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  • March 13, 2025 11:42 am

    BSP could cut by 50 bps this year

    By Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson, May 13, 2025; BusinessWorld https://www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/2025/03/13/659037/bsp-could-cut-by-50-bps-this-year/ THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has “greater motivation” to reduce borrowing costs further, analysts said, with expectations of up to 50 basis points (bps) worth of rate cuts this year. “As we look at our gross domestic product (GDP) figures and inflation rates, we can see that there’s more of a greater motivation for the central bank to actually cut rates now,” Regina Capital Development Corp. Equity Analyst Alexandra G. Yatco said on Money Talks with Cathy Yang on One News. In a report, Bank of America (BofA) Global Research said it expects a total of 50 bps worth of easing this year. “We currently see one 25-bp cut in the second quarter and then one more in the fourth quarter, bringing the overnight borrowing rate to 5.25% by end-2025,” it said. “Central banks across ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) have adopted a wait-and-watch approach, looking for periodic opportunities to ease monetary conditions to mitigate growing uncertainty, emanating from US trade policy, a steady yet slow China, and falling inflation.” Despite keeping the benchmark rate steady at 5.75% last month amid “global trade uncertainties,” BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. said they are still on an easing mode. He signaled that a rate cut is still on the table at the Monetary Board’s next rate-setting meeting on April 10. “With capital outflows dominating capital markets, central banks have stepped up to inject liquidity both to domestic money markets and foreign exchange markets, while tactically cutting policy rates as and when they can,” BofA said. “We expect this behavior to continue for some time, especially since real rates remain high, growth is uninspiring, and currencies are under pressure.” BofA said central banks in the region will look to cut rates given the opportunity, as long as this does not disrupt domestic and external stability parameters “Despite the meandering path central banks have chosen to take, the macro backdrop and our baseline forecasts still point towards broadly stable growth rates, low inflation, and stable fiscal positions,” it added. BofA expects Philippine inflation to remain within the central bank’s 2-4% target band. So far, headline inflation has averaged 2.5% in the first two months. “Most importantly, real rates remain high across all economies, giving space to cut rates and ease monetary conditions if needed,” it added. Meanwhile, BofA said ASEAN banks are expected to “slowly diverge from the Fed.” “As such, with significant uncertainty, we expect ASEAN central banks to keep balancing between global factors such as US policy rates and the (US dollar index), and domestic growth and inflation backdrop.” This could make the path of monetary policy “more erratic and uncertain, resulting in increased policy divergence between the Fed and the ASEAN economies, contrary to previous business cycles.” TARIFF CONCERNS Meanwhile, BofA also flagged the potential impacts from retaliatory tariffs on the Philippines. “The concerns around tariffs seem to be affecting the growth side more than the inflation front. As the export demand falls or global trade slows, ASEAN economies could be at a greater risk of a growth slowdown than the risk of an immediate inflationary spiral.” “Thus, economies such as Philippines and Thailand where domestic demand has remained sub-par could face further headwinds on the external front requiring a more initiative-taking policy,” it added. Reuters reported President Donald J. Trump’s increased tariffs on all US steel and aluminum imports took effect on Wednesday, stepping up a campaign to reorder global trade in favor of the US and drawing swift retaliation from Europe. (Related story “Global trade war looms as Trump’s metal tariffs kick in”). “For the Philippines, the benefit of being a domestic-oriented economy and having a less binding relationship with the US provides it some respite, but tariffs on Philippine exports to the US, especially if aimed at electronics, could diminish its surplus with the US and worsen its overall trade deficit.” The Philippines’ trade-in-goods deficit widened to $5.09 billion in January, the widest deficit in three months.

  • By Louise Maureen Simeon, March 11, 2025; The Philippine Star https://www.philstar.com/business/2025/03/11/2427384/government-releases-record-p49-trillion-cash-allocations Manila, Philippines — The government released a record P4.9 trillion in cash allocations last year largely to finance infrastructure projects, as well as the education sector, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said. Latest data from the DBM showed that the release of notice of cash allocations (NCAs) for 2024 rose by 10 percent to P4.9 trillion from P4.45 trillion in 2023. Even with the increase, government agencies recorded a higher utilization rate of 99 percent from 98 percent the year prior. This means that of the total releases, only some P72.6 billion was left unused as of end-2024. NCAs are disbursement orders by the DBM to government banks servicing the release of funds to agencies. State agencies are expected to use the NCAs to pay for the cash requirements of their programs and projects. A higher utilization ratio indicates greater capacity of agencies to implement their programs and projects. About 76 percent of NCA releases were secured by line departments at P3.72 trillion. The remaining 24 percent or P1.18 trillion was directed to other agencies, especially state-run firms and local governments. By sector, other agencies managed to use up the entire allocation for them to cover the internal revenue allotment, special shares and other transfers for LGUs. Line departments, on the other hand, registered a better utilization rate of 98 percent or P3.65 trillion for the NCAs they received in 2024. In 2023, the spending rate was at 97 percent. By departments, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Education (DepEd) still obtained the highest NCAs worth P968.86 billion and P730.68 billion, respectively. Data showed that DPWH managed to utilize its entire allocation while DepEd used up 98 percent. Aside from the DPWH, the Departments of Interior and Local Government, Labor and Employment and Social Welfare and Development; the Judiciary, Commission on Elections, Office of the Ombudsman and the Commission on Human Rights also recorded a 100 percent utilization rate. Other agencies that posted above 95 percent usage rate include the Departments of Agrarian Reform, Foreign Affairs, Health, National Defense, Tourism and Transportation; the National Economic and Development Authority, Civil Service Commission, Commission on Audit as well as state colleges and universities. The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development registered the worst utilization rate last year at only 67 percent of its NCAs totaling P2.25 billion out of the P3.37 billion allocation. The DBM came in second with a utilization rate of 72 percent at P2.2 billion out of P3.6 billion, while the Department of Migrant Workers is in third with a spending rate of 82 percent.

  • By Pia Lee-Brago, March 10, 2025; The Philippine Star https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/03/10/2427227/philippine-underscores-commitment-human-rightsat-un-panel MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has underscored its commitment to advancing human rights through inclusive governance and country-led partnerships. At a panel discussion on “The Fourth Philippine Human Rights Plan (PHRP4): A Call to Action, A Blueprint for Country-Led Partnerships,” held on the sidelines of the 58th Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Charles Jose stated that the plan is a roadmap for mainstreaming human rights in the Philippines’ national  development agenda with special focus on providing the necessary protection and  opportunities for advancement to individuals and groups in situations of vulnerability. “The PHRP4 reinforces the Philippines’ role as a staunch partner in the Human Rights Council, ensuring that human rights remain at the center of national policies and programs,” Jose said. Undersecretary Severo Catura of the Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat (PHRCS) emphasized that the PHRP4 was crafted through an inclusive and participatory process involving 485 civil society organizations and over 500 individual grassroots stakeholders from across the Philippines and the Commission on Human Rights. The Plan consists of eight chapters covering civil and political rights, economic and social rights, gender equality, child rights, the rights of persons with disabilities, elimination of racial discrimination, migrant workers’ rights, and the prohibition of torture and other inhumane treatment. These align with the core human rights treaties ratified by the Philippines. The PHRP4 fulfills one of the three pledges made by the Philippine government during the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Geneva in December 2023. “It is a call for action for governance that is firmly rooted on human rights and a nation that embraces and empowers all, especially the vulnerable and marginalized,” Catura added. Permanent Representative Carlos Sorreta, who served as moderator, said “The Philippines is investing in human rights and taking full ownership of continuing its efforts to further strengthen national human rights and accountability mechanisms. In implementing the Plan, the government will continue to engage external partners through concrete and cost-effective cooperative initiatives.” Abner Manlapaz, co-founder of Life Haven Center for Independent Living and senior associate at the Center for Inclusive Policy, represented civil society and shared his experience and insights from his direct involvement in the crafting of the Plan. “Moving forward, we call upon governments to deepen their collaboration with civil society, create enabling spaces for dialogue, and ensure that human rights remain a shared responsibility,” Manlapaz stated. The side event, organized by the Philippine Mission to the United Nations in Geneva and the PHRCS, was attended by representatives of states, international organizations and civil society. It is in line with the country’s longstanding policy of active engagement in the Human Rights Council, whose 58th session runs from Feb. 24 to April 4.

  • By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, March 6, 2025; Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/1245563 MANILA – The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) signed on Thursday a joint memorandum circular strengthening the Program Convergence Budgeting (PCB) approach, as part of the efforts to promote the efficient and effective allocation and management of fiscal resources. DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman and Socio-Economic Planning Secretary and NEDA Director General Arsenio Balisacan signed the joint memorandum circular in a ceremony at the DBM’s central office in San Miguel, Manila. “Consistent with the commitment of institutionalizing the PCB strategy in the budget process, this Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) is being issued to further strengthen the planning-programming-budgeting continuum; institutionalize the PCB’s role in government planning; strengthen compliance across departments or agencies; and ensure consistency in implementation of existing and prospective PCB programs,” the document read. Under the JMC, lead and participating departments and agencies are directed to establish and develop mechanisms toward a more effective and efficient implementation of existing and prospective PCB programs. The JMC also creates the PCB Steering Committee (PCB-SC), an oversight body that will ensure the harmonized, coordinated, complementary, and synergized implementation of the PCB approach across all departments and agencies. According to the JMC, the PCB-SC will be chaired by the NEDA Secretary and co-chaired by the DBM Secretary. Authorized representatives, preferably with the rank of undersecretary, or their equivalent, will be designated as principal alternates to the PCB-SC Chairperson and Co-chairperson. The PCB-SC is tasked to identify and approve the PCB programs based on the national government’s overall plan and priorities towards a more strategic and top-down approach; establish the rules for the enrollment and delisting of PCB programs and their participating agencies; and determine the rules for the conduct of PCB meetings and in the deliberation of budget proposals under the respective PCB programs. It is also mandated to establish guidelines for resolving issues on programs, activities, and projects with multiple attributions; direct the establishment of a digital system for the management, use, and sharing of data and information on PCB programs; and oversee and monitor the implementation of the PCB programs. Pangandaman said the issuance of the JMC aims to strengthen the linkage between planning and budgeting to reduce the incidence of overlapping programs. “Despite the noble aspirations and goals that the PCB approach may have, we have encountered some issues and challenges throughout its implementation, which we deem necessary to be addressed if we really want for the PCB to be a major tool of the administration and the government. The first issue is most of the PCB programs are being implemented through an ad hoc approach or as needed, especially during the budget preparation process,” she said. “In this regard, collaboration is enhanced among departments that are working towards the same sectoral goals,” Pangandaman added. Balisacan stressed the need to tighten the links between planning, programming, and budgeting. He said the PCB strategy plays a critical role in ensuring that scarce public resources are effectively allocated toward programs, activities, and projects that align with the Marcos administration’s socioeconomic agenda and the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028. “Sufficient resources must be prudently managed and directed toward their implementation for plans to be considered effective,” he said.

  • By Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson, March 6, 2025; BusinessWorld https://www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/2025/03/06/657543/inflation-eases-sharply-in-february/ HEADLINE INFLATION sharply decelerated in February to its slowest print in five months, preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed. The consumer price index (CPI) eased to 2.1% in February from 2.9% in January and 3.4% a year ago. It was below the 2.2%-3% forecast from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). This was the slowest inflation print in five months or since the 1.9% clip in September 2024. The February print was also well below the 2.6% median estimate in a BusinessWorld poll of 18 analysts conducted last week. Inflation averaged 2.5% in the first two months, well within the central bank’s 2-4% target. Core inflation eased to 2.4% in February from 2.6% in the previous month and 3.6% a year prior. Core inflation discounts volatile prices of food and fuel. PSA Assistant Secretary Divina Gracia L. Del Prado said the main source of deceleration during the month was the heavily weighted food and nonalcoholic beverage index, accounting for a 58.8% share to the downtrend in inflation. The index slowed to 2.6% in February from 3.8% in January and 4.6% in the same month in 2024. Food inflation eased to 2.6% in February from 4% a month ago and 4.8% the year prior. Cereals and cereal products, which include rice, fell to 3% in February from the 1.1% drop in January. Rice inflation decreased to 4.9% in February from the 2.3% drop in January. This was the lowest rice inflation print since the 5.7% contraction in April 2020. In February, the average price of regular milled rice fell to P47.23 per kilo from P50.44 a year earlier. Well-milled rice prices slipped to P53.46 a kilo from P55.93 a year ago, while special rice dropped to P62.65 a kilo from P64.42 a year ago. “We are seeing the effect of the food security emergency, because we were able to release buffer stocks from the National Food Authority (NFA),” Ms. Del Prado said. The Agriculture department last month declared a food security emergency on rice, which authorized the NFA to release buffer stocks at subsidized prices. Local government units can buy NFA rice at P33 per kilo and sell it to the public at P35 per kilo. In mid-February, the department also lowered the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) of 5% broken imported rice to P52 per kilo from P55 previously. This was further slashed to P49 per kilo, starting March 1. Ms. Del Prado said rice inflation could remain in the negative for the rest of the year amid continued interventions by the government. Meanwhile, the inflation of vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses decelerated to 7.1% in February from 21.1% a month prior. Though still elevated, several vegetables posted a slower annual increase in prices. In particular, cabbage slowed to 33.4% in February from 39% in January; okra to 5.5% from 15.3%; and squash to 8.6% from 16.4%. On the other hand, meat of pigs was the top contributor to February inflation, accounting for 16.2% or 0.3 percentage point to inflation. The inflation of pig meats rose to 12.1% in February from 8.4% in January. This could be attributed to the rise in African Swine Fever cases, PSA’s Ms. Del Prado said. For example, the average retail price of fresh pork kasim rose to P352.89 per kilo in February from P337.38 per kilo in the prior month. The government’s plan to impose an MSRP on pork would help slow down inflation. “Once there is a maximum suggested retail price for pork, it might lead to a deceleration or even a negative inflation for pork,” Ms. Del Prado said. PSA data showed the housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels index slowed to 1.6% in February from 2.2% in January. Electricity inflation dropped to 1% from the 0.2% acceleration a month ago. This even as Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) raised the overall rate by P0.2834 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to P12.0262 per kWh in February from P11.7428 per kWh in January. Inflation of rentals also eased to 1.6% from 2% while liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices slowed to 3.7% from 4.7%. Transport inflation was also a source of slower inflation in February, as it edged lower to 0.2% from the 1.1% rise in January. In February, pump price adjustments stood at a net decrease of P0.05 a liter for diesel and P0.90 a liter for kerosene. However, gasoline had a net increase of P2.1 a liter. Meanwhile, inflation for the bottom 30% of income households decelerated to 1.5% in February from 2.4% in January and 4.2% a year ago. Consumer prices in the National Capital Region (NCR) eased to 2.3% in February from 2.8% in January. Outside NCR, inflation slowed to 2% from 2.9%. EFFORTS TO TAME PRICES “This sustained downward trend confirms that our proactive measures to curb inflation are delivering results, especially on helping alleviate the burden on vulnerable sectors,” Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto said. National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan likewise said the downtrend in inflation shows the government’s efforts are working to tame prices. “However, we will not be complacent in addressing causes of commodity price increases, particularly for food, to help uplift the lives of poor and vulnerable Filipino families, especially,” he added. Mr. Balisacan said the government will continue to sustain its efforts to keep inflation manageable. However, he warned the country may be hit by six to 13 typhoons from March to August. “The Department of Agriculture (DA) will implement the La Niña action plan to restore agricultural productive capacity in areas likely to be affected by continuous rainfall, flooding, and landslides. The action plan includes water management, financial assistance and credit support, and a massive information campaign on La Niña,” Mr. Balisacan said. Analysts said inflation is expected to remain within the 2-4% target band for the coming months. “Barring any unexpected shocks, we project that inflation will remain within the BSP’s 2-4% target, Read More…

