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Senator Cynthia Villar has expressed concern that the ongoing enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in various parts of the country, which has been extended until May 15, is already taking its toll in the employment situation of the poor in the country. And more realistic and sustainable measures should be put in place. Villar recommends the opening of the labor intensive sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and construction for the poor and lower middle class. The agriculture sector is in full swing but some allied industries have limited operations or have ceased operations already. This has displaced food manufacturing workers and limited the supply of food in the market. “With the extension of the ECQ for another half a month, we need to intensify food production as well as ensured the unimpeded flow of fresh produce and food products all over the country,” said Villar. As widely reported in media, those employed in the construction and manufacturing sectors are adver...

Knowing full well that help should be given to those who need it more, Sen. Cynthia Villar asked the cooperatives to lead the distribution of relief goods to members who are severely affected by the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine. Photo shows members of the Mother Rita Multipurpose Cooperative in Candelaria, Zambales, receiving sacks of rice from Villar.

Sen. Cynthia Villar has expanded her family's relief efforts to include other provinces severely affected by the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine. Barangay officials of Suyo, Ilocos Sur and officials of Santa Cruz Savings and Development Cooperative receiving sacks of rice from Villar.

The enhanced community quarantine is a good time to start taking up productive hobbies like home gardening, Sen. Cynthia Villar said. Villar, chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture and Food and on Environment and Natural Resources, said work suspension and mandatory home stay created an opportunity to start worthwhile activities at home. “Sa atin na nasanay na laging may ginagawa, nahihirapan tayo paano papalipasin ang oras. Planting is something you can start alone or with your family. It’s a way of introducing agriculture to our children,” Villar said. Villar said there are tutorials accessible through the internet that can provide basic instructions on how to start your home garden. “Hindi kailangan ng malaking lupain. You can plant in small spaces or containers and start with crop varieties that are easy to grow like pechay, sili, tomato, eggplant, okra, calamansi, among others,” Villar said. Villar added that urban agriculture and vertical gardening should b...

Due to the various issues and challenges hounding the environment, compounded by increasing risks and hazards, Sen. Cynthia Villar underscores the importance of environmental planning for rural and urban spaces. Villar, chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, also recognizes the important role of economic planners in shaping a sustainable future for all of us. Villar was the Guest Speaker during the Philippine Institute of Environmental Planners (PIEP) 28th National Convention and 50th Founding Anniversary held at the PICC in Pasay City.

Re-electionist Senator Cynthia A. Villar has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will provide housing for 2,000 families residing at Isla Puting Bato in Parola, Tondo, Manila. Together with Villar are members of the House of Representatives led by House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and representatives from Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), National Housing Authority (NHA) and Philippine National Railways (PNR). The senator, known as “Mrs. Hanepbuhay,” has committed to continue her advocacy in giving livelihood  programs and jobs to poor Filipinos.

Saying more Filipinos should be able to afford healthy and safe organic products, Sen. Cynthia Villar urged her colleagues in the Senate to pass the bill that will provide for a more affordable system of organic certification. Villar, chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture and Food, sponsored Senate Bill No. 2203 under Committee Report No. 625, which amends Republic Act 10068 or the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010. The Organic Agriculture Act requires the certification of organic farms of small farmers by a third-party certifier to facilitate labeling and marketing of products to markets. However, farmers find the cost of third party certification with the tag price ranging from P42,000 to 150,000 per crop, valid for only one year, to be exorbitant.  “The high cost of certification creates a very big barrier for small farmers to overcome preventing them to participate, which ultimately hurts the growth and development of the organic movement,” Villar said. 1 7T...

Senator Cynthia A. Villar recognized the huge contribution of gamefowl breeders and suppliers,  pigeon raisers, financiers and suppliers  as  well as  suppliers of veterinary products and service providers to the gamefowl industry. During the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the 6th Gamefowl Festival at the SMX Convention Center at SM MOA, Pasay City, Villar thanked the industry for giving jobs, livelihood and business opportunities to our people. The re-electionist senator also wants our local gamefowl raisers, breeders, hobbyists  and traders to create or form  business ventures and partnerships with other participants  here and abroad. Also with the senator is Game and Amusement Board (GAB) Chairman Abraham Mitra.

