Day: July 3, 2025

Siaton: The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Region 7, Central Visayas, has officially announced that Siit Bay in Siaton, Negros Oriental, is now free from the toxic red tide. According to Philippines News Agency, BFAR-Negros Oriental provincial chief Florencia Mepa±a confirmed in an interview that the bay’s shellfish meat tested negative for harmful red tide toxins. This conclusion was reached following a laboratory examination, indicating that the shellfish in the area had not ingested water contaminated with toxins responsible for harmful algal blooms. Previously, on June 13, BFAR 7 issued a public advisory warning local residents against

Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is set to study the proposed measures on anti-political dynasty and divorce before making a decision, as confirmed by Malaca±ang on Thursday. The bills, which aim to prohibit political dynasties and propose absolute divorce, have been refiled in the 20th Congress. According to Philippines News Agency, when asked about President Marcos’s position on these measures, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro emphasized that the President’s support would hinge on the specifics of the refiled bills. Castro stated the importance of having detailed information to make an informed decision, highlighting that the provisions could potentially benefit

Manila: Senate President Francis Escudero is spearheading a renewed effort to dismantle the Philippines’ stringent bank secrecy laws, highlighting their role as enablers of corruption and obstacles to accountability. Escudero has long argued that these laws, which offer absolute confidentiality for bank account holders, must be reformed to curb illicit financial activities. According to Philippines News Agency, Escudero emphasized that the Philippines remains the only nation with such rigid bank secrecy protections, which he contends now serve more to shield corrupt practices rather than uphold democratic values. He cited Republic Act 1405 (Bank Secrecy Law) and RA 6426 (Foreign Currency

Manila: Senator Joel Villanueva on Thursday said the PHP50 wage adjustment signals progress but underscored the need for structural reforms that would guide regional wage boards using updated, region-specific cost-of-living data. According to Philippines News Agency, Villanueva, chair of the Senate Committee on Labor, expressed that while the wage hike is a positive development for Metro Manila workers, there is a need for a more sustainable approach through the proposed Living Wage Act. This legislation aims to establish a rational standard for determining minimum pay beyond the current legislated adjustments. Filed as part of Villanueva’s priority legislation for the 20th

Manila: The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the use of Standard Forms for Procurement as part of government efforts to streamline processes and improve transparency under the new government procurement law. Budget Secretary and Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) Chairperson Amenah Pangandaman announced the approval of the forms through GPPB Resolution No. 03-2025, as mandated by Republic Act 12009 or the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA), signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in July 2024. According to Philippines News Agency, the GPPB-Technical Support Office, led by officer-in-charge Maria Dionesia Rivera-Guillermo, identified the Standard Forms to be