Dateline Kamuning: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is making adjustments to the food stamp program initiated by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s administration, aiming to empower beneficiaries and encourage their active participation in nation-building. DSWD Undersecretary Edu Punay said they are now working on the design of the food program to lessen the dependence of the beneficiaries on government assistance. “Isang very novel aspect that we’re introducing, or component, is iyong conditionality. Ang gusto natin (mabawasan) iyong dependency ng ating mga beneficiary sa government assistance na nakikita natin, for example sa 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program), (dahil) talagang masyadong dependent na,” Punay told a news forum in Quezon City on Saturday.   “Admittedly, ang ating mga ilang beneficiaries diyan, ayaw nang umalis sa 4Ps kahit na due for graduation na sila. Ito iyong gusto nating iwasan sa mga bagong programs nating gagawin. That’

 Dateline Kamuning:     A fire ripped through the centuries-old rectory of St. Joseph Cathedral in Romblon diocese recently, destroying canonical books and other important documents. Bishop Narciso Abellana of Romblon said the fire, which broke out in the early morning of May 27, razed down almost everything except the structure’s old stone pillars. “It is, indeed, a tragedy… All the canonical books and other records were turned to ashes,” Abellana said in a statement released May 31. The rectory, which also housed the parish office, was declared a national cultural treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines. It also played host to the temporary museum of the diocese, keeping several religious artifacts from the different parishes. “Our link to the past was eaten by fire,” he lamented. Amid plans to rebuild the convent, the bishop also made a public appeal for generosity that will help them reconstruct the rectory. He particularly asked the faithful to support

 Dateline Kamuning: Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Fred Pascual stressed on Friday that the entry into force of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement would attract more investments and trade opportunities to the country. "As RCEP takes effect, we commit to supporting Philippine businesses in becoming more productive and competitive within the region and globally. RCEP is a mega free trade deal that will also facilitate the influx of more investments in the country," Pascual said during the press briefing conducted by the DTI on June 2, where he discussed the benefits of the agreement for various sectors and industries. The agreement took effect today, 2 June 2023 and is expected to deepen existing economic integration within the broader region. RCEP countries account for 30 percent of global GDP and one-third of total inward foreign direct investments (FDIs) as of 2022. “Becoming part of RCEP signals to the community of n

  Dateline Kamuning: LEYTE Rep. Richard I. Gomez (4th district) today slammed blatant violations of the country’s land use and environmental management laws in the municipalities of   Palompon and Albuera in his district as he pressed the alarm on the massive pollution of the areas’ water, soil and air. During a recent hearing of the House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, Gomez also hit the seeming complicity of the local governments of Palompon and Albuera and the regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the illegal activities of private businesses in their jurisdictions. “My esteemed colleagues, I come before you to present a case of massive water, soil, air and environmental pollution, along with gross violations of our nation’s most fundamental land use laws. These acts continue to be committed in my district, the fourth district of Leyte, specifically in the municipalities of Palompon and Albuera,” Gomez said during the

  Dateline Kamuning: The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will conduct its 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓-𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 𝐄𝐗𝐄𝐑𝐂𝐈𝐒𝐄 with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) at the vicinity waters off Mariveles, Bataan, from 01 to 07 June 2023. The PCG will deploy BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702), BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301), BRP Boracay (FPB-2401), and one 44-meter multi-role response vessel, while the USCG and JCG will send USCGC Stratton (WMSL-752) and Akitsushima (PLH-32), respectively. The PCG acquired the BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) and the participating 44-meter MRRV through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)- Department of Transportation (DOTr) Maritime Safety Improvement Project. The PCG-USCG-JCG maritime exercise would 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘 through communication exercises, maneuvering drills, photo exercises, maritime law enforcement training, search and rescue (SAR), an

Dateline Kamuning:   Surigao del Norte Representative and Chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Committee expressed full support and agreement with NAPOLCOM Vice-Chair Atty. Alberto Bernardo, on the latter’s findings that the PNP system of promotion and performance rating of anti-drug police operatives is seriously flawed as it is geared towards the number of arrests and seizures, leading to staged, fake and fabricated “accomplishments”, to the detriment of innocent people who languish in jail with trumped up charges.  “Imagine, based on these fake accompishments, the officers kept on being promoted until they are high up in the ladder and can control and influence the organization. They have become so accustomed with their illegal activities that they have become a big part of the whole drug syndicate. The promotion is just one part, the worst part is the reward, monetary as well as “saving” a huge chunk of the drug haul, as another form of rewarding themselves. This drug haul is called sav

Dateline Kamuning: The economic team, comprised of representatives from the Department of Finance (DOF), Bureau of the Treasury (BTr), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), together with the office of Senator and Defense Committee Chair Jinggoy Estrada, met with members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to kick off dialogues on the military and uniformed personnel (MUP) pension system on May 25, 2023 at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City. Around 800 soldiers from the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, and Philippine Air Force were in attendance. The government is fully committed to listening to the sentiments, concerns and issues of MUPs to be able to come up with a fiscally inclusive sustainable pension system. The economic team will continue to hold a series of dialogues with MUPs around the country, including the AFP’s Philippine Army (PA), Philippine Navy (PN), Philippine Air Force (PAF), Presidential Security

