UN: Philippines increased HIV fund amid gender aid mismatch

By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter THE PHILIPPINES was among the countries that have increased public spending on HIV, according to a United Nations (UN) report, which noted that civic groups played key roles in HIV prevention in some Southeast Asian nations amid a coronavirus pandemic.  But the Philippines just like other nations in the […]

Philippines to release 500 more inmates by yearend

THE PHILIPPINES’ Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) on Wednesday said it plans to release 500 more inmates by yearend as it tries to decongest one of the world’s most crowded jail system. The bureau is also considering parole and clemency for elderly prisoners, national prison officer-in-charge Gregorio Pio P. Catapang told a televised news briefing, “This […]

On Bonifacio Day: Workers rally for wage hike as Marcos hails them as ‘modern-day heroes’ 

A SENATOR on Wednesday urged the government to develop a comprehensive labor and compensation plan, backing workers and activists who held a rally on Wednesday to push for better wages as the Philippines commemorated the birth anniversary of revolutionary hero Andres Bonifacio.   President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., meanwhile, hailed workers as the country’s “modern-day heroes” […]

Baguio tourist arrivals hit near pre-pandemic level

REGISTERED visitor arrivals in the mountain city of Baguio reached about 1.2 million from March to November and a surge is expected in December with the Christmas holidays, according to the city government, noting that 1.57 million tourists were recorded in 2019.    Supervising City Tourism Operations Officer Engr. Aloysius Mapalo said this year’s official count […]

Half of world’s democracies in decline, says watchdog IDEA

By Eduardo Porter STOCKHOLM — Half of the world’s democracies are in a state of decline amid worsening civil liberties and rule of law while already authoritarian governments are becoming more oppressive, an intergovernmental watchdog group said on Wednesday. In its annual report, the Stockholm-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) said democratic […]

Peso strengthens vs dollar on oil, higher remittances

THE PESO strengthened against the dollar on Tuesday amid easing global oil prices and ahead of an expected increase in remittances due to the holidays. The local unit closed at P56.56 per dollar on Tuesday, up by eight centavos from its P56.64 finish on Monday, data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines showed. The […]

Last-minute bargain-hunting lifts PHL shares

PHILIPPINE STOCKS extended their climb on Tuesday on last-minute bargain-hunting and ahead of the rebalancing of the MSCI. The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) gained 99.31 points or 1.48% to end at 6,780.78 on Tuesday, while the broader all shares index rose by 32.81 points or 0.94% to 3,513.98. Philstocks Financial, Inc. Research Analyst […]

GSIS to provide P125 billion to sovereign wealth fund

THE government financial institutions (GFIs) that will be tapped to provide capital and help manage a P250-billion sovereign wealth fund have disclosed their proposed contributions, with the pension fund for civil servants providing half the required initial funding. At an online hearing of the House banking committee, which is evaluating the banking-related provisions of House […]

Marcos to sign EO fast-tracking strategic investment approvals

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is expected to sign an executive order (EO) that will fast-track applications for investments deemed strategic to the economy, the Palace said on Tuesday. The order will establish a green lane in government agencies and local government units (LGUs) to streamline the issuance of permits and licenses, Acting Press Secretary Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil […]

DBM releases P5.2 billion for cash transfer program

THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said on Tuesday that it released P5.2 billion to fund cash transfers for 9.8 million beneficiaries. “The DBM fully supports the projects and programs that provide social assistance to our fellow Filipinos,” Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said in a statement. The funds cover one month worth of […]

BSP launches bill payment facility

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Philippine Payments Management, Inc. (PPMI) said they launched on Tuesday a digital payment facility known as Bills Pay PH. According to the central bank, Bills Pay PH facilitates digital transactions between accounts on the various payment service providers. “Through our continued collaboration with PPMI, we expect to […]

Philippines expects coronavirus spike during Christmas holidays

PHILIPPINE health authorities expect a spike in coronavirus infections during the holidays in the absence of restrictions. Daily infections could hit 1,114 to 2,294 by the end of December, while active cases could reach 18,000, the Department of Health (DoH) said on Tuesday. “With increased mobility, social gatherings and eased restrictions, we expect spikes to […]

Senate bill sets parking rates to protect public

A SENATOR has filed a bill fixing parking rates in all commercial and business establishments, institutions, and parking facilities in the country. “While we respect businesses that help our economy grow, we also need to balance and protect the interests of the majority,” Senator Ramon B. Revilla, Jr. said in a statement in Filipino on […]

CoA vows to audit Health department’s COVID vaccine purchases

THE COMMISSION on Audit’s (CoA) chairman, whose nomination was confirmed on Wednesday, vowed to audit coronavirus vaccine purchases of the Health department. The agency is not bound by confidentiality agreements signed by the Department of Health (DoH) and vaccine suppliers, national auditor Gamaliel A. Cordoba told lawmakers of the Commission on Appointments. “We will demand […]