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Politics

PANGILINAN TO GUARD P33-B FARM-TO-MARKET ROAD FUND

Senator Kiko Pangilinan issued a stern warning against any attempt to steal or misuse funds allocated for the government’s P33-billion farm-to-market road (FMR) program, stressing that he will pursue and hold accountable anyone involved in corrupt practices that deprive farmers of much-needed infrastructure. “We have put in place several safeguards para talagang matiyak (na walang […]

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Government

CONGRESS HIKES FUNDS FOR FARM-TO-MARKET ROADS

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. welcomed Congress’ decision to more than double funding for farm-to-market roads (FMRs), calling it a “game-changing investment” for farmers, food supply chains, and rural economies as lawmakers finalize the 2026 national budget. Under the spending plan approved by the bicameral conference committee, funding for FMRs will jump to P33 […]

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Politics

BONG GO: GIVE PHILHEALTH P200B EARMARKED FUND

Senator Bong Go reiterated that around P200 billion earmarked must be given to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) in compliance with the law. “Kung maaari maibigay na po iyung hindi naibibigay dahil nasa Sin Tax Law po iyung earmarking, about P200 billion pa po ang hindi nabibigay since 2023,” Go said in his manifestation during the […]

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Politics

SC DECISION TO RETURN P60B TO PHILHEALTH LAUDED

Senator Bong Go expressed support to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth) proposed P113 billion allocation for 2026.  This was after the Supreme Court ordered the restoration of the P60 billion to the state health insurer. The return of P60 billion, combined with the proposed P53.12 billion PhilHealth subsidy for 2026, raises the proposed budget […]

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Politics

CAYETANO BACKS MORE BUDGET FOR DISASTER HOUSING

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano expressed support for the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development’s (DHSUD) appeal for a higher budget for the Integrated Disaster Shelter Assistance Program (IDSAP) to help families rebuild their homes after recent calamities. Cayetano made the call after it came out during a Senate briefing on DHSUD’s proposed […]

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Politics

FUNDS FOR PENSIONS OF WAITLISTED SENIORS PUSHED

Senator Bong Go delivered a strong statement during the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare, and Rural Development public hearing recently.  Go emphasized that ensuring government support for the most vulnerable is both a legal mandate and a moral duty, declaring that it is painful to see elderly Filipinos still forced to work just to […]

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Politics

BENITEZ:  FLOOD CONTROL FUNDS COULD BUILD 1M HOMES

Funds used for flood control projects could have been used instead to provide millions of poor Filipino families with homes. This was what Bacolod lone district Rep. Albee Benitez had to say after the unearthing of more scandals across the country surrounding the anomaly-ridden projects. The United Nations Habitat estimates that as of 2023, the […]

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Government

DTI RELEASES P4.22M LOANS FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through its financing arm Small Business Corporation (SBCorp), has approved P4.22 million in loans for 24 women-owned businesses under the recently launched Women’s Enterprise Fund (WEF). This first wave of approvals came ahead of the formal awarding for the initial loan disbursement to ten pioneering women-led enterprises. The […]

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Government

FUND HIKE FOR ILOILO RICE PRODUCTION GETS DA OK

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. has approved the allocation of an additional P82.5 million to boost rice production in Iloilo, one of the Philippines’ major rice-producing provinces. “We continue to look for extra funds to help our rice farmers produce more to increase their income and help the country bolster food security,” Tiu Laurel said. […]

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Politics

BICOL REHAB FUND INCLUSION IN 2025 BUDGET PUSHED

As Senate leaders committed to give top priority to passing the proposed 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) of P6.352 trillion with this week’s reopening of the 19th Congress, National Unity Party (NUP) president LRay Villafuerte has appealed to senators to consider including in next year’s national budget bill his proposed P20-billion outlay for the fast-track […]