Gordon to maritime gov't agencies: Don't wait for another sea tragedy

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Senate blue ribbon committee chairman Senator Richard Gordon today said that the government must immediately work on modernizing the country's maritime industry and stressed that it should not wait for another sea tragedy before it gets the work done.

"Our country holds the unflattering distinction for having the world's worst peacetime maritime safety record. Whenever a ship sinks, we conduct investigations left and right, but nothing really happens. At the end of the day, after all the media hype, everything will be forgotten until another ship sinks, and the cycle of tolerance�tolerance for the incompetent, the unsafe and the greedy--goes on," Gordon said.

"We are not going to allow that anymore. This committee will make sure that something will happen out of this investigation. Our objective is to have a world class maritime industry, and we can start by ensuring the safety of passengers traveling in our seas," he added.

After five hearings on recent maritime disasters, the blue ribbon committee found out several lapses in the enforcement of maritime laws by government agencies and in the practice of safe sea operations by shipping companies.

Gordon said that the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) ought to ensure that all laws relating to maritime operations and safety are being enforced properly.

He added that Marina and the Insurance Commission are not doing their job in protecting the public interest because they allowed the implementation of a rule that passengers who are not in the manifest but are victims of sea tragedies will not be covered by the insurance companies.

"We have to require 'no fault insurance'. That means when a sea vessel sinks, even if the passenger is not included in the manifest, as long as he is onboard that ship, the insurance company will have to pay. The Marina can immediately impose that in order to protect the public," the senator stressed.

"The Marina should impose stiff penalties for ships that do not provide complete passenger manifest. We have to change the system. The manifest must be submitted before departure," he added.

Gordon also said that the government must apply international standards for domestic shipping. On the other hand, private shipping lines should upgrade the level of standards of their vessels and they must hire certified captains and competent crew.

"We have to upgrade the shipping industry by providing incentives. When a company acquires new ships, they should be given incentives for that. There must also be a re-evaluation of major and minor patrons who man passenger ships. We should know their capabilities and they ought to be assigned to posts or duties equal to their nautical knowledge and capacity," Gordon said.

Duty First

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DUTY FIRST: Robert Lamberte, a disabled 13-year old boy, receives a blanket from Philippine Red Cross Chairman Senator Richard Gordon during the latter’s visit to the Nabitasan Elementary School in Iloilo City, where victims of the recent Iloilo fire sought temporary shelter. Gordon was in Iloilo over the weekend for the Dinagyang Festival, but before joining the festivities, he did his duty first and checked on the situation of the victims. Gordon was joined by Bagumbayan Party vice-presidential candidate Bayani Fernando.

THUMBS UP FOR CADIZ CITY

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THUMBS UP FOR CADIZ CITY: Senator Richard J. Gordon, Bagumbayan presidential candidate, joins the people of Cadiz City, Negros Occidental in celebrating the 36th “Dinagsa” Festival. “Dinagsa” Festival is the people’s way of giving thanks to the sperm whales that flocked to the town in 1967, which brought an outpouring of blessings. Bayani Fernando, Gordon’s vice president, also joined the celebration.

Gordon gets another term as Red Cross chairman

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Having proven that his leadership of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has made the latter the premiere humanitarian organization in the country, Senator Richard J. Gordon was given another mandate by the PRC's Board of Governors when it re-elected Gordon as chairman during their election last Thursday.

Gordon, PRC chairman for three consecutive terms now, expressed his gratitude for the support and confidence his colleagues manifested in electing him for the fourth time.

"I am very grateful to my colleagues for the support and confidence that they have shown by renewing my mandate to lead the Philippine Red Cross to greater heights in humanitarian service and alleviating suffering humanity, especially those who are most vulnerable," he said.

"I enjoin everyone in the organization to work with me for its continuous growth so we can sustain the Philippine Red Cross' image and status as the premier humanitarian organization in the Philippines, in terms of services provided and number of people served," he added.

