2023 budget isusumite ng Malakanyang sa Kongreso sa sunod na linggo
MANILA, Philippines – TARGET ng Malakanyang na isumite sa Kongreso, susunod na linggo ang P5.628-trillion national budget para sa taong 2023. Ito ay matapos na magdaos si Pangulong President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ng special meeting kasama ang kanyang Cabinet members sa Aguinaldo State Dining Room, Malacañan Palace. Tinalakay sa special meeting ang panukalang 2023 budget […] The post 2023 budget isusumite ng Malakanyang sa Kongreso sa sunod na linggo appeared first on REMATE ONLINE......»»
PLDT back on growth track, doubles profit to P26.61 billion
Telco leader PLDT Inc. returned to growth mode in 2023 as its profit doubled from a year ago, as it cleaned up the P33-billion budget overrun that messed up its balance sheet in 2022......»»
‘Imee budget realigning led to millions not receiving 4Ps’
Nearly 4.3 million poor Filipinos were deprived of cash aid under the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in 2023 after Sen. Imee Marcos realigned the 4Ps funding of P13 billion in the national budget to another social amelioration program, a member of the House of Representatives said yesterday......»»
DBM: Infrastructure, capital expenditures breach P1 trillion
Expenditures of the national government for infrastructure and other capital outlays grew to P1.02 trillion from January to November 2023 from only P861.8 billion in the same period in 2022, according to the Department of Budget and Management......»»
Uncertainty looms over Davao-Samal Bridge project amid RoW hurdles
The construction of the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC), also known as the Davao-Samal Bridge project, has faced numerous setbacks due to right-of-way (ROW) acquisition challenges. The project was halted on January 3, 2024, due to issues with landowners near a pier in Lanang at Davao City, leading to delays in the project's implementation. While there have been conflicting statements regarding the project's status, the National Economic and Development Authority-Davao Region (Neda-Davao) aims to complete the detailed engineering plans for the substructure of the west land via dock once the Deed of Transfer Possession in Davao City is released. However, ROW issues continue to persist. Despite these challenges, the project is still considered a priority and is included in the Davao Region Development Plan (DRDP) for 2023–2028. The project is funded through China’s Official Development Assistance with an estimated budget of P23.04 billion, and negotiations with the Philippine government are ongoing with a target completion date in 2027. The uncertainty surrounding the project's timeline remains as ROW hurdles persist, impacting the much-anticipated toll-free four-lane concrete exodus bridge spanning a 3.98-kilometer distance......»»
DSWD-Davao raises child feeding budget to P21
The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Davao Region (DSWD-Davao) has increased its budget for the Supplementary Feeding Program to P21 per child, up from the previous P15 allocation. Kyla Denise T. Pamat, a nutritionist dietician at DSWD-Davao, shared in a radio interview on Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on January 26, 2024, that the enhancement is a result of a budget insertion in 2023. The 13th cycle targets 122,400 children in Davao Region, with five local government units (LGUs) already initiating the feeding program, while others are in the procurement process. The program focuses on children aged two to four in child development centers and supervised neighborhood places, providing hot meals (rice and viand) for 80 days and alternative meals (pancake, nutribun, and fruit salad) for 40 days during the 120 feeding days. Additionally, selected LGUs with a prevalent number of underweight children receive milk feeding for the entire duration. The 12th cycle showed an 82.27 percent improvement in the weight of underweight children, reducing their number from 4,567 to 784 after the 120 feeding days. Pamat highlighted its alignment with Republic Act 11037, also known as the Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act, and encouraged LGUs, communities, and parents to support the program for continuous improvement......»»
DBM: P30 billion released for 2023 allowances of HCWs
The Department of Budget and Management last year released P30.1 billion in emergency allowances for health care and non-health care workers nationwide......»»
Cebu City’s 2024 budget slashed from P100 Billion to P20 Billion
CEBU CITY, Philippines – The proposed budget for Cebu City’s operations in 2024, initially set at an ambitious P100 billion, has been slashed to just over P20 billion. This after the city council approved the amended budget during the council’s regular session on Wednesday, December 20, 2023. The annual budget ordinance was authored by City.....»»
China s defence budget could be far greater than declared
Beijing [China], December 18 (ANI): Everyone acknowledges that China's declared defence budget is lower than its real expenditure. The only question is how much, and it turns out it could be several times higher than what most think. When China announced its 2023 defence budget on March 5, the figure quoted by the government was CNY 1.5537 trillion (USD 224.59 billion). This represented a rise of 7.2 per cent compared to.....»»
China s defence budget could be far greater than declared
Beijing [China], December 18 (ANI): Everyone acknowledges that China's declared defence budget is lower than its real expenditure. The only question is how much, and it turns out it could be several times higher than what most think. When China announced its 2023 defence budget on March 5, the figure quoted by the government was CNY 1.5537 trillion (USD 224.59 billion). This represented a rise of 7.2 per cent compared to.....»»
Government adds P270 billion to 2023 budget
The government has adjusted the national budget by nearly P270 billion, with the majority directed toward unprogrammed appropriations, resulting in a record-setting total of P5.54 trillion for the current year......»»