  • By J.V.D. Ordoñez, February 12, 2025; BusinessWorld https://www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/2025/02/12/652702/philippines-ranking-inches-up-in-global-corruption-perceptions-index/ THE PHILIPPINES saw a slight improvement in its ranking in a global corruption perceptions index by Transparency International, although its score remained well below the global average. In the watchdog’s 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), the Philippines ranked 114th out of 180 countries with a score of 33 out of 100, up a spot from 115th last year. This was the Philippines’ best ranking since 2018 when it ranked 99th. However, Manila’s score of 33 is below the global average of 43, and the Asia-Pacific region’s average of 44. A score of 0-9 means “highly corrupt,” while a score of 90-100 means “very clean.” The Philippines lagged most Asia-Pacific countries in the index, which ranked countries and territories according to the levels of public-sector corruption perceived by experts and businesspeople. Singapore ranked third in the global index and first in the Asia-Pacific region with a score of 84. Other Asia-Pacific economies that scored higher than the Philippines in the index include Japan (71), Taiwan (67), South Korea (64), Malaysia (50), Timor-Leste (44), China (43), Vietnam (40), Indonesia (37), Nepal (34) and Thailand (34). Manila got the same score as Laos and Mongolia, and was higher than Cambodia (21), Myanmar (16) and North Korea (15). In a statement, Transparency International regional advisers for Asia-Pacific Ilham Mohamed, Yuambari Haihuie and Urantsetseg Ulziikhuu said the index showed governments in the region are “still failing to deliver on anti-corruption pledges” amid a climate crisis. “After years of stagnation, the 2024 average score for the region has dropped by one point to 44. This is especially devastating considering corruption’s detrimental impact on climate change — the biggest challenge humanity faces,” they said. “Corruption obstructs environmental policy, hijacks climate financing and hinders the enforcement of regulations and policies, leaving the most vulnerable with little recourse.” Countries in the Asia-Pacific region were prone to the misuse and theft of funds meant for climate financing programs, Transparency International said in the report. “The Philippines can improve its standing in the CPI if both the executive and legislative branches of government become transparent in the allocational and use of public funds,” I-Lead Executive Director Zyza Nadine M. Suzara said in a Viber message. She said the Executive needs to provide more spaces for public participation in procurement, budgeting and auditing and for Congress to make bicameral conference committee meetings open and transparent to curb misuse of state funds. “We must strengthen political and government institutions. This may also mean modernizing the processes and mechanisms of our institutions through lessening institutional delays and digitalizing processes,” Arjan P. Aguirre, who teaches political science at the Ateneo de Manila University, said in a Facebook Messenger chat. John Paolo R. Rivera, a senior research fellow at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies said in a Viber message that a better ranking in the corruption perceptions index “signals stronger governance.” “(This) could attract more foreign direct investments, particularly in infrastructure, technology and climate-related projects. Companies assess corruption risks when entering markets,” he said. He cited the need for the government to boost efforts to cut bureaucratic red tape and to enforce tougher anti-bribery laws to boost investor confidence. Leonardo A. Lanzona, who teaches economics at the Ateneo, said the Philippines moving up a notch in the corruption index is unlikely to influence investor confidence. “In fact, the lack of a more notable improvement can worsen the situation,” he said in a Facebook Messenger chat. “For economic conditions to improve, the country should exhibit sustained political will, strong leadership and active participation and influence from all sectors of society.” Transparency International said two-thirds of the countries on the index had a score of below 50. “The international community and every nation must make tackling corruption a top and long-term priority. This is crucial to pushing back against authoritarianism and securing a peaceful, free and sustainable world. The dangerous trends revealed in this year’s Corruption Perceptions Index highlight the need to follow through with concrete action now to address global corruption,” Francois Valerian, chair of Transparency International, said. Denmark had the highest score (90) among 180 countries in the corruption index for the seventh straight year, followed by Finland (88), Singapore (84) and New Zealand (83). Countries experiencing conflict and weak democratic institutions had the lowest scores. South Sudan (8) ranked last, followed by Somalia (9) and Venezuela (10).

  • By Darryl John Esguerra, February 5, 2025; Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1243358 MANILA – The Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 12009, or the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA), have officially been approved, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced Wednesday. The IRR, which will guide the implementation of the landmark procurement law, was finalized and approved during a meeting led by the Government Procurement Policy Board – Technical Support Office (GPPB-TSO) on Tuesday, according to the DBM. Budget Secretary and GPPB chair Amenah Pangandaman expressed gratitude to the Board members for their role in the IRR drafting process. “With your strong drive toward building and enacting effective procurement reforms, you have all made this possible…Together, we are shaping a system that meets the highest standards of public service and accountability,” Pangandaman said, as quoted in a DBM release. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed into law RA 12009 on July 20, 2024 and took effect on Aug. 13, 2024, enhancing the existing procurement systems under the 21-year-old RA 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act) by standardizing procurement forms and institutionalizing electronic procurement. Section 112 of the NGPA mandates the GPPB to finalize and approve the IRR of the new law within 180 days from the promulgation of the Act. The new law introduces new modalities to achieve value for money, procurement efficiency, and quality public services. It aims to modernize procurement processes with the use of emerging technologies and innovative solutions, as well as integrated systems among relevant government agencies. The GPPB-TSO meeting was attended by key officials, including DBM Undersecretary for Legal and Legislative Group Janet Abuel, Procurement Service-DBM Executive Director Genmaries Entredicho-Caong, and representatives from the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of National Defense, and Department of Education. (PNA)

  • By BusinessWorld Staff, January 23, 2025; BusinessWorld https://www.bworldonline.com/infographics/2025/01/23/648307/philippines-improves-in-digital-quality-of-life-index/ The Philippines rose three spots to 57th out of 121 countries in the latest edition of the Digital Quality of Life (DQL) Index by virtual private network service provider Surfshark. The index assesses and compares the relative performance of a country’s digital well-being based on equally weighted five pillars: internet quality, internet affordability, e-infrastructure, e-government, and e-security. In 2024, the Philippines garnered an overall score of 0.4787, below the global average of 0.4837, but above the Asian average of 0.4628.

  • By Hannah L. Torregoza, January 22, 2025; Manila Bulletin https://mb.com.ph/2025/1/22/e-governance-bill-hurdles-second-reading-in-the-senate The push to transform government services through digitalization is now just one step away from Senate approval. This after the Senate passed Senate Bill No. 2781, also known as the proposed “E-Governance Act,” on second reading on Tuesday, January 21. Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, sponsor of the bill said, the measure may not be “the solution to all” of governance problems but it is a tool that, “if used effectively and assigned properly to various agencies, can address many of our challenges today.” The proposed E-Governance Act aims to streamline government processes and make them more transparent by institutionalizing a national framework for a unified digital government system. The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will spearhead the institutionalization of the framework which will guide agencies on the technical and informational standards they need to adopt for seamless digital integration. The said framework shall be based on a comprehensive master plan which will be updated every three (3) years to keep up with rapid technological advancements. Furthermore, the measure seeks the establishment of a secure network called the “Integrated Government Network” (IGN), that will connect all government websites and applications and allow different agencies to share data more efficiently. Cayetano said he is certain that ordinary Filipinos will look forward to a digitalized government transactions as it would lead to a more smoother, more efficient access to government services. “This bill is actually a product of the experience of the DICT in the last few years. This is to emphasize and articulate what they need,” said Cayetano, who chairs the Committee on Science and Technology. “The times have changed. Talagang very critical na po itong DICT,” Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III also said of the measure.

  • By Andrea E. San Juan, January 15, 2025; BusinessMirror https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/01/15/eodb-corruption-top-maps-2025-concerns/ THE Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) has identified its top 7 concerns for 2025, including Corruption, Education, and Ease of Doing Business, among others. At the 77th MAP Inaugural Meeting and Induction on Wednesday, 2025 MAP President Alfredo S. Panlilio said the business group will “certainly address the top 7 concerns of MAP members for 2025” which were generated through a survey in the 4th quarter of 2024. The seven concerns of the business group’s members for this year are: corruption, education, economy, ease of doing business, climate change, cybersecurity, and dealing with LGUs. To address corruption and ease of doing business, Panlilio said “we will continue to participate actively in the programs of the Anti-Red Tape Authority.” The MAP President said these concerns will be “directly” addressed by the business group’s four thrusts. “To continue and sustain the noteworthy projects that were initiated or implemented by last year’s Board, MAP will continue to pursue the following four thrusts: Member Engagement, Country Competitiveness, ESG and Shared Prosperity, and Investing in the Youth,” Panlilio said. On member engagement, Panlilio said MAP will continue to ensure the “relevance” of the topics and issues covered in the MAP general membership meetings or GMMs in order to engage the membership in a more meaningful way. “We will cover relevant topics and developments so as to benefit the members, their companies and the economy. We will hold 1 to 2 GMMs outside Metro Manila, so we can engage our members in the Visayas and Mindanao,” the MAP president noted. On country competitiveness, Panlilio said MAP will continue to push for “vital policy reforms” through executive or legislative action that will eliminate corruption, improve ease of doing business, ensure food security through agricultural productivity, and sustain an enabling business environment for local and foreign investors. “The aspiration is to attract greater and more diverse job-creating investments for more Filipinos to be gainfully employed,” the MAP head noted. On ESG and Shared Prosperity, Panlilio assured the public that MAP will continue advancing environmental, social and governance principles and “fostering Shared Prosperity” as a key strategic thrust for the year. “By integrating sustainable practices, promoting ethical leadership, and driving inclusive growth, we aim to create long-term value for MAP members and all other stakeholders. We will continue pushing for the discourse and activities to champion responsible business, uplift communities, and contribute to a resilient and equitable future for the Philippines,” Panlilio added. As MAP also aims to invest in the youth, Panlilio said the business group will continue the campaign against malnutrition and child stunting. “We will continue advocating for government and the private sector to pursue relevant education, health and wellness programs, particularly for the youth,” he said. “The objective is for the youth to become productive members of society, with competitive skills and capacity that will ensure a progressive economy of the future,” added Panlilio.

  • By Inquirer Staff, January 9, 2025; Inquirer.net https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2022682/on-senate-prioritizing-the-rightsizing-bill-concerns-raised-by-gatchalian MANILA, Philippines — The Senate leadership ensured on Wednesday that the proposal on the rightsizing of the national government will be prioritized by the chamber to ensure its passage before the 19th Congress adjourns its session in June. In a statement, Senate President Chiz Escudero, who is also the author and sponsor of Senate Bill No. 890 or the Rightsizing National Government Act, explained what rightsizing is. “Rightsizing is about streamlining the bureaucracy. It also means the possible creation of new positions, new offices, upgrading and upscaling personnel to help them fill up much needed positions and put them on the path toward career advancement,” said Escudero. “The objective of rightsizing for me is not about saving money. It’s being able to deliver services to the people more efficiently,” he added. Escudero said they intend to pass the measure before the 19th Congress adjourns its sessions. Congress resumes its sessions on January 13 and will go on break from February 8 to June 1 for the campaign period of the May 2025 midterm elections. Sessions resume on June 2 and will go on until June 13 when the 19th Congress adjourns sine die. Concerns raised But despite the Senate leadership’s pronouncement, some lawmakers—among them Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian—have raised their concerns about the measure’s passage. In a Kapihan sa Senado forum also on Wednesday, Gatchalian said he is very concerned about the passage of the measure considering the absence of a cost benefit analysis and impact study on it. “For now, I have a big concern, because there is an administration bill as pronounced yesterday by the Senate president but there is no cost benefit analysis, no impact study,” said Gatchalian. “Parang suntok sa buwan ito eh (It seems impossible),” he added. Gatchalian then explained that pursuant to the measure, Congress will delegate powers to the President in order for him to rightsize and make the government bureaucracy optimal. “The delegated powers that will be given to the President are really powerful, so it is important to be clear from the beginning [at the very beginning] what will be the benefits for all of us [and] what will be the result of the rightsizing or optimization of the government bureaucracy and also clear to the if there is any savings, how much savings will be generated by this law because the power that will be delegated to our President is very broad,” he emphasized. He then noted that these powers may also be abused, considering how vast it is. “We also have to remember that these powers can also be abused. If you have the power to merge, if you have the power to abolish, if you don’t like a person or agency, you can remove them. So it must be clear and we must be careful so that this power will not be used for abuse,” Gatchalian explained.

  • By Melvin Gascon, January 9, 2025; Inquirer.net https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2022611/govt-to-push-for-flexible-work-setups-this-year MANILA, Philippines — The Marcos administration vowed to push for the adoption of “alternative work arrangements” (AWAs) in 2025 as part of efforts to sustain gains in unemployment and underemployment in the country, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda). In a statement, Neda Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the government “remains committed to achieving its employment targets under the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 by having a “multifaceted approach in place to ensure an efficient labor market.” He said the government would be focusing on efforts to facilitate the adoption of AWAs to account for workers’ evolving preferences while considering organizations’ emerging demands. Balisacan made the statement as Neda announced that unemployment and underemployment figures in the country dropped in November last year, adding that the labor market “continues to be robust as indicated by the improved employment numbers.” Different forms Neda has yet to provide details on what AWA it intends to push this year, supposedly to boost productivity and adapt to changing work environments while promoting employee well-being. The agency’s stance has been buoyed by the findings of the National Evaluation Portal report that it released in 2023, which recommended modified work setups following the COVID-19 pandemic. The Telecommuting Act of 2019 allows private sector employees to perform their duties remotely, further supporting the shift toward flexible work setups. Among the AWAs being considered are flexible work arrangements that may include variations in hours, work locations and skill sets. Some Philippine examples include work from home (WFH); work from a satellite office, or work from another fixed place. The Civil Service Commission earlier outlined several alternative work arrangements for government agencies, which include WFH; skeleton workforce; four-day (compressed) workweek; and staggered working hours, and flexible (fluctuating) work schedules. Changing preferences After the pandemic gave rise to flexible work schemes, Neda underscored the need for employers to offer jobs with either WFH or hybrid setup to adapt to changing employee preferences. It was also to ensure that companies can hire top talents who prefer such arrangements. But Neda also stressed the importance of improving the country’s digital infrastructure to maximize the benefits of alternative work arrangements. Internet factor According to industry data provider Statista, the segment of Filipinos with internet access out of the total population stood at 89.34 percent in 2024 and could increase to 98 percent by 2029. As early as 2022, Neda saw the need to promote alternative work arrangements, citing the skyrocketing fuel prices.

