Day: February 11, 2025

Manila: The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) received an inbound mission from Okayama, Japan, seeking business opportunities in the country. In a statement Tuesday, PEZA reported that 20 manufacturing firms met with Director General Tereso Panga and other PEZA officials as they explored the potential of setting up operations in Philippine ecozones. According to Philippines News Agency, the inbound mission was co-organized by the Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Osaka with the aim of boosting economic ties between Manila and Tokyo. Panga emphasized Japan’s prominent role as a top ecozone locator since 1995, highlighting the significant contributions Japanese firms have made

Para±aque City: A screening personnel recently discovered PHP250,000 undeclared cash from an outbound passenger at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) reported on Tuesday. According to Philippines News Agency, the cash belonged to an American citizen, who was unaware of the rule that travelers are required to declare foreign currency exceeding USD10,000 and Philippine peso exceeding 50,000. It was discovered when an opaque image was noticed on the X-ray monitor during screening at NAIA Terminal 1 in Para±aque City on Feb. 9. This prompted the screening personnel to do a manual inspection, where bundles of

Manila: A House leader on Tuesday urged the House Blue Ribbon Committee to investigate the Commission on Audit’s (COA) findings on PHP12.3 billion in alleged unsettled financial transactions at the Department of Education (DepEd) during Vice President Sara Duterte’s tenure as secretary. According to Philippines News Agency, House Assistant Majority Leader and Zambales 1st District Rep. Jay Khonghun stated that the COA’s findings would strengthen the impeachment case against Duterte. Khonghun referred to COA’s 2023 audit report, which flagged DepEd’s alleged failure to resolve notices of suspension, disallowance, and charge, increasing from PHP11.4 billion in 2022 to PHP12.3 billion by

Calbayog City: Governors in Samar Island met on Tuesday to push for funding of 11 key road projects meant to fast-track Samar’s development through enhanced connectivity between three provinces. The follow-up coordination meeting held at Northwest Samar State University in Calbayog City focused on progress reports for major road projects crossing the island’s three provinces. According to Philippines News Agency, Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan highlighted the meeting as an opportunity to address issues among development partners. She emphasized the need for funding while considering the insurgency challenges in the region. Northern Samar Governor Edwin Ongchuan expressed gratitude for the

Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to partner with various government agencies to help Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries gain access to other government programs, an agency official said on Tuesday. According to Philippines News Agency, Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao emphasized the importance of a collaborative approach to poverty alleviation in a recent news release. She stated, “Poverty alleviation is not the sole responsibility of one government agency, it must be a whole-of-nation approach. With this, the 4Ps continues its partnership with other government agencies to help its grantees avail of programs and services that