Day: September 10, 2025

Manila: The delivery of healthcare in Negros Island Region (NIR) is getting a boost with the comprehensive services provided by 32 licensed primary care facilities (PCFs) across the region. Data from the Department of Health (DOH)-NIR on Wednesday showed these include 26 PCFs owned by local government units (LGUs) and six privately-run PCFs. According to Philippines News Agency, under the Universal Healthcare (UHC) Law, the government aims to improve health equity by strengthening support for the primary health care system. Negros Occidental has 13 PCFs; 12 are LGU-based, including those in the municipalities of Pontevedra, Isabela, Cauayan, Murcia, as well

Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday welcomed the approval of its PHP11.8-billion budget by the Senate Finance Subcommittee A, even as it flagged the need for additional support to meet the demands of the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE). According to Philippines News Agency, Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia revealed during the hearing that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) had reduced their original PHP18.07-billion proposal by PHP6.22 billion. This reduction leaves the agency with limited resources to adequately prepare for the upcoming polls. Garcia highlighted that the proposed budget was cut by approximately PHP6

Iloilo: The Iloilo Provincial Agriculturist Office is planning to expand the Rice Processing Complex in the Municipality of Pototan to assist farmers in storing their produce. Provincial Agriculturist Ildefonso Toledo has requested a budget to increase the complex’s capacity from its current 7,000 bags to 10,000 bags. According to Philippines News Agency, the complex is outfitted with post-harvest facilities, such as drying facilities, to help maintain the quality of palay (unhusked rice). “Farmers can store their produce in the complex while supply is abundant and sell it during lean months,” Toledo stated during an interview on Wednesday. He advised farmers

Manila: Foreign direct investments (FDI) recorded net inflows of USD376 million in June, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said. Data released on Wednesday showed that the net inflow during the month was lower by 17.8 percent from the USD457 million in June 2024. According to Philippines News Agency, FDIs include investment by a non-resident direct investor in a resident enterprise, whose equity capital in the latter is at least 10 percent, and investment made by a non-resident subsidiary or associate in its resident direct investor. It can be in the form of equity capital, reinvestment of earnings, and borrowings.

Manila: The Department of National Defense (DND) on Wednesday welcomed the results of a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showing high public trust in the Philippines’ “like-minded partners.” In a statement, the DND said the survey is proof that Filipinos are “aware of the realities facing our country’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and sovereign rights.” According to Philippines News Agency, the overwhelming public approval for the Philippines’ like-minded partners legitimizes the country’s efforts and affirms its position to pursue convergence in the defense of the rules-based international order. The nationwide survey, conducted from June 25 to 29 with 1,200 adult