Under the budget gun: Rights body falls victim to pressure politics
By: CMFR StaffPosted on: November 30, 2023, 5:47 pmUpdated on: November 30, 2023, 5:48 pm THE COMMISSION on Human Rights (CHR) succeeded in having its budget for 2024 approved by the Senate but did not emerge from it unscathed. Its proposed PHP1.9 billion was cut down.....»»
Under the budget gun: Rights body falls victim to pressure politics
By: CMFR StaffPosted on: November 30, 2023, 5:47 pmUpdated on: November 30, 2023, 5:48 pm THE COMMISSION on Human Rights (CHR) succeeded in having its budget for 2024 approved by the Senate but did not emerge from it unscathed. Its proposed PHP1.9 billion was cut down.....»»
Financing infrastructure projects: The ECA strengthens the capacities of institutional investors in the WAEMU region
Abidjan (Cote d'Ivoire) - 27 November 2023 - The Government of Cote d'Ivoire, through the Ministry of Finance and Budget, launched the technical workshop for institutional investors from the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) in Abidjan on 13 November.The workshop, held from 13 to 14 November, was organised by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) i.....»»
10K cops to ensure safety of Dabawenyos for Holidays
The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) is set to deploy over 10,000 personnel to ensure the safety of Dabawenyos during the holiday season. With an expected 1.5 million tourist arrivals by the end of 2023, the DCPO will be working in collaboration with other security agencies to maintain peace and order. The sendoff ceremony took place on November 24, and the deployment will last from November 28 to December 31 as part of the annual Pasko Fiesta. The DCPO alone has deployed around 9,000 personnel from 20 police stations, while other security personnel will come from regional government agencies. The Head of the Public Safety and Security Office assured the public that the city has tight security measures in place, minimizing the risk of terrorism. The City Government of Davao has allocated a budget of P42 million for the Pasko Fiesta, anticipating a grand Christmas celebration for the Dabawenyos......»»
Alan Peter Cayetano may pakiusap kay Lala Sotto: Look at contemporary Filipino values that we can agree on
MAY panawagan si Senator Alan Peter Cayetano kay Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) Chairperson Lala Sotto–Antonio tungkol sa Filipino values sa digital content. Ipinahayag ito ng senador sa isinagawang plenary debate ng panukalang 2024 budget ng MTRCB nitong November 14, 2023 na binigyan diin niya ang malawakang paggamit ng Internet ay nabawasan.....»»
2023 national budget adjusted upward
The government has made adjustments to the national budget by about P261 billion, mainly for unprogrammed appropriations, to reach a record-high P5.53 trillion for this year, according to the Department of Budget and Management......»»
Department publishes EQIA on final budget allocations for 2023-24
The Department of Education (DE) has published its Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) Final Report on Resource Budget allocations for the 2023-24 financial year. Thanking those who responded to the consultation, DE Permanent Secretary, Dr Mark Browne said: "The Department is extremely grateful to all.....»»
Come hell, high water,Christmas comes
Despite challenges from inflation and other difficulties because of the geopolitical shifts, Filipinos still look forward to celebrating Christmas on expectations of bonuses and the observance of family traditions. Based on historical data, Kantar, the world’s leading marketing data and analytics company, expects households to increase their spendings on food and beverage during the holidays compared to ordinary months. “The Christmas spirit is felt as early as September. Spending in the fast-moving consumer goods typically starts in December when Filipinos receive additional disposable income through their 13th month pay and other incentives,” Nino Nierva, account director, Worldpanel Division, Kantar Philippines, said. “What we’ve observed, based on our analyses of the spending habits of over 5,000 households’ year-on-year, is that Filipinos spend mostly on food and beverage items from December to January versus the rest of the year.” There is a spending uplift of 7 percent in the total FMCG segment during the height of the Christmas season last year, or from December 2022 to January 2023, compared to other months, or from February to November. This translates to approximately P6 billion more spent every month within the holiday period. Specifically, Filipinos spent 11 percent more on food and 9 percent more on beverage categories during the holidays. This trend also extends to dairy products (6 percent higher), which include all-purpose cream and condensed milk that are key ingredients of fruit salad, a staple Christmas dessert in the country. In contrast, the health and beauty category takes a back seat during this same period based on a 4 percent decline in growth last year, according to Kantar’s study. Season of eating, shopping Data from Kantar further showed that holiday feasts must-haves will continue to take-over the shopping baskets of Filipinos in the remaining months of the year. These items, which registered significant growth in December 2022, are expected to remain a priority for households. These are spreads (up 34 percent), canned fruits (up 25 percent), alcoholic beverages (up 24 percent), noodles and pasta sauces (up 21 percent), lechon sauce (up 17 percent), condensed milk (up 9 percent), mayonnaise (up 8 percent), and all-purpose cream (up 6 percent). However, Kantar notes that inflation continues to impact FMCG in terms of pack size and brand choices. In particular, households, strapped for cash, may buy less holiday meal staples like pasta sauces or cheese, and may choose to purchase more affordable brands of canned fruits, all-purpose cream and noodles. Tight budget not a problem While Filipinos continue to patronize sari-sari stores, they will still visit hypermarkets, supermarkets and groceries to check their options during the holiday season. According to Kantar, Filipinos still buy from sari-sari stores and they spend an average of P1,309 per month during the holidays. This is followed by hyper and supermarkets where 7 out of 10 homes visit the channel with an average monthly spend of P1,559. Aside from their own purchases, households will likewise make extra room in their pantry for FMCG products that they receive as gifts. The post Come hell, high water,Christmas comes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Healthcare facilities getting P50B in 2024
