Many people may have forgotten the country’s National Greening Program (NGP) launched in 2011, continued until 2016, and was extended until 2028. Recognized as one of the largest tree planting programs in the world, it was started by the administration of then-President Aquino as a...
Does the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) need more subsidies from the government? As far as senators are concerned, it is not necessary. And they have a valid point. PhilHealth has ₱89 billion in excess funds. This has been ordered transferred to the National Treasury, a move...
Will the Philippines be the destination of choice for investments in the near future? Only time will tell, but that’s exactly the objective of the CREATE MORE Act signed by President Marcos on Monday, Nov. 11. The new law aims to make the Philippines a top investment destination by...
The simultaneous enactment of Republic Acts (RA) 12064 and 12065 – after these were signed into law by President Marcos last week – reaffirms the country’s adherence to the archipelagic doctrine and fortifies the nation’s maritime security and sovereignty. Principally authored by Sen....
What is the significance of being the number one rice importer in the world? The Philippines’ rice industry has long been at the center of debates concerning food security, agricultural development, and economic sustainability. As observed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)...
The significant role of science in society and its relevance in our daily lives is celebrated today, Nov. 10, as World Science Day for Peace and Development, led by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Since it was first celebrated in 2002, the World...
A law that addresses the training and upskilling of the Filipino workforce to meet the demands of specific industries was signed by President Marcos on Nov. 7, 2024 as Republic Act No. 12063 or the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) Framework Act. RA 12063, one of the priority...
Today, Nov. 6, the world observes the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict. The observance was established in 2001 through a resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly to serve as a passionate reminder of the often overlooked victim...
The reinstatement of Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Chair Monalisa Dimalanta — after she had served partially a six-month preventive suspension ordered by the Office of the Ombudsman — provides an opportunity to reassess the current state of affairs in the governance of the electric...
Two recent strong weather disturbances – severe tropical storm Kristine and super typhoon Leon – have added to the reminders of nature’s wrath. Coming a day after Kristine had caused a death toll of over a hundred, and some ₱9 billion in damages to properties and crops, Leon...
Today, Nov. 2, is All Souls Day, the day for paying respects to our departed ones, a custom that Filipinos have always practiced beginning Nov. 1, which is All Saints Day. A popular commentary on this custom is that many consider their dearly departed relatives as “saints” for...
The Senate will scrutinize the utilization of the government’s flood control budget when it resumes its hearing on the proposed 2025 national budget next week in the aftermath of the devastation caused by Severe Tropical Storm “Kristine.” This is crucial for transparency and...
