GOCC subsidies reach P5.74 B in March
The national government has granted P5.74 billion in subsidies to state-owned corporations last March, the bulk of which went to the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and the National Food Authority (NFA), according to the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr).
— The Philippine Star
The Philippines’ Rodrigo Duterte broached South China Sea ruling in meeting with China’s Xi Jinping
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, in a meeting this week with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, brought up the thorny issue of a 2016 arbitration award favoring his country in a territorial dispute with China in the South China Sea, senior Philippine officials said Saturday.
— The Japan Times
Deficit plunges in March on 2019 budget delay, strong revenue collections
THE budget deficit narrowed by 47.23% year-on-year in March after a strong revenue performance, while spending was dampened by the delay in the passage of the 2019 Budget, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) said.
— BusinessWorld Online
Labor group wants P710-wage hike
THE country’s biggest aggrupation of labor group will file on Monday a P710-wage increase petition before the National Capital Region (NCR) due to growing poverty in the country
— The Manila Times
‘Build, Build, Build’ not an effective job-creating program — Ibon
President Rodrigo Duterte’s flagship infrastructure program “Build, Build, Build” which is also expected to create jobs for Filipinos is not an effective job-creating program, an economic research think tank said Sunday.
— Inquirer.net
Philippine Rate Cut a Matter of Timing as Oil Rises, Diokno Says
Philippines central bank Governor Benjamin Diokno said it is only a matter of timing as to when monetary policy is eased after last year’s series of interest-rate increases, even as authorities closely monitor oil prices.
— Bloomberg
Bank lending standards still unchanged in Q1
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said in a survey that the banking industry is maintaining the same lending standards – for the most part—since 2009.
— Manila Bulletin
PHL, Chinese firms sign $12-B in business deals
THE Philippine business delegation and Chinese companies on Friday signed 19 deals worth $12.165 billion, according to Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez.
— BusinessWorld Online
4.6 magnitude aftershock jolts Surigao del Norte
A magnitude 4.6 aftershock hit the province of Surigao del Norte anew on Sunday past noon.
— Inquirer.net
Angat Dam falls below 180-meter minimum operating level
Angat Dam’s water level yesterday fell below its 180-meter minimum operating level amid the lack of rainfall over the watershed area.
— Tempo
Luzon quake infrastructure damage soars to P505 million – NDRRMC
The damage to infrastructure caused by the magnitude 6.1 earthquake that affected parts of Luzon has reached P505.92 million, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Sunday.
— Inquirer.net
Inflation seen falling within 2 to 4% target
Private economists expect inflation this year to fall within the two to four percent target set by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), according to a survey conducted by the central bank.
— The Philippine Star
Gordon seeks probe on foreign doctors working in local hospitals without permit
Senator Richard Gordon has called for a probe into a syndicate that allegedly facilitates the entry and employment of foreign doctors who practice medicine as medical consultants in certain hospitals even without the necessary permits.
— GMA News
Qatar to abolish exit visa system by year’s end
Qatar is set to abolish its controversial exit visa system for all foreign workers by the end of the year, the UN’s International Labor Organization (ILO) said Friday, April 26.
— Rappler
Report: PHL among most affected by worsening drought in Asean
Drought is expected to become even more frequent and intense in many parts of Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, bringing devastating socioeconomic impacts unless actions are taken now to build resilience, according to a new study.
— Business Mirror
Dennis Uy, Chinatel sign investment deal worth $5.4b
Udenna Corp. and Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corp. of Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy signed a $5.4-billion investment agreement with China Telecommunications Corp. to develop and operate as the country’s third major telecommunications player.
— Manilastandard.net
PHL seen to suffer glut in chicken meat
THE Philippines is projected to suffer a glut in chicken meat this year as total supply is projected to reach at least 1.424 million metric tons, a figure that is 136,000 metric tons over the 1.288 MMT estimated total demand.
