Gov’t universities sign on to terms of free tuition law
PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte on Wednesday witnessed the ceremonial signing of the memorandum of agreement (MoA) between the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) and state and local universities and colleges, thereby launching the implementation of Republic Act 10931, which provides for free tuition at these schools.
Unregistered cigarette-making machinery seized in BIR raids
THE BUREAU of Internal Revenue (BIR) has seized unregistered cigarette-making machinery in various locations as part of a broader crackdown on tax evasion in the tobacco industry, the Department of Finance (DoF) said.
No Sumitomo rehab proposal for MRT-3 — Transport dep’t
THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) clarified on Wednesday that Sumitomo Corp. did not offer to take charge of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) rehabilitation, though the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) remains the source of funding for the project.
DTI allows 90 days for ease of doing business IRR approval
THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it is fast-tracking the drafting of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the newly signed Ease of Doing Business law and has a 90-day timeline for its approval.
GSIS signals intent to continue funding infrastructure
THE Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) said it will continue to invest in private infrastructure projects after its current vehicle devoted to the sector committed nearly all of its funds to various investments.
Package 2 is under way!
By Noelie Kristine M. Tagle
“Get the tracks ready. I’m on my way.” -- Package 2
MB gearing up to tackle rising inflation, rapid economic activity
The Monetary Board (MB) is gearing up for its next rate-setting meeting given a “fairly complex” context of faster inflation and rapid economic activity,...
Central Visayas wage board okays P10-P20 hike — report
THE Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board has approved a P10-P20 increase in the minimum wage for Region VII, or the Central Visayas, Cebu newspaper The Freeman reported, citing a member of the board.
World Bank reiterates Cebu BRT is viable
THE World Bank has reiterated its view that it considers the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project to be feasible, amid calls by the Department of Transportation (DoTr) to cancel the project in favor of a railway system.
Full foreign ownership in utilities faces tough Senate debate amid federalism shift — legislator
THE chairman of the Senate energy committee has expressed concerns about a plan to grant full foreign ownership over power distribution and transmission as well as water services under a federal form of government as called for in a proposed constitutional change.
Gatchalian questions DoE plan for strategic oil reserve, imports
THE Energy department needs to clarify how much oil it plans to import from Russia and non-members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), a legislator said.
DENR considering Boracay single-use plastics ban
THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is considering a ban on single-use plastics in Boracay after finding that the heavy use of such products played a role in the resort island’s environmental deterioration.