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GMA Network
11 hours ago
- Business
- GMA Network
Economy council okays 10-year extension of Maynilad, Manila Water concession deals
The extension is expected to generate additional government revenues amounting to P50.3 billion, according to the Economic Planning Department. The Economy and Development (ED) Council, formerly known as the NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority) Board, has approved the 10-year extension of the concession agreements with Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Company Inc. In a statement, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) said the ED Council, chaired by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., held its inaugural meeting on June 18. During its inaugural meeting, the ED Council approved the request of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) to extend the Revised Concession Agreements of the two major water service providers. The move aims to ensure sustained access to safe, reliable, and affordable water for Metro Manila and surrounding provinces, according to the DEPDev. The CA extension —from July 31, 2037, to January 21, 2047—aligns the contracts with the legislative franchises of both concessionaires, as mandated by Republic Act (RA) Nos. 11600 and 11601. The DEPDev said the extension is expected to accelerate capital investments, minimize tariff pressures, and secure a long-term water supply. It is also projected to generate additional government revenues amounting to P50.3 billion, according to the Economic Planning Department. 'Ensuring water security is fundamental to fostering economic growth and improving the quality of life for our growing population," ED Council vice chairperson and Economics Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said. "By aligning the concession agreements with legislative franchises, we are promoting policy coherence and long-term investment planning in the water sector, which are essential for delivering clean, reliable, and affordable water services to millions of Filipinos,' he added. Apart from the extension of the water concession deals, the ED Council also approved two new infrastructure projects, which would be financed through Official Development Assistance (ODA). One of the approved projects is the P27.7-billion Farm-to-Market Bridges Development Program of the Department of Agriculture. Under the program, the DA aims to construct 300 climate-resilient modular steel bridges across 52 provinces in 15 regions. 'By improving physical connectivity in farming and fishing communities, the Farm-to-Market Bridges Development Program addresses persistent infrastructure gaps that limit market access, increase post-harvest losses, and hinder rural productivity," Balisacan said. "It also aims to uplift rural incomes and improve food logistics, particularly in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas,' he added. The ED Council also approved the P5.1-billion Liloan Bridge Construction Project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The project involves constructing a four-lane, 721-meter bridge connecting Panaon Island to mainland Leyte, replacing the deteriorated existing structure. The bridge project is expected to improve mobility and access for residents and travelers in the municipalities of Liloan, San Francisco, Pintuyan, and San Ricardo, while stimulating local economic activity and job creation in the region. 'The inaugural meeting of the Economy and Development Council sets the tone for a more integrated and responsive approach to development planning and investment programming," Balisacan said. "By strengthening water resources, agricultural productivity, and infrastructure connectivity, we aim to unlock greater economic opportunities and foster inclusive growth for more communities across the country," he added. The ED Council was established following the enactment of RA No. 12145, also known as the Economy, Planning, and Development Act, which took effect on April 27. The newly reorganized council retained the original members of the NEDA Board and added the Secretaries of the Department of Health, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and Department of Labor and Employment as new members. RA No. 12145 reorganized the National Economic and Development Authority or NEDA into the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development. –NB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
10-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
13 Senate bets, 41 political, party-lists already filed SOCEs —Comelec
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) reported that 13 senatorial candidates and 41 party-lists and political organizations have submitted their Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCEs) for Eleksyon 2025, two days before the deadline. Data from the Comelec showed that as of June 9, 13 out of 66 senatorial bets for the May 12 polls complied with the filing of SOCEs. Meanwhile, six political parties and 35 party-list groups submitted their SOCEs ahead of the June 11 deadline. The 13 senatorial candidates are: Victor D. Rodriguez Norberto B. Gonzales Willie Ong France Castro Vicente C. Sotto III Angelo de Ablan Ronaldo Jerome Adonis Phillip R. Salvador Jesus V. Hinlo Jr. Raul Lambino Bam Aquino Arlene Brosas Leandro Verceles The political groups are as follows: Ang Katipunan Para sa Pag-Angat at Pagyabong ng Bayan (AKAY) Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas (PDSP) Bigkis Pinoy Movement Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS) Katipunan ng Kamalayang Kayumanggi (KTPNAN) United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) The following party-lists have also submitted their SOCEs: Abono Partylist API Partylist 1PACMAN Partylist Manila Teachers Angat Partylist ACT Teachers Partylist Nanay Partylist Buhay Partylist Kabayan Partylist Tulungan Tayo Party DUMPER PTDA Partylist AKAY ni Sol BIDA Katagumpay SWERTE Partylist COOP NATCCO Anak Kalusugan Uswag Ilonggo Party-list Lungsod Aasenso, Inc. AIM Coop / One Coop Ako Bicol Partylist United Frontliners 1Tahanan 1Agila Partylist Bisaya Gyud Party-list A Teacher Partylist LINGAP Sulong Dignidad Epanaw Sambayanan Vendors Gabriela Women's Party Alona Puwersa ng Pilipinong Pandagat Ako Tanod Incorporated Bagong Pilipinas Arangkada Pilipino On Tuesday, poll chief George Erwin Garcia said the Comelec is expecting the other local and national candidates to submit their SOCEs before the end of the day or on Wednesday, June 11. He also reiterated that there will be no extension for the deadline for the filing period. 