— Business Mirror
Several aftershocks hit Surigao del Norte on Sunday, April 28
Several aftershocks struck Surigao del Norte on Sunday, April 28. Based on data provided by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, those with at least a magnitude of 3.0 took place from 12:52 a.m. to 8:41 a.m.
— Eagle News
Davao municipalities get ₱890 million in PRDP funding
The Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) has approved P890 million worth of projects for several municipalities in Davao del Sur province as well as Davao City, with more than 90% of the funds allocated for farm-to-market roads and.
— BusinessWorld Online
Labor eyes P73 wage hike in Western Visayas
LOCAL labor groups are filing a petition for a P73 daily minimum wage increase for private sector workers in Western Visayas.
— Sun Star
For U.S. Commandos in the Philippines, a Water Pump Is a New Weapon Against ISIS
While neither guided bomb nor armored vehicle, a gray oblong water pump sticking out from the brush along a remote dirt road is intended to be just as clear a sign of the United States’ efforts to stop the spread of the Islamic State.
— New York TimesÂ
Palace: Duterte trip to China “highly successful”
The Palace on Sunday, April 28, described as “highly successful” President Rodrigo Duterte’s trip to China, where he attended the second Belt and Road forum.
— Eagle News
Duterte says PHL seeking to “improve collective capacity to manage, protect marine resource”
President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday, April 27, said the Philippines was seeking to “improve our collective capacity to manage and protect marine resource.”
— Eagle News
3rd telco still hangs due to franchise issue
The country’s third telco initiative took a step forward, at least during the second Belt and Road Initiative in Beijing, China, as the issue on congressional franchise continues to delay the actual implementation of the project.
— Inquirer.net
LOOK: Gov’t receives e-vehicles for Boracay patrol, rescue
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) received environment-friendly vehicles for patrol and rescue operations in top tourist destination Boracay, a year after the island closed down for rehabilitation efforts.
— Rappler
Search, rescue operations called off at Pampanga supermarket
AUTHORITIES called off search and rescue operations at a supermarket in Pampanga, which was hit by a strong earthquake on April 22.
— The Manila Times
Senate panel sets power rate price cap at P6 per kWh
The Senate Committee on Energy chairman on Sunday said panel members have set P6 as price ceiling for power rate, following the red and yellow alerts in the Luzon Grid this month, causing brownouts in some areas.
— GMA News
Robredo: Chinese workers in Palawan a ‘huge insult’
The presence of some 260 Chinese nationals in Palawan with special working permits is “a huge insult to Filipinos,” Vice President Leni Robredo said during her visit in this city for the Southern Luzon Area Business Conference on Thursday.
— Inquirer.net
LIST: Cancelled Cebu Pacific, CebGo flights from April 28-30
Cebu Pacific has been forced to canceled several of its flights starting Sunday in order to reschedule previously disrupted flights.
— Inquirer.net
ALI plans to develop country’s first Sino-PHL industrial park
AYALA LAND, Inc. (ALI) is riding on the influx of Chinese firms coming to the Philippines as it plans to acquire up to 200 hectares of land in Central Luzon for the development of the first Sino-Philippine industrial park in the country.
— BusinessWorld Online
PHL, China ink MOU on anti-corruption cooperation
Anti-corruption agencies of the Philippines and China have signed a memorandum of understanding to formalize their commitment to cooperation during the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing over the weekend.
— GMA News
PNP: Ateneo think tank’s ‘tokhang’ figures ‘totally erroneous’
The Philippine National Police on Saturday expressed serious doubts over Ateneo Policy Center’s figures showing more than 7,000 drug-related killings since the Duterte administration began in 2016.
— GMA News
COA to La Union state university: Explain ‘diverted’ funds
The Commission on Audit (COA) asked a state university in La Union to explain the diversion of funds meant for textbooks and building maintenance to a cash incentives program for officials and employees.
