Day: October 23, 2024

Manila: The Philippines will encourage its international development partners to invest more in initiatives that would advance women’s participation and role in peace and security, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said Wednesday. Pangandaman lamented that most projects from the country’s development partners do not include women, peace, and security initiatives. ‘If there is one, it’s not that big. The pie doesn’t show a big chunk of the budget on women, peace, and security. So, we would like to push that forward,’ she said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay. ‘More than anything else, we need the cooperation of the private sector,

Manila: The Department of Health (DOH) has intensified its telekonsulta in areas affected by Tropical Storm Kristine, urging the public to avail the services. The DOH urged those who walked in the flood, ingested contaminated water due to flood or rain and have symptoms after exposure to flood or rain to avail of telekonsulta services at the National Patient Navigation and Referral Center. The national telekonsulta hotline is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and it can be reached by dialing 1555 then pressing 2. Those unable to avoid floodwaters are advised to take prophylactic medicines against leptospirosis,

Manila: The funds that Sulu will get for 2025 are still included in the proposed budget earmarked for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said Wednesday. ‘The Bangsamoro government is also working on their budget now. At napag-usapan po (And we discussed) during our IGRB (Intergovernmental Relations Body) meeting that the funding for 2025 for Sulu will still be part of their budget,’ she said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay. Pangandaman said the national and BARMM governments had agreed to continue providing a budget to Sulu until the Supreme Court (SC) makes a

Manila: The quick response fund (QRF) of government agencies and offices at the forefront of disaster relief and rescue operations has been released, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman made the pronouncement as Tropical Storm Kristine threatens to pummel Luzon. According to Pangandaman, additional funds may be given to front-line agencies should the need arise. ‘Naglabas na po kami yesterday and in previous dates ng QRF ng mga front-line offices and agencies (We have released yesterday and previous dates the QRF of front-line offices and agencies). They can already use that budget,’ Pangandaman

Manila: A Chinese national was arrested for allegedly abducting seven foreigners in Pasay City, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said Wednesday. In a report, NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Sidney Hernia said the suspect Zhao Xing was arrested while seven Vietnamese nationals were rescued in an anti-human trafficking operation in Barangay 86 on Tuesday. The rescue operation stemmed from a report by a concerned citizen that several Vietnamese women were being exploited for prostitution by the suspect, who is primarily catering to Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hubs. The suspect would face complaints for violation of Republic Act 10364