Aside from Gordon, the newly-elected officers of the Board of Governors include Leslie W. Espino, vice chairman; Corazon Alma G. de Leon, secretary; Atty. Rodolfo O. Reyes, assistant secretary; Leonida B. Ortiz, treasurer; Ramon C. Locsin, assistant treasurer; and Atty. Lorna Patajo-Kapunan, counselor.

The Board of Governors selected Reyes and Patajo-Kapunan as members of the Board. Chester Villanueva, National Youth Council president, was also welcomed as a member of the Board to represent the youth.

Gordon, who has served as a volunteer in the Red Cross for more than four decades, strengthened and modernized the rescue capabilities of the organization through the acquisition of emergency response vehicles including ambulances, fire trucks and first aid motorcycles.

He also initiated the establishment of an additional 27 blood service facilities, making all 96 local Red Cross chapters capable of blood banking services, as well as acquired new equipment for the Operations Center to ensure efficiency and quick response in disaster monitoring.

With these new support services, Red Cross is more equipped and ready for rescue and retrieval operations during disasters.

Gordon's leadership likewise paved the way for the PRC to become a donor society and reciprocated assistance from other national societies. Thus, the PRC contributed funds to help victims in other disaster-stricken nations such as the Asian tsunami disasters, hurricane Katrina in the United States and the recent Haiti earthquake, among others.

"I hope to strengthen the Philippine Red Cross even more" the re-elected PRC chairman said.

Gordon wants to kill corruption

Bacolod City — Sen. Richard Gordon yesterday said he decided to run for president because he wants to kill corruption, which has held back the growth of the country, and to push for the creation of economic zones in Negros Occidental.

"I'm trying to sell you a future," Gordon said of his bid for the presidency. Gordon was in Bacolod with his running mate, Bayani Fernando, to meet with their supporters.

He pointed out that corruption has been the biggest robber in the country.

"Corruption has killed this country. Everybody has learned to be corrupt. The government is absolutely corrupt," Gordon said.

He noted the existence of corruption in various government offices.

"There is corruption in the military so the soldiers do not get the bullets they need. There is corruption in government's management of transportation so people get killed in sea mishaps. There is corruption in the Department of Public Works and Highways so less school buildings are built," Gordon said.

As president, Gordon said he would kill corruption so there would be enough money to raise the salaries of teachers and to provide better education, and other much needed services of the people.

He also vowed to move for the creation of economic zones in Negros Occidental.

In the area around the Bacolod-Silay Airport in Silay City, he said an export processing zone for factories of candy and other high-value products made from sugar that was abundant in Negros could be set up.

An economic zone for information technology or a theme park for tourism could also be created at the old Bacolod airport, he added.

Gordon also cited mining as a source of funds to improve the Philippines, pointing out the $1 trillion in minerals located in the country.

Even if only 10 percent of the country's mineral deposits could be tapped, he noted that the earnings generated would be enough to pay the country's foreign debt.

Gordon added that he would work hard to ensure that Filipinos find their future in the Philippines and not in foreign shores.

Gordon, who cited his 33 years in government service, also maintained that he was the most prepared to be elected president of the Philippines in 2010 because he has the experience. INQUIRER

Gordon to senatorial wannabes: Senate is a 'debating chamber'

Senator Richard J. Gordon gave a good advice for Filipinos eyeing a seat in the Senate - prepare to engage in discourses because Congress is an arena for debates.

Gordon pointed out that people who are elected to the Senate should have the ability to engage in debates and discourses, particularly those on proposed measures to ensure that they are well crafted.

"Dapat maintindihan na kapag dumating ka sa Senado, kailangan makipagtalakayan ka, kailangan sumagot ka. This is a debating chamber. Alam mo ang rules, alam mo ang regulations. Kailangan alam mo ang gagawin mo dito sa Senado," he said.

"When you are elected to the Senate, you are supposed to possess the qualifications to speak, to propose, to contravene, to defend and to oppose. Kapag hindi ka humarap diyan, then there is something wrong. May kakulangan. I remember one senator here who once said, "hindi mo pwedeng gawing Kindergarten yung Senado,'" he added.

