Public transport fares are set to rise as the government seeks to help drivers and operators cope with surging fuel costs while keeping the impact on commuters in check. Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the fare adjustment was intended to strike a balance between the needs of the transport sector and the millions of …
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Malacañang has urged Filipinos to prepare for the possible effects of a strengthening El Niño but warned against panic buying and hoarding of bottled water, saying the government is ready to address potential disruptions in water supply. Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Thursday that preparations are already underway, including measures to assist farmers and …
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Weather and agricultural data will be combined under a new government partnership aimed at helping Filipino rice farmers better prepare for typhoons, droughts and other climate threats that can damage harvests. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) have signed a data-sharing agreement that will provide farmers and government planners with …
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The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is stepping up its nationwide monitoring of basic necessities and prime commodities as rising fuel costs threaten to push up the prices of food and other essential goods. Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque has ordered DTI offices across the country to closely monitor groceries, supermarkets and other markets to ensure that businesses do …
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The head of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) is set to take the witness stand today as the impeachment court resumes proceedings on allegations that Vice President Sara Duterte amassed unexplained wealth. AMLC Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura was originally scheduled to testify Thursday, but the impeachment court moved his appearance after Duterte’s defense team sought more time to examine financial …
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The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has imposed daily fines on Globe Telecom, Smart Communications and DITO Telecommunity over alleged deficiencies in their mobile broadband services. Under separate show-cause orders, the three telecommunications companies were each fined ₱100,000 per day until they comply with the required quality-of-service standards. The NTC said it will conduct tests every two weeks in affected areas …
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Filipinos now have another option for cheaper medicines as the country’s first “Pambansang Botika” opened at the Social Security System (SSS) Diliman branch in Quezon City, offering mostly generic drugs at prices as low as ₱1. The Philippine Pharma Procurement Inc. (PPPI), a government-owned corporation, said bulk purchases of medicines from India, China and the Philippines allow it to offer …
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Cash-flow constraints and the government’s need to prioritize spending, rather than political retaliation against lawmakers, are behind delays in the release of funds for some infrastructure and social assistance programs, according to House members. Quezon 1st District Rep. Wilfrido Mark Enverga and Ilocos Sur 2nd District Rep. Kristine Singson-Meehan of the Nationalist People’s Coalition said last week that delayed releases …
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Malacañang defended the continuing role of the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) last week, saying it was created for a purpose different from the developmental financing functions of government-owned financial institutions. Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the MIF remains focused on generating long-term value through strategic and profitable investments that support the country’s socioeconomic development. …
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Six local government units in Metro Manila will resume implementing the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) today following the lifting of the temporary restraining order that had suspended the system. The participating LGUs are San Juan, Quezon City, Manila, Parañaque, Muntinlupa and Valenzuela. Metro Manila Council President and San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora said the LGU-led NCAP will focus on …
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