News - Ronald V. Singson's Official Web Site
November 14, 2007
BILL ON DRUGS FILED
A young solon from the Ilocos region filed a bill which seeks the immediate disposal and destruction of confiscated, seized, or surrendered dangerous drugs and paraphernalia to safeguard the well-being of the citizenry particularly the youth, from the harmful effect of dangerous drugs.
In his bill, Congressman Ronald V. Singson of the first district of Ilocos Sur cited that "dangerous drugs are one of today's most serious social ills. The illegal drug menace is now considered public enemy number one and poses a grave threat to the nation's survival and security."
The young lawmaker added that "illegal drugs has alarmingly penetrated almost all sectors of society including government offices, businesses, and even law enforcement agencies and fears that it would only take a little time before the dilemma would be out of control."
Singson pointed out that in many instances, confiscated drugs are recycled to the market by erring lawmen, which his House Bill 2696 aims to correct.
Singson explained that "one way to strengthen the government's program to prevent the spread of drugs is to immediately destroy them lest they be recycled back into the wrong hands."
October 29, 2007
VIGAN CITY AIRPORT TO BE EXPANDED
VIGAN CITY - The waiting may finally be over as Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronald Singson reported that the Vigan airport will soon be expanded to enable it to take in commercial and international flights.
Businessmen, balikbayans and tourists have been wishing to have the airport here widened and made accessible to commercial flights to shorten travel time from Manila that takes eight to 10 hours by land.
The Vigan airport has been available only for small planes.
Singson, in whose first district base the airport is located, told The STAR that he was able to include P250 million in the budget of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) for the upgrading of the airport.
Singson, who is serving his first term as congressman, said the P250-million fund was worked out during the recent budget deliberations in Congress.
He said the DOTC will undertake the airport's expansion in two phasesfor two years beginning next year. Part of the upgrade is the installation of a control tower and radar and aviation equipment.
The runway will be expanded to a desirable size to enable the airport to accommodate commercial and international flights. Presently, the runway measures only 800 meters.
Meanwhile, Singson said the first batch of call center trainees that he initiated under his "train now, pay later" and job placement programs has graduated.
The 25 graduates are now having their job applications processed in several call center firms in Metro Manila, Singson said, adding that the schedule for the second batch of trainees is being arranged.
Benefiting from the program are young individuals from his district, most of whom are fresh college graduates.
October 8, 2007
DA SETS UP LOAN PROGRAM
AGRICULTURE SECRETARY ARTHUR C. YAP has approved guidelines for the implementation of the P200-million Agri-Fishery Microfinance Program, a new financing scheme for farmers.
With microfinance placed as one of the agriculture sector's top five priorities, the AFMP seeks to increase the amount of credit support to priority commodities and special priority zones.
Priority commodities include rice, corn, high value crops such as banana, rubber, pineapple and vegetables, poultry, livestock and fishery products.
According to the DA, the AFMP will have two components: The microfinance and the value chain financing modules.
The microfinance module will enable credit retailers to extend smaller loans to small framing or fishing households for any or a combination of farm, off-farm and nonfarm activities.
Small farmers and fishers can borrow up to P50,000 depending on their repayment capacity.
Meanwhile, the value chain financing module allows credit retailers to extend loans or financial services to support value chain activities, such as production, processing and marketing.
Recipients can borrow up to P100,000.
October 2007
THE SON ALSO RISES
VIGAN, Ilocos Sur - "The son also rises." is the best description of a young legislator here who won as a representative of the first district of Ilocos Sur during the last elections.
Congressman Ronald V. Singson, son of former Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson, has practically copied the footsteps of his father when he joined politics in 2001 when he won as a member of the Provincial Board of Ilocos Sur.
On May 14 elections, he decided to run for Congressman and the rest is now history.
Prior to joining politics, the young Singson was the vice president for operations of Partas Transportation, a family owned bus company from 1995 to 1997.
In 1997 to 1999, he served as General Manager of Superb Security and Investigation and on 1998 to 2001, he served as president and chief executive officer of the Satrap Construction, a family owned corporation from 1998 to 2001.
The young congressman wants to continue the legacy of public service he copied from his father, Gov. Chavit Singson who served in various capacities as councilor, mayor, governor and congressman.
Asked on what are his plans for his district, Congressman Singson explained that he wants to continue serving his constituents the best way he can for the good of the province and her people.
October 2007
ILOCOS SUR SOLON FILES BILL TO SAFEGUARD CITIZENRY AGAINST DANGEROUS DRUGS
A young solon from the Ilocos Region filed a bill seeking the immediate disposal and destruction of confiscated, seized or surrendered dangerous drugs and paraphernalia, to safeguard the well-being of the citizenry, particularly the youth, from the harmful effect; of dangerous drugs.
In his bill, Congressman Ronald V. Singson, of the first of Ilocos Sur, cited that "Dangerous drugs are one of today's most serious social ills. The illegal drug menace is now considered public enemy number one and poses a grave threat to the nation's survival and security.
The young solon added illegal drugs has alarmingly penetrated almost all sectors of society including government offices, business and even law enforcement agencies and fears that it would only take a little time before the dilemma would be out of control.
He made mentioned in many instances where confiscated drugs are often recycled into the market by misguided law enforcement agencies due to long storage. Some cases even confiscated drugs are nowhere to be found in view of its lucrative value.
Under House Bill 2696, "An act requiring the immediate disposal and destruction of confiscated, seized or surrendered dangerous drugs and paraphernalia, amending the purpose the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002."
Singson in his explanation, that one way to strengthen the government's program to prevent the spread of drugs is to immediately destroy all confiscated drugs lest they be recycled or resold or simply falling into the wrong hands.
