By Kris Crismundo, March 20, 2023; Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1197762 Manila – The implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 11659 or the Amendments to the Public Service Act (PSA) will take effect this April 4 following the approval of an inter-agency group, including the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). The NEDA on Monday released the new rules on the liberalization of public services in the country. The IRR will facilitate the implementation of the PSA, which sets a clear distinction between the definition of public services and public utilities. “With the IRR already in place, we see Read More…

By CNN Philippines Staff, March 17, 2023; CNN Philippines https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/3/17/jail-congestion-rate-drops.html?fbclid=IwAR0t3esKPg1CbzRRTF6KmoEOFys28geYOnxJFX7F__XWsDNOALy5_OcemIs Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 17) — The congestion rate in Philippine jails – earlier said to be among the world’s most crowded – has decreased to 370% from 600% in 2018, according to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP). “Sa ngayon mayroon tayong 370% congestion rate sa buong Pilipinas. Ito ay mababa na kumpara sa 600% noong 2018,” BJMP spokesperson Jayrex Bustinera said in a public briefing Friday. [Translation: Right now we have a 370% congestion rate in the entire Philippines. This is down from 600% in 2018.] Read More…

By Jel Santos, March 17, 2023; Manila Bulletin https://mb.com.ph/2023/3/17/digitalized-services-continue-to-boost-lto-s-anti-corruption-efforts Digitalized services of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) continue to boost the agency’s anti-corruption efforts, resulting in “recognizable” faster and more convenient transactions for the public. In a recent statement, Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Representative Bernadette Herrera commended the LTO’s intensified motor vehicle (MV) inspection initiatives as a pre-requisite in the registration of vehicles to ensure that vehicles are roadworthy and safe to be driven on the country’s roads. To note, all LTO-accredited private motor vehicle inspection centers (PMVIC) around the country are now connected to the agency’s system for faster and Read More…

By Ellson Quismorio, March 14, 2023; Manila Bulletin https://mb.com.ph/2023/3/14/national-gov-t-rightsizing-program-ok-d-on-3rd-reading The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed on third and final reading on Tuesday afternoon, March 14 a measure espousing rightsizing in government, which is a priority of the Marcos administration. House Bill (HB) No.7240, or the proposed National Government Rightsizing Program, received 292 affirmative votes during nominal voting. Three solons voted in the negative, while there were no abstentions. Deputy Speaker and Antipolo City 1st district Rep. Roberto Puno, the presiding officer during plenary session Tuesday, announced the passage of HB No.7240 on third reading. Identified as a priority legislation of Read More…

By Rey Panaligan, March 10, 2023; Manila Bulletin https://mb.com.ph/2023/03/10/sc-launches-upgraded-enhanced-website-sc-judiciary-gov-ph/ The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday, March 10, launched its upgraded and fully enhanced website — sc.judiciary.gov.ph – for speedy access and complete information on all courts nationwide. The new website also includes contact information on the offices of the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), legal aid clinics, and Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) chapters for easier access to legal assistance. It also contains information on court filing fees and requirements, requirements for posting of bail, and requests for civil wedding, among other things. At the same time, the new website has a Read More…

By Joseph Pedrajas, March 10, 2023; Manila Bulletin https://mb.com.ph/2023/03/10/ph-reports-to-un-enhanced-measures-for-women-protection/ The Philippine government has put in place measures to protect women and promote their welfare, an official said at a gathering of international delegates at the UN headquarters. According to Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Usec. Margarita Gutierrez, the current administration put in place numerous contingencies for women’s protection as well to address their concerns despite challenges faced by the country in terms of connectivity. Gutierrez also said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s government supports and prioritizes women-dominated industries to adapt to the digital economy. “A digital transformation tool Read More…

By Filane Mikee Cervantes, March 8, 2023; Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1196940 MANILA – A priority measure proposing to rightsize the bureaucracy is a step closer into becoming a law after it hurdled second reading approval at the House of Representatives. During Wednesday’s plenary session, the chamber passed through voice voting House Bill 7240, or the proposed National Government Rightsizing Act, which is identified as a legislative priority of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his first State of the Nation Address in July last year. The bill aims to make a lean, efficient and responsive government workforce through rightsizing to improve public Read More…

