February 16, 2023
How the Philippines’ military advancements compare with its peers in the region
Source: BusinessWorld
Fiscal framework to sustain PH growth
The Manila Times, February 16, 2023
Niña Myka Pauline Arceo
Close coordination between concerned agencies and a commitment to fiscal plans is needed to sustain Philippine growth and at the same time manage the country's debts, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said...
440,000 MT sugar imports to arrive in April
Philippine Daily Inquirer, February 16, 2023
Jordeene B. Lagare
The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has given the green light to import 440,000 metric tons (MT) of refined sugar no later than April this year to strike a balance between domestic supply and demand while stabilizing retail prices...
OFW remittances hit record high in December
The Manila Times, February 16, 2023
Niña Myka Pauline Arceo
The remittances of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) rose to a record $3.49 billion in December, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported on Wednesday, bringing the full-year tally to an all-time high of $36.14 billion...
UPCAT resumes in June, application opens March
Philippine Daily Inquirer, February 15, 2023
Beatrice Pinlac
The University of the Philippines College Admission Test (UPCAT) will be administered anew nationwide for Academic Year 2024-2025 after the same was deferred in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic...
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Bill seeks app alerting credit card holders on spending limit
Philippine Daily Inquirer, February 16, 2023
Jeannette I. Andrade
A bill filed by Parañaque City Rep. Edwin Olivarez wants banks and financial institutions to create a credit limit notification system app to ensure that credit cardholders are fully aware of how much they are spending in contactless transactions...
Bills propose sturdier school buildings
Philippine Daily Inquirer, February 16, 2023
Jeannette I. Andrade
Two lawmakers have proposed a measure that would mandate the Department of Education (DepEd) to update its design and plan for sturdier public school buildings that can literally weather storms...
Issues, concerns raised over anti-fake news bill in House hearing
Philippine Daily Inquirer, February 15, 2023
Jean Mangaluz
Issues and concerns over House Bill No. 2971 which is seeking to outlaw fake news have been raised during deliberations at the House of Representatives on Wednesday...
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Scientist to pioneer embryo-transfer tech at Isabela State University
The Manila Times, February 16, 2023
Leander C. Domingo
A Filipino scientist who is an expert veterinarian based in Australia has been tapped to pioneer the Philippines' first embryo-transfer technology at the Isabela State University (ISU)...
How To Use ChatGPT On Mobile Devices
Philippine Daily Inquirer, February 16, 2023
Dale Arasa
You may have heard of ChatGPT and other AI tools due to the spreading of online news about them. Yet, have you ever tried it yourself?...
Japan, PH ink ICT cooperation deal
The Manila Times, February 16, 2023
Francis Earl Cueto
A government-to-government deal signed last week is expected to encourage and strengthen cooperation between the Philippines and Japan, the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) said...
Easing of Japan tariffs on PH fruits pushed
Philippine Daily Inquirer, February 16, 2023
Alden M. Monzon
The Philippines is planning to negotiate with Japan to get rid of seasonal tariffs on banana and pineapple exports during the next round of talks under the more-than-a-decade-old free trade agreement with the East Asian country...
China: PH-US defense pact won’t ‘weaken our resolve’
Philippine Daily Inquirer, February 16, 2023
Jacob Lazaro, Julie M. Aurelio, Marlon Ramos
China’s foreign ministry said the Philippines’ Mutual Defense Pact with the United States had no bearing on Beijing’s resolve to protect its rights in the South China Sea after a Feb. 6 laser “attack” by a Chinese coast guard ship on a Philippine patrol vessel ignited a diplomatic furor...
‘Good gesture’: Pinoy fishers rescued by Chinese in PH waters
Philippine Daily Inquirer, February 16, 2023
Frances Mangosing
Two Filipino fishermen who went missing in Palawan province last month were rescued by Chinese fishermen in the West Philippine Sea, the Western Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Wednesday...
VFA with Japan, South Korea to be beneficial for PH, says Army chief
Philippine Daily Inquirer, February 15, 2023
John Eric Mendoza
Philippine Army commander Romeo Brawner Jr. on Wednesday said he supports the proposed visiting forces agreement (VFA) with Japan, South Korea, and other partners and allies...
BCDA, Japan’s Nedo to collaborate on high-tech Clark transport system
Philippine Daily Inquirer, February 16, 2023
Alden M. Monzon
The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) on Wednesday said it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (Nedo) for a three-year demonstration project on smart mobility solutions to be implemented in New Clark City...
OPEC raises 2023 world oil demand forecast
The Manila Times, February 16, 2023
Agence France-Presse
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) raised its world oil demand forecast for 2023 on Tuesday after top consumer China lifted its zero-Covid policy...
Rising seas threaten exodus of 'biblical' scale – UN chief
The Manila Times, February 15, 2023
Agence France-Presse
The UN secretary-general warned Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) that global warming could force a mass exodus "on a biblical scale" as people flee low-lying communities and called for legal frameworks to be implemented in preparation, especially for refugees...
World's oldest, near-complete Hebrew Bible heads to auction
The Manila Times, February 16, 2023
Agence France-Presse
A Hebrew Bible that is more than 1,000 years old is set to be auctioned off in New York City for up to an estimated $50 million, Sotheby's announced on Wednesday...
