Day: December 18, 2025

Manila: The Pag-IBIG Fund has announced a partnership with Megawide Construction Corp. aimed at accelerating the construction of approximately 7,143 socialized housing units under the expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program (4PH). According to Philippines News Agency, the new initiative involves the development of medium-rise residential projects that are priced below the prevailing market rates for comparable units. These projects will fall within the socialized housing range while offering amenities typically associated with higher-priced developments. The housing units are projected to be completed in a span of two to three years. The agreement includes two initial project sites in

Quezon city: Malaca±ang has emphasized the importance of data-driven policies in sustaining the country’s development gains. Speaking at the Department of Economy, Planning and Development’s (DepDev) 90th anniversary celebration at Crowne Plaza in Quezon City on Thursday, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto cited the country’s steady progress in poverty reduction as proof of the value of inclusive, evidence-based planning. According to Philippines News Agency, Recto said poverty incidence declined from 23.5 percent a decade ago to 15.5 percent in 2023, adding that the Marcos administration aims to bring poverty down to single-digit levels by 2028. ‘We chose to believe that our

Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday announced that qualified Social Security System (SSS) members may now avail of an emergency loan following the declaration of a one-year state of national calamity. In a video message, Marcos emphasized that the SSS emergency loan aims to assist Filipinos in addressing urgent needs during emergencies without incurring substantial debt. According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos detailed that starting December, the SSS will provide what is called an emergency loan, available while the country is under a national emergency. The loan comes with a seven-percent annual interest rate and includes a six-month

Manila: The Senate and the House of Representatives concluded the bicameral conference committee deliberations on the proposed 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) early Thursday, finalizing six days of discussions aimed at crafting a transparent and responsive national budget. The bicameral committee, known as the bicam, completed its task at approximately 2:22 a.m., successfully reconciling the differing provisions of the PHP6.793-trillion General Appropriations Bill. According to Philippines News Agency, the Senate panel was led by Committee on Finance chairperson Sherwin Gatchalian, while the House contingent was headed by Committee on Appropriations chairperson Nueva Ecija 1st District Representative Mikaela Angela Suansing. Gatchalian

Manila: Three prevailing weather systems will bring rainfall in several areas across the country on Thursday, the weather bureau said. According to Philippines News Agency, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) will cause scattered rains and thunderstorms in Caraga, Davao Region, Palawan, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi. The same weather conditions will prevail across the Bicol Region, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar due to the easterlies. Rains will be experienced in Cagayan Valley, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Aurora, and Quezon due to the northeast monsoon or “amihan”. Moderate to heavy rains in