By Louise Maureen Simeon, March 6, 2023; The Philippine Star https://www.philstar.com/business/2023/03/06/2249519/dbm-hopeful-passage-rightsizing-bill-year Manila, Philippines — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is optimistic the proposal to rightsize the bureaucracy will be enacted into law this year even amid other priority measures of the administration. Budget chief Amenah Pangandaman is hoping that the National Government Rightsizing Program (NGRP) will be passed this year. “Hopefully this year, I think next week it will be passed in the House (of Representatives) then we will try to push it in the Senate,” Pangandaman said. “We really hope this year, so we can start because Read More…

By Revin Mikhael D. Ochave, March 3, 2023; Business World https://www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/2023/03/03/508243/phl-slumps-in-economic-freedom-index/ THE PHILIPPINE ECONOMY is now considered “mostly unfree” as it dropped nine spots in the latest economic freedom ranking by US-based think tank The Heritage Foundation. In the 2023 Index of Economic Freedom report, the Philippines slumped to 89th out of 176 countries with a score of 59.3, 1.8 points lower than a year ago. Its economic freedom score is approximately the world average. Last year, the Philippines ranked 80th out of 177 countries with a score of 61.1. The country’s latest ranking is now equivalent to an economic freedom status Read More…

By Job Manahan, February 22, 2023; ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/02/22/23/marcos-abolishes-dofs-one-stop-shop-amid-rightsizing?utm_campaign=2023-February22-Viber-promo-marcos-abolishes-dofs-one-stop-shop-amid-rightsizing-without-art-card&utm_source=viber&utm_medium=organic&utm_type=native&utm_content=text DOF chief: scams were committed by center’s officials, employees ‘over the years’ MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has signed an administrative order abolishing the Department of Finance’s “one-stop shop” tax center as part of his administration’s “rightsizing.” Administrative Order No. 4 transferred the processing and issuing of tax clearance certificates to the Bureau of Internal Revenue, while duty drawbacks were transferred to the Bureau of Customs. The One-Stop Inter-Agency Tax Credit and Duty Drawback Center’s records and documents will be transferred to the two agencies. All cash remitted to the Read More…

By Jeffrey Damicog, February 21, 2023; Manila Bulletin https://mb.com.ph/2023/02/21/doj-to-reduce-bail-recommendationon-criminal-cases-vs-indigent-litigants/ Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutors will now recommend reduced bail for indigent persons accused in bailable criminal cases filed before the courts to ease up congestions in prison facilities nationwide. Only P10,000 or 50 percent of the recommended bail under the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) 2018 Bail Bond Guide, whichever is lower, will be recommended by government prosecutors. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said that with the reduced bail, many detained individuals – particularly indigent persons – would be released on bail. Remulla explained that many criminal cases filed in Read More…

By CNN Philippines Staff, February 21, 2023; CNN Philippines https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/2/21/lawmakers-slam-gov-t-for-lack-of-plan-for-mental-health-service.html?fbclid=IwAR1R4LthD2UgBaZjbc6CKvFmC9zjT5kWzuL0xV6-AzPOyxj7ltUX-1Q0s9M?? Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 21) — Lawmakers on Monday slammed government agencies for the lack of unified plan for implementing the Mental Health Act, which Congress passed into law in 2018. The House Committee on the Welfare of Children called for a briefing of agencies mandated to implement the Mental Health Act following reports about the rising suicide cases among school children. During the briefing, Marikina 2nd District Representative Stella Quimbo asked the Department of Health’s (DOH) Disease Prevention and Control Bureau to elaborate its plans for the implementation of Read More…

By Zaldy De Layola, February 16, 2023;  Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1195378 MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has launched the Finance and Management Service – For Your Information (FMS-FYI) page, a resource site that will serve as the repository of the department’s finance and management-related resources. DWSD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the move was in response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to digitalize all government processes. “I am happy that I got invited to a digital push initiated by the FMS itself. From my understanding, this is a homegrown program developed within the department because Read More…