  • By Jason Sigales, December 10, 2024; Inquirer.net https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2014344/more-lgus-bag-this-years-dilg-seal-of-good-local-governance-award MANILA, Philippines — More local government units (LGUs) were honored with the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) in 2024, the interior department’s initiative to recognize performance in transparency and accountability. This year, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) conferred the prestigious seal to 714 LGUs in ceremonies at the Manila Hotel from Monday to Tuesday, Dec. 9 to 10. The awards’ 2024 edition kept up an upward trend in the number of LGUs receiving the seal in recent years. When the program returned in 2022, the prize was given to 352 LGUs. In 2023, there were 493. There were no 2020 or 2021 editions of the SGLG due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, the 2024 SGLG tripled the numbers of the first SGLG awards ceremony in 2015, which gave the honor to 254 LGUs. Among the 714 LGUs given the seal in 2024, 41 were provincial governments, 96 were city governments and 577 were municipal governments. This indicated that, overall, 41.42 percent of the Philippines’ 1,724 provinces, cities and municipalities achieved the distinction. According to the DILG, the 2024 SGLG Incentive Fund had a total of P980,281,000. Provincial LGU awardees would be granted P3 million each, while city LGU awardees would receive P2 million each and municipality LGU awardees would get P1,153,000 each. Central Luzon (Region 3) had the most honorees with 106 LGUs, followed by Ilocos Region (Region 1) with 83 and Western Visayas (Region 6) with 62. Meanwhile, 14 of the National Capital Region’s 17 cities and municipalities were recognized. DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla congratulated the local chief executives, relating his remarks to his own experience as former governor of Cavite province and his clan’s rivalry with the family of Sen. Francis Tolentino, who also attended the ceremony. “Simula 1963 hanggang 2016, ang Remulla at Tolentino sa Cavite ay hindi magkakampi,” Remulla said at the ceremony on Tuesday, Dec. 10. (From 1963 to 2016, the Remullas and the Tolentinos of Cavite were not allies.) “Laging magkaaway sa eleksyon. Tinalo pa ng kapatid niya ang kapatid ko sa eleksyon noon. Pero dumarating ang panahon na namumulat tayo sa bagong estilo ng pamamalakad,” he added. (They were always at odds with one another during elections. His brother defeated my brother in an election before. But time came when we came to our senses to a new style of governance.) Remulla was referring to a time when his brother, Gilbert, a journalist and former representative; was defeated by Tolentino’s brother, Abraham, the Mayor of Tagaytay City; in the 2013 election for the Cavite 7th congressional district seat. The interior secretary is also the younger brother of incumbent Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, who also represented Cavite in the House of Representatives. The younger Remulla was Cavite governor from 2010 to 2016 then again from 2019 until his appointment to the DILG post in October 2024. “Dumating ang panahon na nag-usap-usap ang mga pamilya sa Cavite at nagkaisa kami,” the interior secretary said. (Time came when the political families of Cavite talked and came together.) Remulla touted that his home province posted 15 SGLG awardees out of 23 LGUs in 2024. “Ano’ng ibig sabihin niyan? (What does that mean?) Good governance should unite us all. It should not divide us. Politics divides us, but good governance should put us all together,” he added.

  • By Vince Ferreras, December 10, 2024; GMA Integrated News https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/929603/fourth-ph-human-rights-plan-turned-over-to-marcos/story/ The fourth Philippine Human Rights Plan was launched on Tuesday in line with the celebration of International Human Rights Day. According to a report in “24 Oras,” the plan was turned over to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, who represented President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the event. The eight-chapter plan focused on various sectors and issues such as child poverty, abuse and exploitation, gender equality, and cultural identity. The document also contained measures against human trafficking and for strengthening bilateral agreements. The action plan will serve as a guide to improve human rights efforts. In a separate event, the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates and other groups held a protest activity in Manila. Data from human rights group Karapatan showed that under the present administration, there have been 119 extrajudicial killings and 14 enforced disappearances. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued an administrative order in May creating the Special Committee on Human Rights Coordination, tasked to sustain initiatives and accomplishments of the United Nations for the Joint Programme on Human Rights in the areas of law enforcement, criminal justice, and policy-making.

  • December 4, 2024 4:01 pm

    PHL improves in bribery risk ranking

    By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, December 4, 2024; BusinessWorld https://www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/2024/12/04/639095/phl-improves-in-bribery-risk-ranking/ THE PHILIPPINES improved its ranking in a global index assessing business bribery in over 190 economies. This, as the National Government cited major strides in its fight against corrupt practices including the digitalization of state transactions and vowed to draw lessons from other countries’ anti-corruption mechanisms. Manila rose eight spots to 111th place out of 194 countries in the 2024 edition of the Bribery Risk Matrix by nonprofit businesses group TRACE. The Philippines received a score of 52 out of 100, indicating a “moderate risk” level. While the country’s ranking in the latest index improved, its overall score fell by two points from 54 in the 2023 edition, where the country ranked 119th. The index assessed countries in four domains such as opportunity risk, which refers to business transactions with the government, and deterrence risk, which measures a country’s ability to deter and prosecute bribery offenses. The two other domains are transparency risk, which measures the government’s openness in terms of public budget and potential financial conflicts, and oversight risk, which refers to the role played by nonstate actors in monitoring and controlling corruption. Among select East and Southeast Asian countries, the Philippines was behind Mongolia (99th) Thailand (89th), Malaysia (81st), Timor-Leste (75th), Indonesia (66th), Hong Kong (37th), Singapore (25th), Taiwan (22nd), South Korea (21st), and Japan (10th). The Philippines was just ahead of Brunei Darussalam (115th), Vietnam (123rd), China (142nd), Myanmar (163rd), Laos (165th), Cambodia (170th), and North Korea (194th). Among the four domains, the Philippines got the highest score in deterrence risk at 75. It received a score of 50 in opportunity risk, 49 in transparency risk and 44 in oversight risk. The latest bribery risk index was released just as the Philippines held the 5th Conference on the Review and Implementation of its participation in the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), and as the country’s second-highest official is hounded by an impeachment complaint in which bribery was cited as one of the grounds. The treaty, which was signed by Manila in 2003 and was ratified by the Senate in 2006, aims to develop and implement effective and coordinated anti-corruption policies that “promote participation of society” and reflect the principles of the rule of law, proper management of public affairs and public property, transparency, and accountability. In his speech, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said “by learning from and working with other nations, we strengthen our anti-corruption mechanisms while reaffirming our place as a proactive member of the global community.” “These interconnected efforts form a united approach to fostering a government that is efficient and accountable,” he added. “We continue to collaborate on the international front, emphasizing the importance of global partnerships in combating corruption.” Mr. Marcos cited major accomplishments in his government’s fight against bribery and other corrupt practices, including the passage of the Government Procurement Act earlier this year. The law establishes standardized electronic bidding and payment systems through an electronic procurement system. The law minimizes the risk of corruption and creates “a more detailed audit trail,” he said. “This will in turn provide transparency and proactive government monitoring, thereby ensuring judicious government spending.” Mr. Marcos said the Philippine government also has an electronic freedom of information platform, where citizens can “exercise their right to vital government information.” He noted the 2024 procurement law also has provisions that encourage participation from “observers and civil society organizations in procurement” and “make all procurement-related conferences available for public viewing.” The Philippines continues to struggle with corrupt practices in the public sector even after the end of dictatorship in the 1980s, with the Asian Development Bank estimating that corruption costs the country 1-2% of its gross domestic product annually. “The current Congressional and Senate hearings on the Office of the Vice-President’s (OVP) budget is a clear manifestation that bribery, as well as other forms of corruption, is indeed notches higher in the administration,” said Leonardo A. Lanzona, who teaches economics at the Ateneo de Manila University. “Certain people in the government think that they are entitled enough to do anything without accountability.” He was referring to Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio, who is now facing a legal storm after the 316-member House of Representatives launched a probe into her questionable confidential funds at the OVP and the Department of Education. Ms. Duterte-Carpio, who ran in tandem with Mr. Marcos in the 2022 elections, is now facing an impeachment complaint, which cited 24 grounds including betrayal of public trust, bribery, and high crimes. “Crony capitalism is back as institutions developed after the EDSA Revolution have grown weaker,” Mr. Lanzona said. “People who were being litigated before are now scot-free because of the patronage and power gained in this administration.” In his speech at the UNCAC read by Manila Rep. Joel R. Chua, who has been at the forefront of inquiries into Ms. Duterte-Carpio’s questionable use of funds, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said the “ongoing hearings in the House demonstrate our unwavering resolve to uphold accountability and transparency.” “The fight against corruption is not the responsibility of any one branch of government; it is a collective effort,” he added. He said the House will work with the Judiciary, Executive agencies, the civil society, and international partners to boost its capacity to “investigate and prosecute, and enforce anti-corruption measures.” In his speech, Senate President Francis G. Escudero said that in the fight against corrupt practices, “equally important is the proper use of our oversight power not to harass or attack for political gain but to expose and rectify corruption for national progress.” “One famous formula summarized the cause of corruption as follows. Corruption equals monopoly plus discretion, minus transparency,” Mr. Escudero said. “But for me, I simply define it as corruption equals discretion and vice versa.” “Minimize discretion, you minimize corruption,” he added. “Eliminate discretion, you eliminate corruption.” Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort urged the government to push for policies that will encourage the private sector Read More…

  • By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, December 3, 2024; Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1239177 MANILA – The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has launched a dashboard designed to monitor and analyze the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) releases, as part of the government’s digitalization and transparency efforts. In a statement on Tuesday, the DBM said the dashboard displays key information, including the funding year, total and average support funds, total number of funded projects, and a geographical map of the Philippines. The DBM said the dashboard contains data on LGSF releases from Fiscal Year 2021 to the present for the Support to the Barangay Development Program (SBDP) of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), Support and Assistance Fund to Participatory Budgeting (SAFPB), Growth Equity Fund (GEF), and the Green, Green, Green Program. “Users can also utilize a filter panel to refine results by region, province, and city/municipality. The geographical map dynamically highlights the location of the selected region, province, or city/municipality,” it said. “Additionally, a bar graph illustrates each region’s share in the total released support funds, providing a clear visual breakdown by percentage.” The LGSF is a fund allocation aimed at empowering local government units (LGUs) nationwide by supporting the implementation of their priority programs and projects within their respective jurisdictions under the General Appropriations Act (GAA). This year’s allocation for the LGSF-SBDP of the NTF-ELCAC amounts to PHP2.16 billion, the DBM said, adding that the fund has been fully released. The LGSF-SBDP supports 885 projects and programs across 15 regions for the cleared villages certified by the NTF-ELCAC. The department also noted that the allocated PHP1 billion for the LGSF-SAFPB this year has been fully released to various LGUs to support 80 projects in 13 regions. The LGSF-SAFPB aims to provide assistance to lagging municipalities for the construction, expansion, and upgrading of water supply system projects identified through a local participatory budgeting process, anchored on the objectives of the Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP). Under the 2023 GAA, the LGSF-GEF, amounting to PHP1 billion, has been fully released to 170 LGUs for the implementation of Level II or Level III water supply system projects of beneficiary municipalities, and priority programs and projects included in the respective Devolution Transition Plans of beneficiary barangays. A total of PHP1.05 billion has also been allocated this year for the Green, Green, Green Program with 80 beneficiaries nationwide, composed of 38 LGUs in Luzon, 21 in the Visayas, and 21 in Mindanao. The LGSF – Green, Green, Green Program seeks to develop greener, more vibrant, and well-connected public open spaces, fostering an active lifestyle and enhancing the overall wellness of the community. The DBM said the LGSF dashboard would be updated every 15th day of every month, covering released funds in the preceding month. The dashboard can be accessed through https://www.dbm.gov.ph/index.php/local-government-support-fund. Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the dashboard would allow the public to monitor the fund releases under LGSF “anytime, anywhere, and with ease.” “It’s one of our initiatives to further promote transparency, informed decision-making, as well as effective budget oversight,” Pangandaman said.

  • By Richmond Mercurio, December 3, 2024; Philippine Star https://www.philstar.com/business/2024/12/03/2404553/more-lgus-accelerating-shift-digital-processes?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2-9lTMrJ8204kIkV-7yDRQ_kUZMp8HtsIj9Zpdra1tN-RW5viOKFJEXhU_aem_gPjmCsBvLKHQP-cTwmOYuw MANILA, Philippines — More local government units (LGU) have significantly advanced their digital transformation, benefiting Filipinos through streamlined government processes. Information and Communications Technology Undersecretary David Almirol said the eLGU system has rapidly expanded with over 838 LGUs interconnected as of October 2024. “We have successfully integrated 375 LGUs in Luzon, 238 in the Visayas and 225 in Mindanao into the system through a collaborative effort with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA),” Almirol said. “We anticipate that more LGUs will embrace the eLGU system, enabling streamlined processes and benefiting even the smallest LGUs,” he said. The eLGU system is a one-stop platform that empowers Filipinos to access a wide range of LGU services online. The platform offers diverse services, including business permit licensing, barangay clearance, building permits, working permits, community tax certificates, occupational and health certificates, local civil registry needs as well as other LGU online services. “This will significantly assist citizens by streamlining various government processes and eliminating the bureaucratic hurdles associated with traditional methods,” DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy said. The DICT E-Government office seeks to streamline LGU services by consolidating diverse government services onto a single platform. The eLGU system is part of the broader Electronic Business One-Stop Shop program, a collaboration between DICT, DILG and ARTA. It is also integrated with eGovPH SuperApp, a comprehensive mobile application designed to facilitate citizen-government interactions. Since its launch last January, the eGovPH super app has been dedicated to providing essential services, with more than nine million subscribers at present.

