased seven times already since the start of the year.

"Still, the administration continues to stonewall on this issue, and other similar proposals to remove, suspend or lower VAT on other commodities. It would rather keep its revenues than ensure relief for consumers," he said.

"It only takes political will on the part of the administration to move its allies in the House to pass the proposed suspension of VAT on oil. After all, the people need their money in their pockets more today than the government needs its windfalls," he stressed.

"Any further delay or dilly-dallying from the administration to suspend the VAT on oil will be hard to justify," he stressed.

As per DOE data, the prevailing price of diesel is now at P40.44/L; gasoline at P47.46/L; kerosene at P43.02/L; and LPG at P566.14 per 11-kg tank. The temporary removal of the 12% VAT on oil would result in savings of P4.33 per liter of diesel, P5.09 per liter of gasoline, P4.61 per liter of kerosene and almost P61 per 11-kilogram tank of LPG.

Roxas filed Senate Bill 1962 seeking to suspend the VAT for a period of six months, and a similar bill was filed by Liberal Party stalwart Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya in the House. The Senate Ways and Means committee has already held hearings on the Roxas bill but could not undertake any further action because according to the Constitution, all tax measures must emanate from the House.

| posted in doe, e-vat, mar roxas, oil, pgma, philippines, president | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas optimistic about medicines bicam meeting on Wednesday

Senator Mar Roxas foresees no major impediments to the approval of the affordable medicines law this week unless some congressmen maintain a hard-line stance for the inclusion of the generics-only provision.

Roxas, principal author of the proposed Quality Affordable Medicines Act in the Senate and co-chair of the bicameral conference committee on the bill, said both panels will meet on Wednesday to thresh out the final version of the much-awaited measure.

"I am optimistic that an agreement will be reached by Wednesday because we all share the view that this is an urgent, life-saving measure. Hopefully, the House contingent shall have decided to follow the President's advice for them to convert the generics-only provision into a separate bill," he added.

The President of the Liberal Party said both panels will study the recommendations of the technical working group that was formed to consolidate the Senate and House versions of the medicines bill.

Meanwhile, Senator Roxas urged the Department of Health to start working on an action plan to ensure the effective implementation of the Quality Affordable Medicines Act.

The bicameral committee had earlier agreed in the previous meeting that a price regulatory mechanism should be available to the government in case the free market itself is unable to bring down the prices of medicines. The price regulation would be implemented by the President upon recommendation of the Secretary of Health.

"Millions of Filipinos suffering from life-long ailments such as diabetes and hypertension can be the immediate beneficiaries of the Affordable Medicines Law," Roxas pointed out.

The senator noted that medicines for hypertension and diabetes sold locally are many times the cost of their counterparts in other countries such as India. "The same brand, same packaging, and the same formulation of drugs for diabetes and hypertension are sold for far less in other countries. Why should our people continue to suffer from high blood and high prices of medicines when we can stimulate competition by bringing in these cheaper, quality medicines from abroad?"

Roxas described the affordable medicines act as a "legal toolbox to prolong people's lives."

"All the tools to help the executive bring in quality affordable medicines and promote better competition in the pharmaceutical and retail industry are in this measure. This is why I am reiterating my call to our colleagues in the House of Representatives to heed the President's and our people's call for the immediate passage of this important bill," Roxas stressed.

| posted in cheaper medicines bill, mar roxas, pgma, philippines, president | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas to gov't: Intercept rice diversion at the large scale, not 'tingi' level

Senator Mar Roxas said the government must focus its efforts to curb diversion of imported rice at the scale of large shipments, not in the markets, to ensure that the staple actually reaches the poorest of the poor who need it the most.

"Ang mga malalaking diversion ay nangyayari hindi sa palengke, ngunit sa pagpasok ng mga barko, pagdala ng bigas sa mga warehouse. The real diversion happens by the shipload and truckload, not just by the sack," Roxas said.

"Kailangang makita natin ang dinadaanan ng bigas mula sa pagpasok pa lang sa bansa. Itong mga raid-raid na ito ay pakitang tao lamang, o isang patingi-tinging solusyon," the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade and Commerce added.

Roxas said he had already written Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap last April 10, asking for the following information:

1. The total volume of rice importation for 2008 including the list of importers and originating countries of these imports;

2. The pricing or cost of these imports per volume, for each source;

3. The schedule of each shipment, the type of cargo or vessels for these and their maximum tonnage, and the actual volume to be imported per shipment;

4. Drop-off points or ports for these shipments; and

5. A copy of the latest Rice Importation Contract with Vietnam.

"We are still awaiting Secretary Yap's response, which would shed light on how rice intended for the poorest of the poor is instead used for commercial purposes. With this knowledge, our authorities can better track down unscrupulous elements taking advantage of the dire situation," Roxas said.

