December, 2024

• 23 December

  New Air Force chief to push for integrated air defense system

  

  Newly appointed Philippine Air Force (PAF) commander Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura has pledged to spearhead the successful implementation of an integrated air defense system during his tenure, emphasizing a mission-focused and values-driven approach. “Under my term, I intend to pursue a command thrust that focuses on the mission essential task and clearly defines the imperatives for a successful implementation of …

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• 23 December

  Tolentino calls out ERC on power rate reset delay

  

  Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino urged the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) on Friday to address long-standing issues with power rate resets, particularly its handling of the Manila Electric Corp.’s (Meralco) rate reset process. Tolentino criticized the ERC’s inaction, noting that Meralco’s last rate reset expired in 2015 and the commission only allowed the withdrawal of Meralco’s rate reset application on …

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• 23 December

  Tough Challenge

  

  The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) stands at a crossroads where its financial strength must be translated into meaningful healthcare reforms.  With total assets of P628.2 billion, including P150 billion in surplus funds, the agency’s fiscal position is robust enough to weather the loss of a P74-billion government subsidy under the 2025 national budget.  Yet, as Senator Loren Legarda emphasized …

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• 23 December

  Returning rice trade to NFA for price stability is a myth

  

  Beyond Diliman By Rose Marie de la Cruz Since Martial Law, I had been covering the Department of Agriculture and its agencies, including the National Food Authority, and I could say that back then the country went through a most embarrassing rice crisis (with long queues and no stocks), which was in a large part due to mismanagement and patronage …

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• 23 December

  DA pushes for organic fertilizer to heal the soil

  

  The Department of Agriculture is pushing for the use of organic fertilizer after decades of massive chemical fertilizer usage has degraded 80 percent of the country’s farm lands, DA Operations Undersecretary Roger Navarro stressed the need to foster awareness  that soil degradation comes from the abused use of inorganic fertilizer. “Our estimate [for soil degradation] is we’re at least already …

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• 23 December

  SINAG calls for fast deployment of hog, poultry vaccines

  

  The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) asked the government to expedite the approval of the African Swine Fever (ASF) vaccine for commercial use, to ensure a speedy recovery of hog farming. “We hope that the (Food and Drug Administration) approves the vaccine,” SINAG Chairman Rosendo O. So said at a briefing. The Department of Agriculture (DA) said the approval for …

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• 23 December

  Spike in artificial sweetener imports blamed for falling sugar millgate prices

  

  The Department of Agriculture said the drop in the millgate prices of sugar could have been caused by competition from imported artificial sweeteners. Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said the projected drop in sugar production this year due to the effects of El Niño and La Niña led to soaring imports of artificial sweeteners. “Two weeks ago, I …

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• 23 December

  Agriculture department stops importation of live cattle/buffalo from Japan

  

  To  protect local cattle and water buffalo from lumpy skin disease (LSD), the Department of Agriculture stopped the importation of live cattle and buffalo from Japan.  LSD is a viral infection which affects cattle and buffalo and can lead to severe health complications and death. Its symptoms include fever, skin nodules, weight loss, swollen lymph nodes, and fluid accumulation under …

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• 23 December

  Merry Christmas for Batang Pier

  

  By Robert Andaya It’s a Merry, Merry Christmas for NorthPort Batang Pier, after all. The Batang Pier ended the year 2024 on a high note, defeating Hong Kong Eastern, 120-113, and taking the solo lead in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City. Led by import Kadeem Jack and Arvin Tolentino, the Batang Pier recovered from …

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• 23 December

  ‘Kelra’ downplays historic performance in M6 championships

  

  Duane “Kelra” Pillas is refusing to consider himself as one of the bests in the MLBB Esports even after a historic performance in the M6 World Championship that saw him become the first ever player to win Finals MVP in all major Moonton-sanctioned events. Already with Finals MVP award in MSC during his time with Execration, Kelra won the same …

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