By Sunday Locus, GMA Integrated News, February 15, 2023; GMA News Online https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/860951/philippines-launches-human-rights-tracking-database/story/ The Philippines has launched a tracking database aimed at ensuring smooth information sharing and reporting of accomplishments and best practices for the promotion, protection, and fulfillment of human rights in the country. The Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat (PHRCS) said the Philippines’ National Recommendations Tracking Database (PH-NRTD) was launched during a workshop conducted in Clark, Pampanga, from February 8 to February 10. According to PHRCS, PH-NRTD will become the country’s main repository of information provided by all government agencies concerned to address recommendations arising from constructive dialogues Read More…

By Keisha B. Ta-asan, February 13, 2023; Business World https://www.bworldonline.com/economy/2023/02/13/504661/p28-9-b-fund-to-help-lgus-build-capacity-for-devolution/ The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said the P28.9-billion Local Government Support Fund will be deployed for capacity-building projects ahead of the imminent devolution of National Government (NG) services. “We will formulate capacity-building training, and seminars for our LGUs (local government units) to help them — so that by the time we have full devolution, they can stand on their own feet,” Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said. The LGUs will be aided in operations about to be shed by the National Government, such as procurement, project planning and Read More…

By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan, February 10, 2023; Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1194886 MANILA – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) encouraged the 350 local governments that received the 2022 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) award to use their incentive fund subsidy on “high-impact” projects in their localities. “We urge you to use this fund to affect positive change through high impact projects within your jurisdiction. Gamitin n’yo ang pondong ito para mas mapagbuti pa ang paghahatid ng serbisyo sa ating mga kababayan at gawing maunlad ang inyong mga lugar (Use this fund to improve service delivery to our citizens and Read More…

By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz, February 3, 2023; Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1194366 MANILA – The newly launched National Privacy Commission (NPC) Registration System (NPCRS) is seen to ease compliance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012 for both government and private organizations by allowing the online registration of data processing systems. In a statement on Friday, the NPC said the portal features easy monitoring of requests/approval of registration applications; a secure portal for the monitoring unit to access registration data, and real-time visibility in the validation of documentary requirements. It will also allow for the accurate collection of information from sectors Read More…

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, February 3, 2023; Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1194294 MANILA – The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Friday pledged to provide budgetary support for the successful implementation of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028. Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman made the vow as she emphasized the crucial role of the PDP 2023-2028 in achieving President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s bid for economic transformation. Expressing full support for the implementation of the PDP 2023-2028, Pangandaman said her office would carry out budgetary reforms and transformational initiatives within the bureaucracy. “The PDP is anchored on the ‘AmBisyon Natin 2040,’ the Read More…

By CNN Philippines Staff, February 3, 2023; CNN Philippines https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/2/3/PH-Global-democracy-index.html?? Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 3) — The country placed 52nd out of 167 countries in the Democracy Index 2022 by London-based think tank The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). Still classified as a “flawed democracy,” the Philippines slightly improved its ranking from 54th in 2021. The country ranked 55th in 2020, 54th in 2019, 53rd in 2018, and 51st in 2017. The EIU reported on Thursday that the country scored a total of 6.73 out of 10 in 2022, a slight rise from 6.62 the previous year. The think tank’s annual Read More…

By Jelo Ritzhie Mantaring, February 1, 2023; CNN Philippines https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/2/1/ph-ranks-116th-corruption-perception-index-2022.html Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 1) — The Philippines ranked 116th in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) for 2022, which assesses the perceived levels of public sector corruption in 180 countries and territories globally. The latest rank is just a notch higher than the Philippines’ 2021 standing, with Transparency International still listing the country as among the “significant decliners” in the Asia-Pacific region. The country’s latest CPI score was 33, unchanged from the previous year and its lowest score in the index. It dropped from the 2014 score of 38, Read More…

By Daphne Galvez, January 30, 2023; Philippine Daily Inquirer https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1722904/marcos-signs-philippine-development-plan-for-2023-2028 Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has signed an executive order (EO) approving and adopting the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) for the period 2023-2028. The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced the plan on Monday, saying it would serve as the country’s road map to economic recovery. Under EO No. 14, signed January 27, the development plan “aims to “bring back the country to a high-growth trajectory and, more importantly, enable economic and social transformation for a prosperous, inclusive, and resilient society.” The PCO said that Marcos’ 8-Point Socioeconomic Read More…

