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The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) on Thursday welcomed the appointment of Assistant Secretary Jeffrey Gallardo as the new chairperson of the NIA Board, following its transfer to the Office of the President (OP). In a statement, NIA Administrator Eduardo Guillen expressed optimism over the anticipated progress of the agency under Gallardo’s helm. “Your appointment marks a new chapter of leadership …

The recent revelation by the Department of Agriculture (DA) that nearly 500,000 sacks of rice remain uncollected at the Manila International Container Terminal is both alarming and unacceptable. With the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) pointing to deliberate delays by importers, the situation raises serious concerns about possible hoarding. This manipulation of rice supply to drive up prices is a clear …

By Rose de la Cruz Just like every other grant programs which are not treated seriously by their recipients, the Department of Labor and Employment’s TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers) grant program–  exacerbates underemployment, had failed to lead to a sustainable, quality job, according to a study of the UP. Assistant Prof. Benjamin Velasco of the UP Diliman …

By Rose de la Cruz Just recently, my millennial kids were discussing about their generation and those of succeeding ones (Gens Y, Z and Alpha) and the different characteristics, skills and concerns. The views and preoccupations of Gens Y, Z and Alpha are about socio-civic disparities and climate change and how they could help ease the impact of climatic aberrations. …

By Rose de la Cruz Every country dreams of economic growth. Some manage to attain even minimal growth while most don’t because of obstacles like geopolitical tensions, inflationary pressures, weak currencies and other factors. The Philippines undoubtedly managed to grow this year– though a US-based think tank– Global Source Partners Country Analysts Diwa Guinigundo and Wilhelmina Manalac– called it a …

By Rose de la Cruz Even without a typhoon— high tides, habagat and steady rainfall during rainy season– much of Metro Manila and surrounding provinces go under flood because of changing climate and the fact that many parts of Manila and suburbs are below sea level. And for the third straight year, the country has remained the most at-risk from …

By Rose de la Cruz Piqued by criticisms hurled by public officials of the meticulous scrutiny by the House at the ongoing hearings for the 2025 budget and how previous funds have been spent by national departments and state agencies, Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez warned that the Chamber would adopt a zero tolerance for those who undermine accountability while conveniently …

By Rose de la Cruz The Senate holds an executive session so that the chamber can get the views of individual senators and to allow them to raise questions or concerns that they prefer not to express in public. This was the manifestation of Sen. Pia Cayetano in last Tuesday’s session. She said the chamber’s decisions on sensitive matters will …

By Rose de la Cruz On behalf of state workers, particularly the over 800,000 contractuals and job order civil servants who retain their jobs for another year or  until December 2025, because of the April  order of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Bohol Rep. Kristine Alexie Besas Tutor thanked the Chief Executive on his birthday last Friday (Sept. 13). In a …

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has flagged 45 projects with official development assistance (ODA) funding as problematic, amid delays from implementation challenges, including right-of-way (ROW) acquisition issues. In its 2023 ODA portfolio review report, the NEDA said 58 of the 77 ongoing Investment Coordination Committee (ICC)-approved ODA-funded projects were assessed as of the fourth quarter of last year, …