  • November 29, 2024 1:09 pm

    PH nears dream ‘A’ credit rating

    By Ian Nicolas P. Cigaral, November 27, 2024; Philippine Daily Inquirer https://business.inquirer.net/492468/ph-nears-dream-a-credit-rating Improvements in “institutional and policy settings” prompted S&P Global Ratings to raise its credit outlook on the Philippine government to “positive,” opening the door for potential upgrade to the highly coveted “A” rating. While S&P kept its “triple B plus” investment grade rating for the Philippine sovereign, the global debt watcher upwardly revised its outlook from “stable,” citing “effective” policymaking that has delivered “structural improvements to the country’s credit metrics.“ A positive outlook indicates a good chance for the country to finally bag its first ever A-rating from one of the “Big Three” credit rating agencies in the next one to two years. “It reaffirms our stable economic and political environment and that we are on track to achieve a growth-enhancing fiscal consolidation. We have a comprehensive Road to A initiative to ensure that we secure more upgrades soon,” Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said. The Philippine government also holds investment grade rating from Fitch Ratings (BBB) and Moody’s Ratings (BAA2), both of which are two notches away from the entry-level A credit rating. S&P’s rating scale ranges from D, the lowest, to the highest rating of AAA. Should the debt watcher decide to upgrade the Philippines’ badge of creditworthiness, the next level for the country is A-. The higher rating means better perception of lenders on a borrower’s ability to pay its obligations. This would result in lower interest rates for issuers like the government, which can channel the interest savings to more productive spending like social programs and infrastructure build-up. That said, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Eli Remolona Jr. welcomed the decision of S&P. “This reflects the work the government has done to improve the economic, fiscal and monetary environment, enabling strong growth to continue,” Remolona said. ‘Above-average’ growth Explaining its decision, S&P said the ratings outlook reflected the country’s “above-average economic growth potential.” The credit rater expects the local economy to grow by 5.5 percent this year, supported by “recovery in net export performance along with contained inflationary pressures.” On the fiscal side, S&P expects the Marcos administration to continue its “well-established” plan to cut the budget deficit and government debt, which has yielded “constructive development outcomes.” What it will take But S&P said it would take “several years” for the balance sheet of the government to recover to prepandemic levels, projecting the budget deficit—as a share of the economy—to average around 3.3 percent over the next three years. “We believe the normalization of economic growth in the Philippines will help to lower the general government deficit to 4 percent of gross domestic product in 2024 from 4.5 percent in 2023,” the credit rating agency said. “Stickier inflation, high interest expenditure and increased public spending will prevent a faster reduction of the deficit,” it added. Moving forward, S&P said it may finally give the Philippines’ the coveted A rating if the country could further improve its buffers against external shocks. Achieving a “more rapid” fiscal consolidation may also trigger an upgrade. But the outlook may revert to “stable” if economic recovery falters and leads to deterioration of the national fiscal and debt positions.

  • By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, November 22, 2024; Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1238522 MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Friday he is looking into mounting calls to postpone the first general elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on May 12, 2025. In a chance interview in Lingayen, Pangasinan, Marcos said there is a possibility that the BARMM elections might be postponed as an “unintended consequence” of the Supreme Court’s (SC) recent decision on Sulu’s exclusion from the BARMM. “We’re still studying it. Some of the local officials are saying, because of the Supreme Court decision of separating Sulu from BARMM, maraming (there are many) implications because of the changes that have to be made kung kaya natin (if we can). Baka hindi natin kayang gawin (Perhaps, we might not be able to do it) by May of next year,” he said when asked to react to calls to suspend the BARMM polls in May 2025. “Marami tayong hindi nakita na naging unintended consequence ng desisyon ng Supreme Court. Kaya hangga’t maaari, ang gagawin namin, isasabay namin. Pero kung hindi kaya, mas mabuti nang maging tama kaysa imadali natin tapos magkagulo lang (There are many things we did not see that were unintended consequences of the Supreme Court’s decision. So, as much as possible, we will do it. But if we can’t, it’s better to be right than to rush it and just cause trouble).” The SC, in a unanimous decision dated Sept. 9, ruled that Sulu is not part of the BARMM, citing the province’s rejection of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) during the 2019 plebiscite. The BOL, enacted on July 27, 2018, is the legal framework establishing the BARMM’s governance and political structure. House of Representatives Speaker Martin Romualdez on Nov. 6 led the filing of Bill 11034, which seeks to postpone the BARMM elections, in line with the formal request from the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA). The BTA in October passed Resolution 641, calling for an extension of its mandate until 2028 to complete critical tasks required for a fully functioning, democratically elected BARMM government, including passing crucial laws, building institutions, and creating systems needed to support the region’s transition toward self-governance. Senate President Francis Escudero has also filed a counterpart measure in the Senate. Marcos acknowledged that after the SC ruling on Sulu’s separation from BARMM, the BTA needs to work on a new administrative code, local government code, and electoral code. He said he would assess the possible implications of the SC decision. (PNA)

  • By Ma. Cristina Arayata, November 22, 2024; Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1238543 MANILA – The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) announced on Friday it has partnered with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to enhance skills training and boost the employability of Filipinos. The partnership, TESDA said, aims to create a more integrated approach to employment facilitation, skill development, and labor market information, supporting the goals of the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, the Philippine Labor and Employment Plan 2023-2028, and the National Technical Education and Skills Development Plan 2023-2028. A joint memorandum circular and data-sharing agreement to strengthen skills training, career guidance, and employment support for workers were signed on Nov. 13. “The JMC will strengthen and support skills and career development, expand access to employment, and cultivate sustainable livelihood opportunities,” TESDA Secretary Jose Francisco Benitez was quoted as saying. According to TESDA, the JMC outlines a framework for the two agencies to harmonize such programs as career counseling, soft skills training, technical-vocational education, and job-matching services through PhilJobNet and TESDA’s registry of certified workers. The integration is expected to enhance workforce readiness, address job-skills mismatch, and improve access to employment opportunities for Filipino job seekers nationwide, it added. “Recognizing our joint mission in skills development, we welcome the convergence of TESDA and DOLE’s relevant TVET initiatives. By pooling resources and providing targeted training interventions tailored to the needs and preferences of our beneficiaries, we can make a meaningful impact in boosting the skills and competencies of Filipino workers,” Benitez said. (PNA)  

  • By Benjamin Pulta, November 14, 2024; Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1237840 MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) scored a perfect resolution and compliance rating in the recent scorecard of the Office of the President – Citizens’ Complaint Center (Hotline 8888 or 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Center). Based on the 8888 Agency Statistics, the DOJ received 205 tickets/concerns and resolved them within the 72-hour prescribed period from Jan. 1 to Oct. 31. The 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Center was established to serve as a mechanism where citizens may report their complaints and grievances on acts of red tape, and/or corruption of any national government agency, government-owned or -controlled corporation, government financial institution, or any instrumentality of the government. “Guided by the principles of a Bagong Pilipinas, this is another remarkable accomplishment for the DOJ, which is a testament that we are serious in delivering justice for all in real-time,” Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said in a statement on Thursday. The Department of Justice Action Center, under the direct supervision of Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez and its Program Director, Assistant State Prosecutor Joan Carla Guevarra, serves as the department’s focal unit for 8888 concerns/complaints. (PNA)

  • By Aubrey Rose A. Inosante, November 14, 2024; BusinessWorld https://www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/2024/11/14/634785/world-bank-approves-750-m-loan-for-phl-digital-transformation/ THE WORLD BANK on Wednesday said it has approved $750 million in financing that will help the Philippines accelerate digital transformation efforts and strengthen its digital economy. “Digitalization is a transformative force that can drive productivity-led growth and enhance the efficiency of critical services such as transport, healthcare, education, energy, and agriculture in the Philippines,” World Bank Country Director for the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei Zafer Mustafaoğlu said in a statement on Wednesday. The second Digital Transformation Development Policy Loan is aimed at helping the Philippine government lower barriers to entry and investment in the broadband sector, as well as promote competition and improve connectivity. The loan will support government agencies’ efforts to boost efficiency and transparency through digital technologies, as well as measures to expand financial inclusion by promoting secure digital financial services and payments infrastructure. It also aims to boost trust in the e-commerce sector, as well as expand logistics and improve the Philippines’ competitiveness in the digital sector. “By leveraging digital platforms, the country can bridge gaps in service delivery, make sure that individuals and firms have access to affordable financial services and digital solutions that meet their needs, and build resilience against future crises and shocks,” Mr. Mustafaoğlu said. According to the loan document, the project aims to raise the number of households connected to fixed broadband services to 35% in 2026 from 25.6% in 2023. “A key priority will be to remove the connectivity limitations faced by the 72% of Filipino households that, according to 2023 figures, still have no fixed broadband,” the World Bank said. The project also aims to increase the number of people using digitally enabled government services through a unified e-government portal or mobile application to 30 million in December 2026 from a zero base in 2022. It also hopes to increase the number of agencies connected to the web-based portal National Asset Registry System (NARS) to at least five out of 22 agencies by December 2026. The project also seeks to lower the fraud rates involving the use of digital financial services to 8.24 basis points, and the volume of digital payments over retail payment transactions to 56% in 2026. “Financial inclusion and digitally enabled services are vital for the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises, which employ over 60% of the total workforce in the country,” Mr. Mustafaoğlu said. “Greater access to digital financial services enables such businesses to adopt innovative technologies and automation, thereby boosting their competitiveness and contribution to the economy.” By 2026, the project seeks to boost the number of e-commerce enterprises to 3.5 million and the share of women-owned businesses that make online transactions to 5.5%. The project complements ongoing investments in addressing connectivity gaps in remote areas, including through the Philippines Digital Infrastructure Project, which was approved by the World Bank Board on Oct. 10. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed the digital economy’s share to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) went down to 8.4% last year from 8.6% in 2022, making it the lowest share to GDP since 2018

  • By Zaldy De Layola, November 12, 2024; Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1237633 MANILA – A House resolution was filed Tuesday urging government agencies to streamline, simplify, and liberalize requirements and processes in availing of public services. House Resolution No. 2051 calls for the effective implementation of Republic Act (RA) No. 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act and RA 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act as more Filipinos seek government assistance to recover from the severe impacts of weather disturbances the last three weeks. Resolution author Agri Party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee said it is unjustifiable to add burdens to the people whose lives and properties were ravaged by a series of tropical cyclones. “Even with the enactment of these laws and their related regulations, persistent issues and challenges such as excessive paperwork, long hours of the application process, burdensome submission of unnecessary requirements, and insufficient technological integration continue to obstruct efficient delivery of services of various government programs and services,” Lee said in a news release. The lawmaker from Bicol, one of the hardest hit regions by Kristine, said tedious processes could cultivate corruption in agencies. “There’s an urgent need for decisive and radical action to effectively simplify and liberalize government processes, and weed out red tape and corruption in agencies,” he said. Lee said the same tedious processes continue to hound sick Filipinos who lack access to healthcare services.

  • By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz, November 8, 2024; Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1237435 MANILA – The World Bank (WB) has approved a USD287.24 million loan to fund the Philippine Digital Infrastructure Project (PIDP) which seeks to improve the access of over 20 million Filipinos to the internet. In a statement on Friday, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Uy said the PIDP will deploy high-speed internet to 772 sites in Mindanao and extend broadband coverage to 10,259 underserved areas. The project has the potential to increase the country’s gross domestic product by 1.38 percent while also enhancing the country’s cybersecurity defenses and bridging the digital divide, offering better access to education, healthcare, and essential government services, according to Uy. The project involves the development of a national fiber optic backbone that would extend connectivity to remote regions in Visayas and Mindanao. “With resilient underground cable installations, it aims to future-proof the country’s digital infrastructure while ensuring that public institutions and underserved communities can participate in the digital economy,” he said. The PIDP has been endorsed by the National Economic and Development Authority Board and is aligned with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. It is also seen to accelerate the DICT’s National Broadband Program which seeks to expand internet connectivity across the country. “With the PDIP, the Philippines moves closer to a future where every Filipino, regardless of location, can benefit from fast, reliable, and secure internet access, paving the way for a more connected and prosperous country,” Uy said. (PNA)

  • By Dominque Nicole Flores, November 8, 2024; The Philippine Star https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/11/06/2398101/filipinos-prefer-trust-competent-consistent-leaders-study MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos tend to place greater trust in leaders and institutions they perceive as competent, consistent, transparent and driven by good intentions, a study revealed. Exhibiting a deeper sense of trust, Filipinos today are more cautious and inclined to seek proof of fulfilled promises before extending trust. These findings were emphasized in the 2024 Philippine Trust Study conducted by the EON Group in collaboration with the Department of Development Studies at Ateneo de Manila University. It was unveiled on Tuesday, November 5. The study, based on a nationwide survey of 1,800 respondents conducted from May to September 2024, supplemented quantitative data with focus group discussions (FGDs) to add context to Filipinos’ responses. Using a three-pronged framework, the study examined how Filipinos perceive trust, whom they trust and the factors that drive trust in institutions. Although surveys typically indicate high levels of trust among Filipinos, often around 90% or more, the FGDs found that this trust is “not full or absolute.” So where is Filipino trust rooted, how is it defined and what behaviors reflect it? How Filipinos understand trust The study asked its respondents what kind of leaders they value. Across various institutions, whether in government, organizations or families, a significant majority (70-80%) of Filipinos strongly preferred consultative leaders over imposing ones. However, the study found that Filipinos hold polarized views on how they believe they should relate to leaders. About half of the respondents prefer leaders to be questioned, while the other half believes leaders should be obeyed. On both sides, three in 10 Filipinos strongly preferred their respective choices. Asked to define trust, Filipinos said it largely involves expecting leaders and institutions to “do their part.” The study suggested that this expectation may explain why the public often associates satisfaction with trust. Other descriptions shared by the respondents include how trust is shaped by time and shared experiences, how it is “fragile,” and how it begins in the family where a person first develops the concept of trust. From a behavioral standpoint, the study showed that Filipinos choose to trust because they believe it is necessary. However, it also comes with the expectation that leaders and institutions may fail. “[Filipinos] have no choice but to trust [leaders] because they have the power to do something,” Ateneo Development Studies assistant professor Kevin Go said. For Filipinos, they understand that the choices they make affect their and their families’ survival, while at the same time recognizing that the options they have are limited and may be dependent on socioeconomic conditions. This is why the study emphasized how Filipinos often “hope against hope,” meaning they hold onto hope despite uncertainty, wishing that the choice they make is the right one. “Filipinos are careful in trusting and not fully trusting because there’s a lot to lose,” EON Group President Malyn Molina said. Who Filipinos trust Most Filipinos (98%) expressed the highest trust in themselves, followed by their bosses (95.6%), religious leaders (95%) and government leaders. Trust in strangers is the lowest, with around 19% expressing confidence in them. Government. In government, Filipinos trust their local government leaders more than national government leaders, with over eight in ten (85.4%) expressing trust in LGUs, compared to seven in ten (70.7%) for national leaders. Go attributed the high levels of trust in LGUs to the stronger familiarity Filipinos have with these local institutions. When broken down by provincial, municipal, city or barangay government units, respondents gave trust ratings as high as 95%. Filipinos also generally trust social protection agencies, the military, police authorities and coast guard, with trust ratings ranging from 85% to 95%. The most trusted government agencies are those that provide services Filipinos are familiar with, such as the Department of Education (97.7%), the Department of Health (97%) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (94.8%). The least trusted, while still maintaining relatively high trust ratings, are the Department of Trade and Industry (75.1%) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (78.8%). Businesses. Nearly 90% of Filipinos also trust businesses, with digital payment apps (83.1%) and real estate developers (79.6%) receiving the lowest trust ratings. Factors influencing Filipinos’ trust in businesses include product and service quality, proximity and familiarity, as well as reputation and sustainability, the latter being a primary concern among younger respondents. However, it was underscored that patronage or consumption patterns do not necessarily indicate trust. Filipinos shared that they sometimes “just don’t have a choice” due to the limited variety of products or services available in their vicinity. Media. Across news media, Filipinos trust broadcast media more, with TV (93.7%) and radio stations (90.6%) receiving higher trust ratings than print media and online news sites, which have trust ratings of around 60%. Respondents noted that their trust in news outlets is undermined by their “perceived bias” of the media, expressing a desire for more “balanced” reporting that includes positive news and not just negative stories. Filipinos also highlighted the importance of having independent news media and journalists not influenced by financial interests. Academe. Trust in the academe is generally high, but there is notable distrust in public elementary and high schools (69%), compared to private schools and state universities and colleges, which have trust levels exceeding 90%. This is despite DepEd being the most trusted government agency. Religious groups. Considering the large proportion of Roman Catholic respondents, the study found that the Catholic Church (92.4%), Evangelical Churches (66.9%) and Iglesia ni Cristo (59.9%) are trusted more than Islam (48%). The least trusted is the Kingdom of Jesus Christ led by Apollo Quiboloy (28.9%). Asked how strongly Filipinos believe their religion “acts in their interest,” Muslims and INC members have a stronger belief in their religion compared to Roman Catholics. Non-government organizations. The study also found that many Filipinos are unfamiliar with NGOs and what they are, which is why 66% of respondents reported not trusting any NGO. In the FGDs, it was revealed that Filipinos tend to confuse government programs for Read More…