  Dateline Kamuning:   The Philippine government will continue to talk and negotiate with the Kuwaiti officials on its decision to no longer issue new visas to Filipinos who want to work in the Middle Eastern country, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Friday.   The President made the statement during an interview with reporters at the 125th founding anniversary of the Philippine Navy in Manila.   “It’s their country. Those are their rules. So, we will just leave that issue open and hopefully we will continue to negotiate with them. We will continue to consult with them at baka sakali, down the road ay magbago ang sitwasyon, maibalik ngayon ang ating mga workers, lalo na ‘yung mga nabitin,” President Marcos said, reacting to the proposal of Pangasinan 3rd District Rep. Rachel Arenas for a total deployment ban of OFWs to Kuwait.   The President said there are around 800 OFWs who failed to enter Kuwait due to the new deployment ban.   “Hopefully down the road, we will co

  Dateline Kamuning: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Thursday that he is considering the recommendation of the Société Générale de Surveillance SA (SGS) to conduct pre-shipping inspections in a move to stop the smuggling of agricultural goods and ensure its safety for public consumption.   “This scheme would minimize smuggling. It will be essentially…pre-shipping inspection,” Marcos said after meeting SGS Vice President George Bottomley and Managing Director Cresenciano Maramot in Malacañang.   “Ibig sabihin, bago pa isakay ‘yung produkto sa barko doon sa pinanggagalingan, inspeksyunin na nila para sasabihin nila, ‘totoo ito, tama ang timbang, tama ang quality, tama ang nasa record na pinanggalingan’ — all of these items. Para hindi na natin kailangan gawin dito sa Pilipinas,” he explained.   According to the President, they will extend to cover agricultural invoices so that prior to the arrival of the planes or ships, shipments are paid already, speeding up the process

Dateline Kamuning:  State pension fund Government Service Insurance System   (GSIS) announced today that it is ready to assist in the restoration of the Philippine Postal Office (Philpost) building in Intramuros,  Manila which caught fire last Sunday. GSIS is the first government agency to reach out to the beleaguered public corporation.   “The damaged Philpost building and its contents are insured with the GSIS for P604 million. To facilitate the insurance claims, we immediately dispatched our adjusters to the fire scene today even though no fire-out has been declared yet. We also deployed drones to completely evaluate the affected structures. We are very much aware of the historical significance of the building and we would like to assist in its rebuilding efforts in every possible way,” GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso said. The pension fund chief added that GSIS will offer its warehouse in Pasig to serve as Philpost’s temporary workplace. “Philpost needs a transitor

 Dateline Kamuning: Australia announced a maritime cooperation initiative package for the Philippines, including technical assistance and capacity building for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) as well as increased Official Development Assistance (ODA) for several initiatives, including the Mindanao peace process. The announcement came following a bilateral meeting between Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong during her official visit to the Philippines. “Building on the already deep and wide-ranging maritime security cooperation between Australia and the Philippines, Minister Wong announced a package of maritime cooperation initiatives, including technical assistance and capacity building for the Philippine Coast Guard; equipment, skills and technology to improve maritime domain awareness and marine protection; assistance to mitigate the environmental impacts of the recent oil spill in Mindoro; and support for women’s leadership in mar

Dateline Kamuning: The government is considering all technologies to ensure energy security and improve energy mix for renewables, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Friday as he visited a wind farm project in Ilocos Norte. “At lahat nitong bagong teknolohiya ay talagang titingnan natin. We continue to work on all of the sources of renewable energy,” President Marcos said during the presentation to him of ACEN Corp.’s 160-Megawatt Wind Farm in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. “As I mentioned, solar.…. pagagandahin natin ‘yung mga geothermal, ‘yung mga dam natin, baka puwede pang i-expand ang hydrothermal na power na kinukuha natin diyan.” Aside from renewables, the administration is looking at nuclear power, he said, assuring the public that using such energy source must be within the highest safety and environmental standards to avoid accidents and disasters. “But nonetheless, kailangan na kailangan patuloy na tayong naghahanap ng bagong renewable energy sources. Kailangan patul

Dateline Kamuning: The latest acquisition of the game-changing surface-to-air missile system by the Philippine Navy (PN) will further boost its warfare capabilities, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said last Friday. After witnessing the SAM capability demonstration aboard the BRP Davao del Sur (LD 602) in San Antonio, Zambales, the President was elated by the continuous effort of the PN to realize its mandate. “I am very happy to be able to join the brave men and women of our Philippine Navy on this important day as we conduct our test fire, our country’s first surface-to-air missile system, the Mistral 3, and the other weapon systems that we have seen demonstrated here this morning,” Marcos said. “With the fluid security situation in our region, it is imperative that the Armed Forces of the Philippines and of course the Navy is substantially equipped, trained, and always on alert to respond to any and all exigencies that may confront our nation. It is for this prime reason that