— Rappler
150 troops deployed to secure Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental
BACOLOD CITY – A total of 150 soldiers were dispatched to Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental over the weekend, following the recent attacks on town officials.
— Tempo
Netizens back bid to cancel Comelec reg’n of Bayan Muna, others
Netizens expressed support to the petition before the Commisison on Elections (Comelec) to cancel the registration of party-list groups identified with the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).
— Philippine News Agency
Palace slams San Francisco Board of Supervisors over reso vs PHL gov’t
The Palace on Sunday, April 28, slammed the San Francisco Board of Supervisors after it issued a resolution calling out the Philippine government for alleged “state-sanctioned extrajudicial killings by police” and the detention of Senator Leila de Lima.
— Eagle News
Asean taekwondo meet set May 4-5
Organized by the Philippine Taekwondo Association, the prestigious international event will see campaigners from Brunei, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Timor-Leste, Vietnam and host Philippines vie in Kyurugi (free sparring) and Poomsae (forms).
— Tempo
Robredo calls for transparency in PHL-China business deals
Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday called for transparency in the 19 business deals signed between the Philippines and China during President Rodrigo Duterte’s most recent visit to the country.
— GMA News
Papal Nuncio to youths at NYD: Free yourselves from cellphone addiction
The apostolic nuncio of the Vatican to the Philippines yesterday urged the Filipino youth participating in the six-day National Youth Day to free themselves from cellphone addiction and find peace in silence.
— Tempo
8 lawmen who beat up drug suspect in Cebu ‘pulled out’
Eight police officers have been “pulled out” from the Talamban police station after they were accused of beating up a drug suspect in a buy-bust operation on Maundy Thursday.
— Tempo
Researchers develop resilient study desk
A group of researchers from the Philippine Normal University, De La Salle University, and Technological University of the Philippines have developed a high impact-proof automated study desk for pre-school children following recent consecutive earthquakes in Luzon and Visayas.
— Tempo
Tips on surviving dengue
While dengue can be fatal, experts say patients or victims can survive the disease through early diagnosis, prompt management, and constant monitoring.
— Philippine News Agency
PICC firm owes government P150 million, say state auditors
The Philippine International Convention Center Incorporated (PICCI) owes the national government around P150 million ($2.87 million), the Commission on Audit (COA) reported.
— Rappler
Duterte calls for ‘collective action’ on climate change
President Rodrigo Duterte has called on different countries to have a “collective action” on climate change amid the concerning impacts of weather disturbances on developing countries.
— Inquirer.net
Robredo: ‘What will happen to gov’t funds, donations for Marawi rehab?’
Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday said many residents of Marawi City “could not get on with their lives” as they await for the next move for the restoration of the war-torn city.
— Inquirer.net
CBCP head bows in shame, begs for forgiveness over sexual abuses
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines president last Saturday, again, asked for forgiveness for the Church pastors’ abuses, especially sexual molestation against children.
— GMA News
LTFRB now allows pets in public vehicles
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is now allowing pets in public utility vehicles (PUVs).
— Rappler
DENR, Couples for Christ to plant a million trees
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) signed a memorandum of agreement with Catholic group Couples for Christ (CFC) to plant one million trees.
— Rappler
Feature photo Bong Santisteban/ Rappler
This week’s Philippines morning news feature photo acknowledges World Press Freedom Day, May 3.
Find our previous morning news feature photos in the AEC News Today Morning News Feature Photos gallery where you will find a pictorial display of daily life throughout the Asean Economic Community (AEC).
Philippines morning news by AEC News Today is your one stop source for Philippines news on matters of governance and policies affecting Asean business communities. It is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.
Philippines morning news for April 29 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on
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Stella-maris Ewudolu
Between November 2010 and February 2012 she was a staff writer at Daylight Online, Nigeria writing on health, fashion, and relationships. From 2010 – 2017 she worked as a freelance screen writer for ‘Nollywood’, Nigeria.
She joined AEC News Today in December 2016.
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