The Philippines has sought World Bank backing for a $1-billion program aimed at tackling the country ’ s plastic waste problem, starting with Metro Manila. In a June 10 document, the World Bank said that the proposed Clean Philippines Multiphase Programmatic Approach (MPA) is designed to improve...
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has flagged corruption as a major risk to Philippine infrastructure delivery, warning that the multibillion-peso flood-control corruption scandal show that current accountability safeguards remain insufficient to prevent the misuse of...
Despite widespread public concern about climate change, financing and institutional constraints continue to hamper the Philippines’ efforts to strengthen climate resilience and adaptation measures, according to state-run policy think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS). In...
The national government’s (NG) usual April budget surplus shrank by more than half this year after the annual income tax returns (AITRs) filing and payment deadline was extended by one month due to the national energy emergency, although revenues were partly supported by millions of pesos in...
President Marcos has assured local officials that their budget will increase if they run the programs funded by the national government well. In his remarks during the turnover of financial assistance to barangays in Eastern Visayas on Thursday, April 30, Marcos told local officials the national...
The national government has streamlined the taxes and fees imposed by local government units (LGUs) on businesses enjoying tax incentives, a move aimed at addressing investor concerns about unfair tax policies. Under Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 1 dated March 23, the government affirmed that...
Local government units (LGUs) in the Philippines are spending far below what is needed to deliver basic primary health care (PHC) services, according to state-run policy think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS). A PIDS discussion paper t itled “Are Philippine Local...
Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero is calling on the national government to advance the proposed tripartite agreement involving three agencies as it seeks to empower qualified local government units (LGUs) to achieve accelerated growth through improved infrastructure, stronger rural connectivity,...
Street parking is nothing new in the Philippines, especially in urban centers. In Metro Manila, it has become part of the normal landscape, where in many instances, there are even pylons or sign boards marking spaces for certain people apparently living in the area. Many barangays and...
The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) is ramping up its efforts to make the Philippines more attractive for investors by cracking down on local government units (LGUs) that have yet to comply with the government’s mandate in ease of doing business. Last week, ARTA Secretary Ernesto Perez shared...
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has set up a program that provides barangays with manuals to guide them on appropriate and adequate response to various levels and phases of disasters. Dubbed as “Kap is Ready,” the DILG explained that it is a comprehensive manual...
How does Senator Francis Tolentino craft legislation that ensures the effective delivery of services to the people? Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino The answer is simple: experience. Tolentino says he draws from his learnings during his stints as Tagaytay City mayor and Metro Manila...
