General

Makati city: Enhanced guidelines on digitalization among Philippine banks will be released within the year to level the playing field, a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) official said Tuesday. BSP Deputy Governor Chuchi Fonacier, in her speech during the Chamber of Thrift Banks (CTB) convention in Makati City, highlighted the increasing number of banks adopting digital platforms to provide improved services and products. According to Philippines News Agency, Fonacier cited BSP data, noting that approximately 73.2 percent of the 41 thrift banks in the country hold electronic payment and financial services (ePFS) licenses. Of these, 48.8 percent offer InstaPay and

Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has approved a proposed PHP6.793-trillion budget for the year 2026, as announced by Malaca±ang. The budget is designed to prioritize economic growth alongside improving the quality of life for Filipinos. According to Philippines News Agency, the approval came during a Cabinet meeting held in Malaca±ang, where Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated that the President underscored the need for the 2026 budget to align with his administration’s goals. These goals focus on fostering a more progressive and inclusive Philippines that ensures the welfare of all citizens and future generations. Castro highlighted President Marcos’ emphasis

Iloilo city: Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Tre±as announced plans to implement the ‘Benteng Bigas Meron Na’ (BBM Na) program, allowing residents to purchase rice at PHP20 per kilogram. The local government is set to collaborate with the Department of Agriculture to subsidize the cost. According to Philippines News Agency, Mayor Tre±as confirmed the city’s participation in a media interview, emphasizing the role of the legal and budget office in determining the local government’s financial contribution to the subsidy. Councilor Grace Parcon, who chairs the committee on agriculture at the Sangguniang Panlungsod, is also assessing the funding requirements for the program.

Negros oriental: The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Negros Oriental has disbursed nearly PHP140 million to 18,525 beneficiaries under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program for the first half of the year. According to Philippines News Agency, Raizza Phoebe Rubia, the focal person for TUPAD in Negros Oriental, stated that the financial assistance covered wages, personal protective equipment (PPE), and GSIS Group Personal Accident Insurance (GPAI) from January to June. Over PHP132 million was allocated for wages, with the remainder earmarked for PPE and insurance purposes. The PPE provided includes long-sleeved shirts and ball caps

Manila: Six out of the 91 bones retrieved from Taal Lake are believed to be of human origin, according to a Philippine National Police Forensic Group (PNP FG) official. This revelation comes as the search for the missing sabungeros, or cockfighting enthusiasts, continues. According to Philippines News Agency, the bones were recovered from five sacks during ongoing search operations at Taal Lake, which began last Thursday. Lt. Col. Edmar Dela Torre, PNPFG DNA Laboratory Division office-in-charge, confirmed that of the 91 bone fragments retrieved, six could possibly be human. He explained that forensic experts identified them through morphological analysis. Dela