By Cai U. Ordinario, January 30, 2023; Business Mirror https://businessmirror.com.ph/2023/01/30/psa-40-m-plus-natl-ids-issued-and-delivered-phl-wide/ The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has announced that 40.87 million national identification cards (PhilIDs) and its electronic version (ePhilIDs) have already been delivered and issued to registered persons nationwide. The PSA said that as of January 25, 22.59 million of these PhilIDs were delivered, while 18.28 million were issued ePhilIDs. “We, at the PSA, extend our heartfelt gratitude to the public for their unceasing support for the Philippine Identification System [PhilSys], and in making this milestone possible,” declared Undersecretary Dennis S. Mapa, national statistician and civil registrar-general, as he said Read More…

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, January 27, 2023; Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1193761 MANILA – The development of the country’s infrastructure sector and the planned digital transformation are among the Marcos administration’s priorities in crafting the proposed national budget for 2024, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said on Friday. During the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Budget Forum at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City, Pangandaman said next year’s budget would incorporate the government’s priorities and policy directions to achieve “economic and social transformation for a prosperous, inclusive, and resilient society.” She said infrastructure development, the bid for digital transformation in the Read More…

By Philippine News Agency, January 27, 2o23; Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1193741 MANILA – The online filing of tax returns must include overseas Filipinos workers to enable them to fulfill their obligations even while out of the country. Senator Win Gatchalian said payment of real estate and estate tax, among others, would be easier for non-residents or those working overseas if they would be accommodated under the Electronic Filing and Payment System of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). “If we are to improve our efficiency in tax collection, we need to make it easier for our taxpayers to pay their taxes. Kailangan Read More…

By Ferdinand Patinio, January 27, 2023; Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1193732 MANILA – With only four days left before the deadline of the registration period, Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairperson George Garcia reiterated his call for qualified voters to register for the October 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE). “To those who haven’t registered yet: There are only several days left. Please register. To those who will register, (the process), it’s quick. We have your back,” the poll body chief said in a message to reporters on Friday. He also reminded the public that the Jan. 31 deadline is unlikely to Read More…

By Vivienne Gulla, January 26, 2023; ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/01/26/23/charter-change-problematic-at-this-time-up-professors MANILA — Amending the 1987 Constitution at this time may be a “problematic pursuit” given its fiscal and logistical demands, as the country faces more urgent local and national concerns, according to professors from the University of the Philippines Diliman Department of Political Science. They said the claim that there has been a public clamor for constitutional change is “unsubstantiated.” “Since 2016, not more than 2 to 4 percent of the respondents consider changing the Constitution as urgent,” UP Diliman Political Science Chairman Aries Arugay told the House Committee on Constitutional Read More…

By Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson, January 24, 2023; Business World https://www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/2023/01/24/500413/govt-eyes-3600-infra-projects-worth-372-billion/ Over 3,600 infrastructure projects worth a total of $372 billion are in the pipeline and set be implemented through 2028, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said on Monday. “The current administration is moving to ramp up the infrastructure development of the country. As of today, we have started compiling all these potential infrastructure projects. Various agencies of the government have identified over 3,600 projects that amount to something like $372 billion over the medium term,” Mr. Balisacan said in a live streamed economic Read More…

By Ferdinand Patinio, January 19, 2023; Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1193141 MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) continues to upgrade its information technology (IT) capacity and security to prevent hacking and data breach, spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said on Thursday. Laudiangco issued the statement after the National Private Commission (NPC) cleared the Comelec and software provider Smartmatic of data privacy violations related to the 2022 elections for “lack of merit.” “We are continuously studying and training the use of new technology, especially those related to the elections, with the help of Commissioner (Nelson) Celis, who is a known IT expert,” he Read More…

By Charie Mae F. Abarca, January 19, 2023; Manilla Bulletin https://mb.com.ph/2023/01/19/going-digital-dict-pushes-for-digitalization-of-government-services-in-ph/ The national government continues to extend its efforts towards digitizing government services in the country to make it more accessible to the public. Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Undersecretary Anna Mae Lamentillo said the DICT is “really aiming to digitalize the whole government.” “That’s the rationale for digitalization – that a lot of government services are trying to create a [portal] and consolidate [our] government services in a single app. We are trying to learn from other countries as well about this,” said Lamentillo during the Laging Handa public Read More…

