logo
Marcos creates task force for PH hosting of Asia-Pacific scout jamboree

Marcos creates task force for PH hosting of Asia-Pacific scout jamboree

GMA Network2 days ago

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. has ordered the creation of an Inter-Agency Task Force, which will support the country's preparation, organization, and hosting of the 33rd Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Jamboree (APRSJ).
The Philippines, through the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, is set to host the 33rd APRSJ from December 14 to 21, 2025 at Kainomayan Scout Camp in Botolan, Zambales. The theme of the event is "Be Prepared: Scouts for Peace and Sustainable Development.''
Marcos' Administrative Order No. 33 states that the Task Force shall support the BSP in the formulation and implementation of programs, activities and projects, as well as in the organization and management of the requirements for the hosting of the 33rd APRSJ.
It will also ensure coordination and collaboration with other departments, bureaus, offices, agencies and instrumentalities of the government, including GOCCs and SUCs, regarding programs, activities and projects for the preparation, organization and hosting of the 33rd APRSJ.
The AO indicates that the amounts necessary for the implementation of the said order shall be charged against available appropriations of concerned agencies, subject to existing budgeting, accounting, and auditing laws, rules and regulations.
The APRSJ is a major scouting event in the Asia-Pacific region, which seeks to provide opportunity for scouts aged 12 to 17 to experience fellowship of world scouting in a fun and learning environment. —AOL, GMA Integrated News

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

PH's P16.75-T debt lower than Asian neighbors —DOF
PH's P16.75-T debt lower than Asian neighbors —DOF

GMA Network

time43 minutes ago

  • GMA Network

PH's P16.75-T debt lower than Asian neighbors —DOF

The Department of Finance (DOF) on Thursday reiterated that the country's rising sovereign debt remains at a sustainable level, noting that it is lower compared to its peers in the region. In a statement, the DOF said the national government's total outstanding debt of P16.75 trillion is 'relatively lower' than that of several countries in Asia. Citing the latest available data, the Finance Department said Japan's total debt was P485.94 trillion, Singapore's was P53.68 trillion, South Korea's was P46.89 trillion, Indonesia's was P31.37 trillion, and Thailand's was P17.73 trillion. Moreover, the DOF said it continues to manage the government's debt, bringing the debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio down below the post-pandemic internationally considered comfortable threshold of 70%. The Finance Department said when the Marcos administration came in 2022, it inherited a P12.79-trillion debt stock. Nearly half of it, or about P6.84 trillion, was due to efforts to boost state coffers for economic stimulus and response amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It surpassed the combined debt pile acquired by previous administrations (President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.'s P365 billion, President Corazon Aquino's P372 billion, President Fidel Ramos' P681 billion, President Joseph Estrada's P766 billion, President Gloria Arroyo's P2.40 trillion, and President Benigno Aquino III's P1.37 trillion). 'Despite inheriting the larger debt stock, the Department of Finance has already made improvements to the country's debt statistics by reducing the debt-to-GDP ratio to 60.7% in 2024 via a prudent debt management strategy,' the agency said. 'With the economy continuing to grow faster—reaching about P36.8 trillion in 2028—compared to its obligations, the country remains firmly on track to reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio to below 60% by the end of the President's term,' it added. As of the end of April this year, domestic debt continued to comprise the majority, or 69.2%, of the total debt stock, while external obligations accounted for 30.8%. 'Since a large chunk of the borrowing remains local, this means that the interest payments are being circulated back into the economy,' the DOF said. The Finance Department said the Marcos administration is adopting an 80:20 borrowing mix strategy in favor of domestic sources to support the development of local capital markets and mitigate foreign exchange risks. 'Moreover, 91.5% of the government's borrowing consists of fixed interest rates, which shields the country from sudden increases in interest and exchange rates,' it said. 'On the other hand, 81.3% of the country's borrowings have long-term repayment periods, creating ample fiscal space for the government to allocate funds to grow the economy,' it added. The DOF said that with intensified tax administration efforts, the government's tax collections continue to post double-digit increases, 'allowing the government to fund the President's priority programs and projects without imposing new taxes on the people and keeping debt growth well within sustainable levels.' For the first four months of the year, tax collections grew by double digits to 11.49%, reaching P1.43 trillion. The DOF expressed confidence that it would hit its collection targets for 2025. In particular, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) collected P1.11 trillion as of end-April, up 14.50% year-on-year. The Bureau of Customs (BOC), on the other hand, booked P306.1 billion in collections during the period, up 2.16% from a year ago. The DOF said the country's fiscal deficit has also been steadily narrowing, dropping to 5.7% of GDP in 2024 —from the pandemic peak of 8.6% in 2021, 7.3% in 2022, and 6.2% in 2023. 'This is on track to decline to about 3.8% by 2028,' the Finance Department said. 'The government's strict adherence to fiscal discipline has earned it a recent credit rating upgrade of A- from Japan's Rating and Investment Information Inc. (R&I) and an outlook upgrade to positive from S&P Global,' it said. The DOF said that securing a credit rating upgrade and affirmation signals high investor confidence in the Philippines' economic performance, increasing investor interest in Philippine bonds, and resulting in lower borrowing costs for the government. 'In return, these borrowings are reinvested into the economy through growth-enhancing investments, such as infrastructure, education, agriculture, health, and social services that produce more jobs for the Filipino people,' it said. —VBL, GMA Integrated News