He stressed however that urgent action was also needed with regard to domestic production of rice, in order to reduce dependence on imported grains.

He proposed the following to ensure a bountiful harvest, which would prevent the problem from recurring next year:

1. Strict enforcement of a moratorium on conversions of irrigated land, and an investigation on how much the government has spent on irrigation for these converted lands;

2. Ensuring that all of the inputs necessary—seeds, fertilizer, pesticides, among others—are made available to farmers;

3. Developing "small water impounding" irrigation systems, which cost only about P30,000 per hectare, versus large-scale irrigation through dams which costs P100,000 per hectare.

4. Opening up the Agusan river basin areas for planting, as these are ideal for planting rice; and

5. Investing in eliminating wastage in the drying of rice, estimated at 30% of annual consumption, which is more than enough to cover the NFA's importation of 2 million MT of rice or 17% of annual consumption.

Roxas also noted how the population increased by 16%, from 75.50 million in May 2000, to 88.57 million as of August 2007, and warned that the projected population by 2009 of 92.22 million would mean nearly 4 million more consumers in two years' time.

"Now that the government knows it has more mouths to feed, it must be more focused in ensuring food security by boosting domestic production. We can no longer rely on importing for rice, because excess supply from abroad is hard to come by, and at great cost," Roxas, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade and Commerce, said.

"We can’t say that our domestic production for rice has increased likewise. In fact, we are importing over 2 million metric tons this year, above the 1.2 million MT we had been importing in previous years," he added.

Saturday, April 19, 2008 | posted in arthur yap, food crisis, mar roxas, nfa, pgma, philippines, president | 0 comments [ More ]

Sen. Mar Roxas' message for Dagupan City's Bangus Festival 2008

My warmest greetings to Dagupan City as you celebrate your 7th Annual Bangus Festival this April of 2008 with the theme, "One Voice, One Vision, United Action."

For seven years, you have gathered as a people, strengthening bonds and recollecting your experiences year round through this annual festival. Inevitably, you have faced challenges requiring you to summon energies needed in a modernized and competitive atmosphere.

It is high time for us to elevate our aspirations. We can do better in our tasks if we prioritize our education and applying what we learn in our chosen professions. Through an active and educated citizenry, a progressive future is possible.

Make this event an opportunity to deepen connections with each other, informing your local leaders of your needs, while maintaining intact relationships with your families.

I am positive that all your actions will contribute to our country's growth.

To the people of Dagupan, my congratulations and best wishes on your fiesta.

Mabuhay tayong lahat!

Hon. Mar Roxas

SENATOR

Thursday, April 17, 2008 | posted in dagupan city, mar roxas, pangasinan, philippines | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas: Focus on plentiful domestic harvest, not 'pakitang-tao'

Senator Mar Roxas called on the executive to provide clear solutions to address the insufficient domestic production of rice, rather than be focused merely on political considerations which do not provide any real help to the people.

"The government is on the wrong track in adopting the tingi approach to our rice problem. This is a production and supply problem, and so, we must address its root causes and not just the symptoms. Ang problema natin, kulang ang bigas, kaya dapat ang focus natin ay sa pag-siguro na na may sapat na ani," he said.

"The government's response is politically influenced. I see summits and lots of photo-ops, but I don't see substantive programs. It's unfortunate that the government activities are a-la-police—the NBI will raid, the military will distribute—but I have not seen much in how we can produce more rice," he added.

Roxas also warned the administration not to issue rice access cards unless there is a competent system in place and clear guidelines to be followed by local officials and the National Food Authority, to avoid confusion and politicizing the process.

"If we have a rice rationing system, politicians will now say 'yung mga kakampi ko, magkaka-bigas.' Whenever there is shortage or rationing, you now introduce the element of subjective choice, or who-gets-what. Mahirap iyan," he said, explaining that this could lead to more confusion and could trigger food riots and demonstrations.

"Instead, I recommend an expansion of the Food-for-Work program where poor families are harnessed to help in their communities, in exchange for a stable supply of food," the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade added.

The Liberal Party President said to ensure plentiful domestic harvest, he proposed:

1. All conversions of irrigated land should be stopped, and investigate how much has the government spent on irrigation for these converted lands;
2. Ensure that all of the inputs necessary—seeds, fertilizer, pesticides, among others—must be made available to farmers;
3. Consider the development of 'small water impounding' irrigation systems, which costs only about P30,000 per hectare, versus large-scale irrigation through dams which costs P100,000 per hectare;
4. Open up the Agusan and Lanao marsh areas for planting, as these are ideal for planting rice, similar to the Vietnamese river delta basin;
5. Invest in eliminating wastage in the drying of rice, estimated at 30% of annual consumption, and more than enough to cover the NFA's importation of 2 million MT of rice or 17% of annual consumption.

