Devt policy loans hog WB’s $2.8-B PHL project pipeline
November 20, 2023
THE Philippines’s project pipeline with the World Bank amounted to $2.8 billion with the largest allocations being for two development policy loans (DPLs).
Banana sector to new DA chief: Set up fruit research center for high-value crops
November 20, 2023
LOCAL banana growers and exporters are urging the new agriculture secretary to prioritize the establishment of a fruit research center that would aid not just the banana industry but other high-value crops in combating pests as well as boosting produc...
Marcos pushes new tieups with Starlink to boost Net
November 20, 2023
UNSATISFIED with the country’s internet speed, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is now pushing for a new partnership with United States-based tech firm Starlink to improve online accessibility for Filipinos.
SC affirms legality of Price Act penalty on profiteering
November 20, 2023
THE Supreme Court has affirmed the constitutionality of the provision penalizing profiteering under Republic Act No. 7581 or The Price Act.
Israel says Houthis have seized ship in Red Sea
November 20, 2023
Israel said on Sunday that Yemen's Houthis had seized a British-owned and Japanese-operated cargo ship in the southern Red Sea, describing the incident as an "Iranian act of terrorism" with consequences for international maritime security.
Unionbank touts AI’s role in security, efficiencies
November 20, 2023
SINGAPORE—Unionbank of the Philippines (UBP) is ramping up its deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) to beef up security, improve efficiencies, and further tailor financial solutions for different demographics in the Philippines.
No one left behind
November 20, 2023
What can P670 million do? On the part of the legislative and executive branches of government, plenty. Working in tandem, the House of Representatives and the Department of Social Work and Community Development recently launched a program to distribute P670 million worth of financial and rice assistance to an initial 335,000 poor Filipino families in […]
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‘More work needed to improve PHL resilience to disaster’–UN
November 20, 2023
UNITED Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction Mami Mizutori has hailed the Philippines’s disaster risk reduction effort even as she reiterated that more work needs to be done to improve the country’s resilience.
Face-to-face classes in Pasig still on despite transport strike, says LGU
November 20, 2023
Face-to-face classes in Pasig City will continue despite the three-day transport strike that will begin on Monday, the city government said.
Solons weigh in on Sarangani quake
November 20, 2023
SURIGAO del Sur 1st District Rep. Romeo Momo Sr. said a review of the National Building Code of the Philippines (NBCP) is long overdue citing the recent damage to infrastructure caused by the 6.8-magnitude earthquake in Sarangani.
PRC to offer psychological aid to Pinoys affected by Gaza war
November 20, 2023
AMID the Israel-Gaza conflict, the Philippine Embassy in Israel has requested the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) to provide psychological first aid (PFA) and counseling services to the affected overseas Filipinos there, the PRC announced through a statement.
Makati City employees to receive bonuses early
November 20, 2023
CHRISTMAS came early to Makati city government employees after Mayor Abigail Binay ordered the release of yearend bonuses amounting to P569.47 million.
Bong Go brings up pension concerns of senior citizens
November 20, 2023
DURING the Senate plenary session on the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) 2024 budget on November 16, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go raised critical questions and issues regarding the implementation of increased pensions for indige...
Imus LGU acts vs illegal sale of hazardous cosmetics
November 20, 2023
RESPONDING to a report and public health warning pitched by the toxics watchdog EcoWaste Coalition, the local government unit (LGU) of Imus, Cavite has ordered owners of six retail stores to immediately remove cosmetics products tainted with mercury o...
PHL generates strong interest in World Travel Market-London
November 20, 2023
PHILIPPINE travel and hospitality companies are all chuffed about their participation in the recent World Travel Market (WTM) in London, with many expressing excitement about the strong buzz the Philippines continues to generate in the int...
The thaw
November 20, 2023
“Far from being a dance of the sabers, Xi was simply warming up the temperature that has caused the world to be on edge” The setting was perfect. Away from the madding crowd, sheltered in a huge estate in the rolling hills off the California coast called Filoli, the two most powerful leaders of the […]
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Senate panel hikes budget for literacy, education poll
November 20, 2023
THE Senate Committee on Finance adopted Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian’s proposal to increase the budget for the implementation of the Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS), a nationwide household-based poll of data on basic and...
MPTC keen on stake in toll road operator in Indonesia
November 20, 2023
Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) may spend some $600 million in its bid to acquire a 35-percent stake in Indonesia’s Jasamarga Transjawa Tol.