By CNN Philippines Staff, January 18, 2023; CNN Philippines https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/1/18/gatchalian-agriculture-information-system-.html?fb Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 18) — Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has filed a bill seeking to establish an agriculture information system (AIS) in all cities and municipalities that will serve as an online database on the demand for specific agricultural and fisheries commodities. In filing Senate Bill No. 1374, Gatchalian said such a system will deter manipulation of food prices and prevent unwarranted importation of farm products. “Dapat may regular na stock balance at price monitoring na isinasagawa ang DA (Department of Agriculture) sa lahat ng produktong pang-agrikultura na makakatulong sa Read More…

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, January 13, 2023; Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1192663 MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered to hasten the digitalization of the Philippine Identification (PhilID) system to ensure the cardholders’ seamless transactions with the public and private sectors, Malacañang said on Friday. Marcos gave the directive during his meeting with the members of the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) on Digital Infrastructure at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Thursday, according to Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil in a statement. “President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. issued a directive Thursday to speed up the digitalization of the National Read More…

By Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson, January 16, 2023; Business World https://www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/2023/01/16/498467/2024-national-budget-to-address-economic-scarring-global-headwinds/ The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has issued its budget call for the 2024 spending plan, which it said will focus on addressing the impact of a looming global recession and economic scarring from the coronavirus pandemic. “The 2024 budget is poised to respond to the expected continuing headwinds brought about by the Russia-Ukraine war, the external recessionary pressures which inflation has stoked and the economic scarring which COVID-19 has wrought to our economy,” the DBM said in its National Budget Call for Fiscal Year 2024 released Read More…

By Vincent Cabreza, January 10, 2023; Philippine Daily Inquirer https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1714508/budget-delay-wont-derail-baguio-benguet-economic-body-says-lawmaker Baguio City —The creation of an economic body that will govern Baguio and five adjacent towns in Benguet province will have to wait for the 2024 general appropriations law to receive an operating budget, but it should not delay its full operations, a lawmaker said on Monday. In an interview, Baguio Rep. Marquez Go said it was “too late” to include the funds for the Metropolitan Baguio-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan-Tuba-Tublay (Blistt) Development Authority in the P5.268-trillion General Appropriations Act of 2023 since the law that created the body, Republic Act No. 11932 Read More…

By Jane Bautista, January 9, 2023; Philippine Daily Inquirer https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1714058/dotr-mulls-construction-of-more-seaports Manila, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is planning to construct and expand seaports to improve the country’s nautical highway in the next six years. The DOTr underscored on Sunday that this strategy, which would support vital economic sectors like agriculture and trade, was part of the Philippine Development Plan for 2023 to 2028. “New linkages and strategic location of new ports will be assessed to create new rural growth areas. The capacity of Ro-Ro (roll-on, roll-off) facilities will be increased and processes will be digitized to address congestion Read More…

By Cai Ordinario, January 6, 2023; Business Mirror https://businessmirror.com.ph/2023/01/06/purchasing-power-of-peso-weakens-further/ The purchasing power of the peso was at its weakest in four years as more expensive food and fuel caused inflation to accelerate to a 14-year high in 2022, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). On Thursday, the PSA reported the country’s headline inflation rate reached 8.1 percent in December and averaged 5.8 percent in 2022, the highest since 2008. (See story here: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2023/01/05/ph-inflation-up-8-1-in-december/) For economists like Ateneo de Manila University’s Leonardo A. Lanzona Jr., the erosion of the purchasing power may continue given that inflation will remain an Read More…

By Azer Parrocha, January 4, 2023; Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1192018 Manila – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has issued an executive order (EO) “to further streamline” the administrative structure of the Office of the President (OP). EO 11, signed by Marcos on Dec. 29 last year, outlines the administrative restructuring of the OP, its immediate offices, agencies under or affiliated with it and the Common Staff Support System. “There is a need to further streamline the administrative structure of the Office of the President as part of continuing efforts towards efficiency and responsiveness in the delivery of its critical mandates Read More…

