The Department of Finance (DOF) reported it has disbursed $19.8 billion of the total foreign loans and grants for coronavirus response of the Duterte administration. DOF Building in Manila Since the pandemic began last year, the government’s COVID-19 war chest from foreign financing and grant...
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Thursday, Sept. 9 said he is disappointed that the proposed P5.024-trillion national budget for 2022 remains detached from reality and shows the Duterte government’s skewed priorities during this time of a COVID-19 pandemic. Drilon made his position known...
A local manufacturer of medical-grade face masks on Tuesday, September 7, admitted incurring financial losses from its contract with Department of Budget and Management's Procurement Service (DBM-PS), after it was told to trim their prices from what was agreed in their award. (Jansen Romero / FILE...
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto rejected on Tuesday, September 7, attempts to censor independent researches and criticisms on the government's COVID-19 response, saying their views would aid in improving policies. Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto (Senate PRIB) Recto first alluded...
The implementation of granular lockdowns will be successful only if coupled with continuous pandemic response such as testing, contact tracing, and vaccinations, an expert said Tuesday, Sept. 7. Members of the Philippine National Police man a checkpoint in a barangay in Sampaloc, Manila after it...
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said the agency needs an additional budget to fund its contact tracers. DILG Secretary Eduardo Año (HoR) During the House Committee on Appropriations budget hearing on Monday, September 6, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said the agency has no...
Senate President Vicente Sotto III has urged authorities to rethink their approach in addressing the COVID-19 outbreak, particularly in relying on vaccines to shield the population from the virus. Senate President Vicente Sotto III (Senate PRIB) Sotto believed the government should "change its...
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has appealed to lawmakers to pursue its investigation into the alleged discrepancies in the Department of Health’s (DOH) utilization of its COVID-19 funds, but without hampering the government’s pandemic response efforts. “Ngayon, nasa public health emergency...
The Department of Tourism (DOT) was focused on ensuring the sustainability, resiliency, and inclusiveness of the country's tourism industry as the core of its recovery plan for 2022. Department of Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat discusses the agency's proposed P3.79 billion budget for the...
Vice President Leni Robredo admitted that her frustration over the government's coronavirus disease (COVID-19) response led her to want to ask the administration for a "blanket authority" to lead the campaign against the pandemic. Vice President Leni Robredo (OVP photo) Robredo made the statement...
President Duterte said that his government will answer the accusations on how they handled the coronavirus (COVID-19) response efforts amid questions about how the funds were spent. President Duterte (RTVM Screenshot) Duterte made the statement amid the Senate's probe on the purchase of allegedly...
The Philippines’ repositioned approach in managing the economic impact of the prolonged pandemic could provide the much-needed support for recovery, Moody’s Analytics said. Moody's Analytics Steven G. Cochrane, Moody’s Analytics economist said in a note on Thursday, Sept. 2, that the...
