The International Labour Organization-High Level Tripartite Mission (ILO-HLTM) has adopted the proposal of local labor groups for the creation of a new Palace body for the promotion of Freedom of Association (FOA).
MALACAÑANG on Thursday attributed the 7.6 percent full-year economic growth last year to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s “economic stewardship.”
The number of Filipinos working for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) has increased to 25,000 despite ongoing calls from lawmakers to ban POGOs, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Employers have joined the calls of labor groups for a review of the government’s anti-insurgency policies so it will not undermine the right to Freedom of Association (FOA) of workers.
EFFORTS to improve the operations of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) are now under way through new maintenance and concession agreements for the facility, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has ordered the Department of Agriculture (DA) to look into the recent “unreasonable” spike in the prices of chicken eggs.
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced on Monday that private money may be used for the proposed Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF), but gave assurances that safeguards will be in place so it cannot be used for money laundering.
A TOTAL of 380 alleged local labor rights violations cases were documented in the report submitted by labor groups to the International Labour Organization-High Level Tripartite Mission (ILO-HLTM).
After going on eight official foreign trips in the first seven months of his term, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said he will be limiting his travels this year.
AN economist-lawmaker on Sunday seconded President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s statement in the World Economic Forum that the Philippine growth outlook remains bright despite global recession fears, with the House tax panel chairman asserting that, “absolutely there will be no recession for the Philippines in 2023.”
RIDERS of e-commerce firms will now enjoy better legal protection after the Supreme Court (SC) issued a landmark decision during the weekend involving the reinstatement of five Lazada E-Services Philippines Inc. employees, according to a labor group.
To keep the prices of hotdogs, luncheon meat and other processed meat products affordable, President Ferdinand R. Marcos signed a new executive order (EO) maintaining the temporary modified rates of import duty for mechanically deboned meat (MDM) of chicken and turkey until next year.
Two multinational firms have pledged to invest in the Philippines during their meeting with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on the sidelines of the ongoing 2023 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.
SOME electric vehicles (EV) will soon be made tariff-free under a new executive order signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. last week.
Concerned over the effects of climate change on agriculture productivity. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is now eyeing to focus government spending on research to make the sector more resilient to extreme weather.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has assured his administration will not engage in an arms race with its neighboring countries amid the escalating military presence of China in Asia.
A labor group opposed the proposed bill in the Senate institutionalizing “holiday economics” for its “unproven” benefits to labor and the economy.
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. called for the easing of trade restrictions imposed by some countries amid the spike in global prices of food and energy last year to foster greater global economic growth.
A COALITION of the country’s largest labor federations on Wednesday said it will submit a comprehensive report of Freedom of Association (FOA) violations to the International Labour Organization High Level Tripartite Mission (ILO-HLTM), due to arrive next week.
THE Philippines is expected to become one of the top economic performers in the Asia-Pacific region despite the projected slowdown in global economy this year, according to the Department of Finance (DOF).
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. pushed for the “neutrality” of the Asia-Pacific region in the ongoing intense geopolitical rivalry of international superpowers to normalize global trade.
Two labor unions at the Central Azucarera Don Pedro Inc. (CADPI) may stage a strike after Tuesday’s negotiations on the separation package for workers affected by the mill’s closure bogged down.
WHILE the Philippines supports the end of armed conflict between Ukraine and Russia, the peace talks between the two countries should be done bilaterally, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said.
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said he decided to reappoint General Andres C. Centino as chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to address the low morale within its ranks.
The Federation of Free Farmers Inc. (FFF) has called on the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to assist the sugarcane planters displaced by the closure of Central Azucarera Don Pedro Inc.’s (CADPI) sugar mill.
Even the country’s next generation of health care workers (HCW) are now being “pirated” abroad, according to a labor group.
BUSINESS leaders and a lawmaker are endorsing a proposal—refloated after the January 1 aviation fiasco that paralyzed the premier airport—to privatize operations of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), but a large labor coalition warned it would throw out of jobs thousands of state workers, and hike costs of travelers.
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. will be promoting the country as a top investment destination backed with a skilled workforce and pandemic-resilient supply chains during the 2023 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland this week.
THE Climate Change Commission (CCC) said its ongoing technical aid from the German Development Corporation (GIZ) will allow it to come out with more evidence-based climate action.
The Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) is now pushing for the creation of the inter-agency mechanism for the implementation of the Trusted Operator Program-Container Registry Monitoring System (TOP-CRMS) of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).
