LAND BANK of the Philippines (LANDBANK) has approved a P1-billion loan for the Sarangani provincial government to fund development projects. Sarangani will spend half of the money to buy heavy equipment, P200 million for hospital and medical equipment, and P300 million for the establishment of a provincial agri-fisheries complex, the state-owned bank said in a […]
Tag: government
Journalists still in danger of being killed, harassed under Marcos gov’t, says CPJ
By John Victor D. Ordoñez, Reporter FILIPINO journalists remained at risk of getting killed and harassed under the government of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., according to the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). “All four of the murders in the Philippines were of radio journalists covering local politics, highlighting the dangers faced by […]
Marcos tells advisors he will certify E-Governance bill as urgent, backs RCEP
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. signaled his intent to certify as urgent a measure that will digitalize the bureaucracy to his business-sector advisors. The Palace also announced that Mr. Marcos is pushing the Senate to act on the ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade agreement. Mr. Marcos made his intent to certify […]
Agencies’ budget utilization rate rises to 98% in 2022
THE cash utilization rate posted by government agencies hit 98% at the end of December, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said. In a report on Tuesday, the DBM said the National Government, local governments and state-owned firms used 98% of the P4.42 trillion in funding allocated to them based on the year-end tally […]
DBM considering ‘green’ standards for gov’t procurement
THE Procurement Service (PS) of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is planning to impose a green public procurement (GPP) standard to ensure that the government spends in a sustainable manner. “The establishment of an inter-agency technical specifications review committee is one of the reform initiatives we spearheaded to take government procurement to a […]
Davao WTE project still up for NEDA approval, full funding
DAVAO CITY’S proposed waste-to-energy (WTE) project is still up for final approval by the national government and has yet to secure the full funding needed to set up the facility, according to a local council member. Councilor Temujin “Tek” B. Ocampo, chair of the city council’s environment committee, said the WTE plan has already been […]
UP-MSI researchers push for wastewater-based COVID-19 monitoring after Davao study
RESEARCHERS FROM the University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI) called on government to adopt a wastewater-based monitoring of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) nationwide, saying this method allows for more localized surveillance and targeted mitigation measures. “Detecting RNA in wastewater could help local government units forecast what barangays are at risk and may need closer […]
Under Anwar, Malaysia can ‘do better’ on climate, using global funds
KUALA LUMPUR – To help Malaysia head off frequent floods and choking air pollution caused by forest fires, new Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim should tap more global green funding to protect nature and tackle the effects of warming, climate change experts say. Ending a decades-long wait to lead the Southeast Asian nation, largely ruled by one coalition since independence, Mr. Anwar, 75, formed a government […]
Congress to focus on passing E-Gov’t bill when session opens
THE House of Representatives will give the proposed E-Government Act its full attention when the chamber resumes session, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said. “The House of Representatives remains committed to pass the priority legislation of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., including measures for digitalization in both government and private transactions that would bolster efficiency, […]
Marcos says cybersecurity upgrades to accompany digitalization push
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. promised a corresponding effort to upgrade cybersecurity alongside his government’s push to digitalize the bureaucracy, the Palace said in a statement. “Security has become a huge issue… that’s what we are trying to design now, a cybersecurity system for sensitive information,” he was quoted as saying in an open forum […]
Protectionism shields bulk of PHL diet from imports — PIDS
THE bulk of the Philippine diet enjoys protection from import competition, according to the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), a government think tank. “The food groups that contribute most to the Filipinos’ energy, protein, and micronutrient intake — including rice, cereals, fish, meat, and poultry — are all produced under high levels of trade […]
DoJ junks murder raps vs cops in 2021 activist raid
PHILIPPINE government prosecutors have cleared 17 cops in connection with the murder of a labor activist in a series of police raids where nine activists died in March 2021. In a resolution dated Jan. 16, a panel of Department of Justice (DoJ) prosecutors found no probable cause against the police officers for the death of […]
The Government Blockchain Association (GBA) Publishes Blockchain Maturity Model (BMM) Overview Document
Washington, D.C., Jan 17, 2023 – (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) – The Government Blockchain Association (GBA) is pleased to announce the publication of the Blockchain Maturity Model (BMM) (bit.ly/3Xe9gC2) Overview Document. It is available for download at bit.ly/3Xe9gC2, and provides an in-depth look at the content, structure, use, and maintenance of the GBA BMM. The […]
PHL looks to US, Japanese tech to improve connectivity
THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said on Tuesday that it hopes to tap US and Japanese technology to improve connectivity in the Philippines. The department will work to bring in “low-orbit satellites from the US and high-altitude platform stations from Japan, among others,” DICT Undersecretary for Public Affairs and Foreign Relations Anna […]
CoA orders Bacolod City government to pay cargo company for patrol boat delivery
STATE AUDITORS have ordered the Bacolod City government to pay a cargo service firm for the shipment of a donated patrol boat that was delivered almost eight years ago. “The city cannot evade payment and unjustly enrich itself, especially when it admitted that it is already in possession of the patrol boat through the freight […]
Marcos gov’t told to comply with court yardstick on future oil deals
By John Victor D. Ordoñez and Alyssa Nicole O. Tan, Reporters PHILIPPINE President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. should ensure that future deals on natural resource management with other countries follow the precedent set by the Supreme Court, which voided a 2005 oil deal with China and Vietnam, senators and political analysts said on Sunday. “The […]
Aboitiz group to help Davao City gov’t in project for ease of doing business
THE ABOITIZ Group of Companies signed an agreement with the Davao City government on Wednesday for a project that aims to make public service procedures more efficient through digitalization. Project Bilis Davao, targeted for completion within the year, will cover the issuance of building and business permits, tax mapping, and the use of online payment […]
Measure creating LGU business permit officer position hurdles House panel
THE House committee on local government has approved a bill that proposes to create the position of business permit licensing officer, its chairman said. “By institutionalizing the position of the business permit and licensing officer (BPLO), we are also creating efficiency in local government in the delivery of frontline services, like the issuance of business […]
Residents evacuated in Eastern Visayas, parts of Mindanao as new LPA brings more rain
FAMILIES continue to be evacuated in parts of Mindanao and the Eastern Visayas region as another low pressure area (LPA) has been dumping more rain in areas already swamped since late December. In Eastern Visayas — composed of the provinces of Leyte, Biliran, Southern Leyte, West Samar, Eastern Samar and Northern Samar — the regional […]
Tighter rules for travelers from virus hotspots sought
THE PHILIPPINE government should enforce more travel restrictions on inbound travelers from countries with an alarming coronavirus situation, including China, which has been accused of hiding its pandemic data, according to health experts. “The Philippines should enforce travel restrictions and add requirements from travelers, but not just those coming from China but also those from […]