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By Jesse C. Ong The Philippine economy is bracing for a potentially more disruptive El Niño episode as the state weather bureau warned that the climate phenomenon is likely to intensify in the coming months, posing fresh risks to agriculture, energy, water supply, food prices, and other climate-sensitive industries. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said there …

The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Australian government have launched a ₱1.6-billion education partnership aimed at producing more job-ready Filipino senior high school graduates by aligning classroom learning with industry needs. Education Secretary Sonny Angara and Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong formally unveiled the Education Quality for Inclusive Prosperity (EQUIP) program at Mariano Marcos Memorial High School in …

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has directed banks to adopt stricter risk management measures when dealing with customers involved in casino junket operations as part of efforts to prevent the country’s financial system from being used for money laundering and other illicit financial activities. In a guidance paper released this week, the BSP outlined best practices for banks handling …

The government has strengthened its campaign against unfair trade practices by issuing new rules that will allow authorities to investigate and block the entry of imported goods produced wholly or partly through forced labor. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Finance (DOF), and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) signed last week a Joint Administrative Order (JAO) …

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is ramping up support for farmers in selected regions as it prepares for the expected impact of a looming super El Niño, with intensified assistance aimed at minimizing potential losses in the country’s rice production. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the agency will concentrate its interventions in rice-growing areas with more reliable water …

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned last week China’s latest water cannon attack against a Philippine government vessel in the Scarborough Shoal, describing the incident as “disturbing” and reaffirming Washington’s commitment to defending freedom of navigation and its treaty obligations to the Philippines. Rubio made the remarks after a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel blasted the BRP Datu …

The public has been urged to conserve water after Angat Dam, the main source of potable water for Metro Manila, fell to its lowest level in more than a decade amid the effects of El Niño and reduced rainfall. Data from the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) showed that Angat Dam’s water level dropped to 151.45 meters as of 8 …

South Korea is pushing to broaden the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR) into a wider regional food security mechanism as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East threaten global supply chains and heighten concerns over food and energy security. Speaking at the 27th ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Pasay City, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said …

The House prosecution panel will begin presenting two former Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) branch managers as its first witnesses under Article I of the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte, which centers on the alleged misuse and irregular disbursement of confidential funds. House prosecution legal spokesperson and private prosecutor Benjamin “Jay” Tolosa Jr. said the prosecution has …

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will adhere to existing laws and due process in any decision involving the possible disclosure of Vice President Sara Duterte’s tax and bank records in connection with her impeachment trial, Malacañang said on Thursday. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said any action regarding the release of the Vice President’s financial records would be governed by …