Day: November 27, 2025

Manila: The proposed 2026 national budget is providing substantial funding to expand free internet access and energize thousands of public schools that remain off-grid. Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate Committee on Finance, announced Thursday that the spending plan includes PHP5 billion under the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for the Free Public Internet Access Program. According to Philippines News Agency, Sen. Gatchalian introduced an amendment to a special provision to ensure that the rollout prioritizes Department of Education (DepEd) schools and state universities and colleges (SUCs). DepEd is set to receive PHP1.5 billion to improve internet

Laguna: Governor Sol Aragones announced on Thursday that the province will provide free laboratory tests at partner hospitals beginning January 2026. ‘Starting in January we will have a free lab test,’ Aragones said during a Facebook Live session, noting provincial doctors reviewed all program details before the announcement. According to Philippines News Agency, the initiative will offer key diagnostic tests, including Complete Blood Count, Fasting Blood Sugar, Lipid Profile, and Urinalysis, to improve healthcare access for remote and low-income communities. The provincial government will publish a guide on Facebook detailing how to avail the services and listing partner hospitals chosen

Baguio city: The Benguet Electric Cooperative has committed to restoring power to the remaining two barangays by early December following damages caused by Typhoon Uwan, which resulted in PHP21 million in losses, officials announced on Thursday. According to Philippines News Agency, Barangays Tawangan and Lusod in Kabayan, Benguet are the last areas without electricity, impacting about 1,000 households. Chris Gonzales, the community relations chief for Beneco, assured that the affected residents will have electricity by Christmas. The cooperative reported that 265 electric poles were damaged throughout Baguio City and 13 municipalities in Benguet as a consequence of the typhoon. Gonzales

Manila: The Social Security System (SSS) is addressing complaints they receive with about 99.3 percent resolution rate, an official said Thursday. This, after data presented by the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) during a recent budget hearing in the Senate showed that SSS is among the government agencies with most complaints in the first eight months this year. According to Philippines News Agency, SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Joseph Montes De Claro said they are currently in talks with ARTA to validate the reported 244 complaints, related to service delivery, loan programs, and contributions matters. He said from their

Imus: Sen. Bam Aquino on Thursday announced that more than 27 million learners across K-12 and tertiary levels are set to benefit from the proposed PHP1.38-trillion education budget for 2026, marking it as the largest in Philippine history. According to Philippines News Agency, Aquino emphasized that this unprecedented allocation signifies a national commitment to enhancing classrooms, feeding programs, and providing free higher education. He stated, “Over 27 million students po diyan sa K-12 at the tertiary ang mabibigyan po ng tulong (Over 27 million K-12 and tertiary students will receive assistance).” These remarks were made during an interview at the