Persons with Disability (PWDs) have persistently expressed their need for inclusion and to be given equal footing in society. Recognizing the Constitutional mandate to protect their rights, the government enacted Republic Act (RA) Nos. 9442 and 10754, also known as The Magna Carta for Persons with Disability and An Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of Persons with Disability (PWD). The main objectives of these laws are to provide PWDs with the opportunity to participate in mainstream society and to support their total well-being.

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) has sounded out the Senate on a plan to reduce the cash transfer budget for 2020 and shifting the funds to a program to provide relief to retrenched workers.

REPRESENTATIVE Jose Ma. S. Salceda, who chairs the House Ways and Means committee, said he does not support the continuation of taxes based on Gross Income Earned (GIE), calling it a source of abuse and adding momentum to the government’s bid to end GIE tax incentives enjoyed by economic zone locators.

SPEAKER Alan Peter S. Cayetano said Tuesday that the House is considering possible augmentations to the budget for the energy, education, and health sectors.

CUSTOMS BROKERS said they reject any attempts by the government to pin blame on them for corruption at the Bureau of Customs, with the industry saying it will “fight” to defend the livelihood of its nearly 12,000 licensed members and proposed instead that Malacañang focus on modernizing the bureau’s systems.

THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said the fisheries industry’s performance in the third quarter will be “fair to good,” with the aquaculture sector expected to take up any slack should ocean fisheries show any weakness.

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has obtained $280-million worth of funding from the World Bank to implement the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP).

DAVAO CITY -- The Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry has called on government to implement measures to prevent the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) to Mindanao.

THE nickel industry’s ability to supply high-grade products will be key to exploiting the market opportunity resulting from Indonesia’s nickel ore export ban, the mining regulator said.

THE gaming regulator said online gaming firms that evade taxes could face cancellation of their licenses and labor inspections, among other measures.

THE rush to reclaim land represents a failure to nurture vibrant communities in older and often historic parts of the Manila Bay area, heritage and conservation advocates said.

THE government has not yet identified the farmers who dumped dead pigs found in a major Metro Manila river but warned hog raisers that disposing of dead animals in waterways is illegal and facilitates the spread of diseases like African Swine Fever (ASF).