The Department of Budget and Management, or DBM, said the planned national budget for next year would include funds worth almost P50 billion to improve regional hospitals and other healthcare facilities. In a statement on Monday, DBM said the Department of Health, or DoH, would get about P49.75 billion to pay for hospital units under the 2024 National Expenditure Program to improve the services of basic healthcare facilities. The amount planned to be given to DoH’s hospitals and health facilities was P1.31 billion more than the P48.44 billion allocated in the 2023 General Appropriations Act, or GAA. The DBM attributed the increase to adjustments made in the normative financing of DoH hospitals, including funds needed for expanding specialty centers. Budget divided to 68 hospitals Such suggested budget amount would be divided among 68 hospitals in different regions, such as the National Capital Region, Regions I through X, and Regions XI through XIII, the DBM said. Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the allocation is a tangible representation of the government’s commitment to augmenting the capabilities of our primary healthcare facilities, securing the well-being of Filipino families and warding off potential future health crises. “The allocation is part of government’s efforts to strengthen primary healthcare facilities in the country, ensure the health of Filipino families, and to avoid another health crisis,” Pangandaman said. The post Healthcare facilities getting P50B in 2024 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Fuel subsidy easing eyed
An immediate release of government assistance to public utility vehicles will be achieved by shortening the trigger period from three months to one and simplifying the requirements, the Department of Energy said yesterday. The proposal, nonetheless, may need the amendment of the law for releasing fuel subsidies to the transport sector. In a press briefing, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said this was one of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s proposed solutions to the oil price shock that is expected to worsen amid the spreading Middle East conflict. $80 per barrel long breached Under the current law, fuel subsidies are released to the transport sector whenever the Dubai crude oil price exceeds $80 per barrel for three consecutive months. Lotilla said shortening the trigger period will allow the government to release the subsidies faster to the transport sector, one of the sectors most affected by rising fuel prices. “With this simplification or shortening of the period, we will be able to release the subsidies in a shorter period,” Lotilla said. “Since Congress is now considering the General Appropriations Act, it will be included in that process. The amendment will take effect in 2024 immediately upon Congress’s approval of the GAA,” he added. The DoE chief also said the government will simplify the requirements for the release of the fuel subsidies. The release of the subsidies requires the approval of the DoE, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Budget and Management. Lotilla said that under the new proposal, the release of the subsidies will only require the approval of the DBM, DoTr and the DoE. He said the DoTr will finalize the list of beneficiaries for those with franchises, the Department of the Interior and Local Government for tricycle drivers, and the Department of Trade and Industry for delivery service drivers. Even though there’s an effort to expedite assistance, Lotilla said the fuel subsidy in the 2024 national budget was decreased to P2.5 billion from P3 billion this year. The energy chief, however, believes that even with the reduced budget, the required funding will be met. “That’s based on the experience of the previous year. We don’t know what will be the final amount,” the official said. Other measures on table Lotilla added the government will implement a voluntary 20-percent ethanol blend for gasoline, which is targeted for approval by the end of 2023. He said the ethanol blend will help mitigate the rising fuel prices, as ethanol is cheaper than gasoline. Lotilla said the President also instructed him to continue the transport sector’s electrification, particularly for mass transport and light cargo vehicles. He said the government will put in place charging stations and ensure that the benefits to the transport sector, particularly the drivers, will be there. Lotilla said the President also emphasized the need to prepare the economy for the eventual manufacture of electric vehicles and to link this with the local mining sector that will produce the minerals needed to manufacture batteries and other components of electric vehicles. Rules out soon The DoE is also releasing the guidelines for the implementation of the long-delayed higher biofuels blend before the year ends. Lotilla said the current 10-percent ethanol blend, also known as E10, in gasoline would be increased to 20 percent or E20, although it would be a voluntary option for motorists. Lotilla added that the current two percent or B2 coco methyl ester or CME blend on diesel will be adjusted to three percent or B3. Based on the DoE calculation, implementing the E20 blend could slash gasoline prices by around P1.28 to P1.50 per liter. While ethanol is generally cheaper than gasoline, Lotilla noted that local ethanol at P79.49 a liter is still more expensive than the imported supply at P41.84 per liter. Lotilla said DoE will bank on the coconut industry, whose production reaches up to 15 billion nuts annually, to complement the B3 shift. “An additional 1 percent blend only needs 2.6 billion nuts. The increase in the blend can also drive down the cost of CME because there will be a bigger market for it. Right now, we expect pure diesel to be at parity with the per liter price of CME,” Lotilla explained. With Maria Romero The post Fuel subsidy easing eyed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»