Day: February 26, 2025

Manila: The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has issued the guidelines on the release and utilization of the PHP1.95 billion earmarked for the Local Government Support Fund-Support to the Barangay Development Program (LGSF-SBDP) in 2025. According to Philippines News Agency, Local Budget Circular 162, which was issued on February 24, outlines the general policies and procedures for implementing the LGSF-SBDP. This initiative aims to benefit 780 cleared villages by funding priority projects identified during the Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP). The projects will be funded under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict’s (NTF-ELCAC) LGSF-SBDP. The

Antique: Four local government units in Antique are progressing with plans to institutionalize the Katuwang sa Diwa at Gawa para sa Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita, commonly known as Kadiwa ng Pangulo. This initiative, spearheaded by the towns of San Remigio, Tobias Fornier, Anini-y, and Bugasong, aims to provide direct market access for farmers, fisherfolk, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). According to Philippines News Agency, Betty Baldevia, Agri-Business and Marketing Coordinator of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), explained that Kadiwa eliminates the role of middlemen, thereby enabling sellers to offer their products at farmgate prices

Pasay City: The University of Santo Tomas (UST) outplayed De La Salle University, 25-21, 25-20, 25-16, to clinch its second consecutive victory in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday. According to Philippines News Agency, Paul Colinares led the charge for the Golden Spikers with 17 points, including 11 attacks, five blocks, and an ace, despite the absence of two-time MVP Josh Yba±ez due to a Grade 2 ankle sprain. Jayrack Dela Noche and JJ Macam also contributed significantly with 12 and 10 points respectively, with Macam adding 13 excellent receptions.

Manila: Majority of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.’s (PhilHealth) PHP60 billion remittance went to health and social services, data from the Department of Finance (DOF) showed. In a statement Wednesday, the DOF said out of the PHP60 billion remittance of excess funds from PhilHealth, 78 percent or PHP4.61 billion was used to fund key health and social services. According to Philippines News Agency, the largest chunk, worth PHP27.45 billion, was used to settle the public health emergency benefits and allowances for healthcare and non-healthcare workers who served and risked their lives during the Covid-19 pandemic. The DOF said PHP10 billion

Pasay City: The local gaming industry’s gross gaming revenues (GGR) reached a record-high of over PHP400 billion last year, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) said. According to Philippines News Agency, in a briefing at the PAGCOR office in Pasay City on Wednesday, PAGCOR chairperson and chief executive officer Alejandro Tengco reported that the GGR last year reached PHP410.5 billion. This amount was the second highest in Asia after Macau and notably higher than the PHP328.8 billion recorded in 2023. Tengco outlined the distribution of the total revenues, stating that integrated resorts accounted for 49 percent, electronic games or