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By Rose de la Cruz So much for the race to becoming an upper middle income (UMI) economy, the Philippines has to grapple with around 2 million Filipino children under 5 years old living in severe food poverty and malnourishment. In fairness to the Philippines, food poverty stalks at least 20 countries, many of them now gripped by conflict and …

By Rose de la Cruz Mayors and government leaders from eight countries met in Siargao recently for the first international field immersion of Coastal 500, a global network of mayors and government leaders who have pledged to protect their home coasts. Coming from Indonesia, Micronesia, Palau, Brazil, Guatemala, Honduras, Mozambique and neighboring islands in the Philippines, the mayors and government leaders …

China’s claim that the Filipino soldiers stationed at Ayungin Shoal pointed guns at Chinese Coast Guard during a resupply mission on May 19 is extremely absurd, if not downright waggish. After several brushes with the Philippine troops on the West Philippine Sea that always ended with CCG ships blasting water cannons on the hapless Filipinos, China, obviously, is now playing …

Climate advocates urged Japan to “undertake drastic measures to rapidly phase out fossil fuel investments in Asia” in line with global climate goals instead of promoting fossil gas and false technology solutions, like ammonia co-firing, in the three-day Japan Energy Summit which begins in Tokyo today, June 3. Pro-climate proponents reminded summit attendees that  “False Solutions Have No Place In …

On June 1, 2024, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) celebrated its 50th anniversary, marking half a century of dedicated service and significant contributions to the Philippine maritime industry. Established to oversee and develop the country›s maritime sector, MARINA has played a pivotal role in shaping the maritime policies and practices that have fostered growth, safety, and innovation in the industry. …

More major manufacturers of basic necessities and prime commodities have committed to implementing a voluntary price freeze in support of Filipino consumers amid rising prices of goods and the ill effects of the El Niño phenomenon, the Department of Trade and Industry announced last Saturday. In a statement, the DTI said several firms, including Monde Nissin, Alaska Milk Corporation, Nestlé, …

Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto has welcomed the decision to exempt trucks carrying agricultural goods from toll fee hikes and avail of rebates beginning June 1, 2024 in order to reduce food inflation and ensure the stability of food prices. “I thank our government agencies as well as our partner toll expressway concessionaires and operators for their full cooperation. This …

Filipinos with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes, shoulder significant out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. This finding was highlighted in a recent webinar conducted by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) featuring the study titled “Determinants of Household Out-of-Pocket Expenditure on Noncommunicable Diseases”. Authored by PIDS Consultant Lovely Ann Tolin and PIDS Senior Research Fellow Valerie Gilbert …

The government has confiscated more than P25 million worth of illegal vape products in the first five months of the year, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reported on Saturday. The DTI seized P25,874,175 worth of illegal vape products, surpassing the agency’s total illegal vape seizure for the entire 2023, amounting to P5,453,852. Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual attributed these …

One in eight children in the world have been victims of non-consensual taking, sharing and exposure to sexual images and video in the past 12, according to a study of the University of Edinburgh. The Agence France Presse citing the study said this number based on the data of the university’s Childlight Global Child Safety Institute which did the study. …