The yearly summit that became the go-to event for trainings and discussions designed to address the needs of the overseas Filipino workers and their dependents will be having its eighth edition this month. Sen. Cynthia Villar, in her capacity as director of the Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance (Villar SIPAG), announced that the 8th OFW and Family Summit will be held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City on Nov. 21. The one-day summit with the theme “OFW: Perang Pinaghirapan, Palaguin,” will be focusing on topics that will guide OFWs and their families how to make their money grow. “We all know a story about an OFW who, after years of toiling abroad, comes home with little or no savings. We want these tragic stories to end and want happier endings for all our OFWs,” Villar said. “This summit will provide the tools that will make our OFWs financially-smart. We have lined up experts to teach financial literacy and to share pointers on investm...

The best cooks in the 20 barangays of Las Piñas City got together recently to showcase their best dishes and desserts for the annual cooking competition that kicked off the festivities for the city’s 2018 Food Festival. Sen. Cynthia A. Villar welcomed the participants as she lauded them for going the extra mile in using modern techniques to make original and sumptuous culinary creations that display the Filipinos’ imaginative minds and innovative skills. ‘Filipinos are popular for their ingenuity. We are known for our ability to replicate foreign dishes and changing their tastes by introducing local ingredients to give them the unique flavors of the Philippine islands. Through this cooking competition, residents of Las Piñas City become gastronomic witnesses to the creativity of our local cooking experts,‘ said Villar, director of the Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance (Villar SIPAG). The senator said the cooking competition is a friendly contes...

In pursuit of her advocacy to restore ecological balance in the midst of worsening environmental threats due to climate change, Sen. Cynthia A. Villar pushed residents of Baseco in Tondo, Manila to turn their garbage into useful materials as their contribution to global efforts to preserve and protect the world’s natural resources. ''There is money in garbage. Let us work together in finding ways to recycle our waste materials, which will not only help in protecting our environment but at the same time will augment your incomes,'' Villar said as she turned over handmade paper machines to the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission, which Baseco residents can use to make specialty handmade paper products. Handmade papers are sheets of paper or boards produced by hand. The raw materials used for making handmade paper are waste. Handmade papermaking machines produce specialty papers. One of the livelihood activities of residents of Gasangan Street in Baseco, Ton...

The Havana Club livens up the Sipag Villar Commercial Center at C-5 Extension Road, Pulang Lupa Uno in Las Pinas City. During its soft opening recently, Senator Cynthia Villar welcomed guests to the elegant Havana Club whose ambiance is inspired by her family's visit to Cuba many years ago. She also admires the colorful paintings that hang on the walls of the classy and clean bar. "Itong mga paintings na ito sa streets of Cuba lang namin nabili ang mga yan, mga 10 years ago. Mahilig sila mag-painting sa kalye," the senator said. (These paintings were bought in Cuba 10 years ago.  They love to paint in the streets). Havana Club has a stylish bar. It's the perfect place to enjoy a tropical Cuban themed resto in the heart of the city. Enjoy Latin-inspired dishes and tapas or sample some of the finest rums and drinks from their selection. Havana Club is all set up to be a great place to spend the night away with good food and acoustic live music. Ami...

Economic growth will thrive and more livelihood opportunities will open up in clean and healthy communities, Sen. Cynthia A. Villar stressed on Tuesday as she led the distribution of 5,000 toilet bowls in Baseco compound in Tondo, Manila. “Personal hygiene is a key factor in making your homes a more conducive place to live in. It should be a primordial concern of all families, especially those living in crowded areas,” said Villar, who is the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. Villar commended the participation of government agencies to construct a communal septic tank and toilet bowls for Baseco residents in the bid to address the problem of poor sanitation in the area, made worse by the practice of open defecation due to the lack of toilet facilities. She partnered with the Departments of Health (DOH), Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Agriculture (DA), and Public Works and Highways (DP...

Senator Cynthia A. Villar is in search of dishes that's delicious, original and most of all, made in Las Pinas. "Naghahanap po talaga tayo ng recipe na pwede nating ipagmalaki sa ibang  bayan," said Mrs. Villar at the opening of the 4th Las Pinas Food Festival held at the Villar SIPAG in Pulanglupa Uno last May 26. "Naiingit po ako sa ibang bayan - pag sinabi n'yong Malabon, may Pansit Malabon sila at sapin-sapin. Pag sinabi n'yong Iloilo, may Pancit Molo sila. Pagsinabi nyong Ilocos meron silang bagnet, empanada at empanaditas,"she added. "So siguro sa kagagawa nating nitong ating festival,  in the future, pag sinabing Las Pinas, alam na natin kung ano ang pinakamasarap na iluluto ng mga taga Las Pinas para i-promote natin sa ibang bayan," the senator said. Mrs. Villar, director of the Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance (Villar SIPAG), cited the holding of food expos nationwide as it highlights mic...