Day: August 11, 2025

Jakarta: The World Bank is actively enhancing youth employment in the East Asia and Pacific (EAP) region through strategic initiatives that focus on policy reforms, private sector engagement, infrastructure development, and targeted skills training. These efforts aim to drive economic growth and reduce poverty by creating more job opportunities for young people in the region. According to World Bank, notable examples of these initiatives include the Philippines Sustainable Recovery Development Policy Loan, which aims to boost competitiveness and job creation across the economy. Additionally, the Fiji Tourism Development Program in Vanua Levu focuses on improving local infrastructure and attracting private

Manila: Plastic waste leakage to the environment in Southeast Asian countries, along with China, Japan, and South Korea, could escalate by nearly 70% if effective measures are not implemented, as per a report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). According to Philippines News Agency, the Regional Plastics Outlook report highlights that driven by increasing incomes and living standards, plastic use in the region is anticipated to almost double without more robust policies, compared to 2022 levels. The report further indicates that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states are projected to experience a near tripling

Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has introduced a new online platform, sumbongsapangulo.ph, aimed at enhancing public access to information on nationwide flood control projects and encouraging citizen participation in auditing these initiatives. According to Philippines News Agency, the platform allows the public to identify flood control projects in their areas and report any irregularities. In a press briefing held at Malaca±ang, President Marcos emphasized the importance of the platform being accessible and user-friendly, enabling citizens to share feedback on the effectiveness of projects or highlight any issues they encounter. President Marcos highlighted the critical role of citizen engagement in

Manila: Oil firms will reduce diesel, gasoline, and kerosene prices effective Tuesday. Shell, Seaoil, CleanFuel, and PetroGazz, in separate advisories on Monday, said they will slash gasoline prices by PHP0.40 per liter and diesel by PHP1.50 per liter. Shell and Seaoil will also reduce kerosene prices by PHP1.30 per liter. According to Philippines News Agency, other oil companies are expected to follow suit. The Department of Energy-Oil Industry Management Bureau stated last week that oil prices are projected to decline this week due to rising OPEC+ supply and uncertainty surrounding US tariff policy.

Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has launched an extensive investigation into the Philippine government’s multibillion-peso flood control program following an internal review that exposed “disturbing” patterns in project awards and expenditures. The review revealed that 15 contractors received nearly 20% of the PHP500 billion budget allocated for the program. According to Philippines News Agency, President Marcos announced the creation of sumbongsapangulo.ph, a new public platform that maps ongoing flood control projects and enables citizens to report irregularities. This initiative follows his directive during his fourth State of the Nation Address to audit the Department of Public Works and Highways’