Prof. Rene Ofreneo (left) of the Fair Trade Alliance (FTA) delivers a short message at a briefing on the World Trade Organization as global trade negotiators are trooping to Geneva for the July 21 mini-ministerial meeting to break the impasse in talks for a so-called Doha Development Round. Joining him are Jun Umali (center) of the National Union of Bank Employees and Errol Ramos, also of FTA. Roy Domingo

Underspending trims deficit

THE government failed to spend as much as it intended for both infrastructure and social programs in the first six months, leading one private economist to warn that delays in public spending “will mean average people could suffer, and that could affect the growth outlook for the year.”

Balanced-budget goal may revert to 2009

PRESIDENT Arroyo said on Wednesday the government may opt to again revise its balanced-budget target—attaining it by 2009, instead of 2010—if the country’s fiscal situation improves by next year.

RP inclining toward trade giants on WTO talks’ eve

WITH the negotiations for new World Trade Organization (WTO) multilateral trade modalities expected to reach the homestretch starting next week in Geneva, the Philippines has also begun attuning its stand vis-à-vis its top trading partners, the US and Japan, even if it would mean abandoning its linkages with developing nations and giving up some trade concessions.

Monsod decries ‘messy’ state in fight vs poverty

UNLESS more Filipino children at least enter and complete the elementary grades, the Philippines would cross into a “failed” state from the current “messy” state it is in, Prof. Solita Monsod said, adding “not to say the higher tiers.”

Poor focus, politicized, meager

THE national government’s slow progress in reducing poverty and improving the education and health situations may find its roots in the poor targeting of social programs that are also underfunded and politically marred, according to the World Bank.

SC dismisses petition seeking full disclosure of Jpepa papers

THE Supreme Court (SC), voting 10-4, on Wednesday dismissed the petition filed by several party-list groups and nongovernment organizations (NGOs) seeking full disclosure of Philippine and Japanese offers submitted during the negotiations for the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (Jpepa).

GSIS says insurers’ CTPL data are misleading

THE Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is baffled by “misleading figures” perpetuated by some officials of the Philippine Insurers and Reinsurers’ Association (Pira) regarding reforms in the issuance of the Compulsory Third Party Liability (CTPL) for motor vehicles.

Western Union still bullish

WESTERN Union has projected continuing growth in its Philippine business despite the sluggish US economy, which has affected spending patterns of its citizens, including Filipino-Americans.

Next generations will be either too fat or too thin

FUTURE generations of Filipinos will be at risk for various vitamin deficiencies as the number of pregnant women who are nutritionally at-risk increases, according to the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB).

RP students top another math tilt

THE Filipino students did it again!

The Philippines emerged as one of the overall champions in the Po Leung Kuk 12th Primary Math World Contest in Hong Kong after seven elementary students achieved stunning perfect scores in the contest.

Big ‘switch’ spells savings of $50 million

HOUSEHOLDS can save at least 80 percent in their electric lighting cost by switching from incandescent bulbs to energy-saving compact fluorescent (CFL, also labeled T-8) bulbs.

Atienza clips LLDA wings

Regional Offices of E.M.B. will now Issue Clearances

ENVIRONMENT Secretary Lito Atienza issued an order virtually clipping the power of the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) in overseeing the implementation of the environmental impact statement (IES) system, as well as the issuance of all environmental compliance certificates (ECC) for development projects within Laguna de Bay.