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Politics

ERC to Open Deliberations to General Public – GATCHALIAN

  Senator Win Gatchalian wants the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to open its deliberations to the general public to guarantee that consumers get fair and reasonable power rates. The proposal is among the key features of Senate Bill No. 1490, otherwise known as the ERC Governance Act of 2017, which Gatchalian has filed to ensure […]

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Politics

Land Degradation Affecting One-Third of Country’s Population – LEGARDA

  In observance of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, Senator Loren Legarda urged the government to promote the use of soil and water conservation technologies to combat drought and prevent land degradation that is affecting about one-third of the country’s population. Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committees on Climate Change, Finance, and […]

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Politics

The Domestic Market Is a Growth Area in Terms of Tourism – BINAY

  The Department of Tourism (DOT) could still reverse the foreign visitor downtrend if it would only start re-assessing its strategies of promoting the country as a tourist destination abroad, and focusing also on the domestic market. Senator Nancy Binay said it would be best to re-direct marketing on the local market instead of spending […]

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Free Irrigation to Raise Productivity and Increase Access to Markets – PANGANIBAN

  The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading House Bill 5670 which seeks to strengthen assistance to all farmers by providing them with free irrigation services to boost their productivity. The proposed “Free Irrigation Services Act” declares that the State shall pursue a genuine agricultural development strategy by providing support services […]

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Medical Scholarship Program to Become Permanent – ANGARA

  Senator Sonny Angara is pushing for the passage of a bill that seeks to establish a medical scholarship program in the country to ensure the availability of doctors in every province nationwide. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has recently announced that it has allocated P317 million from its 2017 budget to provide free […]

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Politics

Entrepreneurship Program for Government Retirees Pushed – NOEL

  The House committee on small business and entrepreneurship development chaired by Rep. Peter Unabia (1st District, Misamis Oriental) has approved a substitute bill which seeks to provide an alternative for employees who opt to retire from the government to venture into entrepreneurial activities. In a meeting presided by committee vice chairperson Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong […]

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Politics

Fairer and More Reasonable Excise Tax on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages – ANGARA

  Senator Sonny Angara said he is considering a fairer and more reasonable excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, which would be more effective in curbing the prevalence of diabetes and obesity in the country. The tax reform measure recently passed by the House of Representatives (HOR) includes a provision imposing a P10 excise tax on […]

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Politics

Government Rebuilding Efforts Need Private Sector Partnership – PIMENTEL

  With the government poised to invest billions of pesos to rebuild Marawi City, Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel on Tuesday said that the private sector’s support would be a critical element in efforts to help the residents of Marawi recover from the armed conflict that has devastated the city. “With government forces getting close […]

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Politics

Only Smugglers Will Earn Money – GATCHALIAN

  Senator Win Gatchalian has warned the Bureau of Customs to be prepared to combat the higher incidence of car smuggling when additional excise taxes are imposed on the sale of luxury vehicles. Gatchalian said shrewd stakeholders in the automobile industry are likely to engage in the underground trading of high-end vehicles to dodge paying […]

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Politics

Ending Child Labor Is a Must – LEGARDA

  In observance of the World Day Against Child Labor, Senator Loren Legarda said that ending child labor is a must, stressing the right of children to a life free from violence, exploitation and abuse. According to the United Nations, around 168 million children remain trapped in child labor and many of them live in […]