He noted that aside from the planned issuance of rice vouchers, the administration had already floated a hodge-podge of stopgap solutions, including:

1. Limiting how much NFA rice an individual may buy;
2. Using of indelible ink to discourage returning buyers;
3. Calling on consumers to eat brown rice;
4. Calling on fast-food chains to offer half-cup rice;
5. Linking up with Churches and LGUs, and even deputizing soldiers, to help in distributing cheaper varieties of NFA rice;
6. Threats of raids on warehouses even if there are no clear guidelines yet.

He noted that the government has embarked or at least floated these solutions, even as it denies that a rice supply crisis does not exist.

"Kaya nga dapat magpakatotoo ang gobyerno at aminin ang problema sasambayanan para sama-sama tayong lahat sa paghanap ng pinakamagandang paraan at solusyon sa krisis na ito," he added.

The senator noted that rice-exporting countries have already announced its plans to curb medium-grade rice exports to protect their own respective domestic supplies.

"This makes our call for an emergency ASEAN Leaders' Summit on the rice crisis even more urgent. We can then appeal to our rice exporting neighbors to give priority to fellow ASEAN members in the allocation of exported rice," Roxas said.

"Now, the surplus is gone, the old standby—'never mind, we can always import'—is no longer available. This is not just a slogan of 'food security,' we must now produce our own rice," he said.

| posted in asean, food crisis, mar roxas, nfa, pgma, philippines, president | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas files Food Transparency Bill

Senator Mar Roxas today filed Senate Bill 2161 seeking transparency in all government transactions involving food and basic commodities, especially rice and corn.

He said part of the people’s basic right of access to adequate and affordable food is giving full access to information on the same, including supply, production and imports, prices, and other factors and risks.

“It is the government’s responsibility to ensure that there is food for all. In relation to this, it must let the people know at all times about the state of food in the country,” the Chairman of the Senate Trade and Commerce Committee said.

“The best deterrence to collusion, profiteering and other abuses by government or private persons is transparency,” he added.

“Mahalaga ang impormasyong ito, dahil ito ang tutulong sa mga pamilya sa pagba-budget ng kanilang pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan, o tutulong sa gobyerno mismo para supilin ang mga pang-aabuso sa merkado (This information is important to help families in budgeting their daily needs, and to help the government against abuses in the market),” he stressed.

Roxas, Liberal Party President, said this bill will help institute good governance in all government actions and transactions in relation to food and basic commodities, and would also help the government in targeting food distribution and soliciting private sector help in improving food security.

“Nasa interes ng bawat Pilipino ang pagkain, at hindi dapat nasasaklaw ng executive privilege ang impormasyon ukol dito. (Food is in the interest of every Filipino, and any information about it should not be subject to executive privilege,” he added.

Senate Bill No. 2161, the proposed “Affordable Food Transparency Act,” mandates the publication by DA of all rice, corn and sugar import permits, including: names and addresses of importers and suppliers; countries of origin; dates of contract and arrival of imports and other specifications; contract price and modes of purchase; among others.

It also requires the dissemination of any and all significant information that affect food supply and prices, through print and electronic publication. It also mandates the disclosure of any information about the existence of a factor or risk to food security.

It also requires pertinent government agencies, particularly the DA and DTI and their sub-units, to comply with written requests for any information, records or documents within two working days, under pain of penalty.

The bill also allows every denial of any request, in whole or in part, due to reasons of privacy, national security, diplomatic relations, trade secrets and others, to be appealed before the Office of the Ombudsman.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008 | posted in food crisis, mar roxas, ombudsman, pgma, philippines, president | 0 comments [ More ]

Statement of Senator Mar Roxas on proposals for Emergency Powers

“At this point, such proposals of emergency powers for the President are premature and counter-productive, leading to more confusion and panic. What we need is a clear plan guided by cold facts and clear criteria. What is the real supply and demand situation at present? Does it call for emergency measures, or just more aggressive law enforcement, diplomacy, distribution targeting and logistical management.”

”What is our contingency status? Are we on condition yellow? Orange? Red? Ironically, the admin keeps stressing that there's no crisis while the queues get longer everyday. What we need now is for the government to tell the people the real score, and walk them through a credible plan to deal with an escalating crisis, stage by stage. Transparency, political will and a good plan will carry the day.”

Tuesday, April 15, 2008 | posted in emergency power, food crisis, mar roxas, pgma, philippines, president | 0 comments [ More ]