IP filings, gross income to exceed 2022 results
November 20, 2023
THE Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) expressed confidence that it will exceed last year’s record of intellectual property (IP) filings and gross income.
DMW hopes to utilize ₱725M remaining fund
November 20, 2023
THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) still has over P725 million in its “Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFW na Nangangailangan,” or “Aksyon,” Fund, which can be used to assist more overseas Filipino workers (OFW) this year.
Hive Health acquires Health Plan
November 20, 2023
Hive Health Philippines Inc., a health insurance startup, said it has acquired Health Plan Philippines Inc. (HPPI), one of the pioneers in health maintenance organization (HMO) service providers in the country.
Citystate Savings Bank opens Cabanatuan Branch Lite Unit
November 20, 2023
Citystate Savings Bank (CSBank) opened its Cabanatuan Branch Lite Unit, solidifying its commitment to providing accessible banking services in Central Luzon. The ceremony took place on Friday, November 17, 2023, marking CSBank’s 5th branch in the Cent...
System impact studies for 24 power projects get nod
November 20, 2023
The Department of Energy (DOE) has endorsed 24 power projects to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) for the conduct of system impact studies (SIS).
‘Bank lending in regions key to boosting trade in services’
November 20, 2023
FINANCIAL regulation that ensures the availability of loans in regions is key to boosting trade in services nationwide, according to a discussion paper published by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
European traders seek simpler import process
November 20, 2023
THE European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) is lobbying the Bureau of Customs (BoC) to simplify requirements that its members say make it “difficult” to import goods.
LandBank extends ₱4.3B loan to Pangasinan LGU
November 20, 2023
STATE-run Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) announced having extended a P4.3-billion loan to the provincial government of Pangasinan to improve the province’s public, health and tourism services.
UnionDigital Bank to launch sachet loan product in 2024
November 20, 2023
The UnionDigital Bank Inc. sees a huge business and social opportunity in introducing a sachet loan product—“high-frequency lending” as executives call it—in the Philippines.
Data platforms in 2024
November 20, 2023
DATA-driven decision making is a core ambition for most modern organizations to effectively understand current performance, identify risk and plan for the future. Yet many organizations remain overwhelmed by the amount of data they have. Despite inves...
Solon pitches scheme to cut local rice prices
November 20, 2023
The Department of Agriculture (DA) should consider channeling the P40 billion in annual subsidies for the rice sector to a contract-growing program that will enable government to sell rice to the poor at P20 per kilogram, according to a lawmaker.
India seen keeping rice export bans into 2024, holding up global prices
November 20, 2023
India, the world’s top rice exporter, is expected to maintain its curbs on overseas sales well into next year, a move likely to hold the staple grain at close to its highest price levels since the food crisis of 2008.
FAO announces new additions to global agri heritage network
November 20, 2023
A pasture system in Andorra, hay milk in Austria, areas growing chestnuts, white ginger and waxberries in China, flood-spreading gardens and a walnut cultivating region in Iran and an all-female fishery in the Republic of Korea have become the latest ...
Govt fight against agri smuggling hits ‘crucial milestone’–Romualdez
November 20, 2023
Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Sunday said the recent apprehension of a suspected large-scale onion smuggler marks a “crucial milestone” in the government’s ongoing battle against the smuggling and hoarding of agricultural products.
Besides chocolates, beer, Belgium also a vaccine powerhouse
November 20, 2023
In this Flanders town in Belgium known for its strong local beer Duvel lies the vaccine manufacturing site of pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, making its factory the center in the COVID-19 vaccine race.
DOST hails Meralco, Aboitiz nuclear energy initiatives
November 20, 2023
The chief of the Department of Science and Technology’s nuclear unit, the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, hailed the separate initiatives of two of the country’s blue-chip conglomerates, Meralco and the Aboitiz Group, on the potential adoption o...
Harsher penalties sought for jailed drug kingpins
November 20, 2023
Drug kingpins who have been lording it over national penitentiaries for decades may soon spend more years behind bars once a measure at the House of Representatives is approved and concurred in by the Senate.
59 Pinoys in Lebanon not allowed to return to Philippines
November 20, 2023
At least 59 Filipinos in Lebanon, who signed up to avail themselves of the Philippine government’s voluntary mass repatriation, were not allowed to return to the country due to their current contractual obligations.
Michelle Dee among 10 finalists in Miss Universe
November 20, 2023
Philippine bet Michelle Dee concluded her Miss Universe 2023 journey in the Top 10 during coronation night Saturday in El Salvador.