  • By Charie Mae F. Abarca, November 7, 2024; Philippine Daily Inquirer https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2002084/eu-ph-reaffirm-commitment-to-promoting-and-respecting-human-rights MANILA, Philippines — The European Union (EU) and the Philippines convened the fourth subcommittee meeting on Good Governance, Rule of Law, and Human Rights under the Philippines-EU, reaffirming their shared commitment to promoting, protecting, fulfilling, and respecting human rights. The meeting was co-chaired by European Affairs Assistant Secretary Maria Elena P. Algabre and it was attended by EU Member States and Philippine government agencies on October 30 in Manila. In a statement, the EU said the co-chairs underscored that the meeting provides a valuable platform for dialogue on how to sustain and further strengthen cooperation between the EU and the Philippines in their mutual pursuit of peace and prosperity. “The EU and the Philippines reaffirmed their shared commitment to promoting, protecting, fulfilling, and respecting human rights. Both sides recognized the achievements made in addressing human rights issues while acknowledging that challenges remain and must be tackled,” said the EU. In the same statement, the EU said the Philippines likewise reaffirmed its continued willingness to adhere to international standards of human rights and remains open to constructive engagements with international bodies of the UN, among others. “The EU and the Philippines reaffirmed their commitment to the rule of law, due process, and human rights. They recognized the relevance of reported human rights violations and humanitarian laws globally and, in time[s] of rising geopolitical tensions, they stressed the collective responsibility to uphold and promote the principles of the UN Charter,” said EU. It then added that both nations have signified their intent to ensure an end to violence and harassment and make certain that there would be freedom in civil society.

  • By Anna Leah Gonzales, October 17, 2024; Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1235779 MANILA – The government is currently pushing for several reforms that will streamline the mining application process in the country, officials said on Thursday. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary for Integrated Sciences Carlos Primo David during a forum organized by the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) said the DENR rolled out a digital application process in three regions of the country. “We have rolled out our digital application process. We’ve already gotten feedback. Once it’s okay, this will be rolled out nationwide,” David said during the forum on Thursday held at The Westin Manila in Ortigas. David said the digital application process which was rolled out in three regions, including Caraga and Davao, will help cut the mining application process to a maximum of two years. He said it does not only streamline the process but also eliminates the indiscretions. “When you start to evaluate applications, there are always technical and legal aspects and it depends on the person evaluating that. We want to track where these permits are getting stalled,” he said. Aside from the digital application, David said the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) is also implementing a through and through parallel processing of mining permits. The parallel processing means an application will be processed even without the other permits coming from other regulatory bodies such as the local government units (LGUs) and the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP). David, however, clarified that the permit will be issued once the mining company secures all the other requirements. The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), for its part, said they are also working to streamline the permitting processes in the mining industry. “We have been asked to draft a model ordinance for all local government units to follow, starting with the energy and I think for the mining sector, we will also look into it to standardize the requirements by local government units, ensuring that processes at the local level will be standardized and streamlined,” ARTA Director General Ernesto Perez said. He said the draft of the ordinance is expected to be completed within the year. Mining policy framework David said the DENR and the Department of Finance are also drafting an executive order (EO) that will put in place a clear-cut policy on mining royalty. The draft EO will be presented to the Office of the President this month. David said the EO aims to address some of the conflicting interpretation of the law on mining royalty and complexities with LGUs and indigenous peoples and indigenous cultural communities. “For any royalty, you’ll have to put a ceiling. Because if there’s no ceiling, it can be 1 percent, 2 percent, 10 percent up to 100 percent. That is something that we have to address,” David said. The government has been pushing for reforms to ensure a sustainable and vibrant mining industry. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. earlier urged lawmakers to immediately pass the bill on the Rationalization of the Mining Fiscal Regime to create a fair and equitable mining environment. COMP Chairman Mike Toledo, for his part, said he is hopeful that the bill will be passed within the year. He also thanked the President for allowing the COMP to provide recommendations on how to improve the country’s mining industry during a meeting in August. Toledo said the COMP is urging the government to ensure that there will be long-term policy consistency through the drafting of a robust mining policy that would, among other things, clarify the role of national and local government units and specify the approach to indigenous community management. He also said there is a need to simplify and expedite the approval processes for mineral agreements by reducing application steps, eliminating redundancies, and imposing clear-cut timelines, in close coordination with government agencies with which our industry interacts. “We also recommended the implementation of an online register of pending applications,” he said. To minimize business continuity risks from local ordinances, he added, there is a need to clarify the status of mining companies as government contractors and exporters to be consistent across national and local laws; rationalize LGU power to issue ordinances that prohibit mining or specific mining methods within their jurisdictions; request ARTA to identify and fix redundancies between national laws and local ordinances, and empowering it to suspend the implementation of those inconsistent with the Ease of Doing Business Act and the LGU Citizen’s Charter. Toledo said uncertainties in tax policy and investment incentives can be done by establishing a stable and predictable mining fiscal regime including adding a “financial stability clause” in all mineral agreements to guarantee continuity of mining operations and to assure the sanctity of contracts, regardless of material adverse change in government policies that would prevent mining contractors from performing their obligations. He said the potential of the industry can also be strengthened by appointing a senior government official who will focus on addressing obstacles to mining investments and on promoting and marketing the industry.

  • By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, October 10, 2024; Philippines News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1235151 MANILA – Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman has called on La Union province to join open governance, as part of the efforts to promote transparency in government. Pangandaman made the call as she led the Ilocos Region’s pledge to open governance during the La Union leg of the OGPinas! nationwide advocacy campaign on Tuesday, the DBM said in a news release on Wednesday. Pangandaman, who also serves as the chairperson of the Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP), shared her vision to have more local government units (LGUs) accepting the call for open governance. This, as she noted that there are now four LGUs in the OGP Local Program, including the cities of Baguio, Quezon, and Tagbilaran, as well as the municipality of Larena in Siquijor province. “Ngayong araw, may pagkakataon po ang La Union na maisulong din ang bukas na pamamahala dito sa inyong probinsya (Today, La Union also gets the chance to promote open governance here in the province),” Pangandaman said. Over 300 members of national and local governments, civil society organizations, and the academe in the Ilocos Region pledged their commitment to uphold the OGP values of transparency, accountability, and citizen participation. Pangandaman said the Philippines’ efforts to ensure transparency in governance are being recognized internationally even by OGP chief executive officer Sanjay Pradhan who had cited the country’s initiative to mainstream open government in its socioeconomic framework. Meantime, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gave an update on its commitment under the 6th PH-OGP National Action Plan (NAP), stressing that it is now collaborating with civil society organizations to verify and certify the list of voters, the DBM said. “This is in line with its commitment to ensuring that eligible Filipinos can exercise their right to vote in preparation for the upcoming 2025 national and local elections,” the DBM said. The DBM said the Supreme Court is also aiming to become fully digital, as it aims to expand access to justice for Filipinos.

  • By Filane Mikee Cervantes, October 4, 2024; Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1234760 MANILA – Browsing the internet remains the top source of information for political news and current events among Filipinos, according to the latest survey results from political consultancy firm Publicus Asia. The PAHAYAG survey, conducted from Sept. 15 to 19, 2024, showed that 67 percent of respondents rely on the internet as their primary medium, while 66 percent still turn to television for their news consumption. The survey also revealed that social media, particularly Facebook, remains a key source of information for 62 percent of respondents. “No change in top sources of information to political news and current events – Internet, TV, and Facebook – regardless of area and demographic. Word-of-mouth (from relatives and social circles combined) is also a key source, particularly among 18-24 year-olds,” the pollster said. Around 28 percent of the respondents chose print media as their main news source, while 27 percent said they rely on radio for news consumption. Among television news outlets, GMA-7 is the most popular, but its rating dropped from 53 percent in the previous quarter to 49 percent this quarter. ABS-CBN Online remained steady in second place with a trust rating of 42 percent, while TV5/Interaksyon fluctuated from 41 percent in the second quarter to 37 percent in the third quarter. State-run People’s Television Network (PTV-4) garnered a 24 percent trust score. UNTV and Net25 maintain stable trust levels, while SMNI and Eagle News continue to decline, with fewer than two in 10 Filipinos trusting these outlets. For print media, the Philippine Daily Inquirer leads with a trust rating of 42 percent, followed by the Philippine Star at 40 percent. The Manila Bulletin, which dropped to 39 percent, ranked third in trust. Manila Times placed fourth with a 33 percent trust score, while Manila Standard and Sunstar Philippines were tied for fifth with 26 percent. For radio, Bombo Radyo (32 percent), DZRH (31 percent), and DZBB (31 percent) have all hit their lowest trust ratings in five quarters, according to the survey. Radyo Pilipinas has also declined with 25 percent, while DWPM 630 (formerly DZMM) remains the most stable among the top radio stations with 27 percent. Newer platforms like Newswatch Plus (formerly CNN Philippines) have trust levels comparable to top radio stations, while Insider PH is trusted by two in 10 Filipinos. FYT Media and Bilyonaryo News remain largely unknown to about four in 10 Filipinos. PAHAYAG 2024 Third Quarter (PQ3-2024) is an independent and non-commissioned survey. The survey used purposive sampling composed of 1,500 respondents randomly drawn from the market research panel of over 200,000 registered Filipino voters maintained by the Singapore office of PureSpectrum, a US-based panel marketplace with a multinational presence. (PNA)

  • By Katrina Domingo, September 29, 2024; ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/9/29/ph-campaigns-for-seat-in-un-security-council-seeks-reforms-revitalization-1608 MANILA — The Philippines on Sunday openly urged members of the United Nations to give Manila a seat in the UN Security Council, underscoring the country’s track record and commitment in upholding the rule of law. The Philippines has “emphasized that the rule of law and the integrity of the multilateral system must prevail amidst the current global challenges,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said in a speech delivered during the UN General Assembly in New York. The Philippines “has consistently pursued peace, the sovereign equality of states, the rights and dignity of all persons,” Manalo said, noting that the country is also recognized as the “first Asian Republic and a founding member of the United Nations.” “The Philippines is a trusted partner, innovative pathfinder and committed peacemaker. We bring experience, depth and steadfastness in working with the international community to address common global challenges,” he said. “We thus count on your support for our bid for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council for the term 2027 to 2028.” The Philippines has demonstrated that “stands alongside the pathfinders and bridge-builders of nations” with the successful transition of rebel fighters in Mindanao back to society, as well the the willingness of the country to host key international efforts, including the Board of the Loss and Damage fund for climate change, Manalo said. “We offer constructive solutions across the spectrum of the work of the United Nations – from human rights, health and humanitarian action to development, disarmament and disaster and climate risk reduction, from peacemaking to peacekeeping to peace building,” he said. “President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. affirmed that multilateralism remains the single viable platform for collective action against transcendent global challenges,” he said. Manalo made no mention of other countries, but his speech at the UNGA was delivered at the backdrop of China’s continued aggression in the West Philippine Sea, waters within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. A day before the UNGA, China’s People Liberation Army Southern Theater Command organized its naval and air forces and tailed Philippine vessels conducting joint sea and air activities with Australia, Japan, and New Zealand in the West Philippine Sea, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Earlier this month, Beijing rammed into one of the Philippines’ Coast Guard vessels anchored near Escoda Shoal, its latest aggression after months of using water cannons and military-grade lasers against Filipino-manned ships sailing in the West Philippine Sea. “Our world has been changing more rapidly than at any time in recent history,” Manalo said. “The UN must rise to the occasion with an agenda that fosters equity, justice, international peace and security, development, and adopts processes that are inclusive, transparent, responsive and effective,” he said. “One way to achieve this is to reform the Security Council and revitalize the General Assembly,” he said. “Security Council reform should be a package consisting of the enlargement of its membership and improvement of its working methods, in order to create greater transparency and accountability of the Council to the general membership of the UN,” he said. The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier said that securing a seat in the UN Security Council is “very important” for the Philippines. “We’ll be able to engage in the most important dialogues and debates and vote on important issues,” he said. “We have interests in the rule of law and international law, maintaining peace and stability,” DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega earlier said. “We have millions of Filipinos overseas and we need the world to continue living and aspiring for goals for which the UN was created,” he added. The primary responsibility of the UN Security Council, composed of 15 members, is to maintain international peace and security. The council’s five permanent members are China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Current temporary members include Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana, India, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico, Norway, and the United Arab Emirates. The last time the Philippines assumed one of the elected seats in the Security Council was for the term 2004-2005.