The senator gave the advice when he made a manifestation after Sen. Manny Villar refused to be interpellated and immediately left the Senate premises after he broke his two-year silence by giving a privilege speech on the accusations hurled against him in connection with the alleged anomalies in the C-5 Road extension project.

During his six-year term in the Senate, Gordon has delivered more than 100 privilege speeches on various issues and filed more than 200 bills and resolutions, combined.

Gordon was also one of the regular participants during floor discussions and debates, articulately voicing out views on the subject under discussion.

Expounding on his advice, the senator added that senators should be knowledgeable on a wide range of topics to enable them to participate confidently and capably in discussions and debates.

"Dito sa Senado, kung hindi natin maitataas ang kamalayan natin dito, wala tayong business na pumunta rito sa Senado. I'm on my last days in the Senate and I appeal to those who are going to join the Senate, when you are here, as in the past, dapat humanda kang tumayo rito kahit wala kang binabasa," he said.

"Dapat haharapin mo ang mga kasamahan mo, makikipagdebate ka, gagamitin mo ang nalalaman mo sa batas, yung natutunan mo sa experience mo sa buhay. It is a conglomeration of everything - your education, your experience, your philosophy, yung iyong mga advocacy," Gordon added.

10 Principles for Success in 2010

Asked how ordinary Filipinos can improve their lot in life, Sen. Dick Gordon, who has enjoyed a fruitful and accomplished life, shares his key principles for career and financial success:

1. Be ambitious. Umaasa tayo lagi sa tulong. Kahit anong hirap mo, you have to be ambitious. Being ambitious is not negative.

2. Have the right work ethic. Bawal ang tamad. Lalong bawal ang tanga. Manage by objective. Instead of a quick fix or instant gratification, practice delayed gratification. We should go for meritocracy. Hindi palakasan. Palakasan pa rin dito.

3. Learn a skill. Poverty is an absence of choice. That’s why you have to continue learning. You have to learn a skill. I never tell people “good luck.” I always tell them “good skill.” Be creative. Nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa. God gave you skills. God will not help you if you don’t help yourself.

4. Work, save, invest, and prosper. You have to work. Address your needs but always save. Get into a business. Get life insurance or a personal accident insurance kung `yun lang ang kaya mo. We need a provident fund especially for our OFWs. We have 11 million Filipinos abroad. You put them and our people here in a provident fund, we can prosper ourselves. Combine GSIS and SSS funds and come up with a provident fund, just like what Singapore did. People have to learn to save something.

5. Help. Find extra time to help. Volunteer with the Red Cross. Kapag alam mong ginawa mo, bibiyaan ka. Helping others is a reward in itself.

6. Lead by example. The Philippines would improve if it elects a leader who can inspire, able to communicate by word and deed, provides a vision, extracts values, and displays integrity. Demand from your leaders. Ask for their qualifications. Look for their record.

7. Be independent. I had to fight big guys but I couldn’t tell my dad. He encouraged me to learn judo to protect myself. You have to learn to survive. You have to learn to stand your ground. Those guys who tried to bully me, I stood up to them.

8. Learn from your mistakes. I learn from my mistakes. I learn from other people’s mistakes. There’s only one thing I can never learn: to be overly materialistic. I don’t pay the media to cover me. I don’t pay for my press releases. If my being straightforward is a mistake, that’s a mistake I’ll keep on repeating.

9. Be assertive. We’re like makahiyas. We shouldn’t be. We shouldn’t be an adapting culture. We’re resilient but we don’t assert ourselves. We’re a happy people. That’s good psychology. We laugh at ourselves. We’re an accommodating culture. We shouldn’t be. We should live by the national anthem, by our oath.

10.Make fear your friend. During the Mt. Pinatubo eruption, I told myself we’re not going to allow ourselves to die here. I prayed, “If you’re going to take me, take me. Please though, don’t make me look bad as I lead.” You must make fear your friend.