Transport Secretary Jaime J. Bautista placed 10th among the best performing Cabinet Secretaries under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration, according to a survey by RP Mission and Development Foundation Inc.’s (RPMD) job performance ratings.  In the independent, non-commissioned third quarter survey, Sec. Bautista posted a 75.8% rating on the overall job performance conducted last September 20-30, 2024.  Sec. Bautista vowed …

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and United States (US) firm UltraPass signed an agreement to enhance safety and operations at airports via an efficient digital identity verification.  Under the agreement, the DOTr will pilot UltraPass’ UAuth protocols to authenticate identities, which adds a layer of protection at the county’s airports.  The UAuth solution will be piloted at the Iloilo Airport …

This was a well-run, rigorous, and transparent tender process despite what Maersk has attempted to make people believe.  ICTSI is one of the largest terminal operators in the world and is, from an EBITDA standpoint, larger than Maersk’s APM Terminals. We outbid Maersk by 100M USD and they are attempting to use a non-essential technicality to ensure that the Government of South Africa does …

Eleven years ago, Typhoon Yolanda—the super typhoon that reshaped countless lives—made landfall and changed the face of the Philippines. Tacloban City, at the heart of the storm’s devastation, bore witness to unimaginable loss and hardship. Amidst this adversity, a group of young students rose resiliently from the wreckage, guided by hope and a renewed sense of purpose. Through the SM …

Worldbex Services International (WSI) and ABS CBN Foundation Inc. shared a commitment to building dreams and shaping the future together for two decades, creating lasting positive change for our nation. Together with Bantay Bata’s vision of becoming the Philippines’ most trusted foundation, where partners work together for the common good of our nation, these two organizations are committed to create …

By Rose de la Cruz Just when milling of sugarcane is starting to peak this month, the decision to import sugar from abroad has been put on hold to prevent local prices from plunging just like in recent years. The Department of Agriculture said sugar importation has been held until May 2025 following the conclusion of the current crop year’s …

By Rose de la Cruz Another myopic bill– that granting the Department of Agriculture the task of directly importing rice just because the substantial reduction on tariffs on rice imports did not lead to reduced retail prices of the staple– is being eyed at the Lower House, which could lead to a split personality for the DA. The DA is …

By Rose de la Cruz Tariff ccollections from rice for the last six months  will fall 57.45 percent to P12.1 billion because of the tariff cut to 15 percent until 2028. Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said the revenues from rice imports under the old tariff of 35 percent have been used to fund the programs and projects under the Rice …

The  Department of Agriculture is  encouraging farmers to plant a third crop utilizing either ratooning or inbred rice seeds to compensate for palay lost in the recent super typhoons,  DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said among the measures in the  rice  industry  roadmap are ramping up crop intensity, promoting ratooning and encouraging farmers to plant a third crop. Laurel …

The Department of Agriculture  estimated the toll from supertyphoon Kristine to agriculture and infrastructure at P5.75 billion and counting. The DA latest bulletin said the volume of production losses in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western and Eastern Visayas, Soccsksargen and Caraga Region reached 557,851 metric tons (MT). Broken down, rice …