  • By Louella Desiderio, September 27, 2024; The Philippine Star https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/09/27/2388235/global-innovation-index-philippines-rises-53rd MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines was among the fastest risers in a decade in the latest Global Innovation Index (GII) of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), moving up three places this year to 53rd out of 133 economies. The report released yesterday showed the country was among the fastest 10-year climbers starting from 90th in 2013. Other economies that have made the biggest advances in the GII in the past decade are China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Turkey, Vietnam and Morocco. Aside from the Philippines moving up three ranks from the previous year’s 56th, the WIPO said it has also attained third position in the lower middle-income group. The Philippines’ 2024 GII rank is also better than the government’s target of placing 54th this year under the Philippine Development Plan (PDP). The GII ranks economies based on their innovation ecosystem performance and tracks global innovation trends. It is intended to guide policymakers, business leaders and others in unleashing human ingenuity to improve lives and address shared challenges, like climate change. “Notable areas in which it excels are trade-related indicators, including high-tech exports (first globally), high-tech imports, creative goods exports and ICT (information communications technology) services exports,” WIPO said. It said the Philippines has also made advances, albeit at lower levels, in intangible assets, driven by its strong global brand value and the intangible asset intensity of its companies. The Philippines moved up in almost all pillars tracked by the report. In particular, it ranked 65th in the institutions pillar, up from 79th in the previous year. In human capital and research, the Philippines moved up to 84th from 88th last year. As for infrastructure, the Philippines climbed to 85th from 86th in 2023. The Philippines, however, saw its ranking go down to 77th in market sophistication from 55th last year. In terms of business sophistication, the Philippines rose to 37th from 38th in 2023. It also moved up in knowledge and technology outputs to 42nd place from the previous year’s 46th. In creative outputs, the Philippines’ rank remained at 60th. Under the PDP, the aim is for the Philippines to rank 43rd in the GII by 2028.

  • By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, September 27, 2024; Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1234305 MANILA – Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman has trumpeted Republic Act 12009 or the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA) and digitalization efforts as major anti-corruption measures of the Marcos administration. Pangandaman discussed the Philippines’ anti-corruption and integrity-building measures during the Open Government Partnership (OGP) leaders’ roundtable held on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at Ford Foundation in New York City on Thursday (US time). Pangandaman said the NGPA is an important measure against corruption, considering that public procurement is “one of the governance aspects most prone to corruption.” She noted that the Philippine government allots 40 to 45 percent of the annual budget to procurement undertakings. “This law guarantees transparency through open contracting, wherein all stakeholders will have access to procurement information and observers from the private sector and civil society will be invited to participate in all levels of procurement proceedings,” Pangandaman said. Pangandaman said the new procurement law also requires the disclosure of beneficial ownership to identify the ultimate owner and prevent collusion in public procurement. “It, likewise, specifies measures to hold public officials accountable and imposes penalties for non-disclosure and false entries on beneficial ownership information,” she said. The NGPA establishes several innovative procurement approaches to provide greater flexibility to procuring entities, tailored to their specific needs. These include competitive dialogue, unsolicited offers with bid matching, direct acquisition, direct sales, and direct procurement for science, technology and innovation. She said the efforts to digitalize transactions in the services of government also vital in stopping corruption. She said the Marcos administration is fast-tracking the digitalization of public financial management processes. “Through Executive Order No. 29, the President has ordered the full adoption of the Integrated Financial Management Information System to ensure the timely and efficient management of public funds. This will enable us to not only foster bureaucratic efficiency but also eradicate corruption as it covers all instrumentalities of the national government,” Pangandaman said. Pangandaman said that the Philippines ranked first in Asia in budget transparency based on the 2023 Open Budget Survey and sixth in the world for budget oversight. The roundtable, led by OGP chief executive officer Sanjhay Pradhan and moderated by New Zealand’s OGP ambassador Helen Clark, was organized to discuss initiatives aimed at further advancing open government reforms within the UNGA member states and at the international level in an effort to build trust and strengthen democracies. With the theme “The Future is Open: Enhancing Cooperation and Driving Ambitious Reforms Through Open Government,” the OGP roundtable was attended by representatives from OGP member countries around the world. (PNA)

  • By: Jeannette I. Andrade, September 23, 2024; Philippine Daily Inquirer https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1985882/house-poised-to-pass-p6-352-t-budget-this-week?utm_source=(direct)&utm_medium=gallery Manila, Philippines — The House of Representatives is set to approve the P6.352-trillion national budget for next year before Congress goes into break as President Marcos is expected to certify as urgent the 2025 general appropriations bill (GAB). The figure is a 10.1 percent increase from the current national budget of P5.768 trillion, as the Department of Budget and Management had also earlier projected. House Majority Leader and Zamboanga City Rep. Manuel Dalipe said that once Marcos certifies House Bill No. 10800, or the proposed 2025 budget, as urgent, the House could approve it on second and on third reading on the same day. The chamber is planning to finish this on Wednesday (Sept. 25), or after two weeks of plenary debates, before its recess by the end of the month. Dalipe said before the proposed 2025 national budget is approved on final reading, the chamber will hear the “Turno En Contra (opposition)” remarks on the outlay followed by the period of amendments. He pointed out that due to the expected numerous suggestions for amendments, the House would create a small committee to take charge of the proposals. Prosperity agenda Speaker Martin Romualdez pointed out that the House was sticking to its timeline of scrutinizing and approving the proposed 2025 budget “because we are treating the national spending program with urgency without sacrificing transparency.” He pointed out that the approval of the outlay before Congress goes into recess would afford the Senate enough time for its own debate-passage process, adding, “we have sufficient time to finally agree on the budget before yearend.” He said the 2025 GAB “will serve as our tool for sustained economic development,” adding that it “will support the Agenda for Prosperity programs of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.” Romualdez said next year’s budget would also “serve as an instrument for the government to spread the dividends of economic progress through various social protection and financial assistance initiatives, and funding for infrastructures like roads, hospitals, classrooms, seaports and airports, irrigation systems, and transportation networks.” “We hope our people will feel the benefits of growth through the programs intended for them in the national budget,” he said. Marathon sessions The House has been conducting marathon plenary sessions every day since Sept. 16 starting at 10 a.m. until the agenda for the day, consisting of different agencies, was finished. During its first week of plenary debates, the House approved the proposed funding for the Department of Finance, Department of Justice, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Tourism, Department of Labor and Employment, National Economic and Development Authority, the judiciary, Office of the Ombudsman and Commission on Human Rights. Also approved were the budgets for the Commission on Elections, Presidential Communications Office, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, state universities and colleges, government corporations, and the Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of National Defense, Department of Migrant Workers and Department of Science and Technology. Realignment Scheduled to be tackled on Monday are the proposed budgets for the Office of the President, Office of the Vice President (OVP), National Irrigation Administration, Energy Regulatory Commission, Civil Service Commission, Commission on Audit, Congress, Department of Agriculture, Department of Health (DOH), Department of Energy, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Transportation, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Public Works and Highways, and Department of Education. While deliberations on many of the budget proposals of different agencies went smoothly, that of the OVP proved contentious following the failure of Vice President Sara Duterte to attend or answer questions by lawmakers. In the end, the House committee on appropriations last week recommended slashing the proposed OVP budget of P2.037 billion for 2025 to only P733.198 million. Panel senior vice chair and Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo said the OVP budget was cut by P1.29 billion, affecting the social service programs of Duterte’s office, adding that lawmakers intended to realign that money to other government agencies such as the social welfare and health departments. “The committee on appropriations decided to recommend a reduced budget for the Office of the Vice President and the reduction shall be split by the DSWD AICS (Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation) program and the DOH MAIFIP (Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients) program,” Quimbo said. Earlier, Duterte said she did not mind having her office totally defunded, adding that she saw it as part of an alleged coordinated attack against her. “We also heard that there will be defunding—the Office of the Vice President’s budget will be defunded. We also heard that it’s possible they will only give the Office of the Vice President a budget of only P1. We are ready. I am ready in the Office of the Vice President to work even without a budget,” Duterte was quoted as saying in Filipino. “Our operations are small. We can certainly work even without a budget. We know that’s part of the attack. So we will continue to do what we need to do for the people,” she said.

  • By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, September 20, 2024; Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1233792 MANILA – The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Friday said it would find ways to create more plantilla positions in the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). This, as DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the agency would continue to push for the regularization of its employees under contracts of service (COS) and job orders (JOs). In a statement, the DBM said it can only create positions in a government department or office once a requesting agency makes a proper submission of request. “This is the case since the departments/agencies are still in the best position to identify and determine the appropriate positions for creation to enable their agency to fully implement their programs/projects,” the DBM said. During the Senate Committee on Finance hearing on DSWD’s proposed 2025 budget on Monday, Gatchalian said the DSWD has submitted a three-year plan to the DBM for the regularization of its COS and JO personnel. Gatchalian said the agency wants the gradual transition of COS and JOs into more stable positions, citing the migration of its Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) personnel to contractual employees. The DBM said it had several consultation meetings with the DSWD since 2022 to address various concerns and facilitate the creation of the 4Ps Bureau and its corresponding positions, including those at the regional levels. It said it provided recommendations, including the prioritization of the creation of the 4Ps Bureau, when the DSWD presented on July 23 this year the proposed structure and staffing of the proposed bureau. “We also proposed to the DSWD the evaluation of the mix of positions within the 4Ps Bureau, including regular items which will perform permanent and continuing functions, contractual items to undertake project-based and time-bounded activities, and COS/JO workers to support the Department,” the DBM said. “Pending the submission of the DSWD’s proposal for the creation of new positions and the regularization of its 4Ps workers, the DBM will continue its close coordination with the agency, especially in prescribing the number of positions and creating the organizational structure that would best serve the interest of its stakeholders, especially the 4Ps beneficiaries,” it added. A total of 16,634 contractual items have so far been created for the conversion of the DSWD’s existing COS or JO items into contractual positions, the DBM said. The DSWD’s contractual workers are receiving benefits similar to the regular employees and their rendered services are creditable as government service. “Of said created contractual items, the DBM has approved the conversion of 9,025 COS/JO items into contractual-coterminous positions, which were assigned in units concerned in the Central and Regional Offices of the DSWD, prior to the institutionalization of the 4Ps back in 2019,” the DBM said. From December 2020 to May 2024, a total of 7,609 additional contractual positions were created for the existing qualified COS or JO workers of the DSWD who are involved in the implementation of the 4Ps, the DBM said. (PNA)

  • By Filane Mikee Cervantes, September 12, 2024; Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1233226 MANILA – The House of Representatives is targeting the approval of the proposed PHP6.352-trillion national budget for 2025 on the third and final reading by Sept. 25, a House leader said on Thursday. House Appropriations Committee senior vice chair and Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo said the 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) is scheduled for plenary debates beginning Sept.16. She said the plenary debates would run from Sept. 16 to Sept. 25. “Hopefully po kung masusunod po namin ang schedule, hopefully… ay matatapos namin pong mauprubahan on third reading ang General Appropriations Bill by Sept. 25 (Hopefully, if we can adhere to the schedule, hopefully… we will be able to approve the General Appropriations Bill on third reading by Sept 25),” Quimbo said during a press conference. In most cases, the budget bill is usually certified as urgent by the President, allowing Congress to expedite the legislative process by approving it on the second and third reading on the same day. The schedule of floor deliberations will start with the Department of Finance, National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Budget and Management, lump sum funds, the judiciary, and the Department of Justice on Sept. 16. On Sept. 17, the chamber will tackle the budgets of the Office of the Ombudsman, Commission on Human Rights, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Tourism, and Department of Labor and Employment. The Sept. 18 debates will focus on the budgets of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Commission on Elections, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Trade and Industry, Commission on Higher Education, Games and Amusement Board, Philippine Space Agency, Philippine Sports Commission, Anti-Money Laundering Council, and state universities and colleges. The budgets of the Department of National Defense, Department of Migrant Workers, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, as well as the budgetary support to various government corporations will be deliberated on Sept. 19. On Sept. 20, the chamber will discuss the budgets of the Presidential Communications Office, Department of Information and Communications Technology, several executive offices, budgetary support to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and allocation to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. Sept. 23 will be scheduled for the budgets of the Office of the Vice President, Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, Department of Energy, Energy Regulatory Commission, and other executive offices such as the Dangerous Drugs Board, National Security Council, Mindanao Development Authority, and the Marawi Compensation Board, among others. The budgets of the Civil Service Commission, Commission on Audit, Department of Education, Department of Social Welfare and Development, National Commission of Senior Citizens, and Department of Transportation will be tackled on Sept. 24. The last day on Sept. 25 will be allotted for the budget deliberations of the Department of Public Works and Highways, Office of the President, and Congress of the Philippines.

  • By Kristine Daguno-Bersamina, August 31, 2024; Philippine Star https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/08/31/2381888/marcos-institutionalizes-etravel-system MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has officially made the electronic travel (eTravel) system the standard process for all international passengers and crew members. According to Administrative Order (AO) 24 issued on August 27, the eTravel system was designed to streamline procedures for international travel. “The eTravel System is hereby institutionalized as the government’s one-stop electronic travel declaration system for all international inbound and outbound passengers and crew members,” the AO, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on behalf of the president, read. It will now be used by the government for border control, health surveillance, tourism data analysis and other travel-related operations. AO 24 also established a Technical Working Group (TWG) to oversee the system’s usage and improvements. The group, led by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) as co-chair, includes the Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) and Bureau of Customs (BOC). All relevant government bodies are ordered to support the TWG to ensure the effective implementation of the eTravel system while adhering to the Data Privacy Act of 2012. The system, which started in 2022, was recently updated to include a single QR code for customs, immigration and other travel requirements. It also added features like customs and currency declaration forms and documents for overseas Filipino workers. Funding for the eTravel system will come from the existing budgets of the involved agencies, with future needs included in their budget proposals. The order, which was released to the media on Saturday, is effective immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper.