In a statement issued last Saturday, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) disclosed the proposal was made during the meeting of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. with the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) last Friday.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr has appointed former Interior Secretary Eduardo Año as his new National Security Adviser (NSA).
DESPITE the bill for its creation still pending in Congress, the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) will already be “soft launched” by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the 2023 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland next week to help attract more investments in the country.
THE ongoing “cleansing” of the ranks of the Philippine National Police (PNP) can also help improve the country’s reputation in terms of compliance with human and labor rights, according to a labor group.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered for the immediate rehabilitation of flood-control infrastructures and resettlement of flood victims in some areas in Northern Mindanao that were devastated by the shear line rain and flooding last month.
The country’s largest labor group is pushing for the creation of a new commission that will be tasked to look into reported incidents of freedom of association violations (FOA) and extra judicial killings (EJK) in the country.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) greenlit the importation of 21,060 metric tons (MT) of fresh yellow and red onions to temper the commodity’s retail prices, which have skyrocketed to more than P700 per kilogram in recent weeks.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday said more big-ticket transportation projects are already in the works as part of government efforts to “revive” the country’s rail industry and boost the economy.
Civil service eligibles may now obtain their certification from the Civil Service Commission (CSC) regional offices (RO), through a new online database.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. called for a “safe, meaningful and solemn” celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene on Monday.
POOR working conditions are expected to continue driving more workers to be “overemployed” this year despite the normalization in the labor market, according to a labor group.
BEIJING—President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is considering the grant of “concessions” to Chinese firms engaged in mineral processing and electric vehicle (EV) production to boost foreign investment inflows into the Philippines.
BEIJING—President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is set to fly to Switzerland and Japan following his state visit in China this week.
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said he hopes the country’s ongoing talks with China for the joint oil exploration in disputed areas in the South China Sea and business deals will finally “bear fruit.”
BEIJING – Cooperation agreements on agriculture and infrastructure were among the 14 accords inked on Wednesday by the government with Beijing during the State Visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. in China.
BEIJING—More engagements between the government and Beijing are now set to resolve the territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) following the meeting of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the National Congress of the People’s Republic of China Chairman Li Zhanshu on Wednesday.
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said he will push for the peaceful resolution of the country’s “issues” with Beijing and focus on securing a “harvest of agreements and investments” during his State Visit in China this week.
THE government has awarded 41 renewable energy (RE) service contracts with a potential capacity of 9.2 gigawatts (GW) in the last six months in its “aggressive” bid to reduce the country’s carbon emissions, according to Malacañang.
STRENGTHENING the country’s business and bilateral relations with China with the signing of several new agreements tops the agenda of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. during his two-day State Visit in Beijing next week.
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered the continued nationwide suspension and crackdown on e-sabong or electronic cockfighting.
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. ruled out the implementation of a total border closure with China amid its rising Covid-19 cases.
HOUSE Ways and Means Chair Joey Sarte Salceda opposed the proposal of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the country to shift its taxation regime for vehicles from being luxury-based to an emissions-based system, saying this is unfair to the poor.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is now considering releasing smuggled onions to the markets to bring down onion prices.
“We’re trying to find ways to bring the smuggled onions that have been caught to be placed in the market to reduce supply problems,”Marcos said in an interview last Thursday.
However, he noted the measure is facing legal issues.
“So we’re still working on that. But we will keep the prices down by monitoring what’s happening in our markers,” Marcos said.
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) considers onions as regulated goods and therefore subject to auction or donated to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) if they are smuggled.
In its Thursday monitoring report, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said the price of onions has now reached P540 to P700 per kilo from just P260 to P280 per kilo before the supply shortage.
To help address the matter, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it will be imposing a suggested retail price (SRP) of a P250 per kilo on onions.
“We will stick firmly to the recommended price. The DTI will continue to monitor,” Marcos said.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said he is no longer keen on extending the country’s state of calamity (SOC) due to the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Marcos made the statement after the Department of Health (DOH) announced last Tuesday it will submit a memo to Malacañang requesting for a longer SOC.
“I’m still very, very hesitant to continue the state of calamity, to extend it because again we are not in a state of calamity anymore, technically speaking,” Marcos said in an interview last Thursday.
He noted it may give the “wrong mindset” next year that the country is still struggling to cope with the pandemic.
