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Politics

P1 Billion Increase in DSWD’s Budget for Activity Centers and Care Institutions – BINAY

  Senator Nancy Binay thanked fellow senators for putting a smile on the faces of the elderly and abandoned children under the care of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). During the hearing for the 2018 proposed budget of the DSWD, Binay asked for a P1 billion increase in the DSWD’s budget intended […]

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Politics

Urban Containerized Vegetable Farming Training Launched – VILLAR

  In an effort to promote and sustain urban agriculture, the Villar SIPAG (Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance) launched a training on Urban Containerized Vegetable Farming. Senator Cynthia Villar, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food and Managing Director of Villar SIPAG, led the launch of the latest agriculture-related partnership with […]

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Politics

Provide Assistance to Informal Settler Families Affected by DPWH Projects – LEGARDA

  Senator Loren Legarda urged the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to ensure that communities and informal settler families (ISF) who are affected by the agency’s construction projects are provided by the government with the appropriate needs and services in resettlement sites. Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, made the statement […]

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Politics

Integrated Urban Agricultural Development to Be Promoted in All Metropolitan Areas Nationwide – SALON

  The House special committee on food security chaired by Rep. Leo Rafael Cueva (2nd District, Negros Occidental) approved a substitute bill seeking to promote integrated urban agricultural development in all metropolitan areas nationwide to address food security concerns. The unnumbered bill titled “Integrated Urban Agriculture Act” substituted House Bills 2818, 4337, 4354 and 4422 […]

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Politics

Senate Retains Tax Incentives for BPO Industry – ANGARA

  The IT-Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) said IT-BPM investment pledges in the country are now showing “signs of recovery”, thanks to the Senate version of the first tax reform package which retained the current incentives of the industry. “The Senate did not touch the industry’s tax incentives to enable the country to […]

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Politics

Disagreeing Provisions in Free Irrigation Services Bill Reconciled – VILLAR

  The bicameral conference committee on the bill providing free irrigation services to small farmers has reconciled the disagreeing provisions of the versions of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Senator Cynthia Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food and head of the Senate panel, said the bicameral conference committee on […]

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Politics

Travel Tax Exemption for Dependents of Married or Solo Parent OFWs – ALVAREZ

  The House committee on overseas workers affairs chaired by Rep. Jesulito Manalo (Party-list, ANGKLA) has approved House Bill 6138 seeking to grant travel tax exemption to dependents of married or solo parent overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). The bill seeks to amend Sections 3 and 35 of the Republic Act (RA) No. 8042, otherwise known […]

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Politics

Modernize the PNP Internal Affairs Service – POE

  Unless its ill-equipped and undermanned Internal Affairs Service (IAS) is modernized, the Philippine National Police’s efforts to rid their ranks of scalawags – which is said to make up two percent of the 180,000-man force – will not succeed, Senator Grace Poe said. Poe, who has publicly declared her full support to the institutional […]

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Politics

Protect Coastal Resources, Make Comprehensive Water Resource Management Program – LEGARDA

  Senator Loren Legarda stressed the importance of protecting the country’s coastal resources and having a comprehensive water resource management program. Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committees on Finance and Climate Change, made the statement during the plenary debates on the proposed 2018 budget of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). In response […]

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Politics

Proper Utilization of P198 Billion Malampaya Fund – GATCHALIAN

  Senator Win Gatchalian is calling on executive officials to address ambiguities surrounding the utilization of the P198 billion Malampaya Fund to ensure that the remaining funds will be spent in a transparent manner in accordance with the law. Under Presidential Decree 910, royalties from the Malampaya natural gas facility are to be used exclusively […]