Juan Miguel Zubiri, more popularly known as Migz Zubiri and one of the candidates of the upcoming senatorial elections, was a Senator in the 14th Congress of the Philippines and a congressman representing the third district of Bukidnon. He is a member of Lakas CMD.
Migz Zubiri resigned as senator on August 3, 2011 after being accused of poll fraud. The one who was allegedly wronged, Senator Koko Pimentel, took over his post.
His dramatic resignation from the Senate two years ago after allegations of poll fraud is still etched in the voting public’s mind though, a pity considering the prodigious 651 laws he has championed and a record perfect attendance in the Congress’ plenary sessions for 12 years.
Juan Miguel Zubiri graduated from University of the Philippines Los Baños with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness. Since then, Migz Zubiri was involved in environmental programs and became the founder of the Philippine Deer Foundation, a deer conservation project, and president of Katala Foundation, a Palawan-based organization that protects endangered wildlife species and their habitats.
As a politician, Juan Miguel Zubiri served the 3rd District of Bukidnon from 1998 to 2007. During his term as senator, he helped steer the Senate to a record performance of around 650 bills enacted into laws. Juan Miguel Zubiri was the principal author and sponsor of more than 20 major laws. Miguel Zubiri worked for the passage of RA 9513 or the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 and RA 9367 or the Biofuels Act of 2006, earning him the moniker Mr. Clean Energy. Among the other laws Migz Zubiri sponsored, principally authored or co-authored are: Organic Agriculture Act of 2010; Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act; RA 9679 – the Home Development Mutual Fund Law of 2009 (Pag-IBIG Fund); and RA 9997 – the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Act of 2009.
Platforms/Advocacy of Juan Miguel Zubiri
Migz Zubiri’s platforms include health, education, environment, peace and development, and food security.
HEALTH
- Totally free health care and services, including hospitalization, in government hospitals and health facilities under the “No Balance Billing” program – amend the Universal Health Care Act
- Oppose privatization of government hospitals
- Strengthen government hospitals’ services including free medicines to patients
- Upgrade government health centers and facilities
EDUCATION
- “Food for School Program” – provide free breakfast and lunch for public elementary and high school students
- Strengthen linkages between government agencies and State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in Research and Development
- Upgrade the salary grade of Teachers’ entry level from SG 10 to 18
- Establish special education centers for special students in every DepEd school division through the enactment of Special Education Act
- Enact Magna Carta for Students
ENVIRONMENT
- Enact the National Land Use Act (NaLUA) and the Forest Preservation and Rehabilitation Act
- Enact “Araw ng Kalikasan” for tree-planting and other environmental activities, and Magna Carta for Environment and Natural Resources Personnel Act (to protect and give benefits to environmental workers)
- Establish more Protected Areas
- Strengthen the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management capability of all LGUs
- Monitor strictly the implementation of the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Solid Waste Management Act
PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT
- Enact the enabling law on the Framework Agreement on the proposed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region
- Implement the Mindanao Railway System
- Strengthen the cooperative sector
- Amend the Consumer Protection Law to enhance consumer protection
FOOD SECURITY
- Establish “food corridor” in every region
- Establish also agricultural centers in every region and focus government funding in these areas
- Enact the Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization Act
- Re-nationalize the municipal agricultural officers
- Increase the real property tax on idle private agricultural lands
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