Categories
Politics

RICE TARIFFICATION BILL TO PROTECT FARMERS – VILLAR

The Senate recently passed on third reading the bill which provides support to farmers projected to be adversely affected by the lifting of the quantitative restriction on rice importation. With a vote of 14 affirmatives, zero negatives and zero abstentions, senators approved Senate Bill 1998 or the bill which amends Republic Act 8178 or the […]

Categories
Government

ERC EYES COLLABORATION WITH NEA TO SPEED UP APPROVAL OF EC CAPEX PROJECTS

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is eyeing to collaborate with the National Electrification Administration (NEA) on an initiative aimed at fast-tracking the approval of the electric cooperative’s capital expenditure (CapEx) projects. In a recent meeting between the NEA and ERC officials led by Administrator Edgardo Masongsong and Chairperson Agnes Devanadera, respectively, the adoption of a […]

Categories
Politics

RETURN OF BALANGIGA BELLS TO CONTINUE HISTORICAL AND DIPLOMATIC HEALING IN US-PHL RELATIONS – PIMENTEL

Senator Koko Pimentel III expressed confidence that the imminent return of the Balangiga bells, taken as war booty by American troops from Eastern Samar during the Filipino-American War would continue the process of “historical and diplomatic healing between the Philippines and the United States.” “The bells’ return is a timely and significant gesture that can […]

Categories
Politics

GOVERNMENT MUST ENSURE SECURITY OF TENURE FOR CONTRACTUAL EMPLOYEES – VILLANUEVA

Senator Joel Villanueva said government should not only extend the employment of government contractual employees, but also ensure that they are given security of tenure. Villanueva made the statement after the announcement of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) that it recently amended Joint Circular No.1, series of 2017, together with the Civil Service […]

Categories
Politics

BIGGER 13TH MONTH PAY, CHRISTMAS BONUS FOR ALL WORKERS STARTING THIS YEAR – ANGARA

Workers from both public and private sectors will be getting bigger 13th month pay and Christmas bonuses because of the law that raised the tax exemption cap of bonuses and benefits. Beginning this year, pursuant to Republic Act 10963, the 13th month pay and other benefits, including productivity incentives and Christmas bonuses, are exempted from […]

Categories
Politics

GORDON TO RED CROSS: EXPLORE NEW STRATEGIES TO MEET DEMAND FOR HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

Senator Dick Gordon, chairman of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), said the 10th Asia Pacific Regional Conference of the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) would serve as a venue for exploring new strategies to meet the ever-growing demand for humanitarian response and services. Gordon told some 370 delegates coming from 60 Red Cross […]

Categories
Politics

GOV’T SHOULD TAKE OVER PALECO AND SOLVE PALAWAN POWER SUPPLY PROBLEM – GATCHALIAN

Senator Win Gatchalian has backed the plan of government to take over the beleaguered Palawan Electric Cooperative (PALECO) to solve the worsening power supply problem of the province. Gatchalian made the call after President Rodrigo Duterte recently gave PALECO a stern warning that the national government would be compelled to take over the power distributor’s […]

Categories
Politics

LACK OF FINANCIAL LITERACY IS ONE REASON WHY OFWs CANNOT ESCAPE POVERTY – VILLAR

Senator Cynthia Villar in her capacity as director of the Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance (Villar SIPAG), has announced the holding of the 8th OFW and Family Summit on Nov. 21 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. The annual summit has become the go-to event for trainings and discussions designed […]

Categories
Politics

DOE SHOULD INCLUDE ENERGY SECURITY IN PEP– GATCHALIAN

Senator Win Gatchalian is urging the Department of Energy (DOE) to include energy security in its Philippine Energy Plan amid soaring energy prices that have contributed to the country’s nine-year-high inflation rate. During the recent hearing of the Senate committee on energy on the country’s energy security, Gatchalian pointed out that the DOE has failed […]

Categories
Politics

DUTERTE ADMINISTRATION TO ‘SHATTER’ TELCO DUOPOLY – PIMENTEL

Senator Koko Pimentel III, chair of the Senate trade, commerce and entrepreneurship committee on Thursday said the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte will deliver on its commitment to “shatter” the country’s longstanding telecommunications duopoly. Pimentel also commended the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) for reaching the final […]