Day: May 27, 2025

Manila: The Philippines and Hong Kong have embarked on the first round of negotiations to establish a Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (DTA). This endeavor is led by Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr., who spearheads the Philippine Negotiating Panel, and his Hong Kong counterpart, Commissioner Benjamin Chan Sze-wai of the Inland Revenue Department. According to Philippines News Agency, the discussions took place from May 21 to 23, 2025, at the Inland Revenue Centre in Kowloon. The primary focus of these negotiations is to strengthen international tax cooperation and promote economic partnerships. The meeting addressed key

Manila: The newly-commissioned guided missile frigate, BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06), is the first Philippine Navy (PN) warship to be equipped with a “vertical launch system” (VLS) optimized for neutralizing air threats. “Number one, it is our first asset (that has a) VLS onboard. Number two, why is it special? The warships that we have, that have anti-air warfare capability, you still have to maneuver to be able to fire. With BRP Miguel Malvar, you don’t have to maneuver anymore, it is omni-directional, you can fire in whatever position you are in,” PN spokesperson Capt. John Percie Alcos said in a

Quezon: A magnitude 4.6 earthquake jolted Quezon on Tuesday, reported by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). The tectonic quake struck 24 kilometers northwest of General Nakar at 12:17 p.m., with a depth of 10 kilometers. According to Philippines News Agency, the earthquake caused varying intensities of shaking across several areas. Intensity IV was felt in Makati, Manila, Marikina, San Pedro in Laguna, and Tanay in Rizal. Intensity III was reported in Navotas, Quezon City, Pasay City, San Juan, Taguig, Guiguinto, and Malolos in Bulacan, Palayan in Nueva Ecija, Mabalacat City in Pampanga, Angeles City, and Bi±an. Intensity

Manila: The Climate Change Commission (CCC) has underscored the significance of conducting continuous training as a vital strategic step in strengthening the country’s climate resilience. In a news release on Tuesday, CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert EA Borje shared the commission’s engagement in a series of capacity-building training to advance and strengthen climate action initiatives. According to Philippines News Agency, Borje emphasized the importance of these training sessions, noting that they equip the agency to face climate-related challenges, adopt new knowledge, and develop strategies as part of the climate response. As climate impacts grow more complex and urgent,

Manila: Newly appointed Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling has announced plans to recalibrate the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Housing Program to incorporate horizontal developments. According to Philippines News Agency, Aliling stated that this initiative aims to attract more partners and expedite housing production. The 4PH program, initially focused on vertical housing projects, will now include horizontal developments, which encompass subdivision-type housing projects. Aliling emphasized the importance of preparing guidelines for these horizontal developments, anticipating significant improvements in 4PH’s performance. Aliling highlighted the need for alignment with DHSUD’s key shelter agencies to