Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon gave an assurance for the continued operation of motorcycle taxis, as long as they ensure safe and convenient travel for commuters. Following Dizon’s meeting with George Royeca, founder of Angkas and a long-time advocate for transport modernization and rider welfare, the transport secretary said DOTr will soon issue a pertinent department order. Other motorcycle taxi operators …

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) utilized the vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua and an aircraft to challenge and escort a Chinese research vessel suspected of conducting illegal marine scientific research off the coast of Ilocos Norte. The Chinese ship Tan Suo 3 entered the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) last May 1. As of May 5, it was located at approximately …

Several Asian air carriers have re-routed or cancelled flights to and from Europe due to air attacks between India and Pakistan. India attacked Pakistan and Pakistani Kashmir with Pakistan sayaing it had shot down five Indian fighter jets in the worst fighting in more than two decades between the two enemies. Taiwan’s EVA Air said it will adjust its flights …

After the New NAIA Infrastructure Corporation (NNIC), the private operator of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport removed abandoned cars in parking spaces, it is now clearing idle aircraft in airside facilities. NNIC directed the owners of 27 aircraft abandoned in the general aviation area of the airport to retrieve them as soon as possible. Otherwise, NNIC would dispose of the …

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has received reports that an entity named “UNA Financing Corporation” is fraudulently using the BSP’s name and logo, and the names of BSP employees and officers.  The scheme involves collecting fees and personal information, purportedly to secure the BSP’s clearance for the loan releases sought by individuals. The BSP clarifies that it is not …

It might as well be called Better Philippines the way the dredging operation is improving the environment, the economy, and, of course, the lives of people. Better Rivers PH, a brainchild of Ramon S. Ang, San Miguel CEO and chairman, is working quietly to rehabilitate rivers and creeks in Metro Manila and in the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, and Laguna. …

BEYOND ELLIPTICAL By Rose Marie de la Cruz I agree with the observation of IBON Foundation Inc.’s Sonny Africa about the rollout of P20 per kg of rice in the Visayas as just a “temporary fix” for which consumers have to be thankful, but that long term solutions like supporting small farmers are what is needed for food security and improving …

Former Department of Agriculture  Secretary William Dar described the  first quarter growth of only of 1 percent  in agriculture this year as modest.  “It could have been better as the crops sector benefited from favorable weather,”  claimed Dar and other analysts, citing  the agriculture’s growth came from a low base last year due to El Nino. But DA Secretary Francisco …

The forest cover of the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape (UMRBPL) has significantly increased by 400 hectares from 2010 to 2020, a Department of Environment and Natural Resources official reported. DENR CALABARZON Regional Executive Director Nilo Tamoria said UMRBPL’sforest is now 44.37 percent bigger because of the continuous implementation of the National Greening Program (NGP) in the 26,000-hectare Protected …

Due to the rising  coconut oil prices, Filipino consumers are shifting to cheaper palm oil for cooking. The rising cost of coconut oil in the domestic market has been flagged by international observers and even by the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) as a factor that could affect consumption of the commodity and drive food prices up this year, Philippine Star …