EU seeks new Russia sanctions package, targets Iran's drones
The Manila Times, February 15, 2023
Associated Press
The European Union is considering a new set of sanctions totaling 11 billion euros against Russia and some third countries providing vital goods that Moscow uses to boost its troops in Ukraine...
Ukraine war boosts NATO, but China concerns the US – think tank
The Manila Times, February 15, 2023
Agence France-Presse
The war in Ukraine "has given NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) renewed purpose" and spurred Eastern Europe to ditch Soviet-era equipment, but China's military modernization remains the United States' chief concern, a United Kingdom think tank said on Wednesday...
Digital video viewing to top traditional TV in US—forecast
Philippine Daily Inquirer, February 15, 2023
Agence France-Presse
For the first time ever, US adults will spend more time this year watching digital video on platforms such as Netflix, TikTok and YouTube than viewing traditional television, Insider Intelligence forecast on Wednesday, Feb. 15...
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DBM: LGUs to get more autonomy
The Manila Times, February 16, 2023
Niña Myka Pauline Arceo
Local government units (LGUs) will attain high autonomy once full devolution is implemented, the Budget sector said on Wednesday...
'Cartel manipulating onion prices, supply'
The Manila Times, February 16, 2023
Bella Cariaso
Farmers' group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag) on Wednesday said that the investigation of the Committee on Agriculture and Food of the House of Representatives showed that the cartel that killed the garlic industry is also manipulating the supply and prices of onions...
Senators remain unconvinced of Maharlika: ‘So disappointing’
Philippine Daily Inquirer, February 16, 2023
Melvin Gascon
Proponents of the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) received a slew of harsh remarks from senators for their inability to respond to the lawmakers’ doubts about its organizational structure, fund sources, and the safeguards against possible fraud...
Philhealth charter bars investing in Maharlika
Philippine Daily Inquirer, February 16, 2023
Kathleen de Villa
The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) cannot invest in the proposed Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) because its charter prohibits such a move, the head of the state-run agency said on Wednesday...
PNP review panel can tap gov’t agencies for evidence
Philippine Daily Inquirer, February 16, 2023
Jerome Aning
The five-member advisory group tasked to screen the courtesy resignations of police generals and colonels as part of the Philippine National Police’s program to weed out those with drug links could use evidence from other government agencies...
Ex gov’t officials push anti-political dynasty law before 2025 polls
Philippine Daily Inquirer, February 16, 2023
Dexter Cabalza
A group of retired government officials, including police and military generals, have called on the government to finally pass a law prohibiting political dynasties, saying that they breed corruption, which worsens poverty and injustice in the country...
5-member panel finalizes rules for PNP officials’ review
Philippine Daily Inquirer, February 16, 2023
Daphne Galvez
The five-member committee that will do the first layer of assessment of top Philippine National Police (PNP) officials has already finalized its guidelines for evaluating and screening third-level officers...
Airport officials hit over foreigners’ exit
Philippine Daily Inquirer, February 16, 2023
Melvin Gascon
Sen. Grace Poe on Wednesday exposed another criminal activity at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) that supposedly allows foreigners to leave the country without proper documentation and immigration clearance, which she believed is part of a human trafficking activity...
Social media firms urged to fight online wildlife trade
Philippine Daily Inquirer, February 16, 2023
Erwin Mascariñas
Local environmentalists are urging social media companies and platforms to take down pages and channels used by vloggers for the illegal wildlife trade...
Marcos: PH close to rice self-sufficiency in 2 years
The Manila Times, February 15, 2023
Catherine S. Valente
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said the country would be close to achieving self-sufficiency in rice in two years with the major reorganization of government agencies involved in the efforts to ensure food security in the country...
House to probe PH readiness for big quake
The Manila Times, February 16, 2023
Moises Cruz
House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez wants to guarantee that the government is ready, particularly the first responders, in the event that a major earthquake strikes, particularly in Metro Manila...
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Costs, policies key hurdles for LNG
The Manila Times, February 16, 2023
Niña Myka Pauline Arceo and Francis Earl Cueto
Prices and policy changes are the biggest risks facing the Philippine natural gas industry in light of the impending depletion of the Malampaya gas field, Fitch Solutions said...
Marcos OKs hybrid rice to boost crop yield
The Manila Times, February 16, 2023
Bella Cariaso
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved the wider adoption of hybrid rice as an alternative to the inbred variety to help boost local production of the crop...
Philippine natural gas future uncertain with Malampaya depletion
Philippine Daily Inquirer, February 16, 2023
Jordeene B. Lagare
The Philippines’ reliance on local natural gas output is coming to an end owing to the expected depletion of the Malampaya gas field by 2024, Fitch Solutions said...
Rebound in PH exhibition industry seen this year
Philippine Daily Inquirer, February 16, 2023
Alden M. Monzon
The country’s exhibition industry is poised for a strong comeback this year according to a World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM) executive, drawing optimism from improved exhibitor interest, as well as increased booking rates during the year...
PH shares hang tough as BSP eyes fresh rate hike
Philippine Daily Inquirer, February 16, 2023
Miguel R. Camus
Philippine shares advanced ahead of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) interest-rate setting meeting today, Feb. 16, while investors weighed an increase in remittances from Filipinos overseas...
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