Alagang Angara

The government has to do more to uplift the lives of the indigenous peoples (IPs), who remain among the poorest and disadvantaged social groups in the country, Senator Sonny Angara said today.

Over 25 years have passed since the enactment of Republic Act 8731 or the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) and yet Angara lamented that little headway has been made to improve the lives of the IPs. 

Senator Sonny Angara believes the Philippine sports is “having a moment” now with the unprecedented achievements coming its way.

Speaking at the hearing of the Committee on Sports today, Angara noted how Filipino athletes have been delivering victories on different fronts, some of which are milestones in Philippine sports.

Angara cited the recent victory of tennis star Alex Eala at the US Open junior tournament-- giving the Philippines’ its first ever Grand Slam singles title.

As part of the efforts to address unemployment and underemployment among the Filipino youth,  Senator Sonny Angara said there should be an intensified effort to produce more higher quality and higher paying jobs in the country.

Presiding over a hearing of the Committee on Youth as its chairman, Angara noted that majority of the jobs being occupied by Filipinos between the ages of 15 and 30 are some of the lowest paying in the country.

The Philippines’ hosting of the 2023 FIBA World Cup will serve as a stage for the country to showcase itself as both a hoops loving nation and a destination for tourism, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Chairman Senator Sonny Angara said today.

One year before the country opens its doors once again as a host country for the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Angara met with FIBA officials where they discussed the growth of Philippines basketball and the opportunities presented by the event for the Philippines.

In order to reverse the widening trade deficit and boost the growth of the economy, Senator Sonny Angara said there is a need to shift the government’s focus to producing more high-value industries and higher paying jobs.

Concerned over how the Philippines’ Association of Southeast Asian Nations neighbors have outpaced the country in terms of economic growth, Angara said a serious assessment of local industries must be done with the objective of helping them move up the value chain.

Senator Sonny Angara aired his full backing to the call of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for local government units (LGUs) to work with the private sector in the development of projects that will serve their respective constituencies.

As Chairman of the Committee on Finance, Angara said public-private partnerships (PPPs) are the way to go at this time when the government collections remain slow as the country is still on the road to economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Senate Committee on Youth chairman Sonny Angara welcomed the enactment of three laws that will foster the development of young Filipinos as future leaders and productive members of society.

“We are thankful for the inclusion of initiatives intended for the youth in the list of new laws. Programs for the youth are often neglected in the priorities of government but they deserve more attention since they represent the future of our country,” Angara said.

"Tayo ay nagpapasalamat at naging ganap na batas na ang pagdagdag ng social pension para sa ating mga senior citizens na ngayon ay magiging P1,000 na kada buwan. Ito ay napapanahon at nararapat lamang sa sektor na nakapag-ambag na ng malaki para sa ating lipunan. It's time to give back, ika nga. 

Makakaasa po ang ating kababayan na ang Senado ay patulong na aalagaan at bibigyang-pansin ang mga sektor na nangangailangan ng tulong at alalay. 

Senator Sonny Angara today called for the inspection and restoration of the heritage sites damaged by the magnitude 7.3 earthquake to ensure their preservation.

At least five persons were killed and over 100 more were injured as a result of the earthquake that originated in Abra last Wednesday.

Apart from the human casualties, the quake also damaged infrastructure, residential buildings and historic/heritage sites, including those in the Ilocos Region.