Category: General

MANILA: The government has allocated about PHP3 billion for the cash gifts to elderly Filipinos aged 80, 85, 90, 95, and 100 in the proposed 2025 national budget, a lawmaker said on Wednesday. In a statement, Quezon City Rep. Marvin Rillo said the PHP3 billion proposed allocation for next year would cover the PHP100,000 cash gift for 1,730 new centenarians amounting to PHP173 million, while the remaining allocation will be used to pay for the PHP10,000 grant for octogenarians and nonagenarians. ‘Based on the 2025 National Expenditure Program, the government intends to spend up to PHP3 billion for the initial

MANILA: The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) announced Wednesday its team-up with VolleyStation to elevate the federation’s data collection and competition management. PNVF president Ramon ‘Tats’ Suzara sealed the partnership with VolleyStation Chief Executive Officer Lukasz Wrobel during the Paris 2024 Olympics, which used VolleyStation’s referee systems, according to a news release. ‘As part of the partnership, VolleyStation will provide powerful software for national teams, competition management systems, and players’ database systems. Thanks to an extensive live data presentation system, fans can easily follow accurate information from each match organized by PNVF,’ Suzara said. He said other domestic leagues would

LEGAZPI CITY: At least 500 farmers assisted by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in Bicol have been included and provided with additional livelihood through the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers or TUPAD, a program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). In an interview on Wednesday, NIA-Bicol spokesperson Ma. Cleofe Baraera said the initiative is part of the convergence program of the NIA with other national government agencies. “Through this program, we look for interventions that can be done to assist our irrigators’ associations (IAs) in the six provinces to at least provide additional income,” Baraera said. The

MANILA: The new procurement law is key to stopping corrupt practices in the government, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said Wednesday. During the Kapihan sa Manila Bay, Pangandaman said the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA) or Republic Act (RA) 12009 would enhance government efficiency and ensure high-quality outcomes. Pangandaman also guaranteed that there would be no repeat of the so-called Pharmally scandal or the controversial awarding of the multi-billion-peso contracts to the Pharmally Pharmaceuticals Corp. by the past administration. ‘While we made it a little flexible in doing the procurement process, there are still safeguards,’ she said, noting that development partners

MALASIQUI: A PHP49 million worth 574-meter long flood control structure along the Aringay River is protecting residents of the villages of Lloren, Pideg, and Caoigue in Tubao town, La Union. Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Ilocos Region information officer Esperanza Tinaza, in a statement on Wednesday, said the project has a height of 4.2 meters, designed to withstand the powerful flow of the Aringay River. ‘This structure is crucial in preventing the river from overflowing and causing damage to the surrounding agricultural lands and residential areas,’ she said. Tinaza said the agency is committed to implementing similar projects