By Daphne Galvez, January 3, 2023; Philippine Daily Inquirer https://business.inquirer.net/380628/revival-of-2018-private-sector-proposal-for-naia-upgrade-pushed Manila, Philippines — The private sector is pushing for the revival of  a 2018 proposal to form a consortium that will modernize the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), following the Jan 1 glitch that halted all travel within Philippine airspace. “NAIA is strategically located and any improvements made here will redound to so many benefits to the country,” said Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion  in a statement on Tuesday. Similarly, he said, any inefficiencies in the NAIA translate to big losses in business down the line, which are felt throughout Read More…

By CNN Staff, December 30, 2022; CNN Philippines https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/12/30/doh-wants-marcos-urgent-cdc-bill.html??? Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 30) – The Department of Health (DOH) wants President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to certify as urgent the legislation creating the Philippine Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC). “We are working with the Presidential Legislative and Liaison Office (PLLO) to fast-track the passage of the PH CDC bill. We have requested the same to be certified as urgent by the President,” the DOH said Friday. The PH CDC bill or House Bill 6522 was approved by the lower House on third and final reading last Dec. 12. Read More…

By Charie Mae F. Abarca, December 29,2022; Manila Bulletin https://mb.com.ph/2022/12/29/dict-eyes-completion-of-15834-free-wifi-sites-in-ph-by-2023/  The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is aiming to hit its target of mounting 15,834 free WiFi sites in the Philippines by 2023. The agency is working on the establishment of free WiFi sites in the country, especially in geographically-challenged areas as part of its goal to end the so-called digital divide, said DICT Undersecretary Anna Mae Lamentillo. “Ang target natin ay magkaroon ng kabuuang 15,834 free WiFI sites sa taong 2023. At pagdating ng 2025, inaasahan natin na 100,000 sites ang magiging operational (Our target is to Read More…

By Jerome Aning, December 27, 2022; Philippine Daily Inquirer https://inqm.news/srcu The government activated this year thousands of previously offline areas under the Broadband ng Masa and Free Wi-Fi for All programs of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Malacañang said on Monday.Citing the DICT’s year-end report to President Marcos, the Palace said 4,757 sites were activated in 17 regions, 75 provinces and Metro Manila under the government’s digitalization initiative.This is in addition to 606 cities and municipalities, which have undergone digitalization, it added. To promote investments, the DICT said it also carried out the Digital Startup Development and Read More…

By Chino S. Leyco, December 18, 2022; Manila Bulletin https://mb.com.ph/2022/12/18/marcos-approves-pdp-extends-tariff-cuts-on-rice-pork/ The government approved the country’s blueprint for socioeconomic development over the medium term, and extended the tariff reduction on key commodities until next year, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said. In a statement, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said the NEDA Board, chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., approved last Dec. 16 the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028. According to Balisacan, the new PDP was completed in record, or just six months into President Marcos’ term. “In the next six years, our overall goal is to Read More…

By Filane Mikee Cervantes, December 16, 2022; Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1190930 MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday signed into law the PHP5.268-trillion national budget for 2023 that is geared towards achieving post-pandemic economic recovery. Marcos signed the 2023 General Appropriations Act in a ceremony in Malacañang Palace, witnessed by congressional leaders including Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, as well as Vice President Sara Z. Duterte. The Marcos administration’s first spending measure is 4.9 percent higher or PHP244.4 billion more than this year’s budget of PHP5.023 trillion and puts top priority on education, infrastructure Read More…

By Delon Porcalla, December 14,2022; The Philippine Star https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/12/14/2230647/house-oks-19-bills-final-reading-adjournment MANILA, Philippines — The measure extending the three-year fixed term of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff to other military top brass led a total of 19 bills approved by lawmakers at the House of Representatives on third and final reading last Monday. House Bill 6517, which seeks to strengthen the professionalism and promotion of the continuity of policies and modernization initiatives of the AFP, received an overwhelming 251 votes, with objection from three militant lawmakers. The bill will limit the fixed tour of duty of three Read More…