  Dateline Kamuning: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said that he understands Vice President Sara Duterte on her decision to resign from the Lakas-CMD party. “Alam n’yo naman, si VP Inday Sara is very plain-spoken. Kung ano ang sinabi niya ‘yun ang ibig sabihin nun. She has too much work to do that she cannot be involved in any – that she cannot allow herself to be distracted. That’s the way I read it,” Marcos said in a press briefing during the presentation of the 160-megawatt wind farm in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte on Friday. The Vice President and Education Secretary earlier Friday tendered her resignation from the party citing “execrable political power play.”  Her resignation came following the reorganization of key positions in the House of Representatives where Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo, one of the stalwarts of Lakas-CMD, was removed from her post as Senior Deputy Speaker. Marcos said Duterte must have been overwhelmed and decided to resign from Lakas amid all h

 Dateline Kamuning: As a commitment of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to put a high premium on the education of Filipino children, a total of P138.77 billion has been allocated for Higher Education programs and initiatives under the 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA). “This reflects the Administration’s commitment to empower our youth. President Bongbong Marcos himself said that education is the only legacy we can leave our children that will never go to waste. Indeed, education is our best investment for the nation,” Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said. "This is likewise in consonance with the promise of Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte to help the sector produce graduates that are employable," Secretary Pangandaman added. The P138.77 billion budget for Higher Education will go to State Universities and Colleges or SUCs (P107.04 billion) and the Commission on Higher Education or

Dateline Kamuning: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered concerned government agencies to extend aid and assistance to the case of the “Malaya Lolas,” a group of victims of sexual slavery by the Japanese imperial army during World War II. Marcos issued the order following the report of the UN Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), saying the Philippines had failed to assist the Malaya Lolas, a group of former “comfort women,” in filing claims against Japan. “Government agencies concerned are formulating a comprehensive response to the CEDAW committee and will submit this within the required period. We commit to undertaking measures and finding ways to help them live better lives as an expression of our continued deep solidarity with them and of our utmost respect,” President Marcos said on Saturday. Marcos said the administration acknowledges the “grave atrocities endured by the brave Filipino women during wars of the 20th century.” The gov

  Dateline Kamuning: Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) Chairman and Resident Representative Silvestre Bello III on Saturday allayed concerns about the safety of Filipinos in Taiwan amid brewing tensions with neighboring China. Bello said the Philippine government, through MECO, is looking out for the welfare and well-being of the Filipinos there. “So we would like to assure you, everyone. I’ll take this opportunity to inform you… in Taiwan everything is normal and, if in the remote possibility na magkaroon ng emergency situation, like for example earthquake, mga lindol o even war, preparado po ang Taiwan government not only in protecting their own people but even the Filipinos, especially our workers,” Bello said in a media forum in Quezon City. According to Bello, the National Police Agency of Taiwan has assured him the protection and security of the Filipinos in the self-ruled island nation. “I met with the Director General together with the head of the Home Civilian

Dateline Kamuning:  The Department of Agriculture (DA) allayed public fears on Friday on the possible effects of a looming El Nino phenomenon on rice production, stressing the necessary preparations were made to counter the impact of the dry spell. In a press briefing at Malacañang, Agriculture Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian said measures have been put into place to mitigate the effects of the dry spell on food production. During the Palace briefing, reporters raised the concern of some farmers of possible crisis in rice production and agriculture as a result of El Niño phenomenon. “Naghahanda naman kami sa Department of Agriculture kaya lang ako I had experience several El Niño and I’ve also found solutions to El Niño. Mayroon positive and negative na effect ang El Niño,” Sebastian told the reporters. He explained the DA is conducting an assessment of areas that could be negatively or positively affected by the dry spell. According to Sebastian, there are areas in the Phi

Dateline Kamuning: Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman highlighted the Philippines’ current dynamic domestic economy and positive outlook, as the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the country's gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 6.4 percent in the first quarter of 2023. "The country now has a dynamic domestic economy. This means that even if the regional and global economic environment would worsen, ours has its own momentum and own dynamism to sustain growth," Secretary Pangandaman said. “This quarter’s GDP performance indicates that the Philippines is returning to its high growth trajectory,” Pangandaman added. The reported GDP growth performance figure is well within the government’s target of 6.0 to 7.0 percent for 2023. Further, based on latest available data from countries that have released their first quarter 2023 real GDP growth, the Philippines grew the fastest among major emerging economies in th

  Dateline Kamuning: Sen. Risa Hontiveros asks for explanation on the entry of imported sugar into Philippine ports despite the lack of order authorizing it.   During the Blue Ribbon Committee's inquiry on the issue Monday, May 8, 2023, Hontiveros lamented the absence of Agriculture Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban who, she said, should shed light on the controversial importation of 440,000 metric tons of sugar ahead of the issuance of Sugar Order No. 6, adding that the move was made without the approval of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, concurrent Department of Agriculture (DA) secretary.   The Deputy Minority Leader further questioned the DA's selection of three sugar traders for supposedly giving them the "opportunity to control" sugar prices, in possible violation of anti-smuggling laws, and to the detriment of Filipino consumers.   "I really hope that we get to the bottom of this issue...From the evidence I've seen so far, seem