Day: November 5, 2024

Manila: The amount of assistance extended by the national government, local government units (LGUs), and private organizations to the victims of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami) and Super Typhoon Leon (international name Kong-Rey) has amounted to PHP1.19 billion. In its latest situation report Tuesday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said this amount has so far reached 513,846 families in 15 regions. According to Philippines News Agency, the two typhoons have affected 2,249,345 families, equivalent to 8,847,888 individuals residing in 12,216 barangays across 17 regions. Of this number, 48,146 families, or 194,272 persons, are aided

MANILA: The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on Monday highlighted strategies aimed at strengthening economic relations between the Philippines and the United States. According to Philippines News Agency, the American think tank, in a presentation at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City, emphasized addressing challenges such as transparency issues, inconsistencies in US-Philippines foreign investment data, and limited assessments of the impacts of US investments. Other concerns include minimal visits from US business leaders, investment concentration in Luzon, and bureaucratic red tape. CSIS Southeast Asia Program research associate Japhet Quitzon suggested developing a comprehensive database on US investments

Escudero: Senate President Francis Escudero has highlighted the need for thorough consideration and stakeholder consultation regarding the proposed postponement of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) elections. This proposal is significant as it involves the interests of various groups within the region. According to Philippines News Agency, Escudero’s comments came after he filed Senate Bill No. 2862, which seeks to defer the first BARMM parliamentary elections to May 11, 2026. The measure aims to address the Supreme Court’s decision that excludes Sulu from the BARMM, necessitating a reconfiguration of jurisdictions and a reallocation of seats in the 80-member

MANILA: Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) spokesperson Winston Casio has been relieved from his post and is under administrative investigation following allegations of mistreatment of a Filipino national during a raid on a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub in Bagac, Bataan, as confirmed by Malacañang on Tuesday. In a communication to Palace reporters, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin stated that Casio was ordered to “explain actuations in writing.” According to Philippines News Agency, footage of Casio slapping a POGO worker during the October 31 raid circulated on social media, prompting a swift response from PAOCC. A memorandum issued on Monday

MANILA: Inflation continued to settle within the government’s 2 to 4 percent target despite a slight uptick in October this year. In a briefing on Tuesday, National Statistician Dennis Mapa reported that headline inflation during the month was at 2.3 percent, slightly higher than the 1.9 percent recorded in September this year. Inflation in October last year was higher at 4.9 percent. The latest data brings the national average inflation rate from January to October 2024 to 3.3 percent. According to Philippines News Agency, Mapa indicated that the higher inflation in October was mainly driven by a faster increase in