PH still among countries perceived to have corrupt governments
The Philippines remained among Asian countries perceived to have corrupt governments, but the “slight improvement” in the country’s ranking should be seen as “a challenge to do better and a reason for hope that the country is headed in the right direction,” according to a top Palace official. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin did not even.....»»
Saving Kabugao the Philippine Eagle
A composite team from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, local governments of Apayao and Kabugao, the non-profit Philippine Eagle Foundation and concerned citizens nursed a critically endangered Philippine Eagle back to health after the eagle was rescued from a farmer in Barangay Bulu of Kabugao town in Apayao province last March 19......»»
Saving Kabugao the Philippine Eagle
A composite team from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, local governments of Apayao and Kabugao, the non-profit Philippine Eagle Foundation and concerned citizens nursed a critically endangered Philippine Eagle back to health after the eagle was rescued from a farmer in Barangay Bulu of Kabugao town in Apayao province last March 19......»»
No classes in Cebu province due to extreme heat
CEBU CITY, Philippines — All classes in Cebu province are suspended beginning Friday, April 5 until further notice as the summer heat became risky for teachers and students to go out. Governor Gwendolyn Garcia on Friday issued a memorandum, directing local governments under the province’s jurisdiction to cancel all classes until further notice. READ MORE:.....»»
Save the Children, EU’s Project SCOPE transformed lives of 19,000 Persons with Disabilities
Project SCOPE empowered children with disabilities, their parents, caregivers, organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), and other civil society organizations (CSOs) to engage effectively with local governments by expressing their rights and monitoring the use of public resources for their benefit......»»
EDITORIAL - Invest in women, accelerate progress
The international community marks Women’s Day today with governments enjoined to invest in the empowerment of women......»»
China slams foreign criticism of Hong Kong’s upcoming Article 23 national security law
The law, known as Article 23, will target crimes including treason, theft of state secrets, espionage, sabotage, sedition, and 'external interference,' including from foreign governments.....»»
Advocates call for climate emergency in Mindanao
PMCJ urged the local governments in Mindanao to strengthen the capacity of localities to deal with the impacts of climate change, provide adequate shelter to displaced communities, and review current disaster prevention and response programs......»»
PSAC affirms commitment to public-private collaboration
The Private Sector Advisory Council is ramping up efforts to foster economic growth and poverty reduction through collaboration between governments and the private sector......»»
One Philippines : NSC, Mindanao governments reject secession calls
In a statement Sunday, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said that any attempt to sow division in the country must be rejected unequivocally after former President Rodrigo Duterte pushed for a “separate and independent Mindanao.”.....»»
Gaza: Suspending UNRWA Aid Risks Hastening Famine
(New York) - Governments should continue funding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), given its vital role in averting a humanitarian catastrophe and the risk of famine in the Gaza Strip, while the agency investigates allegations that 12 of its staff were involved in the Hamas-led October 7.....»»
UN to punish staffers involved in ‘terror,’ urges UNRWA funding — Guterres
NEW YORK (Reuters) -United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres vowed on Sunday to hold to account “any U.N. employee involved in acts of terror” after allegations that some refugee agency staffers were involved in the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. But Guterres implored governments to continue supporting the U.N. refugee agency for Palestinians (UNRWA) after.....»»
BARMM’s investment hubs get governance citations
Members of the Bangsamoro business sector were elated with the special awards for efficiency bestowed upon the local governments in the region's two new investment hubs on Thursday, recognizing the accomplishments as key factors that can enhance the investment potentials of both areas......»»
PIDS: LGUs losing P10 billion from single power outage
Local governments are estimated to suffer over P10 billion worth of losses from a single electricity supply interruption, affecting the delivery of public services, according to the Philippine Institute for Development Studies......»»
China’s diplomats condemn foreign governments over Taiwan post-election remarks
The Chinese foreign ministry describes a statement from US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken as 'sending a seriously incorrect signal' to 'Taiwan independence separatist forces'.....»»
Asia: Regional Leadership Needed on Human Rights
(Bangkok) - Increasing repression by governments in Asia is negatively affecting human rights locally and internationally, Human Rights Watch said today in releasing its World Report 2024.In 2023, the Chinese government continued to commit.....»»
Mati City, 10 municipalities in Davao Oriental suspend classes, work
Following the impact of a Low-Pressure Area (LPA) affecting Northern and Southern Mindanao, local government units (LGUs) in Davao Oriental have collectively suspended classes and government and private offices. The City of Mati and 10 municipalities, including Baganga, Governor Generoso, Cateel, and others, have issued Executive Orders in line with Presidential Executive Order No. 66, series of 2012. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has forecasted moderate to heavy rains in Davao Oriental due to the Northeast Monsoon (Amihan) and LPA, posing a risk of landslides and flash floods. The Provincial Local Government Unit of Davao Oriental and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils have reported landslides in Lupon and Cateel, with ongoing clearing operations. The Bureau of Fire Protection and other government agencies have rescued families affected by flash floods in Cateel and Caraga. Franz Irag from the Office of Civil Defense-Davao Region confirmed that around 200 individuals or close to 500 families in Davao Region have been displaced and are now in evacuation centers. Additionally, five LGUs in the province of Davao de Oro have also declared the suspension of classes and work in both public and private offices......»»
PLDT, Smart named among world’s leading employers
PLDT Inc. and its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. have been named among the Top One Percent of Leading Employers of 2023 by German firm Institute of Research and Data Aggregation......»»
High meat prices blamed for protein deficiency among Pinoys
Higher prices of meat have caused protein deficiency and contributed to malnutrition among Filipinos, which affected their learning capacities, according to Sen. Cynthia Villar......»»
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......»»
Critical minerals are key to the green movement
Given the effects of climate change that are already being felt around the globe especially among the most vulnerable countries like the Philippines, there is now greater urgency in finding fast and high- impact solutions that would at least slow down, if not reverse, global warming......»»