Day: September 8, 2025

Manila: The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has made its first payment under the Guaranteed Access to Medicines and Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) program, marking a significant milestone in the initiative’s rollout. The payment was made to CGD Medical Depot Inc., a PhilHealth-accredited retail pharmaceutical outlet located at Ayala Malls Vertis North. According to Philippines News Agency, the GAMOT program is an enhancement of PhilHealth’s primary care benefits package, YAKAP, aimed at broadening access to affordable outpatient medicines across the nation. The program now includes 75 essential medicines, a notable increase from the previous 21, which cover a range of conditions

Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has declared that the 2026 national budget will not include new allocations for flood control projects, citing the PHP350 billion in funds from 2025 that remain unutilized. In his latest podcast episode aired on Monday, Marcos revealed that the Department of Budget and Management and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will resubmit a revised budget proposal for 2026 to Congress. According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos emphasized that the decision not to allocate new funds for flood control in 2026 is based on the current availability of unspent resources from the

Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has vowed that the government’s crackdown on anomalous flood control projects will not end until the ‘big fish’ behind the schemes are held accountable. ‘Until we solve the problem. ‘Yung dapat natin pipilahan ng kaso, may ebidensya tayo na matibay. I suppose the description that sometimes we – ‘yung big fish talaga. ‘Yung talagang nagpapatakbo nitong sistema na ito. ‘Yun (Those we should charge must be backed by solid evidence. I suppose the description sometimes used -the big fish, the ones really running this system. That’s it),’ Marcos said in his latest podcast episode

Manila: The Philippines is all set to host the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championships from September 12 to 28 at the Mall of Asia Arena and Smart Araneta Coliseum. Alas Pilipinas, under the guidance of Italian coach Angiolino Frigoni, is aiming for victories against No. 13 Iran, African champion No. 23 Egypt, and No. 42 Tunisia in Pool A of the 32-nation event, marking the first time the country has hosted such a tournament. According to Philippines News Agency, Philippine National Volleyball Federation President Ramon ‘Tats’ Suzara expressed confidence in the team’s readiness during a media event at the National

Manila: Malaca±ang on Monday urged controversial contractors Pacifico “Curlee” and Cezarah Rowena “Sarah” Discaya to substantiate their claims linking lawmakers and government officials to anomalous flood control projects, saying President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. supports a full investigation but not baseless accusations. According to Philippines News Agency, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro emphasized in a press briefing in Cambodia, where President Marcos is on a three-day state visit, that the President seeks a comprehensive investigation to uncover the truth. However, Castro noted that the President is against name-dropping without evidence. Castro further asserted that if credible witnesses can substantiate the