He added that because of illegal drugs, lives are lost, families broken and brains are ruined and hence, a concerted effort must be waged against the spread of dangerous drugs.
August 29, 2007
BILL SEEKS NEW ECONOMIC ZONE IN ILOCOS SUR
VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur - Rep. Ronald Singson of the province's first district has filed a bill seeking to convert the Salomague cove in northern Ilocos Sur into a special economic zone and free port.
In filing House Bill 1534, the first-term congressman said the Salomague cove is an ideal site for a free port because of its proximity to Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan.
"Salomague cove is a natural harbor and haven for international ships during inclement weather. There is a channel that hugs the semi-circular shoreline that is appropriate for marine vessel traffic and is probably the only [Philippine big] port closest to Hong Kong, Japan and Taiwan. It is large, that it can accommodate dozens of vessels at any one time," Singson said.
The congressman said the Salomague cove includes Barangays Dardarat, Solotsot, Surngit and Refaro in the town of San Juan and Barangays Dardarat, Sagayaden and Salomague in Cabugao.
"The bill does away with an authority-type of office to run the free port but directly tasks a governing body composed of town mayors in the localities involved and the private sectors to do the job," Singson said.
"Salomague Freeport should be operated as a separate customs territory that will basically provide incentives to ensure the free flow and movement of goods and commodities within the free port area and their exploration," he added.
"The concept and objective is to develop the free port area into a self-sustaining industrial, commercial and investment center. On the whole, it is looking at effectively complementing an aggressive export-oriented thrust, thus enhancing the country's global competitiveness," the congressman said.
"It shall provide tax-based incentives for business activities and concerns locating and operating within [Salomague], not to mention other non-tax benefits like liberal exchange policies and the grant of permanent resident status of investors," Singson said.
He said the bill would follow through the efforts of his father, former Gov. Luis Singson, to promote the area among investors, particularly Chinese businessmen.
August 27, 2007
SOLON PUSHES ILOCOS SUR FREEPORT, ECOZONE PROJECT
VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur - Rep. Ronald V. Singson (1st district, Ilocos Sur) has filed a bill proposing the conversion of the Salomague area in Cabugao and San Juan towns, this province, into a special economic zone and freeport.
Citing its physical, geographic and natural advantages, Congressman Singson, son of former governor Luis "Chavit" Singson, said that Salomague is an ideal site for a freeport because of its strategic location in southeast Asia.
He noted that the Salomague is the nearest Philippine port to Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea.
But even before the young congressman filed the bill, former governor Singson, his father, had already initiated moves aimed at developing the Salomague port into a world-class freeport and economic zone complete with an international airport.
The Salomague port project has long been a dream of the former governor who said it is part of his program to attract investors to the province and generate jobs for his constituents.
In his House Bill No. 1534 which was filed recently, Congressman Singson stated that the Salomague port consists of the entire Salomague Cove and the area covered by Barangays Dardarat, Solotsolot, Surngit, and Refaro in San Juan town; and Barangays Dardarat, Sagayaden, and Salomague in Cabugao, hometown of Gov. Deogracias Victor "DV" Savellano.
Singson, one of the neophytes and youngest members of the House of Representatives, stated in his bill that "the objective is to develop the area into a self-sustaining industrial, commercial, and investment center that would put in place a wide trading and foreign exchange position of the country. On the whole, it is looking at effectively complementing an announced aggressive export-oriented thrust of the country, thus enhancing the country's global competitiveness."
Singson also stated in the bill's explanatory note that the Salomague freeport would be operated as a separate Customs territory that would basically provide incentives to ensure the free flow and movement of goods and commodities within the freeport area and their export there from."
To attract investors and traders, Singson said, it will provide tax-based incentives for business activities and concerns locating and operating within the freeport premises, "not to mention other non-tax benefits such as liberal exchange policies and the grant of permanent resident status to investors."
"The bill does away with an authority-type of office to run the freeport, but directly tasks a governing body composed of town mayors in the localities involved and the private sector to do the job," Singson added.
August 24, 2007
SINGSON LAUNCHES CALL CENTER TRAINING
Ilocos Sur first district Rep. Ronald Singson has launched a "Train Now, Pay Later" program for his constituents, aiming to have them land high-paying jobs in the country's flourishing call center industry.
The young congressman, who is serving his first term, earlier forged an agreement with Edulynx Corp., a training and manpower specialist, to conduct the 100-hour training course specializing on English communication and soft skills.
Under the agreement, an initial batch of 30 trainees will undergo the program in Vigan City.
Singson has allocated P240,000 from his congressional fund for the whole training, which would cost P8,000 per trainee.
The lawmaker, son of former Ilocos Sur governor Luis "Chavit" Singson, said those who would successfully gain employment after the program are expected to pay back their training expenses to fund the training of the succeeding batches.
Edulynx would provide two trainers for every batch of 30 members after screening qualified applicants. The company will also help find jobs for the graduates.
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will be tapped to assess the graduates and issue the necessary accreditation.
Singson expects the initial batch of trainees to undergo the program by early next month.
One of the training venues being eyed is the Baluarte compound where former Gov. Singson built classrooms to train caregivers.
June 25, 2007
PHILHEALTH BENEFITS
Ilocos Sur local officials sign a memorandum of agreement that provides bigger benefits to Philhealth card owners in the province. Leading the signing ceremonies are Governor Luis 'Chavit' Singson, Candon City Mayor Allen Singson, Gov.-elect DV Savellano, 2nd District Representative Eric D. Singson. Others witnessing the MOA signing are incoming 1st District Rep. Ronald Singson, Vice Gov. Jerry Singson, and Mayor Josefino Miranda, among others.