Categories
Politics

NIA TO EXPAND IRRIGATION SYSTEMS WITH P54B BUDGET

Senator Kiko Pangilinan successfully sponsored and defended the P54.79-billion budget of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) for the 2026 fiscal year, highlighting the importance of expanding irrigation systems to develop agricultural lands, empower farmers, and achieve food security. The budget will also include a P50-million allocation for transparency measures—including a public online dashboard—stressing that, “transparency […]

Categories
Politics

BUSINESSES GROW IN MANILA UNDER MAYOR ISKO’S WATCH

The City of Manila continues to see solid business activity heading into 2026, with new registrations well ahead of closures—a sign of strong confidence in the capital even as national growth forecasts are being cut back.Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso said that data from the Bureau of Permits (BOP) indicate businessmen and entrepreneurs “continue to […]

Categories
Politics

HOUSE: CONSOLIDATE PRES. MERIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

The House Committee on Higher and Technical Education chaired by Tingog Party-list Representative Jude Acidre approved the consolidation of House Bills (HBs) 548, 2583, 2698, 5229, 5676, 5686, 5763, seeking to institutionalize the Presidential Merit Scholarship program (PMSP). The PMSP is envisioned to provide financial support for top performing students from low to middle income […]

Categories
Politics

ALAN CAYETANO WANTS ACTION PLAN TO FIGHT STUNTING

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano urgently called for the creation of an Anti-Stunting Action Plan (ASAP) during the Senate deliberations on the budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Cayetano, a Commissioner of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), cited findings from the Commission’s Year One Report pointing to the need […]

Categories
Politics

TRANSPORTATION AID IN MALASAKIT CENTERS PUSHED

Senator Bong Go urged the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to continue extending and expanding its assistance programs, including health-related and transportation assistance for indigents in Malasakit Centers in accordance with existing policies.  “Malaking tulong po ito aside from medical assistance na idadagdag ninyo mula sa inyong office, iyong pamasahe po baka puwede […]

Categories
Politics

ESCUDERO LAUDS EVIDENCE-BASED FLOOD CONTROL PROBE

Senator Chiz Escudero commended President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for pursuing evidence-based investigations into the flood control budget irregularities that have led to the filing of corruption and malversation cases, stressing the importance of accountability and cautioning against diversions that only protect the guilty and harm the innocent. During the Senate plenary deliberations on the Department […]

Categories
Politics

DY: IAEA VISIT BOOSTS PH NUCLEAR ENERGY PUSH

The House of Representatives welcomed International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi in a courtesy meeting on Wednesday, a significant step in the country’s efforts to better understand the role of nuclear energy in addressing persistent power challenges. Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III said the meeting allowed lawmakers to engage directly with […]

Categories
Politics

LIBANAN LAUDS WAGE HIKE IN EASTERN VISAYAS

House Minority Leader and 4Ps party-list Representative Nonoy Libanan has welcomed the issuance of a ₱35 wage increase order for Eastern Visayas, saying the adjustment will provide much-needed relief to private-sector workers confronting rising living costs. “The increase gives more meaning to the constitutional right of workers to a living wage,” Libanan said. “This helps […]

Categories
Politics

SAMAR CUISINE JOINS TERRA MADRE ASIA IN BACOLOD

The rich culinary heritage of Samar stepped onto the international stage as Dioscoro “Intoy” Doncillo, one of the province’s celebrated kitchen heroes, demonstrated the iconic Catbalogan Tamalos during the prestigious Terra Madre Asia and the Pacific event in Bacolod City.Representing the Secret Kitchens of Samar, the Provincial Government of Samar’s flagship culinary heritage program, Intoy […]

Categories
Politics

ZUBIRI: USE ONLINE SHAME CAMPAIGN VS RED TAPE

Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri urged the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) to employ a public “shame campaign” against local governments and national agencies accused of rampant red tape, pushing for published rankings that expose bottlenecks, prod compliance and give the people a clear view of chronic offenders. Zubiri made the appeal as Senate finance chair […]