National
40 areas face dangerous heat index Thursday
May 16, 2024, 7:25 am
MANILA – The weather bureau on Thursday warned of dangerous heat index levels in 40 areas across the country, with the highest at 46°C expected in Dagupan City, Pangasinan; Pili, Camarines Sur; and Butuan City, Agusan del Norte. The following areas are forecast to have a heat index ranging from… Read More
BPI to sell P29/kg rice, cheaper goods at Manila Kadiwa site May 16-17
May 16, 2024, 5:26 am
MANILA – The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) said Wednesday it will offer PHP29 per kilogram of rice alongside cheaper fish and vegetables on May 16 to 17 at the Kadiwa stall in the BPI Multipurpose Hall in San Andres, Malate in support of local farmers and consumers. In an advisory, the BPI said… Read More
Japanese ambassador pays courtesy call on PCO chief Garafil
May 16, 2024, 4:56 am
MANILA – Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya on Wednesday paid a courtesy visit to Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil. In a news release, Kazuya expressed his appreciation for Garafil's contribution to the deepening of Japan-Philippines relations and his… Read More
PH, UAE cap 1st round of FTA nego; latter targets conclusion in 2024
May 16, 2024, 4:53 am
MANILA – The Philippines and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) capped the first round of negotiations for the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), with the former targeting to conclude the talks by the end of 2024. The discussions were held in Dubai from May 6 to 8, with Trade… Read More
Absolute divorce bill hurdles 2nd reading in House
May 16, 2024, 4:49 am
MANILA – The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved on second reading a bill reinstituting absolute divorce in the country. It passed through voice voting House Bill (HB) 9349, or the proposed Absolute Divorce Act. The bill stipulates the grounds for absolute divorce, which include… Read More
LGUs told to update disaster plans, hazard maps amid looming La Niña
May 15, 2024, 11:07 pm
MANILA – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Wednesday urged local government units (LGUs) to update their disaster action plans and hazard maps to mitigate the effects of the looming La Niña phenomenon. In a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing, DILG Undersecretary Marlo… Read More
Regulating social media content needs ‘very delicate balancing act’
May 15, 2024, 10:50 pm
MANILA – For members of the House of Representatives, regulating social media content demands a “very delicate” balance between oversight and the preservation of freedom of expression. “This is not a new request,” Davao Oriental 2nd District Representative Cheeno Miguel Almario said in a… Read More
PNP ups cybersecurity measures after logistics data system 'breach'
May 15, 2024, 10:12 pm
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday ordered all police units to strengthen cybersecurity measures to protect its online systems from various threats. "The PNP chief (Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil) has given a directive not only to the Directorate for Logistics but for all… Read More
Padilla files bill amending RTL, NFA Charter
May 15, 2024, 9:36 pm
MANILA – Senator Robinhood Padilla on Wednesday filed a bill seeking to amend Republic Act No. 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) by enhancing the powers of the National Food Authority (NFA) in managing the country's rice supply chain to stabilize the price and supply of rice and provide… Read More
DSWD eyes adoption, alternative child care programs in facilities
May 15, 2024, 9:00 pm
MANILA – Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian has urged all residential-based facilities catering to children nationwide to include adoption and alternative care programs and services to their menu of agendas. “We are asking you to diversify and add to… Read More
Comelec: No substitution of bets allowed after COC filing deadline
May 15, 2024, 8:10 pm
MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will no longer allow substitution of candidates beyond the deadline of the filing period of certificate of candidacy (COC) for those running in the May 2025 midterm elections. In an interview Wednesday, Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia said… Read More
NEDA Board OKs P30.5-B school building resiliency project
May 15, 2024, 8:07 pm
MANILA – The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Board, which is chaired by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., has approved the PHP30.56-billion project to rebuild and reconstruct calamity-hit school facilities outside Metro Manila. The Department of Education’s (DepEd)… Read More
Bill strengthening Animal Welfare Act starts rolling in Senate
May 15, 2024, 6:08 pm
MANILA – The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform on Wednesday began discussions on Senate Bill (SB) 2458, which seeks to address animal welfare issues, including overpopulation, rabies incidence, and insufficient animal welfare programs, amending for the purpose Republic… Read More
PH aviation industry set to soar to new heights with Aviation Summit
May 15, 2024, 6:05 pm Updated on May 15, 2024, 10:19 pm
MANILA – The Philippine aviation industry is poised to soar to new heights and become a frontrunner among Asian counterparts by 2028 through increased investment and private sector participation in infrastructure, human capital, and sustainable development. This will be the highlight of the 2024… Read More
Reset of 2025 BSKE to give Comelec relief amid poll preps - exec
May 15, 2024, 5:46 pm
MANILA – The possible postponement of the December 2025 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) would give the Commission on Elections (Comelec) some breathing space as it also gears up for the midterm polls in May, an official said Wednesday. “Sa isang banda po sa parte ng Comelec… Read More
OPAPRU: IRR of amnesty grant to fast-track ex-rebels' integration
May 15, 2024, 5:43 pm
MANILA – The release of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of amnesty proclamations issued by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. would fast-track the integration of former rebels into mainstream society, Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary… Read More
Marcos calls for all-encompassing strategy to improve higher education
May 15, 2024, 5:40 pm
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday called for a “comprehensive and all-encompassing” strategy to improve the state of higher education in the country. This as the President noted that no Philippine university reached the Top 100 of the Times Higher Education’s 2024… Read More
PH faces challenges in digitalizing healthcare – DOH chief
May 15, 2024, 4:59 pm
MANILA – The Philippines continues to face challenges in digitalizing healthcare, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said. The country's geography is one of the factors, with nearly 60 percent of households still lacking internet access. "About 12 percent of Filipinos lack… Read More
BI to build new detention facility for erring foreigners
May 15, 2024, 4:37 pm
MANILA – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is expanding its detention facility inside Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City to make it more conducive to foreign detainees awaiting deportation. At the weekly Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum Wednesday, BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said two new buildings with… Read More
PAOCC monitoring ‘fake hospitals’ with POGO links
May 15, 2024, 3:47 pm
MANILA – The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said Wednesday it is monitoring hospitals with supposed links to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). This as the PAOCC recently raided a hospital at Hobbies of Asia Building along Macapagal Avenue in Pasay City… Read More
