December, 2024

• 16 December

  LGUs urged to be vigilant against POGOs

  

  President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. recently urged local government units (LGUs) to stay alert and proactive in monitoring Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), stressing the importance of increased vigilance and action against illegal operations. Speaking during the 2nd Joint National Peace and Order Council (NPOC)-Regional Peace and Order Councils (RPOCs) meeting at Camp Crame in Quezon City, Marcos revealed that …

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• 16 December

  Marcos advocates scientific innovation for better disaster response

  

  President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday urged government agencies and local governments to collaborate on science-driven innovations for a “more effective” disaster response system. Speaking at the 24th Gawad KALASAG National Awarding Ceremony at the Philippine International Convention Center, Marcos emphasized the need for continuous improvement in disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) strategies, given the evolving challenges faced …

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• 16 December

  Comelec exempts 49 infra projects from poll ban

  

  The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced last week that a total of 49 government infrastructure projects, including railways, hospitals, and airports, have been exempted from the public works ban during next year’s midterm election period. Comelec Chairperson George Garcia signed the certificate of exception on Dec. 11, which was made public on Friday.  According to the Comelec, these projects are …

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• 16 December

  US aids human rights groups vs. cybersecurity threats

  

  The United States is funding a program to strengthen the cybersecurity defenses of Philippine human rights organizations, the US Embassy in Manila announced Friday. Through the P16.8-million Cybersecurity for Human Rights in the Philippines (C4HR-PH) initiative, launched by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and The Asia Foundation, more than 150 local organizations will receive tools and training over …

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• 16 December

  2024 bar topnotcher is from UP

  

  A graduate of the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Law emerged as the topnotcher of the 2024 Bar Examinations, the Supreme Court (SC) announced on Friday. Kyle Christian Tutor clinched the highest score with an overall rating of 85.7700%. The SC reported that 3,962 out of 10,490 examinees passed the Bar, reflecting a 37.84% passing rate. Among the …

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• 16 December

  Rising Storms and the Climate Crisis

  

  The Philippines has long been accustomed to the fury of tropical storms and typhoons, with about 20 major weather events striking the nation or its surrounding waters annually.  However, the unprecedented onslaught of consecutive storms in a short span of time raises a red flag for the future.  Recent research from the World Weather Attribution network has linked this surge …

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• 16 December

  Gov’t told to fund crops other than rice

  

  Beyond Diliman By Rose Marie de la Cruz It’s not as though Filipinos only eat rice that too much emphasis– funds, attention and policy reforms– is being given to this staple crop. We also eat vegetables, dairy, fish, fruits, salt, onions, garlic, and more other than rice on a daily basis. Yet, little, if any emphasis or focus is given …

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• 16 December

  President Marcos signs law supporting RCEF until 2031

  

  With the recent signing by President Marcos of Republic Act 12078, extending the life of RA 11203 or the 2018 Rice Tariffication Law, until 2031, the rice sector would be assured of P30 billion each year for the industry’s development, which is envisioned to stabilize supply and market prices for the grain. The RTL or Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) …

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• 16 December

  Bamboo for construction

  

  Rizomeph,  a sustainable materials company based  in Cagayan de Oro, converts bamboo fiber into structural materials for constructing houses and buildings, wrote Edg Adrian Eva of Business World “The bamboo grass, with the application of science and technology, is being turned into beams, columns, and panels,” Christopher Ua-o, head of manufacturing at Rizome PH, told reporters during a recent factory …

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• 16 December

  US economist warns Phl is overtaxing tobacco

  

  Arthur Laffer, founder/chairman of Laffer Associated, an economic research and consulting company, has raised concerns that the Philippines’ tobacco excise tax rate has entered a “prohibitive range,” as indicated by declining government revenue. Laffer, known for the Laffer Curve theory which describes the relationship between tax rates and government revenue, highlighted that the continuous increase in tobacco tax rates has …

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