1998 Press Releases can be found at the Archive Section.
|
 MIRIAM
BATS FOR DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE (2 Oct 1999) |
| MIRIAM
WANTS MANDATORY TEACHING OF CHILDREN'S RIGHTS (23
Oct 1999) |
| MIRIAM:
SHORTCHANGING CONSUMERS MUST BE MADE A CRIME (29 Oct 1999) |
MIRIAM
BATS FOR DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE
2
October 1999
Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago yesterday sought to establish standards for drug testing programs to help employers maintain a drug-free environment in the workplace.
Santiago filed S.B. No.1735 or the "Quality Assurance of Drug Testing Act" which mandates the health secretary to establish a program for certifying laboratories that meet standards for performing drug screening and confirmatory tests.
"Drug abuse is a serious national problem. It is a grave and pernicious evil which not only complicates the peace and order problem of our country, but also erodes the physical strength and the moral well-being of our people," she said.
Santiago's bill also requires employers to establish a written anti-drug abuse policy regarding the circumstances under which a drug test will be administered, and the procedures for notifying an employee of a confirmed positive result.
Employers who will be implementing a drug testing program must establish a drug-free awareness program which is designed to inform employees concerning the dangers of drug-abuse. They are also tasked to formulate a policy on maintaining a drug-free workplace, disseminate information on counseling and penalize employees who test positive for the use of a drug in the workplace.
MIRIAM
WANTS MANDATORY TEACHING OF CHILDREN'S RIGHTS
23
October 1999
Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago yesterday proposed to require elementary schools to teach young children about their rights in order to protect them from abuses.
The mandatory inclusion of a subject on children's rights is the embodiment of S.B. No. 1780 or the "Children's Rights Education Act." Santiago filed the bill that was originally crafted by six college students who interned in Santiago's Summer sa Senado legislative training program last May.
Santiago, who fought pedophiles preying on hapless children when she was immigration commissioner, pointed out that only 57 child abuse cases have been reported to the Commission on Human Rights last year.
"This may be an indication that only a few children dare to expose themselves as victims of abuse and maltreatment. Many may not even know their rights, or recognize acts of abuse," she stressed.
Santiago said child abuse is not only physical or sexual exploitation among the kids, but it may also be in the form of mental and physiological injury.
She stressed that educating the young about their rights is in effect empowering them against abuse and maltreatment.
"Knowledge may be the best weapon against child abuse. At times, it is sad to note that the people who are closest to a child are the perpetrators of child abuse," she said.
Under Santiago's proposal, the subject on children's rights will be taught in grades one to four. Teachers who will be handling the subject shall undergo proper training to be initiated by the Department of Education, Culture, and Sports.
The students who thought of the bill are Shara Therese Meris, Catherine Velasco, Jill Christine Victoriano of Miriam College; Jo-Anne Papa of UP Diliman; Emerson Agtarap of Central Colleges of the Philippines; and Samirah Mustapah of Notre Dame University, Cotabato City.
MIRIAM:
SHORTCHANGING CONSUMERS MUST BE MADE A CRIME
29
October 1999
Most consumers have had irritating experiences with retail establishments or restaurants who do not give them exact change because of lack of coins or they merely receive candies in place.
Well, this malpractice may soon be put to an end as Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago filed S.B. No. 1736 or the "Exact Change Act" that seeks to penalize establishments that shortchange consumers.
Santiago said traders would usually skip giving consumers small change that involves five, ten or twenty-five centavos, which when added up may amount to hundreds of pesos in their earnings when accumulated.
"The practice of giving insufficient change to consumers by product sellers or service providers is something that is often taken for granted. The failure to give the exact change constitutes a trade malpractice that must be stopped," she said.
Santiago filed the bill that was originally penned by six college students who interned at her Summer sa Senado legislative training program.
The bill also seeks to prohibit the giving of change in any form other than money. It also seeks to require the use of price tags that will reflect the exact retail price of a certain commodity inclusive of any applicable tax.
"It is the duty of the business establishment to give the exact change to the consumer without waiting for the consumer to ask for it," she said. "Traders should have the initiative of having small-denominated coins available everyday for changing."
Santiago also proposed that businesses should put signs in every counter that states: "Demand your exact change."
If the bill is passed into law, consumers can file a complaint with the Department of Trade and Industry. Violators face a fine of P500 for the first offense, P5,000 for the second offense, and P15,000 for the third offense.
If the businesses continue violating the law, their operations may be suspended or their licenses may be revoked.
The students who thought of the enterprising bill were Kristine Erika Lutap, Mary Shiela Olaso, Eva Ann Manalo, Kristine Sarah Payuan, Anamaine Asiņas all of Miriam College, and Lourdes Pulido of the College of Holy Spirit.
They undertook a one-month internship program at the Office of Senator Santiago where they were taught how to draft bills and resolutions.
The "Exact Change Act" was among the final works submitted by the interns. It won the Best Bill award at the end of the training program.
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