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Politics

Budget for DOH-managed Rehabilitation Facilities to Suffer 75% Reduction – RECTO

  The proposed Department of Health (DOH) budget for next year’s operations of government-run drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation centers will get a massive P2.31 billion cut under the 2018 national budget bill. The DOH has a proposed gross 2018 budget of P164.8 billion, 9 percent up from this year’s P151.3 billion. Both of the […]

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Politics

Remove Social Stigma of Suicidal Tendencies – VILLANUEVA

  Senator Joel Villanueva has emphasized the need for an intensified campaign that would give awareness regarding mental health and suicide prevention. Villanueva acknowledged underreported cases of suicide due to social stigma against people with suicidal tendencies. “This stigma must now be removed. Education regarding mental health and suicide prevention must be intensified and give […]

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Bigger Budget for Livestock Sector – VILLAR

  Senator Cynthia Villar said the budget being proposed for the livestock and poultry sector will not be enough to fund the development of the industry. Sitting as chairperson of the Finance Subcommittee hearing the P60-billion proposed budget of the Department of Agriculture for 2018, Villar asked Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Manny Piñol to […]

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Politics

Respective Identities as Sovereign Nations Must Remain Intact – LEGARDA

  Senator Loren Legarda said that weaving culture and traditional textiles reveal a lot about a nation’s identity and narrate stories of origin communities, becoming essential to a people’s heritage. Legarda made the statement during her talk for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Ministers’ Spouses Program at the Center for International Trade […]

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Politics

Education Sector Should Gear Toward Excellence in the International Scene – ESCUDERO

  More Philippine universities should aim to be included in the world university rankings after a recent world ranking showed that the University of the Philippines was the lone learning institution in the country to make it on the annual list, Senator Chiz Escudero said. The state-run UP climbed to the 601-800 range from the […]

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Fast Track Evaluation and Accreditation of Local Universities and Colleges – GATCHALIAN

  Senator Win Gatchalian urged the Commission on Higher Education to fast track the evaluation and accreditation of local universities and colleges to unlock their potential in producing highly-educated graduates with skill sets to match the primary needs of local economies. At the same time, Gatchalian said the CHED should likewise help LUCs upgrade their […]

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Politics

Electricity Budget for Public Schools to Jump Nine-fold to Almost P3 Billion – RECTO

  The proposed budget to bring electricity to public schools will jump nine-fold to almost P3 billion next year, a crucial step in bringing an estimated 7,413 schools “out of the dark ages,” Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto said. One in six government elementary and high schools is not connected to a power grid, Recto […]

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Politics

Scientists, Innovators and Researchers Need Support – AQUINO

  Senator Bam Aquino urged government and the private sector to extend support to Filipino scientists and innovators as they can help find solutions to pressing problems like poverty, weak education system and even the drug problem. “Our scientists, innovators and researchers need all the support they can get from us. Kailangan nila ang ating […]

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Politics

Comprehensive Health Care Program for Mothers – ANGARA

  Senator Sonny Angara is pushing for the passage of bills that seek to ensure that Filipinos will be provided with better quality of health services from maternal and infant care up to the end-stage of life. Angara is the principal author of Senate Bill 1537 or the Healthy Nanay and Bulilit Act, also known […]

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Politics

Include Lumads in the Discussions of the Bangsamoro Basic Law – BINAY

  Senator Nancy Binay threw her support behind groups asserting that indigenous peoples’ (IPs) interests and rights be recognized and protected in the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). “I support the call for the protection of the rights of lumads and for their inclusion in the discussions on the Bangsamoro peace process,” Binay said after […]