News
EU scores US tariff imposts, vows to ‘respond firmly’ if targeted
BRUSSELS – The European Commission has criticized US President Donald Trump’s tariff imposts on three countries, saying they disrupt global trade and are harmful to all, and vowing to hit back if targeted. “The European Union (EU) regrets the U.S. decision to impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China,” an EU spokesman was quoted by local…
BIR collections from e-payments breach P2-T mark
LUMAGUI. PNA FILE PHOTOMore and more taxpayers now avail of the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) e-services resulting in the hike of its e-payment collections which had breached the PHP2 trillion mark previously recorded. Data released by the BIR during the recent 2025 National Tax Campaign Kick-off at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay…
DTI chief: PH is expanding its international partnerships
INT’L PARTNERSHIPS. Trade Secretary Cristina Roque delivers her speech at the Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum in the House of Representatives on Feb. 4, 2025. Also in the photo is Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum chairperson and former US Congressman Robert Pittenger. (Photo courtesy of DTI) The Philippines sees its expanding international collaborations, as part of its policies to strengthen trade…
BMI sees continued growth in consumer spending
BMI, a Fitch Solutions unit, expects consumer spending to continue to grow this year, driven by strong economic growth. “We hold a positive outlook for consumer spending in the Philippines, with an acceleration in real household spending growth — from 5.0% in 2024 to 5.3% in 2025,” BMI said in a recent report. “In real…
Albay learners celebrate World Read Aloud Day
READING ACTIVITY. Learners from public schools in Albay participate in the World Read Aloud Day celebration organized by the Albay Provincial Library and Information Center (APLIC) at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall on Wednesday (Feb. 5, 2025). World Read Aloud Day is a global campaign that advocates for literacy and strives to make reading and writing…
PCG suspends sailing of small vessels in Catanduanes
VIRAC, Catanduanes – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) station here has recently prohibited small sea vessels from sailing in the northern and eastern coasts of Catanduanes. The PCG Station has issued an advisory suspending the venture of all watercraft with a gross tonnage of 250, fishing boats, and other small watercraft due to the strong gale-force winds…
US Library of Congress-inspired municipal hall inaugurated in Pampanga
NEW BUILDING. Porac, Pampanga’s new municipal hall is inspired by the iconic US Library of Congress in Washington, DC. The PHP370-million building, whose construction started in 2021, was inaugurated on Wednesday (Feb. 5, 2025). (Photo from Pampanga PIO Facebook) By Marna Dagumboy Del Rosario PORAC, Pampanga – This Pampanga town recently its newly constructed municipal hall, the design…
DBM chief to LGUs: Embrace open governance
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman has urged local government units (LGUs) to embrace open governance and join the Open Government Partnership (OGP) program. At the recent 2025 OGP Asia and Pacific Regional Meeting Opening Plenary in Taguig City, Pangandaman reiterated the Philippines’ commitment to the OGP principles of transparency, accountability, and…
DepEd partners with NEA to electrify last-mile schools
The Department of Education (DepEd) has partnered with the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to electrify last mile schools in the country. DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara underscored the urgency of the partnership deal to ensure the learner’s welfare amid the Marcos administration’s electrification programs for off-grid schools. “Now power is a basic need. If we don’t…
Malacanang extends Marbil’s term as PNP chief by 4 months
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has extended the term of Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil by four months via a memorandum order dated Feb. 4, 2025, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin. Marbil was supposed to retire on February 7, 2025 when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56. Earlier,…