  • By Wilnard Bacelonia, August 30, 2024; Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1232286 MANILA – The Philippine Senate has introduced a new online platform called “Senate Assist” with the goal of transforming public service delivery. Developed with the support from public and private sectors, the platform aims to revolutionize how the Senate provides assistance, like medical and social services, making them more accessible and efficient. In a news release on Friday, Senate President Francis Escudero said Senate Assist removes traditional barriers by allowing Filipinos to request help with just a few clicks, eliminating the need for travel or bureaucratic delays. “With Senate Assist, we are dismantling the barriers that have long separated our people from the help they need. Hindi na kailangan pang maghintay, magbyahe o mang-abala para makahingi ng tulong (There is no need to wait, travel, or bother to get help). Now, with just a few clicks, assistance is within reach,” he said. “No more waiting, no more traveling, no more red tape. Senate Assist puts the power of public service directly into the hands of every Filipino, 24/7,” Escudero said. The platform was first tested in Tuguegarao City during an event hosted by the Senate Spouses Foundation, Inc. It was also showcased in Talisay City on Thursday at the “Lab For All” program led by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos. “This is just the beginning. Senate Assist will evolve, innovate and expand to ensure that no Filipino is left behind. Our mission is clear: to be there for our people, whenever and wherever they need us,” Escudero said. The platform, which can be accessed through assist.senate.gov.ph, will be rolled out nationwide. (PNA)

  • By Presidential Communications Office, August 29, 2024 https://mirror.pco.gov.ph/news_releases/neda-okays-cscs-service-modernization-ncr-priority-bridges-improvement-projects/ The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board, chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., approved on Wednesday the Civil Service Modernization Project, modifications in cost and extensions of the implementation period and loan validity for bridges in Metro Manila, and the inclusion of the Secretaries of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Education (DepEd) in the NEDA Board. In an interview at Malacañang, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said that among the items approved during the 20th NEDA Board meeting was the PhP3.8-billion Philippine Civil Service Modernization Project under the Civil Service Commission (CSC), a vital initiative for the development of human resource management processes in the public sector. The project will be implemented from 2025 to 2029. “It’s quite an important project for the development of human resource management processes in the public sector,” said Balisacan, who heads the NEDA. The Board also approved the request for an increase in cost and an extension of the implementation period and loan validity for the Metro Manila Priority Bridges Seismic Improvement Project (MMPBSIP) to improve the safety and resilience of two bridges in the National Capital Region. The MMPBSIP will strengthen the seismic resilience of Metro Manila’s transport network by replacing, retrofitting, and reinforcing the Guadalupe Bridge and the Lambingan Bridge. The total project cost will be increased by PhP2.41 billion (30.33 percent), from PhP7.93 billion to PhP10.34 billion. There was also confirmation of ad referendum decisions on the upgrade, expansion, operation, and maintenance of both the Bohol-Panglao International Airport and the Laguindingan International Airport. “We also reported on the progress in the implementation of the 186 infrastructure flagship projects and also how those relate with ‘yung earlier reported as problematic ODA (official development assistance) projects. Providing the updates on those projects,” Balisacan said. This is included in the 2024 Second Quarter Progress Report on the Infrastructure Flagship Projects under the Build-Better-More Program. The inclusion of the DA and DepEd Secretaries in the NEDA Board ensures that the administration’s priorities in agriculture and food security, as well as education—particularly the development of skills for a competitive economy—are properly addressed, the NEDA chief added.

  • By Louella Desiderio, August 28, 2024; Philippine Star https://qa.philstar.com/business/2024/08/28/2380976/philippines-benefit-united-kingdoms-economic-integration-program MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is expected to get funding from the United Kingdom’s £25-million program that seeks to support efforts to promote economic growth in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). UK Embassy deputy head of mission Alistair White told reporters on the sidelines of the launch of the Policy Reform, lnnovation and Streamlining Management e-learning platform yesterday, the Philippines is part of the countries that would benefit from the ASEAN-UK Economic Integration Program (EIP), which is making available £25 million worth of funding to support growth initiatives in the region. “The Philippines will be part of that. And we’ll be developing partnerships and programs with the government of the Philippines over the next months and years as to that program,” he said. He said the amount of funding for the Philippines has yet to be determined as the two countries are still in the development and scoping phase for the cooperation. He said the cooperation between the UK and the Philippines will focus on regulatory reform, financial services and open trade. The UK is working with government agencies such as the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), Department of Trade and Industry and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for the program. White said a team from the UK is set to visit the Philippines next month to discuss the intervention to be undertaken with the ARTA. “By early 2025, we should be starting to see much better detail,” he said. Launched last April, the EIP is designed to provide targeted support to ASEAN member states through technical assistance, capacity building and knowledge-sharing to foster economic growth and address development barriers. EIP will focus on supporting regulatory reform to facilitate trade and economic activity, promote open trade and develop financial services to increase access for citizens and businesses. White said the program’s overarching goal is to open opportunities for growth and investments both for ASEAN and the UK.

  • By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora, August 16, 2024; Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1231382 MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said preparations are ongoing for the implementation of online voting for overseas Filipinos for the upcoming 2025 national elections. In a statement Friday, the DFA said its Overseas Voting Secretariat (OVS) and the Commission on Elections-Office for Overseas Voting (Comelec-OFOV) have so far conducted training and information drives in South Korea, Spain, Hong Kong SAR, and Singapore. “DFA-OVS fully supports Comelec with this additional new mode of voting that will not only encourage our Kababayans abroad to exercise their right of suffrage but will also make the electoral process easier and more convenient for them,” DFA Undersecretary and OVS Chairperson Jesus Domingo said. “Information campaigns on internet voting will also play a vital role in the success of it. The secretariat is committed and ready to assist Comelec through our Foreign Service Posts in this regard,” he added. Similar trainings are scheduled in San Francisco, California in September, Prague in Czech Republic, Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates in October, Vancouver in Canada this November, and Doha, Qatar soon. “If internet voting for overseas Filipinos proves to be successful, we can use it domestically for our senior citizens, persons with disability and pregnant women,” Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said. A total of 76 foreign service posts including the Manila Economic Cultural Offices (MECOs) and Mission will conduct internet voting for the 2025 polls. The deadline for overseas voter registration is Sept. 30, 2024. (PNA)

  • By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, August 16, 2024; Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1231349 MANILA – The upgrade of the Philippines’ credit rating to “A-“ with a stable outlook reflects investors’ confidence in the country’s robust economy and fiscal policy, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said on Friday. In an interview with dzRH’s Dos Por Dos, Pangandaman said the implementation of the “whole-of-government” approach played a key part in the country’s improved credit score. “Kumbaga po gumaganda ‘yung katayuan yung estado ng ekonomiya at kaya mong magbayad ng utang. So, kung mangutang ka, maganda ‘yung rates mo and then mag-tiwala sa ’yo ‘yung mga nagpapautang kasi maganda ‘yung rating mo (It seems that the state of the economy is improving and you are able to pay off the debt. So, if you get a loan, your rates are good and then the lenders will trust you because you have a good rating),” she said. Pangandaman said the Philippines’ high credit rating is proof that the Marcos government can sustain the country’s economic growth. She added that it also indicates the effectiveness of the administration’s 2022-2028 Medium-Term Fiscal Framework and the initiatives to ease inflation. “Maganda ‘yung credit rating. Ibig sabihin po nakakabayad kayo at saka nakikita po nila na yung inuutang niyo, ginagamit niyo productively (The credit rating is good. It means that you are able to pay and then they see that you are using the borrowed money productively),” Pangandaman said. The Philippines currently holds two “A-” ratings from the Japan’s Rating and Investment Information, Inc. (R&I) and Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR), “BBB” from Fitch Ratings, “Baa2” from Moody’s Ratings, and “BBB+” from Standard & Poor’s (S&P) Global Ratings. R&I, the largest credit rating agency in Japan, on Wednesday upgraded the Philippines to A- with a stable outlook, citing the country’s macroeconomic stability, high economic growth path, and improvement in fiscal balance. An “A-” credit rating reflects strong investor confidence in the country’s macroeconomic stability, high economic growth, and improved fiscal position. Pangandaman earlier said an “A” credit rating is possible for the Philippines as early as 2025. (PNA)

  • By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, August 9, 2024; Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1230903 MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday vowed that his administration would continue pursuing job-generating initiatives that could help in further transforming the Philippine economy. Marcos made the pledge, as he attributed the 6.3-percent economic growth in the second quarter of 2024 to the increase in investments and construction under the Build Better More program. “Inuulit ko, balewala lahat ng ating ginagawa kung walang pagbabago sa buhay ng mga Pilipino (I repeat, everything we do is meaningless if there are no changes in the lives of Filipinos),” he said in a video message uploaded on the Presidential Communications Office’s official Facebook page. “So I assure you, this government will continue to invest in job-generating infrastructure, social protection programs, health and education for all Filipinos. We will not rest on our laurels but use them to propel us forward into social and economic transformation,” he added. The country’s economic growth accelerated to 6.3 percent in the second quarter of 2024, higher than the 4.3 percent during the same period last year and the 5.8 percent in the first quarter of this year. He said the government is doing everything to give Filipinos “decent and formal” jobs to elevate them to middle class. “Kaya patuloy ang ating pagbibigay ng sapat at kalidad na trabaho (That’s why we continue to provide adequate and quality jobs). This June, the unemployment rate dropped to 3.1 percent, one of the lowest on record for the last two decades. Over 50.3 million Filipinos are now employed, with 63.8 percent of them in the formal sector,” Marcos said. Marcos assured Filipinos of his administration’s commitment to combat poverty, saying the goal is already “within its reach” as the latest poverty rate also dropped to 15.5 percent. “[That] means we have lifted two and a half million Filipinos out of poverty and only 10.9 percent of Filipino families remain poor. Our goal is to further reduce this rate to 9 percent by 2028, and improve the lives of eight million Filipinos,” Marcos said. (PNA)

  • By Sheldeen Joy Talavera, August 6, 2024; BusinessWorld https://www.bworldonline.com/economy/2024/08/06/612542/water-resources-department-expected-to-boost-access-to-sanitation-services/ THE creation of a Water department will concentrate responsibilities currently held by many agencies in one body, improving access to water and sanitation services, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said. “For NEDA’s perspective, we need one responsible institution… it’s really the optimal solution,” NEDA Assistant Secretary Roderick M. Planta said at the SME Finance Forum on Tuesday. The measure seeking to create a Department of Water Resources is among the list of priority bills identified by the Marcos administration, with approval by Congress expected before June 2025, according to the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council.  “We’d love the support from the private sector to make that happen,” Mr. Planta added. Under the NEDA’s Philippine Water Supply and Sanitation Master Plan published in 2021, the Philippines will need an estimated P1.07 trillion until 2030 to achieve universal access to water supply and sanitation. The plan also supports the creation of the Department of Water Resources, which would “unify our fragmented water sector.” “Technically, how do you sort of encourage private sector participation when the regulatory environment is confusing?,” Mr. Planta said. Griselda G. Santos, Water.org regional director for Southeast Asia, noted the progress that has been made, but added that things need to be done with a bill pending to attain sustainable development goals by 2030. “The fact that there’s a law lodged in Congress right now (is) progress itself, but it’s a question of when. In the meantime, do we wait for that law to be in place? Because it’s a whole process, right?,” she told reporters. Ms. Santos said it would take billions of dollars per year to reach sustainable development goals by 2030. “We cannot wait for the law to pass. We need some action between the public and private sector,” she said. Alberto E. Pascual, president and chief executive officer of Philippine Guarantee Corp., said that lending to high-risk projects such those in the water sector might be addressed by an agency in which the proper authority is lodged. “If there’s an agency like maybe the Department of Water (that) will orchestrate everything and will dictate the direction of where financing will be needed, the private banks and other lenders will take the cue,” Mr. Pascual said. “We, as the guarantee institution of the government, provide sovereign guarantees; we can mitigate the risk in lending to these water projects, because water projects are very complex, and there are a lot of risks,” he added. 

  • By Anna Leah Gonzales, August 6, 2024; Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1230536 MANILA – The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) on Tuesday assured that the government is implementing crucial interventions to support the most vulnerable sectors and ensure food security amid La Niña and the higher inflation recorded in July. “The government is relentlessly working to address our nation’s most pressing concern of ensuring food security for every Filipino amid the faster rise in prices in July and the expected typhoons and rains due to the onset of La Niña this August,” NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said in a statement. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that headline inflation settled at 4.4 percent in July, higher than the 3.7 percent in June this year. The increase was primarily driven by higher inflation in food and non-food items, with notable upticks in housing prices, utilities, fuel, meat, corn, and fruits. In a briefing, National Statistician Dennis Mapa said that food inflation went up to 6.7 percent from 6.5 percent in June. Mapa said the increase was attributed to higher inflation rates for meat (4.8 percent from 3.1 percent), corn (17.5 percent from 13.1 percent), fruits (8.4 percent from 5.6 percent), eggs and other dairy products (1.8 percent from 1.3 percent), and ready-made food products (6.0 percent from 5.9 percent). According to Mapa, the recent weather disasters affected agricultural commodities and contributed to the higher prices of vegetables. “So pwede na nagstart na yung impact. But expectation is that normally sa ating historical data, pagkatapos ng typhoon, tumataas price ng vegtable, yun yung isa. Dun tayo may expectation na pwede tumaas itong August 2024. (So it’s possible that the impact already started. But the expectation is that normally in our historical data, after a typhoon, prices of vegetable go up. Our expectation is [prices] may also increase this month),” said Mapa. Rice inflation, however, went down to 20.9 percent from 22.5 percent. Mapa said rice inflation may fall below 20 percent this month, due to base effects and the impact of the rice tariff reduction. For non-food items, transportation inflation rose to 3.6 percent from 3.1 percent in June, which NEDA said was driven by the increase in global petroleum prices due to the unexpected large withdrawals of United States gasoline stocks, optimistic fuel demand forecasts, and the ongoing geopolitical tension in the Middle East. Housing and utilities inflation meanwhile also went up to 2.3 percent from 0.1 percent, while electricity (-5.4 percent from -13.7 percent) recorded a slower deflation. This change is attributed to the rise in international contract prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and the increase of Meralco rates in July. The Wholesale Electricity Spot Market charges normalized after the Energy Regulatory Commission ordered a staggered collection of May generation costs. Gov’t interventions NEDA said that while rice prices already started to ease, the Department of Agriculture launched the Rice-for-All Program to ease the burden of elevated rice prices. Under the program, rice will be sold at PHP45 per kilo at selected KADIWA centers, with prices adjusted according to the fluctuations in rice prices. In preparation for La Niña, DA also assured the availability of the quick response fund, assistance, credit, and seed buffer stock. The agency has also expedited the declogging of farm drainage systems and the construction of water-impounding projects and post-harvest facilities. To assist farmers in dealing with higher fuel prices, DA will provide around PHP510 million in fuel subsidies to crop, livestock, and poultry farmers. It is anticipated that around 160,000 farmers will benefit from over PHP3,000 in fuel assistance between August and September this year. “Between 2023 and 2021, about 2.5 million Filipinos were lifted out of poverty, bringing our country’s poverty incidence down to 15.5 percent from 18.1 percent. Our goal now is to sustain this momentum by addressing the constraints to food security and economic development more broadly,” Balisacan said. “We emphasize that the country’s economic gains are intended to benefit all Filipinos. The government’s economic policies aim to alleviate poverty by ensuring that all Filipinos can afford their basic needs and achieve a decent standard of living toward a matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay para sa lahat (stable, prosperous, and peaceful life for everyone,” he added. Medium-term inflation path In a separate statement, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said the latest inflation data is consistent with its assessment that inflation will temporarily breach the government’s target in July due to higher electricity rates and positive base effects. The BSP however noted that inflation will likely follow a general downtrend beginning in August 2024. “The balance of risks to the inflation outlook has shifted to the downside for 2024 and 2025 due largely to the impact of the lower import tariff on rice under Executive Order (EO) 62 (Series of 2024),” said the BSP. The BSP however said higher prices of food items other than rice, as well as higher transport and electricity charges continue to pose upside risks to inflation. “The Monetary Board will consider the latest inflation outturn as well as the Q2 (second quarter) 2024 national accounts in its assessment of the inflation outlook and the balance of risks in the August 2024 monetary policy meeting,” said the BSP. “Moving forward, the BSP will ensure that monetary policy settings remain in line with its primary mandate to safeguard price stability conducive to sustainable economic growth,” it added. One-time uptick For his part, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said the 4.4-percent inflation last month is likely a one-time uptick and the rate of price increase for the rest of the year is expected to be tamed. “Pansamantala lamang ang pagtaas ng inflation rate nitong Hulyo dahil sa tinatawag nating base effect sa presyo ng bigas. Para masukat ang pagbilis o pagbagal ng pagtaas o pagbaba ng presyo ng mga bilihin, inihahambing po natin ito sa presyo ng mga bilihin noong Hulyo ng nakaraang taon kung saan hindi pa masyadong tumaas ang presyo ng bigas (The increase in the inflation Read More…