JV Ejercito says Sara Duterte impeachment trial should proceed
JV Ejercito says Sara Duterte impeachment trial should proceed

GMA Network

time3 hours ago

  • GMA Network

JV Ejercito says Sara Duterte impeachment trial should proceed

Senator-elect JV Ejercito talks to media before attending the briefing for neophyte and returning senators of the 19th Congress on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at the Senate. Voltaire Domingo/Senate PRIB Senator JV Ejercito maintained Thursday that the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte should push through as the Senate is duty-bound to conduct the proceedings despite other lawmakers' efforts to block it. Ejercito, however, clarified that even if he is pushing for the impeachment trial to start, it does not necessarily mean that he wants a conviction for Duterte. He said the proceedings would give the Vice President a chance to clear her name. "Whether I am for it or not for it is irrelevant. The Senate is duty-bound to convene the impeachment court, according to our Constitution. Kumbaga ano namin 'yan, responsibilidad namin 'yan (That is our responsibility)," he said. "Itutuloy naman 'tong impeachment eh, whether we like it or not. As I've mentioned, we are duty-bound. Sana matapos agad, so whatever the decision is, whatever the verdict is, I hope we can go back to our normalcy as soon as possible," he added. (This impeachment will continue, whether we like it or not. As I've mentioned, we are duty-bound. But I hope it ends soon, so whatever the decision is, whatever the verdict is, I hope we can go back to our normalcy as soon as possible.) He also said it would be up to the 20th Congress to decide if the impeachment trial would push through, stressing that the plenary will always be supreme. Imee wants dismissal Meanwhile, Senator Imee Marcos expressed belief that the impeachment case should be dismissed, citing concerns on the timing and validity of the transmission of the Articles of Impeachment from the House of Representatives to the Senate. "Dapat i-dismiss na ito kaagad dahil unang-una, hindi na talaga kaya matapos bago 'yung 19th Congress, may sariling rules ang Senado. Pero ang totoo, I have very serious concerns about the validity of the impeachment complaint arriving here in the Senate," said Marcos, the elder sister of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (This should be dismissed immediately because first of all, it really can't be finished before the 19th Congress ends as the Senate has its own rules. But the truth is, I have very serious concerns about the validity of the impeachment complaint arriving here in the Senate.) Marcos alleged that the House of Representatives "withheld" the complaints against the Vice President as these were filed in December 2024. However, she said the lower chamber only acted on it in February 2025. "Kung winithhold nila, aba'y sila pala ang nagpatagal nitong lahat (If they withheld the complaints, then they are the reason for the delay). Despite the lapse of two months, no action was taken to transmit to the Senate or refer any of the first three verified complaints," she said. "Para sa akin, kinakailangan alamin kung tama rin ang ginawa ng Kongreso. Sinasabi nila dinelay ng Senado. Ang akin, teka muna, sino ba talaga ang nag-delay niyan at ngayon violative na of the one-year ban on filing impeachment?" she added. (For me, it's important to know if Congress did the right thing. They are saying the Senate delayed the process. But wait, who was the one who delayed their action and now it is violative of the one-year ban on the filing of impeachment complaints?) Admin senators, too? Marcos also believes that efforts to derail Duterte's impeachment case do not only come from the Vice President's allies in the Senate, but even those allied with the administration. "Tuwing may panukala, lahat talaga tulong-tulong. Ganu'n talaga 'yun at walang kinalaman sa partido, sa Duterte 5, sa kung sinu-sino. Talagang lahat ay interesado," she said. (Whenever there are proposals, everyone really helps one another. That's just the way it is and it has nothing to do with any party, with the Duterte 5, or anyone else. Everyone is really interested.) "Mismo ang admin, sa palagay ko, interesado na mawalang bisa na 'yan kasi kinakabahan din na matalo," she continued. (I think even those allied with the administration are interested in dropping the case because they're afraid of losing.) Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa admitted Wednesday that he was behind the draft Senate resolution seeking to drop Duterte's impeachment trial. Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives on February 5, with over 200 lawmakers endorsing the complaint against her. She was accused of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the constitution, graft and corruption, and other high crimes. — VDV, GMA Integrated News

Marcos to look into economic implications of wage hike — Palace
Marcos to look into economic implications of wage hike — Palace

GMA Network

time10 hours ago

  • GMA Network

Marcos to look into economic implications of wage hike — Palace

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. will look into the economic implications of the proposed increase in the minimum wage hike for workers, Malacañang said Thursday. According to Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro, Marcos wants to provide what's best for the Filipino workers. ''Nais ng Pangulo na maibigay kung ano ang makakabuti sa manggagawang Pilipino,'' Castro said during a briefing. (The President wants to give the best for the Filipino workers.) With 171 yes votes, zero no votes, and one abstention, the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading the proposed measure granting a P200 increase in the daily minimum wage for workers in the private sector. The House version of the legislated wage hike offers a higher increase than the P100 approved by the Senate. The House and the Senate will have to reconcile the differences at the bicameral conference committee before transmitting the enrolled bill to Malacañang for President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s signature to become a law. Congress has until June 13 or the last session day to reconcile their differing versions of the wage hike measure and ratify the reconciled version for the bill to be ready for the President's signature. Otherwise, the measure has to be refiled in the next Congress. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store