January, 2025

• 13 January

  Navy now more capable in manning Phl EEZ

  

  The Philippine Navy (PN) has significantly enhanced the operational readiness of its warships and marine units, bolstering its capability to conduct operations within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). PN spokesperson Commander John Percie Alcos emphasized in an interview on Friday that this improvement is essential for the Navy to fulfill its mandate under the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC).  …

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• 13 January

  EDSA to undergo massive rehab this year

  

  Upon the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the government is undertaking major infrastructure projects this year, including the complete rehabilitation of EDSA, the country’s busiest thoroughfare. This was revealed by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan during an interview on PTV’s Bagong Pilipinas Wednesday last week. Bonoan said improving the riding quality in EDSA …

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• 13 January

  Expanded benefits greet PhilHealth members for 2025

  

  The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) announced the launch of new and expanded health benefit packages on Friday, aiming to provide enhanced support for its members beginning this year.  PhilHealth President and CEO Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. stated that the necessary policy instruments and circulars for these benefits have already been issued.  The new packages include coverage for ischemic heart disease-acute …

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• 13 January

  PHLPost announces opening of more EMS hubs

  

  The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) will launch new Express Mail Service (EMS) delivery hubs in the National Capital Region (NCR) starting today, January 13, to enhance domestic and international EMS operations. According to a news release issued on Friday, the new hubs will be located in the central post offices of Manila, Quezon City, and Makati City.  These additions aim …

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• 13 January

  400 illegal aliens fall in raid on alleged Paranaque scam hub

  

  Immigration authorities apprehended approximately 400 illegal aliens during a large-scale raid on an alleged scam operation in Parañaque City, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported on Thursday. The raid, conducted on Wednesday, targeted a company in Barangay Tambo suspected of operating activities similar to Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO), according to BI Intelligence Division Chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. “The Bureau’s …

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• 13 January

  Securing the future

  

  The recent decision of the Social Security System (SSS) to increase its contribution rate from 14% to 15%, although met with some opposition, is a vital step in ensuring the long-term viability and sustainability of the country’s social security program.  This move, which aims to strengthen the SSS fund and extend its life until 2053, is essential for securing the …

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• 13 January

  DA tells importers to ship more rice at 25% brokens

  

  Beyond EllipticalBy Rose Marie de la Cruz Because of the continued disability of the National Food Authority to import rice and have control over the market and to support the Department of Agriculture’s cheap rice program– which it implements in its Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) centers at P40 per kg.– the DA is now pleading with importers to ship in …

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• 13 January

  DA pushes copra meal in place of costly feeds

  

  The Department of Agriculture (DA) is expanding its copra meal project to Western Visayas to provide a cheaper protein source alternative for animal feeds in the region. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said he ordered the expansion of the Protein-Enriched Copra Meal (PECM) commercialization project to the region to boost local livestock production. He said this development is expected …

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• 13 January

  FAO to set up local youth hub to promote farming

  

  The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will organize a youth hub in the Philippines in 2025 to engage young people in agriculture. FAO Philippines’ representative Lionel Dabbadie said part of the initiatives that FAO works globally include agrifood systems, which are related to innovations, indigenous peoples, and the youth. “We are at the stage of organizing …

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• 13 January

  FFF unconvinced about RCEF’s benefits

  

  The Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund under Republic Act 12078 has been extended to 2031 from tariffs of imported rice and the annual budget was raised from P10 to P30 billion supposedly to fund the modernization of the rice industry.  RA12078 was signed by President Marcos Jr. on December 9. RCEF programs include: seed distribution (of inbred and hybrid rice seeds); …

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