General

Iloilo: Local government units in Iloilo were challenged to make the Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP) a shared mission and a standard in delivering services. Speaking during the mass oath-taking ceremony of provincial officials led by reelected Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the PH-OGP was institutionalized under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to “bridge the gap between government and the people, to ensure policies are not just crafted for the people but co-created by them.” According to Philippines News Agency, Pangandaman emphasized that when local leaders, civil society, and the national government co-decide solutions,

Kidapawan: Reelected Mayor Jose Paolo Evangelista on Tuesday intensified his efforts for transparency and good governance by working to improve anti-corruption policies and to boost the image of local public servants. Evangelista, currently serving his second term, highlighted five key changes that all elected officials and government workers in Kidapawan City should adopt and strictly follow. According to Philippines News Agency, the changes include strict compliance with a ‘No Gift Policy’ in all offices, extending to barangay local government units. “We are paid by the government; thus, gifts and tips are not necessary to perform our tasks,” Evangelista, a lawyer,

Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) is gearing up to begin the procurement of white and yellow corn in 2026, as announced by Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. This initiative follows President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s recent declaration during a dialogue with Gawad Saka awardees in Nueva Ecija regarding the National Food Authority (NFA)’s resumption of corn buying. According to Philippines News Agency, the DA plans to focus predominantly on white corn, with a smaller volume allocated for yellow corn. Secretary Tiu Laurel highlighted that white corn can serve as an effective substitute for rice, which remains the primary staple

Manila: Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina Roque on Tuesday thanked Century Pacific Food, Inc. (CPFI) for the PHP1 rollback on the prices of its canned sardine products. According to Philippines News Agency, the rollback on Ligo and 555 sardine brands took effect Tuesday, which the company said was made ‘to ease the burden on consumers and support them during these times.’ The price cut, Roque said, is a big help in reducing consumers’ expenses. ‘Patunay din ito na sinusuportahan at nakikipagtulungan ang pribadong sektor sa administrasyon ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. para matiyak na mananatiling mura

Manila: Senate President Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero is advocating for a legislative package designed to bolster micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through tax incentives and enhanced access to financing. According to Philippines News Agency, these proposals are part of Escudero’s 10 priority bills for the 20th Congress, with a focus on reducing the financial strain on MSMEs, which he referred to as the ‘backbone of the Philippine economy.’ MSMEs are responsible for 67 percent of employment across the nation. Escudero stated that these measures would enable financially struggling MSMEs to sustain their operations, increase their workforce, and potentially pursue expansion.