Top News

By Rose de la Cruz When El Nino was very much around, the sporadic blackouts and power outages were blamed to high cost of fuel, low dam levels to run the hydroelectric power plants amid a surging demand caused by the unbearable heat forcing residents to turn all electric fans and airconditions. But even after El Nino, the energy crisis …

By Rose de la Cruz The jeepneys that government imposes for its public transport modernization program, from Japan and China, will only further bury the Philippines in debt, while tapping the biggest local manufacturers– which prep their jeeps for the electric vehicle stage can save the government much-needed dollars that it would otherwise buy in repaying for the imported ones. …

Pension fund embarks on further enhancement of management processes Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) maintains its ISO 9001:2015 certification following a successful revalidation audit conducted by TÜV Rheinland Philippines, Inc. The pension fund started its ISO certification bid in 2015 for its loans processing system. Over the years, it has achieved and maintained certifications for various other processes, including membership administration, …

By Rose de la Cruz While expressing undeserved optimism about the improving poverty situation in the country, the National Economic and Development Authority took cognizance of the need to revisit the controversial prescribed food bundle that has come under fire from most senators during the deliberations on the 2025 budget. NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, in a statement yesterday said, “part …

By Rose de la Cruz A study of the Asian Development Bank said middle income countries MICs), both lower middle and upper middle, stay in their classification for 14 years and 28 years on average, respectively. But the Philippines has stayed as a lower middle income country category since 1987, or 37 years, which means it overstayed in the LMIC …

By Rose de la Cruz Founded on February 14, 1995 under RA 7875 or the National Health Insurance Act (NHI), the law creating the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. promised to provide financial access to quality health care services through a social health insurance program. As such it was mandated to collect fees initially from members, and later expanded to all …

Private contractors called the Senate for an immediate probe on reported bid-rigging at the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) after several government-accredited contractors were denied to purchase bid documents for the Malatgao River Irrigation System (RIS) Project in Region 4-B.   Four AI construction firms, which previously participated in the bidding of government irrigation projects in the country, were denied to purchase bid …

By Rose de la Cruz The University of the Philippines clarified that its recent “declaration of cooperation” with the Armed Forces of the Philippines is not violative of academic freedom but is consistent with the UP’s mandate as a premium institute of higher learning. In a press statement, UP president Angelo Jimenez asserted this to quell the uneasiness and concerns …

By Rose de la Cruz Our leaders– past and present– get excited and avail of every Official Development Assistances (ODAs) offered by friendly governments to our country without even a well-defined project or program (including completed feasibility studies for them), even if such ODAs have stringent strings attached (including materials and consultants to be sourced from the ‘generous’ offerors). The …

Turnover of Portable Chest X-Ray Machine for Olongapo City from the Embassy of Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project (GGP) held in Olongapo City. (L-R) Fujifilm Philippines Inc. Vice President Mr. Takashi Miyako, City Health Officer Dr. Rodrick Bustamante, Embassy of Japan Second Secretary Ms. Tokiko Nishimura, Mayor Atty. Rolen C. Paulino Jr., CHSI Philippines Inc. Managing Director Dr. Carmina Aquino. and Ms. …