The Department of Agriculture (DA), led by Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., plans to blacklist importers involved in smuggling agricultural products. This bold move aims to combat an issue that undermines Filipino farmers and threatens national food security. Smuggling distorts market prices and introduces substandard products, posing public health risks. The DA’s decision sends a clear message of zero tolerance …
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By Rose de la Cruz High-level Philippine economic managers met with the Japanese business leaders recently highlighting the growth and investment opportunities in the country during the Philippine Economic Briefing on June 21 that saw 500 participants from the Japanese business community. The briefing’s theme: “PH On the Go: Fast tracking Economic Progress,” saw the participation of several Cabinet members …
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By Rose de la Cruz While praises and congratulations pour to newly-appointed Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara of the Department of Education– whose second term as senator ends next year– education stakeholders are optimistic that a “sunny” future awaits the department. President Marcos appointed Angara to DepEd a day after the latter indicated willingness to accept, if offered, the post. …
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By Rose de la Cruz Deaths from ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular diseases, including stroke, in 2023 rose by 18.9 percent, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported. The PSA said 118,936 died due to ischemic heart disease — heart weakening caused by reduced blood flow to the heart — equivalent to 18.9 percent of the 628,554 total deaths in 2023. Neoplasms …
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By Rose de la Cruz With the winnability of Donald Trump in the nearing US elections and his unpredictable foreign policy that analysts say is more transactional rather than rules-based, Philippine analysts are asking the Marcos administration to prepare for such an uncertainty, The Philippines must temper its security expectations from the United States and focus on strengthening ties with …
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By Rose de la Cruz Sugar producers under the Confederation of Sugar Producers Associations Inc. said there was no need to import sugar this year as inventories are sufficient to last until the start of milling season late this year. This after the Department of Agriculture bared last week that it is allowing 200,000 metric tons of sugar to be …
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By Rose de la Cruz Of the 69 priority infrastructure projects of the Marcos administration, 23 involve railway systems in keeping with the government’s dream of a ‘railway renaissance’ for the benefit of commuters and to spur economic growth that is currently being hindered by time lost in traffic and commuting. At a recent conference, DoTr Assistant Secretary Jorjette Aquino …
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By Rose de la Cruz Despite firm commitment and efforts to combat human trafficking, the Philippines landed anew the top place (Tier 1 rank) in the US Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report. Tier 1 is the highest rank indicating that the Philippines has completed the minimum standards in eliminating human trafficking. For this, Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla …
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Rose de la Cruz House think tank, Congressional Policy and Budget Research Development (CPBRD), in a study said, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) brought about by the Rice Tariffication Law and the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund was only marginal at 1.07 percent from 2019 to 2022. This despite the allocation of funds collected through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund. …
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By Rose de la Cruz The World Bank urged the government to invest in its youth now in terms of health, education, reskilling and upskilling before the Philippines gets old. At the launch of the Philippine Human Capital Review report, World Bank country director Ndianme Diop for Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand said “investing in human capital within a …
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