Philippine air passenger bill of rights under review amid complaints

THE PHILIPPINE government is reviewing its air passenger bill of rights, the Transportation department said on Tuesday, amid complaints about poor service. “It’s under review right now by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB),” Transportation Undersecretary Robert C.O. Lim told reporters. “It does not mean that it has become obsolete. It’s a very forward-looking document.” He […]

SC affirms its decision voiding oil deal with China, Vietnam

THE PHILIPPINE Supreme Court (SC) has stood by its decision voiding a 2005 oil exploration government deal with China and Vietnam for being illegal. In a statement on Wednesday, the tribunal said the agreement between the state oil agencies of Vietnam, China, and the Philippines violated the Constitution’s provision on exploring the country’s natural resources. […]

NWRB considers further cut on water allocation for MWSS 

THE NATIONAL Water Resources Board (NWRB) is considering a further reduction in the allocation for Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) as Angat Dam’s water level continues to decline. “We are now coordinating with MWSS for possible adjustments to prepare in case the water level in Angat declines further and to ensure that we can […]

CoA cites AFAB’s failure to meet infra targets, pay JICA loans

THE COMMISSION on Audit (CoA) has flagged the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) for not meeting its infrastructure targets for 2022 as well as failing to pay its loans to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). In its 2022 audit report made available on June 27, state auditors said, “AFAB’s capital expenditure […]

Rep bats for OFW pension system

A LAWMAKER has filed a bill seeking to create a pension system for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). House Bill No. 8574 or the Kabayan OFW Pension Act aims to provide a social security and retirement system for land- and sea-based working Filipinos abroad. “The establishment of a separate system… provides OFWs with a much-needed safety […]

Baguio lifts mask mandate indoors, crowded sites

BAGUIO CITY — The city government has lifted the mandatory use of face masks indoors and in crowded locations, which was reimposed in May following a spike in local coronavirus cases. Baguio City Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong issued an executive order (EO) recalling Executive Order No. 63 that was issued in May. Mr. Magalong said […]

Global rights group steps up monitoring of rural bombings

A GLOBAL rights coalition has vowed to enhance its monitoring of military bombing operations that affect rural areas in the Philippines and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region. “We, as people’s researchers, indigenous people, rural poor, and human rights workers, are sounding the alarm about the significant increase in state-led attacks, particularly aerial bombardments, on […]

Micro-businesses in Occ Mindoro get help in labor law compliance

THE DEPARTMENT of Labor and Employment (DoLE) visited micro-enterprises in Occidental Mindoro to provide them with technical assistance and ensure they comply with labor laws. In a statement on Wednesday, DoLE said the technical and advisory sessions were held from May 16 to June 22 with the goal of helping small businesses address compliance gaps […]

PHL presses for rich nations’ climate change commitments

THE PHILIPPINES continues to press for support from developed countries in terms of compensating for damages triggered by climate change, according to an official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). “We are continuing with our lobby on developed countries to support us,” Gigi Merilo, climate change senior environmental management specialist at DENR, […]

Senators rally behind DoT’s Frasco

TWO senators have expressed support for Tourism Secretary Christina G. Frasco, who has been under fire for a campaign video that used stock footage featuring other countries. Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara said in a Viber message on Wednesday that the controversy over the Department of Tourism’s (DoT) Love the Philippines campaign “should not […]

Malampaya gas blended with imports seen lowering prices

PRIME ENERGY Resources Development B.V. (Prime Energy) officials met with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. in Malacañang on Tuesday to brief the Palace on its “aggregator” business model that will trade imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) blended with gas from the Malampaya field. During the meeting, the company also briefed Mr. Marcos on the progress […]

Green Energy Auction round hampered by transmission, pricing

THE Department of Energy (DoE) blamed the weak results of its second Green Energy Auction (GEA) on concerns about transmission lines available for the projects, with developers also lukewarm towards the reserve prices on offer. “At the time that we announced the bids, not only were (there) no objections but (the GEA) was welcomed by […]

Customs exceeds first half collection target

THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) said it surpassed its collection target by 3.21% for the six months to June. During the period, the agency collected P434.169 billion in duties and taxes, beating by P13.5 billion its P420.66 billion target for the period. First-half collections were also up P37.434 billion from a year earlier. “The increase […]

Current account deficit seen narrowing in 2023

THE current account deficit will likely narrow this year due to declining imports and softer prices, though the shortfall will remain large as global growth slows, BMI Country Risk & Industry Research said. In a report issued July 4, BMI said it expects the current account deficit as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) […]

Peso up ahead of inflation data

THE PESO strengthened against the dollar on Tuesday as the market expects slower June inflation. The local currency closed at P55.23 versus the dollar on Tuesday, up by nine centavos from Monday’s P55.32 finish, data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines’ website showed. The local unit opened Tuesday’s session stronger at P55.20 per dollar, […]

PHL stocks inch higher ahead of June CPI report

SHARES inched higher on Tuesday as investors await the release of June inflation data. The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) rose by 6.26 points or 0.09% to end at 6,514.47 on Tuesday, while the broader all shares index edged up by 5.11 points or 0.14% to close at 3,472.53. “Philippine equities ended Tuesday’s session in […]

Non-standard permit processes still hampering telecom infra

THE rollout of telecommunications towers continues to be hindered by the failure to harmonize permit processes at various levels of government, even after the issuance of joint memorandum circulars (JMCs) under the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), ARTA said. “We also recognize the challenges beyond the issuance of our JMCs and despite our intervention,” ARTA Deputy […]

Airport consortium seeks clarity on real property tax payments

THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) said it is due to meet with the Manila International Airport Consortium (MIAC) this week to discuss issues like which party is responsible for paying real property taxes. “The unsolicited proposal is under evaluation by the DoTr. We’ve met with them several times and in fact, we’ll meet with them […]

Trade delegation pitches chip projects to Dutch companies

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) made its pitch in the Netherlands for more semiconductor investment, citing the Philippines’ capable workforce and surging global chip demand. Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual made the remarks during a roundtable in the Netherlands on semiconductors, automotive components, and integrated circuit design on June 30. The conference was […]