MANILA: Digital transformation took centerstage in the first six months of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. with increased efforts to make government services more efficient. Malacañang identified programs and policies being done to put a premium on “digitalizing, harmonizing, and standardizing government data” in a news release on Monday. Among those is the improvement of the TradeNet, a one-stop online shop aimed to reduce processing time and harmonize the permitting procedures involved in import and export in the country. TradeNet was developed and implemented by the Department of Finance and the Department of Information
CEBU CITY: The Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) on Monday said “recovery” flights are ongoing, servicing flights canceled on Sunday due to technical concerns at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). Mary Ann Dimayabao, MCIA information officer, said recovery flights started at 5 a.m. Monday. “Those who were stranded since yesterday are now rebooking their flights,” Dimayabao told the Philippine News Agency. She said the Cebu airport has not experienced any technical or systems issues, assuring passengers of ongoing servicing for flights to areas unaffected by the glitches. The airport authorities, she said, have assigned additional police
MANILA: Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said Monday the administration’s Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (PPPP) program would go full blast this year. He said the initial construction of mid and high-rise buildings could begin during the first quarter or as soon as documentary and legal requirements are met. “I am optimistic that we can start with the construction of the projects with complete documentary and legal requirements in a few months,” he said. “And we expect to go full blast within the year.” Since its launch in September, or
MANILA: Two bills have been filed in the Senate to increase the monthly pension and disability benefits of retirees of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda’s Senate Bill No. 829 and Senator Risa Hontiveros’ No. 1510, will cover DFA employees who have served continuously for at least 15 years and are eligible to receive a monthly pension from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS). DFA officers and employees who retired prior to the effectiveness of the Acts and those who retired but have not met the requirements shall instead be covered by
BUTUAN CITY: On the second day of the new year, the city government of Butuan formally opened its Business One-Stop-Shop (BOSS), marking the formal start of the renewal of business registrations for this year. The 2023 BOSS, which was established at the Robinsons Place here, is in line with the implementation of Republic Act (RA) No. 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business Law. In a statement on Monday, the Butuan City Information Office (CIO) said the BOSS is being spearheaded by the City Business Permits and Licensing Office (CBPLO). The BOSS opening on Monday was led
BUENOS AIRES: Politician Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has been sworn in for a third term as Brazil’s president in the capital Brasilia. Lula arrived at Sunday’s ceremony in a presidential Rolls Royce, closely flanked by security officers, alongside Vice President-elect Geraldo Alckmin. “I promise to maintain, defend and fulfill the Constitution, observe the laws, promote the general good of the Brazilian people, uphold the unity, integrity and independence of Brazil,” said Lula in a lengthy speech. He thanked the Brazilian people for the confidence that they had shown by voting him in for a third term.
