EDITORIAL — The cost of negligence
As of early evening yesterday, the death toll from a vehicular collision in Cotabato stood at 17, with four others needing hospitalization for injuries and severe burns......»»
Editorial: Revisit snake encounters
Editorial: Revisit snake encounters.....»»
Editorial: Piety celebrated in citizenship
Editorial: Piety celebrated in citizenship.....»»
Editorial: Restoring meaning in ritual
Editorial: Restoring meaning in ritual.....»»
Delivery drivers urge Mayor Baste for business permit exemption
Title: Delivery Drivers Seek Exemption from Business Permit Requirement A group of delivery drivers in Davao is urging Mayor Sebastian Duterte to exempt them from the mandatory business permits. The drivers, including those from various delivery apps such as Grab and FoodPanda, are concerned about the financial burden imposed by the business permits, which range from P2,000 to P6,000. They argue that this requirement is unique to Davao City among all cities and provinces in the Philippines. Grab rider Rolando Atico emphasized the need for solidarity among all delivery drivers, regardless of the app they work for. He urged fellow drivers to support each other, as the financial impact may extend beyond just Grab and FoodPanda. Atico also requested Mayor Duterte to reconsider the requirement and reinstate the previous occupational permit, which only cost P125. The group is facing a 30-day deadline to obtain the business permits, and they are citing financial constraints as a reason for their request for an extension. Failure to comply could result in their removal from the delivery platforms, jeopardizing their livelihoods. Additionally, they are advocating for changes to Davao City's Revenue Code, proposing a model similar to Cebu City, where only an occupational permit is required. The drivers are also calling for an inquiry into the lack of transparency and unilateral actions of food delivery companies, particularly concerning rider capitalization and financial concerns. They believe that a thorough investigation will help ensure fairness and equity in their financial obligations and working relationship with the delivery companies. Maribel Paguican, the Business Bureau officer-in-charge, stated that non-certified delivery riders categorized as service contractors must obtain a business permit. She mentioned two permits for occupational and business activities, with a discounted structure for delivery riders. However, concerns have been raised about increased taxes, potentially ranging from P3,000 to P6,000, along with an additional tax on top of the declared income of P1,400. The delivery drivers' plea for exemption from the business permit requirement reflects their concerns about the financial impact and the potential threat to their livelihoods. Their call for solidarity and support from fellow drivers highlights the urgency of the situation. This story sheds light on the challenges faced by delivery drivers in Davao and the implications of the business permit requirement on their financial well-being. It also underscores their efforts to seek fairness and equity in their working relationship with the authorities and delivery companies......»»
Man-made disasters cost Philippines 164.87 mln USD in 2023
MANILA, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Man-made disasters caused the total damage in the Philippines worth 9.29 billion pesos (164.87 million U.S. dollars) in 2023, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said Tuesday. The agency said that out of the total annual damage, 4.93 billion pesos (87.5 million dollars), or 53.1 percent, was due to the oil spill. "The reported oil spill in various regions resulted in dam.....»»
Philippines struggles to lower rice price despite ample supply
MANILA, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines continues to struggle to lower the price of rice despite an ample supply of the national staple, a Philippine agriculture official said Friday. Agriculture Undersecretary Roger Navarro said the Philippines has enough rice supply due to a bumper harvest last year and additional importation in January. "But it's difficult to reduce prices since the cost of the gra.....»»
Philippines struggles to lower rice price despite ample supply
MANILA, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines continues to struggle to lower the price of rice despite an ample supply of the national staple, a Philippine agriculture official said Friday. Agriculture Undersecretary Roger Navarro said the Philippines has enough rice supply due to a bumper harvest last year and additional importation in January. "But it's difficult to reduce prices since the cost of the gra.....»»
El Nino costs Philippine agriculture up to 18.9 mln USD
MANILA, March 6 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine government said Wednesday that the El Nino dry spell and drought has cost Philippine agriculture over 1 billion pesos (roughly 18.9 million U.S. dollars) while the climate pattern may persist till the second quarter this year. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said El Nino has affected over 23,000 farmers and fisherfolk, damaged nearly 18,000 h.....»»
Xinhua world economic news summary at 0900 GMT, March 6
MANILA -- The Philippine government said Wednesday that the El Nino dry spell and drought has cost Philippine agriculture over 1 billion pesos (roughly 18.9 million U.S. dollars) while the climate pattern may persist till the second quarter this year. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said El Nino has affected over 23,000 farmers and fisherfolk, damaged nearly 18,000 hectares of crop ar.....»»
MRT-3 concession period seen at shorter 10-15 years
The next operator of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 could end up with a shorter term of at least 10 years, as its role will be limited to managing the railway as the government pays for the cost of its rehabilitation......»»
Government announces independent review of forestry ETS costs
Forestry Minister Todd McClay has today announced an independent review into the forestry component of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) Register to ensure it is efficient and cost-effective."Up and down the country forestry owners have been raising concerns about the excessive costs that have been imposed upon them by the previous government," Mr McClay says."We have iden.....»»
NEDA approves 23 new priority infrastructure projects
The National Economic and Development Authority Board has approved the inclusion of 23 projects in the list of infrastructure flagship projects to be prioritized under the current administration, bringing the total cost to P9.14 trillion......»»
Public services at risk of being weaponized in Marcos-Duterte feud, analyst says
Public services meant for marginalized Filipinos may be exploited to capture supporters amid the spat between the Marcoses and the Dutertes, a political science professor said, underscoring how the public ultimately shoulders the cost of warring political parties......»»
Cebu Pacific adds 3 aircraft in Q1
Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific has received another aircraft, its third for the year, leaving the airline with 14 more to accept for the rest of 2024 as it fortifies its fleet in the face of supply issues......»»
‘No reason for pork price surge in Visayas, Mindanao’
There is no reason for the spike in retail prices of pork in the Visayas and Mindanao, as the prevailing live weight cost is only P180 per kilo, farmers’ group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura said over the weekend......»»
75% dissatisfied with government effort vs inflation – poll
Despite the easing inflation reported in recent months, three in every four Filipinos now say they are dissatisfied with the government’s efforts to control the rising cost of basic commodities, a recent survey conducted by the OCTA Research group showed......»»
Radyo5, Rappler spotlight public funds used in Bagong Pilipinas rally
CHEERS TO Radyo5 and Rappler for calling the people's attention to the exorbitant cost of holding President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s rally on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024.Dubbed Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines,) the rally was described by the state-run Philippine Information.....»»
Radyo5, Rappler spotlight public funds used in Bagong Pilipinas rally
CHEERS TO Radyo5 and Rappler for calling the people's attention to the exorbitant cost of holding President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s rally on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024.Dubbed Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines,) the rally was described by the state-run Philippine Information.....»»
DA working double time to increase rice production at lower cost amid inflation
The Department of Agriculture promised to intensify its efforts to increase the level of rice production in the Philippines with lower expenditures to alleviate food and non-food inflation, particularly rice......»»
Telco licensing needs to be reformed – study
The government has to revamp the licensing system for connectivity providers as an initial step to bringing down the cost of internet as well as improving accessibility and reliability, according to a study......»»