MANILA, — Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa announced that senior citizens will no longer need to present a purchase booklet to receive discounts on their medication. This change is part of Administrative Order No. 2024-0017, signed by Herbosa, which implements the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010. The act aims to provide ample benefits…
LEGAZPI CITY – Organizers of the Albay Blue Lane (ABL) Inc., a non-government organization (NGO) that pioneered the ‘blue economy’ concept of development, met recently at the Pacific Blue Dive Center here to refocus and restrengthen its mission of coastal and marine protection objectives, and to strictly safeguard Albay’s world class biosphere reserve. Given the…
By Anna Leah Gonzales The International Monetary Fund (IMF) sees Philippine economic growth to moderately pick up in 2024 to 2025, backed by lower inflation and the gradual easing of the country’s monetary policy. “Growth is expected to accelerate in 2024-25, supported by disinflation, and gradually declining borrowing costs as monetary policy normalizes,” stated a…
Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Tereso Panga wants to double the country’s number of registered economic zones next year. In a recent press briefing of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Panga said PEZA eyes at an additional 30 ecozones that can be decided in 2025. He said many developers want to…
By Kris Crismundo Automotive vehicle sales in November 2024 rose by 8.5 percent year-on-year, reaching 40,898 units compared to 37,683 units in November 2023. The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers, Inc. (CAMPI) and Truck Manufacturers Association attribute the growth figure primarily to hikes in commercial vehicle sales, which increased by 10.5 percent to 31,062 units from…
By Liza Agoot BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Benjamin Magalong has ordered the deployment of teams to monitor safe water and food handling to avoid a repeat of the diarrhea scare during the 2023 holiday season here. Magalong said the city has doubled its disease prevention efforts as tourism activities peak during the Christmas and new year…
By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways-Bicol (DPWH-5) has reinforced manpower and equipment for the urgent and continuing repairs of portions of the Andaya Highway connecting Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte, which was destroyed by land collapse, causing heavy traffic along the stretch. DPWH-5 Regional Director Virgilio Eduarte said Friday…
The New Zealand government has provided the Philippine National Red Cross NZD500,000 (approximately PHP17 million) to help support its response to victims of the series of calamities that ravaged the country recently. The New Zealand Embassy in Manila said Friday “New Zealand stands in solidarity with the Philippines, reaffirming its commitment and offering support during…
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian wants local government units (LGUs) to have their own Business Permit and Licensing Offices (BPLO) to help encourage investments and support economic growth. Gatchalian, who co-authored Senate Bill 1278 or the BPLO Act, said the bill seeks to ensure that every city and municipality will have a dedicated BPLO, that will enable…
President Bongbong R. Marcos has approved the 2024 National Security Strategy (NSS) designed to enhance the country’s ability to address both local and global security challenges. National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said the President approved the NSS during a meeting at Malacañang Palace in Manila on Deceber 19. The NSS, supports the administration’s National Security…
