Day: June 26, 2025

Manila: The National Food Authority (NFA) on Thursday imposed stricter rules on its palay (unhusked rice) procurement to ensure transparency and to help more local farmers. This came after the NFA received reports that some ‘traders’ are benefiting from the NFA’s palay procurement instead of farmers. According to Philippines News Agency, NFA Administrator Larry Lacson, during a Zoom interview, stated that the new rules include provisions that promote transparency. He emphasized that the main goal is to increase transparency in palay procurement to address concerns that traders are the ones benefiting from the system. Under the new buying rules, only

Manila: Economic managers on Thursday revised the economic growth target for this year amid mounting global uncertainties. At a briefing after the 191st Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) meeting, Budget Secretary and DBCC Chair Amenah Pangandaman said the economic growth assumption for 2025 was revised downward to 5.5 to 6.5 percent from the previous 6 to 8 percent. According to Philippines News Agency, for 2026 to 2028, the Philippine economy is projected to expand by 6 to 7 percent, reflecting a more cautious and resilient economic outlook amid global headwinds. “The revisions take into account heightened global uncertainties, such as

Quezon City: The Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) have partnered to improve services and strengthen safeguards against anti-competitive practices in the land transportation sector. The memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed by LTO Executive Director Greg Pua Jr., PCC Chair Michael Aguinaldo, and PCC Executive Director Kenneth Ta±ate at the LTO Central Office in Quezon City on Wednesday. According to Philippines News Agency, LTO Chief, Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II, stated that the agreement aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to enhance government services. Under the agreement, LTO and PCC will collaborate on

Manila: The Philippine government is consistent in pushing for a two-state solution in the Israel-Palestine question, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said as it advocated anew for dialogue among concerned parties. According to Philippines News Agency, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo Jose De Vega emphasized the Philippines’ support for freedom and rule of law, highlighting the country’s good relations with Arab countries, Israel, and Iran. De Vega pointed out that Manila has been vocal on humanitarian issues in Gaza and has supported United Nations resolutions criticizing certain actions in the besieged enclave. Palestinian Ambassador to the Philippines Mounir Anastas previously

Manila: All government agencies are now required to establish and implement their workplace policies on human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV-AIDS). In a news release on Thursday, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) said it issued the “Enhanced Guidelines in the Implementation of Workplace Policy and Education Program on HIV and AIDS in the Public Sector” under CSC Resolution 2500398. According to Philippines News Agency, the resolution was promulgated on May 23 in a move to strengthen public sector response to the health issue and aims to promote awareness and support for persons living with HIV (PLHIV) in