The country is on the brink of a significant transformation in the housing sector with the introduction of a sovereign guarantee program. This initiative, approved by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., aims to address the country’s persistent housing backlog and expedite the construction...
Two new National Scientists were honored by President Marcos last week: Dr. Carmencita D. Padilla and Dr. Romulo G. Davide as national scientists for their achievements in the fields of genetics and nematology and plant pathology, respectively. Dr. Padilla greatly contributed to the enactment of...
The Philippine Gross Domestic Product (GDP) posted a year-on-year growth of 6.3 percent in the second quarter of 2024, compared to the 5.8 percent growth in the first quarter, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The PSA reports further that this is the highest growth rate posted...
Hunger – that “feeling of discomfort or weakness caused by lack of food, coupled with the desire to eat” – is a condition that millions of people feel many times during the day. Hunger is a problem that governments deal with, and which many private citizens working with...
It looks like it is the end of the road for the jeepney, the so-called “king of the road,” after President Marcos said the Public Transportation Modernization Program (PTMP), formerly the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), will continue. The PUVMP is a government...
Farmers are the backbone of our food system, playing a pivotal role in ensuring food security. This is why every 6th of August is marked worldwide as Farmworkers’ Appreciation Day. Sad to state, however, the day is observed without much fanfare. In the Philippines, where agriculture is a...
The traffic gridlock on Aug. 5, 2024, triggered by the “Unity Walk” staged by groups opposing a Senate resolution calling for the suspension of the public utility vehicle modernization plan, once again underscored the need to address congestion in Metro Manila. Just imagine a protest...
The Supreme Court has stepped up its determined efforts to institute enduring reforms that will enhance the judiciary’s capacity to deliver real-time justice to the citizenry. Starting next week, its Office of the Court Administrator is holding webinars for judges and court personnel on...
The Filipino nation burst in jubilation as gymnast Carlos Edriel Yulo won the gold medal in the floor exercise in the 2024 Paris Olympics last Saturday, Aug. 3, duplicating the feat achieved by weightlifter Hidylin Diaz when she brought home the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medal at...
The first week of August sends a reminder on the importance of breastfeeding with the observance of World Breastfeeding Week led by the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and national health agencies. “Closing the gap: Breastfeeding support for all” is the theme of the 2024...
The poor performance of our students in the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) has elicited many comments on the education program and suggestions on how to improve it. In the 2022 PISA, the Philippines landed in the bottom 10 out of 81 participating countries in areas...
No need for reclamation. That, in a nutshell, was the clear message of Senator Cynthia Villar to all and sundry when she appeared as guest of the Kapihan sa Manila Hotel on July 31, 2024. She joined other senators and the public in clamoring for an end to reclamation, especially in...