Last Sept., Marcos issued Proclamation No. 57, which extended the SOC until Dec. 31, 2022.
It was supposed to last only until Sept. 12, 2022 under Proclamation 1218 of President Rodrigo R. Duterte.
DOH is pushing for another round of extension for the SOC since the country’s Covid-19 vaccination program, emergency use authorization for Covid-19 jabs, and emergency allowance for health care workers will be phased out without it.
Marcos said they are currently “trying to find ways to continue to provide the benefits to our medical health workers” even without the SOC.
In another development, the President said he is considering visiting the areas, which were affected by the heavy rains and flooding of the shear line and Northeast Monsoon after his State Visit in China on Jan. 3 to 5.
“It always helps to go and see for yourself. So I’ll try to make the time to go,” Marcos said.
As of last Wednesday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported the shear line resulted in the death of 29 people and affected over 400,000 people in Visayas and Mindanao.
Marcos said he is pleased with the response of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in assisting the people in the affected areas.
FOLLOWING a strong pandemic recovery of the tourism industry this year, the government expects at least 2.6 million international tourists to visit the country in 2023.
THE government is eyeing to start a new round of infrastructures initiative by 2024 with the completion of a three-year project roadmap next year.
THE Makabayan bloc at the House of Representatives has called for the resumption of peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).
The Department of Agriculture (DA) said the importation of sugar via the minimum access volume (MAV) scheme may not make a dent in the domestic prices of the sweetener.
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is eyeing to use the “zoning” of suitable farmlands to prevent an oversupply of onions.
AMID the ongoing government efforts to provide aid in flood-hit areas in Visayas and Mindanao, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr, has appointed former reporter Eduardo M. Punay as the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Over half of the recipients of the P1.22 billion worth of Employees’ Compensation (EC) benefits released by state insurers during the first half of the year were for death and pension claims, according to the Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC).
HIGH inflation will persist in the new year and compound the suffering of workers who are even now reeling from a lack of quality employment opportunities, a labor group said on Tuesday.
The government is now exploring other ways, including the imposition of a mandatory local service scheme, to retain health-care workers (HCW) in the country, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Despite government efforts to institutionalize telecommuting, fewer employees are now engaged in the said work arrangement, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
RESIGNATION and other “non-economic” factors were the most cited causes for the permanent displacement of workers this year, according to the latest report of the Department of Labor and Employment.
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Sunday ordered the distribution of assistance to victims of heavy flooding in Visayas and Mindanao due to incessant rains caused by the amihan (Northeast monsoon) and “shear line” on Christmas Day.
THE Civil Service Commission (CSC) has released the list of top 10 agencies with the most number of public complaints it has received through its Contact Center ng Bayan (CCB) facility.
THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will be allocating P18.5 million to build a new training center in Negros Oriental to provide training and livelihood to sugar workers.
This after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. issued Administrative Order (AO) No. 3, which aims to recognize the contribution of these workers in public service.
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said the government said Metro Manila and its surrounding areas will be prioritized under the government’s 6-year mass housing initiative.
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has vetoed three “illegal” provisions of the newly signed 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
Despite soaring inflation, workers may still have to wait until next year to get a possible minimum wage increase since the regional wage boards have yet to declare a “supervening event.”
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is eyeing to use satellite mapping data to create a comprehensive inventory of the country’s natural resources and to attract more investors.
THE government is now pushing for the country to become a top supplier of certified cyber security specialists as they are now in-demand worldwide.
BOOSTING support for micro enterprises and expanding skills training initiatives will be the focus of the government’s pandemic recovery roadmap which will start next year, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
A CHRISTMAS in crisis.
To temper inflation, the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Board chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has approved the extension of the validity of an executive order (EO) which reduced the tariffs on some food items and coal.
QUALIFIED government workers will soon be receiving a one-time service-recognition incentive (SRI) and rice allowance.
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday signed the P5.268-trillion 2023 national budget, thanking Congress for what he described as the fastest congressional deliberations ever for a national appropriations bill.
The Development Bank of the Philippines [DBP]) will not be required to remit any percentage of its annual net earnings last year to the national government.
WITH the backing of the European Union (EU), President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. said he expects the resolution of the existing territorial disputes in the South China Sea (SCS).
AT the behest of Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has certified as urgent a bill creating the country’s Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF).
