General

MANILA: The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is pushing for amendments to the “already defective” Republic Act (RA) 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991. This is to address problems and challenges encountered by local government units (LGUs) in the implementation of projects and delivery of services, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said in a pre-SONA (State of the Nation Address) special over state-run People’s Television Network. “Ang lahat ng barangay road, dapat ang gumastos barangay, ‘yun ang nasa Local Government Code. Ang lahat ng eskwelahan ay pananagutan ng mga lungsod at munisipyo, sila ang magpapagawa.

MANILA: The House Committee on Dangerous Drugs on Wednesday cited for contempt former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang for his refusal to attend hearings on the September 2023 illegal drug seizure worth PHP3 billion in Mexico, Pampanga. During the hearing, Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop moved to cite former president Rodrigo Duterte’s economic adviser for contempt over his non-appearance at the congressional hearing despite the issuance of a show cause order. Yang was invited to the hearing to shed light on the interlocking incorporators of all the corporations connected with Empire 999 Realty Inc. “I move then, Mr. Chair, that we

MANILA: Vito Sarines and Aerin Chan ruled their respective divisions in the ICTSI Junior Philippine Golf Tour Luzon Series 4 at the Riviera Golf and Country – Club’s Couples Course in Silang, Cavite on Wednesday. Sarines carded a 74 for a 144 total to beat Jacob Casuga by 15 strokes in the boys’ 10-12 category. Casuga tallied 159 after a 79, while Nathaniel Yeung registered a 91 to finish with 178 for third place. ‘I will compete in the rest of the Luzon series and aim for another victory,’ said Sarines, who topped the Splendido Taal and Pinewoods legs and

TACLOBAN CITY: At least 1,504 subprojects of the anti-poverty Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) have been completed in the first half of 2024, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported on Wednesday. The central government has poured some PHP1.7 billion into these poverty alleviation projects, including some components of the Philippine Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP), DSWD regional information officer Jonalyndie Chua said in a phone interview. Out of the total number of sub-projects, 461 are in Leyte province, 382 in Samar, 189 in Northern Samar, 323 in Eastern Samar, 130 in Southern

MANILA: Vice President and outgoing Education Secretary Sara Duterte on Wednesday said the three-week National Learning Camp (NLC) would help 2,183,327 learners in Grades 1 to 3 and Grades 7 to 10, particularly in their performance in Reading, English, Mathematics, and Science. ‘I am optimistic that this program will continue to yield positive outcomes, improving the foundational literacy, numeracy, and 21st-century skills crucial to our learners’ future success,’ she said in a speech during the NLC’s Appreciation program in San Fernando, Cebu. Duterte said the camp is part of the Department of Education (DepEd)’s strategy to address the ‘learning crisis’