Expedite vaccination of outbound OFWs

Senator Win Gatchalian called on the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to expedite the vaccination of outbound Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), particularly those scheduled for deployment this year. The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has noted that the number of Filipino seafarers deployed monthly is gradually returning to its […]

Health, income and job generation should get more budget in 2022

Senator Win Gatchalian said the government should continue pouring in funds for COVID-19 response measures addressing the ongoing health crisis as well as income and job generation programs in the proposed P5.024-trillion national budget next year.   “Ang taong 2022 ay COVID-19-year pa rin. Dapat tutukan pa rin natin ang paglaban sa COVID-19 kaya ibig […]

To DBM, DOF, DOLE: Find ways to cushion impact of two-week ECQ on workers

Senator Win Gatchalian urged the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Finance (DOF), and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to leave no stone unturned in combing every possible source of funds for short-term jobs or financial assistance to workers who will be displaced in the re-imposition of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) starting […]

Reaction to President Duterte’s last SONA

Senator Win Gatchalian commended the Duterte administration’s economic recovery plans to revitalize the country’s economy and generate jobs in the light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Gatchalian was hoping the President would tackle the education crisis that started even before the pandemic.   The Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Economic […]

‘Lifetime’ mobile number will soon be a reality

Efforts allowing the interoperability of cellphone numbers will finally come into fruition more than two years after the enactment of the landmark legislation, the Mobile Number Portability Act (MNPA), Senator Win Gatchalian said.   Following the completion of the three major telecommunications companies’ initial testing of their technical capabilities and interoperability, Gatchalian wants to see […]

‘One Filipino, One Bank Account’ key to better delivery of financial aid

Delays experienced in the distribution of the government’s emergency subsidy program due to digital platform glitches could have been avoided had cash aid been directly deposited to the designated bank accounts of the intended beneficiaries, Senator Win Gatchalian said.   The government was quick to enact laws to provide cash subsidy to low-income families for […]

Boost satellite-based technology to make internet connection affordable in PH

Senator Win Gatchalian encouraged more internet service providers to have direct access to satellite technology to prompt competition and eventually bring down the cost of internet connection in the country.   “Limited use and low demand may make satellite broadband in the country expensive but in the long run, it can lower the cost as […]

‘One Filipino, One Bank Account’ Act should be in place by January 2023

Beginning January 1, 2023, all Filipinos who have registered in the national identification (ID) system will own a bank account that will have access to government’s financial services.   This was the proposal laid down by Senator Win Gatchalian in filing Senate Bill No. 2251 or the “One Filipino, One Bank Account Act” as the […]

Development of satellite-based technologies needed to improve internet access

Given that the Philippines is an archipelagic country and is not well supported by robust telecommunications infrastructure, maximizing the use of satellite technology as an alternative connectivity solution can address problems on the reliability of  internet connection especially in many remote areas, Senator Win Gatchalian said.   In necessitating the filing of Senate Bill No. […]