Senatorial bet Poe-Llamanzares favors FOI bill passage

CEBU, Philippines -  Grace Poe-Llamanzares, daughter of the late movie action king Fernando Poe, Jr. on Monday voiced favor for the passage of the freedom of information (FOI) bill, now pending in Congress, although she explained that there should be clear-cut guidelines and limits on the law for the sake of transparency.

Llamanzares, also former chair of the Movie and TV Review and Classification Board, told the local media during her visit in Tagbilaran City in Bohol that there has to be guidelines on FOI should Congress pass it.

While she batted for the archival system that could preserve the heritage in documents of the past or history of the country, Llamanzares explained that limits on the divulging of information to the public must be clear especially if it concerns about national interest.

In her later visit to Dumaguete City, Llamanzares told the media there that she lauded the Philippines’ current overseas workers’ welfare program, which is something to be proud of.

Llamanzares then announced that if elected to the Senate in 2013, one of her priorities would be to pass a bill that would further boost the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), including the establishment of standard day care centers at the level of bigger barangays and by companies that have more than 200 employed workers.

Standard day care centers would ensure that children of OFWs are in good hands, noting that her proposal would include accreditation of barangay health care workers and teachers to man these facilities.

Children of OFWs are usually left in the care of relatives while away at work abroad, said Llamanzares, as she also pushed for “guided education,” with the government identifying areas of study where Filipinos can decide on what course to enroll in, depending on the need of specific jobs overseas.

There may be enough incentives for OFWs now but she also recommended for psychological support for their children.

Llamanzares is running independent but is being adopted by both the Liberal Party of President Benigno Aquino III and the United Nationalist Alliance of Vice President Jejomar Binay.   (FREEMAN)