ADB approves 300 mln USD loan to support Philippine education
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a 300-million-U.S. dollar loan to support the Philippine government’s efforts to achieve inclusive growth by improving access to high-quality secondary education that responds to labor market needs, the Manila-based bank said on Monday.
— Xinhuanet
PH, Japan to sign P300 billion worth of business deals
Filipino and Japanese companies are expected to sign more than 20 business agreements worth nearly P300 billion or $5 billion at the conclusion of the Philippine trade mission to Japan on May 30.
— Manilastandard.net
P500 billion in dole shielded from Palace whims
The law institutionalizing a P500-billion government dole to the poor must be accompanied by “responsive and relevant” implementing rules and regulations that ensure that the real beneficiaries are helped and that the program is sustainable and avoids wasteful spending, a Senate leader said Sunday.
— Manilastandard.net
1,000 tons of waste from Canada to be shipped back on May 30–Locsin
FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Monday said all 69 container vans loaded with over 1,000 tons of garbage from Canada would be shipped back to Ottawa on May 30.
— The Manila Times
French firm to scale up PH solar investments
French multinational electric utility firm Engie will scale up its solar installations in the Philippines, with a grander aim of becoming one of the major players of this flourishing sector in the country.
— Manila Bulletin
Budget delay derails gov’t poverty reduction efforts
The government could have helped lift 420,000 Filipinos out of poverty in the first quarter if not for the delay in the passage of the 2019 budget, according to government economic managers.
— The Philippine Star
10-year extension of Tieza tax perks to yield P222 billion investments
SOME P222 billion in capital investments in the tourism sector are projected for the next 10 years with the recent enactment of a law extending fiscal incentives to locators in tourism enterprise zones (TEZs).
— Business Mirror
BIR finalizing IRR for tax amnesty
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said yesterday that the agency is now finalizing the Implementing Rules And Regulations (IRR) that will govern the Duterte administration’s tax amnesty.
— Manila Bulletin
Duterte extends mandate of tourism regulator to grant fiscal incentives
PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has extended the authority of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) to grant incentives to tourism enterprises until Dec. 31, 2029.
— BusinessWorld Online
₱1 trillion in public works needed to hit GDP goal
THE government needs to spend P1 trillion on infrastructure if it is to meet a growth target of 6% in 2019, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said, as he detailed “catch-up” measures to facilitate spending delayed by the stalled 2019 budget.
— BusinessWorld Online
Finance department asks Senate to adopt House alcohol tax version
THE DEPARTMENT of Finance (DoF) on Monday appealed to the Senate to just adopt the House of Representatives’ bill raising excise tax rates on alcohol products in a last-minute bid to bag approval in the five session days left for the 17th Congress, but leaders of the chamber were either noncommittal or cold to the idea.
— BusinessWorld Online
Marawi rehab effort left over P4billion unspent in 2018
OVER P4 billion in funding was left unutilized in 2018 for the rehabilitation of Marawi City due to the absence of rebuilding proposals from various agencies, an official overseeing the city’s reconstruction said.
— BusinessWorld Online
P4.7-billion DTI-Ifad program links farmers to food makers
OVER 1,000 small businesses and at least 78,000 agricultural workers are expected to benefit from the P4.7-billion linkage program of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (Ifad).
— Business Mirror
Economists see stronger peso this year
Bank economists expect a stronger peso amid the dovish sentiment by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) as well as external factors led by the US-China trade war.
— The Philippine Star
Business hub ready for Iloilo’s shift to MICE tourism
Megaworld Corp. is aiming to make its Iloilo Business Park (IBP) the new city center as Iloilo’s tourism sector shifts more towards the MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) segment.
— BusinessWorld Online
DA to help ask for suspension of pork importation from ‘high-risk’ countries
THE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA) said it will be requesting for an immediate temporary suspension of importation of pork and pork products from high-risk countries in support of the local hog industry.
— BusinessWorld Online
Duterte signs Magna Carta of the Poor bill in bid to reduce poverty
President Duterte has finally signed the Magna Carta of the Poor in a bid to institutionalize long-term strategies in poverty reduction.
— Business Mirror
House slaps stiffer penalties for child abuse, exploitation, discrimination
Individuals who abuse, exploit and discriminate children may soon be slapped with harsher punishments as the House of Representatives on Monday approved on third and final reading the bill imposing stiffer penalties for such acts.
— GMA News
PHL has among best ‘cloud’ policies in AsPac
THE Philippines might have one of the best cloud policies in the Asia Pacific region, but the actual adoption of the technology for social use, such as health care, transport systems, and financial inclusion is still marred with technicalities that prohibit the country from effectively adopting cloud technology into government processes.
— Business Mirror
11 senators sign report on tobacco tax hike
A total of 11 senators have so far signed a committee report proposing an increase in excise taxes on tobacco products in a bid to reduce smoking prevalence among Filipinos and also to generate additional funding for the government’s Universal Health Care program.
