Day: January 5, 2025

MANILA: The National Human Settlements Board (NHSB) has reduced the cap on rental increases for residential units with monthly rates of PHP10,000 or less to a maximum of 2.3 percent, down from last year’s limit of 4 percent. The new regulation, intended to protect low-income tenants from excessive rent hikes, will be in effect from January 1 to December 31, 2025. According to Philippines News Agency, the NHSB’s decision, articulated in Resolution No. 2024-001, was adopted in December 2024 following a recommendation from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). Undersecretary Henry Yap signed the resolution on behalf of the

MANILA: The Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued a stern warning to foreign workers in the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) industry who remain in the Philippines despite a nationwide ban that took effect on December 31, 2024. The DOJ emphasized the potential for severe legal repercussions for those who do not comply with the ban. According to Philippines News Agency, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla expressed the government’s firm stance against POGOs, following a report from the Bureau of Immigration (BI) that approximately 11,000 foreign POGO workers are still in the country. These workers have either failed to voluntarily

YANGON: Myanmar’s military government announced on Saturday the release of over 6,000 prisoners as part of a mass amnesty, coinciding with the 77th anniversary of the country’s independence from British rule. The move is part of a customary practice of granting amnesties during significant national events and holidays. According to Philippines News Agency, the state-run media outlet MRTV reported that Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the head of the military government, sanctioned the release of 5,864 Myanmar nationals along with 180 foreign nationals, the latter of whom will be deported. However, it remains uncertain whether the amnesty will extend to

MANILA: Non-government organization EcoWaste Coalition has issued a warning regarding potential health risks associated with lead exposure from painted stainless steel water tumblers marketed for children’s use. According to Philippines News Agency, the group revealed findings from its X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysis of four tumblers purchased from stores in Manila and Mandaue City, Cebu, all of which showed elevated lead levels. The tumblers, adorned with popular cartoon characters, were found to have lead concentrations significantly above the permissible limit set by local regulations. Testing revealed a teddy bear-themed tumbler contained an alarming 32,820 parts per million (ppm) of lead, while

PASAY CITY: Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 intercepted a scam victim who had been deceived into paying PHP120,000 for non-existent assistance to illegally work abroad. The victim, identified only as alias ‘Amy,’ 27, was stopped on Jan. 2 while attempting to leave the country under the guise of a tourist headed to Bangkok, Thailand. According to Philippines News Agency, Amy was apprehended after trying to bypass the immigration inspection process at the departure counters. Upon further inspection, she failed to present her passport and boarding pass, claiming that these documents were held