Category: General

Manila: Senator Joel Villanueva on Monday called on concerned government agencies to intensify efforts in enforcing labor agreements with other countries to protect overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from abuse and maltreatment. Villanueva’s appeal comes amid discussions of a possible deployment ban to Kuwait after the suspicious deaths of two Filipino workers. According to Philippines News Agency, the senator highlighted the Philippines’ labor agreements with Kuwait, signed in 2018 and renewed in 2021, which guarantee OFWs rights such as the ability to retain their passports and mobile phones and receive adequate food, housing, and health insurance from employers. Villanueva emphasized the

Manila: The Philippine economy is on track for robust growth, with Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Ralph Recto and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projecting an acceleration in 2025 and 2026. According to Philippines News Agency, Recto expressed optimism that the country’s economic performance in the fourth quarter of 2024 surpassed the 5.2 percent growth recorded in the third quarter, bringing the full-year growth close to or above 6 percent. Recto conveyed his expectations during a recent briefing, stating, “I think it [fourth quarter growth] will be faster than Q3 (third quarter). Q3 was 5.2 [percent]. I think it will

Manila: The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday announced that 20 members and supporters of the New People’s Army (NPA) have surrendered to authorities between January 16 and 18 under the government’s Oplan “Balik-Loob” program. This program aims to encourage insurgents to return to peaceful civilian life. According to Philippines News Agency, the Police Regional Office-Region-Central Luzon (PRO-3) indicated that the majority of these surrenders occurred on January 14. Among those who surrendered were seven individuals from the Liga ng Manggagawang Bukid in Guimba, five from the Alyansa ng Mamamayang Nagkakaisa in Laur, and two from Bulacan. In addition to

Ilocos Norte: The greater white-fronted goose, a rare bird species, was spotted for the first time at Paoay Lake National Park this week, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Rhoel Marcelo, ecosystem management specialist at DENR-Ilocos Norte, confirmed the sighting during the agency’s annual bird census. The sighting was documented by Cecil Morella, a member of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines. “The greater white-fronted goose is a rare species and a first record at the Paoay Lake National Park,” Marcelo said as he shared its photo taken by Morella. According to Philippines News Agency,

Washington: Filipino lawyer Jordan Pizarras, legal counsel to American businessman Timothy Strong, will attend the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump on Jan. 20, highlighting the United States’ commitment to fostering strong ties with the Philippines, particularly concerning the resolution of disputes in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). According to Philippines News Agency, Strong, a major shareholder in PXP Energy Corporation, has been instrumental in efforts to develop Service Contract 72 (SC 72) in the Reed Bank/Recto Bank basin, west of Palawan Island. PXP Energy, listed on the London Stock Exchange, holds the concession to explore the energy-rich SC 72,