  • By Sheila Crisostomo, August 5, 2024; The Philippine Star https://qa.philstar.com/headlines/2024/08/05/2375494/house-starts-deliberations-p6352-trillion-budget Manila, Philippines — The House of Representatives starts today the deliberations on the proposed P6.352-trillion national expenditure program (NEP) for 2025 of the Marcos administration. First to face the House committee on appropriations will be the economic team, which comprises the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) – the Department of Budget and Management, National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Finance and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. According to Marikina City Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo, committee vice chair, they will begin with the presentation of the DBCC to “determine the macroeconomic assumptions used in formulating the budget presented to Congress, the sources of funds, and priority expenditures.” “This will be the basis of the Committee on Appropriations in filing the General Appropriations Bill that will be approved at the plenary,” Quimbo said, referring to the GAB that contains the NEP. Speaker Martin Romualdez said the House would like to know from the economic managers “how the country could sustain its economic growth and how such growth could benefit our people.” “Our economic expansion, projected by multilateral financial institutions at between 5.9 to 6.2 percent next year, should be felt by our people, especially the poor, in terms of more job and income opportunities, more affordable food on their table and lower consumer prices,” Romualdez said. He noted that many of the poor complain that the economic boom is benefitting only the rich, the big companies and the stock and financial market investors. “They say they cannot eat economic growth. If majority of our people do not feel our economic expansion, they should at least see it in terms of the proper use of the national budget for social services, education, health, infrastructure and direct financial assistance to the poor and other vulnerable sectors,” Romualdez added. Priority sectors Under the NEP, the education sector remains the top priority getting P977 billion in 2025, higher than the proposed P968 billion for 2024. The proposal will cover the budget for the Department of Education, state colleges and universities, Commission on Higher Education and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. Coming in close second is the Department of Public Works and Highways with P900 billion in 2025. The proposed budget is lower, though, when compared to the P997.9 billion in the 2024 NEP. Health, including the budget for the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., is the third priority sector getting P297.6 billion, down from P308.3 billion in 2024 NEP. The Department of the Interior and Local Government gets a share of P278.4 billion, which is higher than the P263-billion proposal in 2024. Also getting an increase in allotment is the Department of National Defense with P256.1 billion, up from P240.6 billion in 2024. The other priority sectors are the Department of Social Welfare and Development with P230.1 billion, Department of Agriculture and its attached corporations with P211.3 billion, Department of Transportation with P180.9 billion, judiciary with P63.6 billion and Department of Justice with P40.6 billion. The P6.352-trillion NEP for 2025 is 10.1 percent higher than this year’s national budget and is 22.1 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.

  • By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, August 3, 2024; Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1230413 MANILA – Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman on Saturday ordered the swift issuance of guidelines for the salary adjustments of government workers. This was after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday signed Executive Order (EO) 64, which grants a salary increase and medical allowance to government employees. “I already instructed our concerned DBM (Deprtment of Budget and Management) officials to swiftly complete the guidelines for the approved salary increase,” Pangandaman said in a statement. “We will rush the implementing guidelines so that government employees will see their first round of salary increases this 2024,” she added. Pangandaman said approximately PHP36 billion from the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund (MPBF) under the 2024 General Appropriations Act would be allotted for the implementation of the first tranche of salary increase. She added that the DBM has earmarked around PHP70 billion under the 2025 MPBF to cover the additional cost requirements for both first and second tranches. Pangandaman said the first tranche of salary increase would be retroactively given to government personnel this year. The second, third and fourth tranches will be implemented on Jan. 1 of 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively. “Secured po ang increase this year at may increase din next year (The increase this year and next year is already secured),” Pangandaman said. “Ang computation po para sa initial tranche natin ay (The computation for our initial tranche is) retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024, so merong (there would be) salary differential or back pay,” she added. Pangandaman expressed gratitude to Marcos for making her dream to increase government workers’ salaries “finally become a reality.” Government workers will also receive PHP7,000 worth of medical allowance annually beginning 2025, according to EO 64. (PNA)

  • August 5, 2024 9:38 am

    PBBM names new acting DTI chief

    By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, August 2, 2024; Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1230327 MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has designated Trade Undersecretary Ma. Cristina Roque as Acting Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Malacañang announced on Friday. The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced Roque’s appointment in a Facebook post on the same day Secretary Alfredo Pascual’s resignation took effect. Marcos administered the oath of office to Roque as DTI acting secretary in a ceremony at Malacañan Palace in Manila. The PCO shared to reporters several photos of Roque’s oath-taking. Prior to her new stint, Roque served as DTI undersecretary leading the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development Group. She has executed various programs and initiatives aimed at helping MSMEs, according to the statement issued by the PCO. “She oversees critical areas including the Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development, the Bureau of Marketing Development and Promotions, the OTOP (One Town, One Product) Program Management Office, and the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Management Office,” the PCO said. “Additionally, she manages the operations of the Small Business Corporation and the Cooperative Development Authority,” it added. The PCO said Marcos believes Roque is an “excellent choice” to become the acting head of the DTI, given her dedication and leadership in the MSME sector. “The President emphasized the importance of the Department of Trade and Industry and the need for capable leadership. The DTI plays a pivotal role in our nation’s economic growth, particularly in supporting MSMEs,” it said. Roque earned her bachelor’s degree in Industrial Management Engineering, minor in Chemical Engineering from De La Salle University. Marcos is expecting a “seamless transition” under Roque’s leadership, the PCO said. Pascual’s resignation was first announced by the PCO on July 31. The PCO said Marcos is grateful to Pascual for his service and contributions to the department. (PNA)

  • By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan, July 30, 2024; Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1230048 MANILA – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) aims to empower local government units (LGUs) and engage civil society organizations (CSOs) to contribute to good local governance through a five-year roadmap, an official said Tuesday. During the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas hosted by the Philippine Information Agency, DILG-National Capital Region (NCR) director Maria Lourdes Agustin said the ‘UNITE’ Agenda which spans from 2023 to 2028, outlines a transformative course for the department and its attached agencies. ‘UNITE’ stands for unleashing the maximum potential of good local governance; nourishing the bonds of national and local governments to address key sectoral concerns; intensifying efforts to ensure public order and safety; transforming governance through technology and innovation; and enhancing the capabilities of the department by improving the capabilities of its personnel. One of the programs under this agenda, Agustin said, is the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) which serves as the primary performance-based assessment program for excellence in local governance. The SGLG has 10 components — good fiscal or financial administration or financial sustainability; health compliance and responsiveness; disaster preparedness; social protection and sensitivity program; programs for sustainable education; business friendliness and competitiveness; safety, and peace and order; environmental management; tourism, culture, and arts; and youth development programs. “Aside from the UNITE Agenda, one of the focuses of this program is the DILG’s role in coaching and monitoring the LGUs’ implementation of SGLG incentives fund program. This also includes the program to boost the involvement of CSOs in our local special bodies through giving guidance or developing a policy on the accreditation process for CSOs where they can take part for their advocacies to be given attention,” she said in Filipino. Agustin said one of the fruits of this collaboration is the creation of the Pasig City CSO Academy. “The Pasig City CSO Academy is the first NGO (non-government organization)-initiated academy that aims to provide training courses to CSO leaders. The DILG is among those helping the Pasig City LGU in establishing this,” she added. DILG also initiated the Dagyaw Open Government town hall meetings where LGUs, CSOs, and other government agencies tackle policies and develop measures to address various concerns. “Dagyaw” is a Hiligaynon term that means togetherness, aimed at a more responsive, more transparent, and accountable government that will take deliberate steps to ensure that all voices are heard in governmental affairs. The conduct of Dagyaw Town Hall Meetings is a commitment of the DILG to the Philippine National Action Plan under the Open Government Partnership. Agustin said another outcome area of the DILG is the “peaceful orderly safe and secure communities strengthened”, where it engages LGUs to actively join the implementation of the government’s flagship anti-drug campaign “Buhay Ingatan Droga’y Ayawan” (BIDA). BIDA engages communities, stakeholders, and partners to raise awareness, promote wellness, and tackle the effects of illegal drug use and trade, in compliance with the Marcos administration’s bloodless drug war. The BIDA Program is built on three key pillars: prevention; law enforcement, prosecution, and correction; and rehabilitation, wellness, and reintegration.

  • By Betheena Unite, July 29, 2024; Manila Bulletin https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/29/philippines-climbs-in-global-anti-red-tape-rankings The Philippines has improved its ranking in the global anti-red tape rankings, the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) announced. “The Philippines proudly climbs three spots in Government Efficiency, ranking 49th in the 2024 World Competitiveness Report by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD),” ARTA said in a statement on Monday, July 29. The IMD recognizes the crucial role of governments in providing an environment characterized by efficient infrastructure, institutions, and policies that can encourage sustainable value creation for private enterprises. It created the World Competitiveness Ranking 36 years ago in a bid to provide actionable data analysis on economies, regions and sub-regions according to how they optimize their individual competencies in order to achieve long-term value creation for their people. The ranking provides benchmarking and exposes trends, using both statistics and real-world survey data. This year’s edition, released in June, provides extensive coverage of 67 global economies and is a worldwide reference on the competitiveness of economies. With the improvement, ARTA said the government remains “committed to streamlining and digitalizing government services for a more competitive and business-friendly Philippines.” ARTA’s mandate is to transform the way government services are delivered, and to achieve this goal through a whole-of-nation approach, especially one that fosters innovation and good regulatory practices.

  • By Zaldy De Layola, July 26, 2024; Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1229846 MANILA – Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Friday ordered the agency’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) to ensure the full automation of the inventory management of the Disaster Response Command Center (DRCC), which President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. described in his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) as “the central hub for the government’s disaster response effort.” “We have to perfect the DRCC automation of the inventory management or the Automated Data Management System for Inventory. Basta ang importante, naka-preposition tayo (The important thing is, we have prepositioned [relief goods] with an aggressive digitalized system for inventory),” Gatchalian told DRMG officials during a meeting, according to a news release. Gatchalian said the prepositioning of relief goods is an innovation of President Marcos. “This is the vision of the President. We just put this [prepositioning] into action. It was started by then Secretary Erwin Tulfo and we built on it,” Gatchalian earlier said in a TV interview. In his SONA on Monday, President Marcos acknowledged that the government has established infrastructures that serve as protection and center for coordination, especially along the delivery of services and relief goods. “Within the past two years, almost a hundred evacuation centers have already been built. While in January of this year, we started the operations of our Disaster Response Command Center, which shall serve as the central hub for the government’s disaster response efforts,” the President said. Since its launch in January, the DRCC stands as a central hub for disaster monitoring, reporting and coordination of response efforts. The DRCC utilizes advance information and communication equipment/assets to ensure the seamless collaboration between the DSWD central office, DSWD field offices (FOs), member-agencies of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and other stakeholders. Gatchalian said the DRCC is reinforced by the Mobile Command Centers (MCCs), which bridge the communication gap during disaster or emergency operations by providing linkage from the disaster-stricken area to the Regional Operations Center (ROC), DRCC or the Regional DRRMC. Each MCC is equipped with state-of-the-art satellite internet, gadgets, and generators that can be used as a source of power supply and internet connection for communities in disaster areas. “This means that it can help a lot of affected residents to connect with their loved ones when the power supply in their area is down,” he said. Aside from aiming to fully automate the DRCC, Gatchalian also ordered the DRMG to develop perfectly the “Buong Bansa Handa” (BBH or Entire Nation Ready) program of the Department. “The BBH has to be perfected. This BBH program was built for any type of disaster, man-made or natural,” he said. The BBH establishes two parallel supply chain mechanisms for disaster preparedness and response which enhance the capacity of the Department in meeting the needs of affected families in various disaster-stricken areas. The first mechanism features a national and local government-driven supply chain that improves the production capacities and processes of the DSWD’s National Resource Operations Center in Pasay City, the Visayas Disaster Resource Center in Cebu, and the warehouse and storage facilities across the 16 DSWD FOs. The second mechanism refers to the Department’s forging of partnerships with established large and small groceries, supermarkets, manufacturers, and distributors to leverage on their technical expertise and resources to create a private sector-driven supply chain. Under these partnerships, the DSWD aims to achieve a more effective and reliable supply chain, ensuring comprehensive coverage and timely assistance. Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has deployed 71 search, rescue, and retrieval (SRR) teams to help in ongoing relief efforts due to the effects of the enhanced southwest monsoon and Typhoon Carina. In a statement Friday, AFP public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the 71 SRR teams consist of 1,882 personnel, along with 66 land assets, 10 water assets and one air asset. Inclement weather persists in some areas while floods in some provinces in Luzon have yet to subside as of posting time. “In addition, 557 SRR teams with 5,741 personnel, 428 land assets, 50 water assets, and 10 air assets are on standby alert to ensure readiness for further deployment as needed,” he added. In line with the President Marcos’ instructions, Trinidad said the military is assisting local government units and the Office of Civil Defense in providing immediate needs to isolated areas, conducting rapid damage assessment and needs analysis and facilitating recovery and relief operations. Trinidad said the Civil-Military Operations Coordinating Center has been activated to coordinate with government agencies, civic organizations and international humanitarian communities, ensuring continuous delivery of basic services, especially in severely affected areas. (with Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)

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