By Filane Mikee Cervantes, December 12, 2022; Philippine News Agency https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1190581 Manila – The House of Representatives on Monday approved on final reading the proposed Internet Transactions Act, which is a priority legislation of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in his first State of the Nation Address. During Monday’s plenary session, a total of 245 lawmakers voted in favor of House Bill 4, which seeks to create an electronic commerce (e-commerce) bureau to protect consumers and merchants engaged in internet transactions. No lawmaker voted against the measure or abstained from voting. It was authored principally by Speaker Martin Romualdez, Senior Read More…

By Tiziana Celine Piatos, December 12, 2022; Daily Tribune https://tribune.net.ph/2022/12/12/bsp-moves-to-stabilize-peso-curb-inflation/  Bank economists see the need for the BSP policy-making Monetary Board to adjust the interest rate to a 50-basis-point hike this week to tame inflation. Private economists said the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas should increase key interest rates once more this week as the country continues to struggle with inflation. Hence, they anticipate that the Monetary Board will raise the bank rate by 50 basis points this week. The BSP’s policy-making Monetary Board, which meets on 15 December, has so far raised key interest rates by 300 bps since May. Read More…

By Louise Maureen Simeon, December 6, 2022; The Philippine Star https://www.philstar.com/business/2022/12/06/2228760/growth-target-2023-cut Manila, Philippines — The economic team of the Marcos administration expects external headwinds to take a toll on overall growth next year amid still-elevated commodity prices and slowdown in major economies. During yesterday’s briefing by the Cabinet-level Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC), the economic team slashed its 2023 gross domestic product (GDP) growth target to six to seven percent from the previous 6.5 to eight percent goal set in July. Moreover, this marks a slowdown from the 6.5 to 7.5 percent expectation for the year, which the DBCC retained. Read More…

By Keisha B. Ta-asan, December 2, 2022; Business World https://www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/2022/12/02/490643/govt-urged-to-extend-devolution-transition-for-lgus/ LOCAL GOVERNMENT units (LGUs) should be given more time for the smooth transition of devolved functions from the National Government (NG) agencies, according to a report. A Mandanas-Garcia Ruling Transition Report by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Philippines called the implementation of the transition program from 2022-2024 “highly ambitious.” “The implementation of this transition in the midst of the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic greatly amplifies the risks of failure and unintended consequences of the move,” the Read More…

By Martin Sadongdong, December 2, 2022; Manila Bulletin https://mb.com.ph/2022/12/02/ph-launches-etravel-portal/ The national government said that it has launched the eTravel portal where travelers to the Philippines and returning residents can provide all their arrival information and health declaration requirements using a single platform. Aiming to streamline the government’s entry procedures and data collection processes for inbound passengers, the government said that the eTravel portal was made accessible to the public on Friday, Dec. 2, effectively replacing the former www.onehealthpass.com.ph. The portal can be accessed through etravel.gov.ph and it contains the “Health Declaration Checklist” of the Department of Health-Bureau of Quarantine (DOH-BoQ), Read More…

By Daphne Galvez, November 29, 2022; Philippine Daily Inquirer https://business.inquirer.net/375257/marcos-set-to-sign-eo-creating-green-lane-for-strategic-investments MANILA, Philippines — To facilitate economic operations in the Philippines, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is expected to sign an executive order (EO) establishing a “green lane” for strategic investments. According to the Office of the Press Secretary, the pathway will make the country competitive with other Southeast Asian nations in attracting foreign direct investments (FDIs). The move, the OPS said, comes after the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) presented to the President the proposed EO on creating a “green lane” for strategic investments and identified the barrier across Read More…

By Jovee Marie Dela Cruz, November 29, 2022; Business Mirror https://businessmirror.com.ph/2022/11/29/house-panel-oks-draft-government-rightsizing-blueprint/ THE House Committee on Government Reorganization on Monday approved the Marcos administration’s proposed National Government Rightsizing Act of 2022. The committee approved an unnumbered substitute bill to eliminate obsolete and unnecessary organizational units in the Executive Branch. The bill authorized the President to rightsize the operation of the Executive Branch. The measure covers rightsizing as to the process of analyzing and designing the appropriate role, mandate, structure, functions, size, systems and process of the government agencies in order to ensure effective, responsive and efficient service delivery. The proposal covers Read More…