Category: General

Manila: The country’s total outstanding debt slightly increased by 0.8 percent to PHP16.02 trillion as of end-October, data released by the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) on Tuesday showed. “The increase was primarily driven by the valuation impact of peso depreciation against the US dollar from 56.017 at end-September 2024 to 58.198 at end-October 2024,” the BTr said. According to Philippines News Agency, domestic debt, which accounted for about 67.98 percent of the total debt stock, amounted to PHP10.89 trillion, 0.4 percent lower than the end-September level. The BTr said the decline was primarily due to the PHP52.65 billion net

Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to conduct mock polls in 15 areas across the Philippines later this month as part of the preparations for the upcoming midterm elections next year. The announcement was made by Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco during a briefing at Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon on Tuesday. Laudiangco emphasized that the mock elections are scheduled to take place by the end of December and will involve the participation of actual members of the Electoral Boards and registered voters. According to Philippines News Agency, the primary aim of these mock polls is to assess the general

TACLOBAN CITY: Officials in Eastern Visayas joined local fisherfolk of Panaon Island in urging the Senate to approve the bill declaring the area a protected seascape. In a statement Tuesday, lawyer Jam Colas-Villaber, Eastern Visayas Regional Development Council secretary and National Economic Development Authority Assistant Regional Director, said the highest policy-making body of the region has been lobbying for the passage of the proposed legislation in the Senate. “This is a crucial step to safeguard the preservation and sustainable management of the island’s unique marine biodiversity for future generations,” Villaber said. According to Philippines News Agency, Department of Tourism Eastern

Manila: Ten Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) have issued their respective orders granting a hike in the daily minimum wage of private sector workers, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said Tuesday. In a statement, Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma specified that these wage boards include the National Capital Region (NCR), Regions 1 (Ilocos), 2 (Cagayan Valley), 3 (Central Luzon), 4-A (Calabarzon), 6 (Western Visayas), 7 (Central Visayas), 8 (Eastern Visayas), 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), and 12 (Soccsksargen). According to Philippines News Agency, out of the ten RTWPBs, four boards-Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Western Visayas, and Eastern Visayas-approved a pay hike

BACOLOD CITY: Almost 3,000 casual and permanent employees of the provincial government here can now avail of the benefits under the Negros Occidental Comprehensive Health Program (NOCHP). Randy Peacita, president of the Progressive Alliance of Capitol Employees (PACE), announced that Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson issued an executive order extending the coverage to these employees, who were previously not included. According to Philippines News Agency, only job order and contract of service workers were covered starting in 2023. Peacita expressed gratitude for the expanded coverage, stating, “We are thankful that the governor expanded the coverage. Each staff enrolled in the NOCHP