Day: April 14, 2025

Manila: While some analysts anticipate a decline in Philippine exports due to the imposed tariffs by the United States, the country’s top economist offered a different perspective. According to Philippines News Agency, in a press chat Monday, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said his office has done simulations on the impacts of the United States tariffs and it showed that the country could actually gain from President Donald Trump’s order. Balisacan said two simulations were done. First is that reciprocal tariffs, wherein the Philippines is slapped with a 17 percent tariff rate, lower than its neighboring

Manila: Filipinos abroad who would use internet voting may enroll their gadgets for the purpose until May 7, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Monday. In an interview, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia stated that registered voters who wish to utilize the new Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS) in 77 Philippine Embassies (PEs) and Philippine Consulates General (PCG) can visit ov.comelec.gov.ph/enroll. According to Philippines News Agency, the poll body chief reported that over 55,000 Filipinos abroad have enrolled to avail of internet voting. However, Garcia noted that they cannot disclose the number of those who have already voted at the

Cebu: The Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday commended private organizations for their donation of computer tablets and Starlink internet devices to select remote schools in Cebu. This donation is a part of the collaborative initiative aimed at enhancing digital accessibility in underserved regions. According to Philippines News Agency, this development follows DepEd’s partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), iACADEMY, and Republic Asia under the Pay IT Forward: A Digital Transformation Advocacy initiative. DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized the importance of this project, highlighting how it bridges the digital divide by providing essential tools to learners

Ilocos Region: A total of 35 motorist assistance stations will be set up along major, secondary, and tertiary roads in the Ilocos Region starting Wednesday to assist Holy Week travelers. The teams will be deployed from 8 a.m. April 16 to 5 p.m. April 19. According to Philippines News Agency, Espher Tinaza, public information officer of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 1, stated on Monday that preparations are underway for the deployment of teams. In the previous ‘Lakbay Alalay’ (travel assist) program of the DPWH, the assistance stations would have an automotive mechanic who could troubleshoot

Manila: Fitch Solutions unit BMI forecasted that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will cut policy rates anew in June following a 25 basis points (bps) easing during the Monetary Board meeting on April 10. According to Philippines News Agency, BMI maintains its forecast that the BSP will further lower rates by 50 basis points to 5 percent in 2025. BMI expressed confidence that the BSP will consider another 25bps cut at the next meeting scheduled on June 19. The slowing down of the inflation rate, which stood at 1.8 percent in March this year, is cited as a contributing