— Philippine News Agency
Canadian trash now in Subic for fumigation
All 69 containers of trash from Canada have already been brought to Subic to be fumigated before the shipments will sail overseas, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.
— GMA News
COA questions P50.43-M unaccounted fund transfers of DDB
Various government agencies and private institutions have yet to fully account for the P50.427 million worth of financial assistance received from the Dangerous Drugs Board about five years ago, according to the 2018 annual audit report of the Commission on Audit (COA).
— GMA News
ECOP tackles employment trends
Employers are gearing up for drastic changes in the way the workplaces are run while they grapple with policies that affect enterprises.
— Malaya
Trillanes’ rebellion trial resumes
Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s trial for a revived rebellion case resumed Monday, several years after the charge, filed in connection with the 2007 Manila Peninsula Siege, was dismissed.
— GMA News
Richest, poorest senators in 2018
REELECTED Sen. Cynthia Villar remains the richest member of the Senate with P3.7 billion net worth based on her Statement of Assets Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) for 2018.
— The Manila Times
File SOCE on or before June 13, winners told
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Cavite is reminding newly-elected officials in the province that they only have until June 13 to file their statements of contributions and expenses (SOCE) or they risk being barred from assuming their posts.
— Philippine News Agency
Car plates problem over as LTO vows faster service
THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) marked its 107th anniversary early this week, highlighted by the welcome news that the old problem of car plates, which began in 2013 during the previous administration, is finally solved.
— Tempo
Senate approves 12 bills creating 31 new courts
The Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading 12 bills that seek to create 31 new regional and municipal trial courts.
— Inquirer.net
Philippines sees Japan as ‘most important partner country’ — PH envoy
The Philippines and Japan’s relations remain “very amiable, friendly and cooperative” despite Beijing’s growing influence over Manila in the region.
— Inquirer.net
House OKs refiled bill creating coco levy trust fund
The House of Representatives on Monday approved on third and final reading the refiled bill seeking to establish the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Trust Fund, which is seen to benefit farmers and develop the coconut industry.
— GMA News
Pag-IBIG calamity loan now available
The Home Mutual Development Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund has made available its Calamity Loan Program to members in the city and province of Iloilo affected by the dry spell.
— Philippine Information Agency
Trillanes rebellion trial suspended as prosecution presents unlisted witness
THE trial of SEN. Antonio Trillanes 4th for rebellion was suspended on Monday after the prosecution presented an unlisted witness that required a cross-examination by the defense.
— The Manila Times
DICT urges digital TV shift; targets analog switch off by 2023
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is urging television (TV) audiences and manufacturers to embrace the migration from analog to digital TV.
— Philippine Information Agency
Ex-public attorney named to SC for first time
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte named a Court of Appeals justice and former public attorney to the Supreme Court to complete the 15-man tribunal.
— The Manila Times
PNP reshuffles officers in 5 key posts
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has reshuffled officers in five major posts, PNP chief Police General Oscar Albayalde announced in a press briefing at Camp Crame on Monday.
— Inquirer.net
Duterte to resign if son Paolo seeks House speakership
If his son, Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, decides to bid for Speaker of the House of Representatives, President Rodrigo Duterte said he will resign.
— Philippine News Agency
LTFRB urged to set pick-up, drop-off points for UV Express
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) must designate loading and unloading points for UV Express units to ensure ease of travel among passengers following the issuance of its latest directive limiting their operations on a point to point basis, a commuters’ welfare advocate said.
— Philippine News Agency
Red-tagging of NUJP Cagayan de Oro chapter slammed
A media watchdog on Monday slammed the red-tagging of its local chapter in Cagayan de Oro City as the group commemorates the annual Press Freedom Week.
— Inquirer.net
BOC destroys P17-M smuggled cigarettes in Zambo City
DESTROYED. Personnel of the Bureau of Customs, Marine Batallion Landing Team-11 (MBLT-11) and Zamboanga Coast Guard Station destroy on Monday some P17.3 million of smuggled imported cigarettes.
— Philippine News Agency
Senate OKs franchise of Legarda son’s solar firm on third and final reading
The Senate approved on third and final reading Monday a bill seeking to grant a 25-year franchise to Solar Para sa Bayan Corporation, which is owned and operated by Leandro Leviste, son of outgoing Senator Loren Legarda.
— GMA News
DOT warns public on increase of non-accredited entities
Planning for a vacation? The Department of Tourism (DOT) warns the public on the proliferation of non-accredited entities advertising services in different social media platforms for airline ticketing, travel and tours arrangement, hotel booking, and even training offerings for travel business management.
— Philippine Information Agency
Salceda asks SC to stop implementation of MMDA regulation aimed at closing down provincial bus terminals along Edsa
Albay Rep. Joey Salceda on Monday, May 27, asked the Supreme Court to stop the implementation of a Metropolitan Manila Development Authority regulation that would eventually lead to the closure of provincial bus terminals along Edsa.
— Eagle News
Feature photo Tobacco Control
This week’s Philippines morning news feature photo acknowledges World No Tobacco Day, May 31.
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 May 28 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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