Informal sector workers in the Visayas will soon benefit from the “full-cycle” assistance of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) that may enable them to work in the tourism sector.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. tackled cyber security, water management, defense technology transfer and government aid during his bilateral talks with five European countries in his recently concluded visit this week in Brussels, Belgium.
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. is pushing for a new compensation “agreement” between the countries vulnerable to the effects of climate change like the Philippines with the European Union (EU).
Marcos said the accord will lead to the implementation of the financing from the EU to help countries cope with climate change.
“I have brought it up with the EU and I’ve said that this is an important issue, especially for the Philippines and for many, many other countries. But again, it’s the work that we have ahead of us to be able to come to some kind of agreement as to what damage and loss actually means,” Marcos said in a press conference in the ASEAN-EU Commemorative Summit in Belgium last Wednesday.
Among the issues, which should be ironed out for the compensation scheme is how the climate change related damages will be computed and which countries should pay for it, according to Marcos.
Currently, he noted while the EU is willing to provide aid related to climate change it still lacks the guidelines to enforce it.
“I sense that there is a willingness for the developed countries to participate and to help in mitigation, to help in adaptation for those countries like the Philippines, most of the countries around ASEAN that are very vulnerable, there’s a willingness to help but how to provide that help is still a question that we cannot definitively answer,” Marcos explained.
During the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Egypt last month, compensation for the poor countries, which are being devastated by climate change, was discussed.
However, most countries were reluctant to contribute to the compensation fund.
“That is why a lot of work has to be done,” Marcos said.
Aside from financial aid, Marcos earlier said he hopes the EU will also facilitate “green technology transfer” to allow more countries to reduce their carbon emissions.
THE government is planning to use the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) for projects that aim to address the country’s “power crisis and agricultural needs.”
While the proposed Association of Southeast Asian Nations-European Union (Asean-EU) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is still pending, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said both regional blocs are eyeing to roll out a new trade and investment program next year to boost economic cooperation.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. secured a P4.7 billion investment commitment from multinational consumer goods company Unilever.
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is pushing to strengthen the country’s bilateral relations with Belgium with a new Joint Action Plan.
PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. said he hopes the country’s human rights compliance will not affect its status under the European Union (EU) Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+).
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday said he is backing the proposed legislation creating the controversial Maharlika Wealth Fund (MWF), now renamed Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) in the latest version of the House bill.
In an interview with the media during his flight bound for Belgium for the Association of Southeast Asian Nation-European Union (ASEAN-EU) Commemorative Summit this week, Marcos said the Fund will help the government to make more investments in critical sectors.
The Department of Finance (DOF) earlier said the MIF can bring in investments in infrastructure projects and countryside development, particularly in agriculture.
“It’s very clear that we need added investment. This is another way to get that,” Marcos said.
He issued the statement amid concerns raised by business groups on the proposal, which could affect the country’s credit standing.
It also drew opposition from labor groups, who were against the provision of the bill creating the MWF, House Bill (HB) 6398, since it initially required the Social Security System (SSS) and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) to contribute to the fund.
Such provision tapping into pension funds was later scrapped from the current version of the measure.
The lawmakers pushing for the creation of the MIF said it will help the government achieve fiscal stability, and strengthen top-performing government financial institutions.
Marcos urged the public to defer their judgement on the MWF until Congress completes the final version of its bill for its creation.
“Let’s not debate until we see the final form because we could be debating about provisions that will no longer exist. So let us wait what the legislature will do,” the President said.
He called on lawmakers to make sure the final version of the bill will be “perfect” so it can withstand public scrutiny. —
A LABOR group slammed the proposed P500 budget “Noche Buena Package” by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), calling it an insult to workers who are now struggling to cope with high inflation.
GOVERNMENT officials and workers could face sanctions if they accept any gifts amid the Christmas holidays, according to the Civil Service Commission (CSC).
LABOR groups are now eyeing to meet with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. by next month before the arrival of the International Labor Organization (ILO) high level tripartite mission (HLTM) in the country.
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. vowed to push for Philippine interest as the country coordinator of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) with the European Union (EU) during the summit of both regional blocs this week in Brussels, Belgium.
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is eyeing to secure at least P6.2 billion worth of investments and hold 10 bilateral talks during his trip to Belgium next week for the European Union-Association of Southeast Asian Nation (EU-ASEAN) Commemorative Summit.
SINGAPORE—International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo has vowed to ensure the fairness of the high-level tripartite mission (HLTM) which will look into alleged rampant labor rights violations in the country next month.
