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The Philippines and Canada have signed their first federal-level bilateral labor and migration agreement, marking a major step toward strengthening protections for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) through fair recruitment practices and closer government collaboration. The Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) on Labor and Migration Cooperation was signed on Thursday in Vancouver by Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac and Canadian …

State-run Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has expanded its Balik Ginhawa (Loan Moratorium Through Refund) Program, allowing qualified members and pensioners to recover up to six months’ worth of eligible loan amortizations as part of the government’s continuing effort to ease their financial burden. The enhanced program, which took effect on July 1, enables qualified borrowers to apply for refunds …

A recent Pulse Asia survey found that an overwhelming majority of Filipinos support making rooftop solar more affordable, citing growing electricity demand and the need for cleaner, more secure energy sources. In a news release issued Thursday, Pulse Asia said 93 percent of respondents believe the government should make rooftop solar systems more affordable, reflecting strong public backing for policies …

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Thursday said the newly approved ₱85 increase in the daily minimum wage in the National Capital Region (NCR) will not only raise workers’ take-home pay but also increase several wage-related benefits mandated by law. Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said the wage adjustment, which takes effect in two tranches, will significantly improve the …

The Department of Energy (DOE) said the proposed Philippine Strategic Petroleum Reserve (PSPR) could transform the country into a regional oil storage hub while strengthening its energy security against global supply disruptions. During a Senate Committee on Energy hearing on Thursday, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the planned reserve would provide the Philippines with a reliable emergency fuel stockpile, improve …

Spokespersons for Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Thursday rejected allegations linking the former House Speaker to alleged anomalous flood control projects, insisting that no evidence has ever connected him to any irregularity in the planning, funding or implementation of the infrastructure projects. In a statement, lawyer Elaine Atienza said neither Senate and House investigations nor official probes …

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday reported an increase in threats targeting schools but said many of the incidents appear to be hoaxes intended to disrupt classes or prevent examinations from pushing through. PNP spokesperson Col. Allen Rae Co urged the public to remain calm, stay alert, and refrain from spreading unverified information that could trigger unnecessary fear. “We …

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday (Canada time) said the Philippines’ elevation to upper middle-income economy status sends a strong signal to global investors, reflecting years of economic reforms and improving policy credibility. Speaking during a joint press conference with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the Vancouver Convention Centre, Carney said the new classification highlights the country’s sustained …

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday said it is continuing to build a case against individuals who may have helped Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa allegedly evade arrest after he appeared at a Senate session on May 13 despite an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Justice Undersecretary Ian Norman Dato said a panel of prosecutors …

The massive rally that brought EDSA to a standstill demonstrated once again how easily Metro Manila can be thrown into paralysis when politics, religion and public protest converge. Regardless of the organizers’ intentions, the immediate victims were ordinary commuters, workers, businesses and emergency responders forced to endure hours of gridlock. Authorities must review whether contingency plans and traffic management were adequate, especially …