'Asahan nyo po na mamayang hapon hanggang bukas ay dadagsain ang Commission. Sa mga probinsya, lalo na sa local Comelec, ay dinadagsa na sa kasalukuyan at patuloy ang pagtanggap ng SOCE,' said Garcia. (We can expect that before the end of the day or by tomorrow, the candidates will file their SOCEs.) 'Hindi kami maggagawad ng extension sa atig filing ng SOCE. Huling araw po tomorrow and therefore, walang extension na ibibigay,' he added. (We will not extend the filing period.) National candidates and party-lists may lodge their SOCEs before the Comelec Political Finance and Affairs Department (PFAD) in Intramuros, Manila while local bets may submit their SOCEs at the local Comelec office where they filed their Certificate of Candidacy (COC). Local parties may lodge their SOCEs at the local poll body office where the party has constituency based on its registration and accreditation. Under Section 14 of Republic Act (RA) 7166 or the Synchronized Elections Act, every candidate or treasurer of a political party shall file in duplicate with the offices of the Comelec the 'full, true and itemized statement of all contributions and expenditures in connection with the election' within 30 days after the elections. Candidates who will not file SOCEs will be charged with an administrative offense and will be liable to pay a fine ranging from P1,000 to P30,000.00 at the discretion of the poll body, with the exemption of aspirants in the barangay level. For winning bets or political parties, failure to comply may also withhold their assumption of office. Section 13 of RA 7166 provides the limitation of authorized expenses of candidates and political parties. It states that candidates vying for presidency and vice-presidency shall spend P10 for every voter currently registered in the constituency where he filed his certificate of candidacy. Aspirants with political parties are allowed to spend P3 for every voter, while independent candidates are allowed up to P5 Political parties, for their part, are allowed up to P5 for every voter currently registered in the constituency or constituencies where they have official candidates.—VAL, GMA Integrated News For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.
GMA Network
27-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Comelec: Only few Eleksyon 2025 bets have filed SOCEs
Just a few local and national candidates in Eleksyon 2025 have so far filed their Statements of Contribution and Expenditures (SOCEs) with the Commission on Elections (Comelec), more than two weeks after the May 12 polls. Comelec Chairman George Garcia on Tuesday said, "Wala pa halos. Baka nagpapasa sila ng SOCE sa mga local Comelec pero sa national—whether party-list or Senado—wala pa halos nagfa-file sapagkat alam natin na hanggang June 11 ang filing," said poll chairperson George Erwin Garcia. (There are only a few candidates. Maybe some filed their SOCEs at the local Comelec offices but for the national bets, whether candidates for party-list or Senate, only a few have complied. We know that the filing deadline is on June 11.) Under Section 14 of Republic Act (RA) 7166 or the Synchronized Elections Act, every candidate or treasurer of a political party shall file in duplicate with the offices of the Comelec the "full, true and itemized statement of all contributions and expenditures in connection with the election" within 30 days after the elections, or until June 11, 2025. Candidates who fail to file their SOCEs will be charged with an administrative offense and will be liable to pay a fine from P1,000 to P30,000 at the discretion of the poll body, except for aspirants at the barangay level. For winning bets or political parties, failure to comply may also result in withholding the candidates' assumption of office. For his part, Garcia reminded Eleksyon 2025 bets—including those who withdrew their candidacies after February 11 for national posts or March 28 for local positions—to study their SOCEs to avoid election offenses. "Pinapa-remind natin ang lahat na sana pag-aralan nang mabuti ang SOCE na ifa-file nila. Alamin, tingnan mabuti, 'wag basta pipirma. Ibase lagi sa registered voters, hindi sa number of voters who actually voted sapagkat baka sumobra sa fina-file nila at therefore, makakasuhan sila ng kasong criminal," he said. (We want to remind candidates to study the SOCEs they intend to file. They should base it on registered voters and not the number of voters who actually voted because this may be filed with criminal cases.) "Violation ng SOCE rule and at the same time, puwedeng maging ground for perpetual disqualification para manungkulan, whether appointive or elective, lalo na at di sila makakapag file ng SOCEs," Garcia added. (That would constitute a violation of SOCE rules and may be used as ground for perpetual disqualification from public service, whether appointive or elective, especially if they fail to file SOCEs.) Section 13 of Republic Act (RA) 7166 provides the limitation of authorized expenses of candidates and political parties. It states that candidates vying for the presidency and vice-presidency shall spend P10 for every voter, while aspirants with political parties are allowed to spend P3 for every voter currently registered in the constituency where he or she filed his or her certificate of candidacy. Independent candidates, meanwhile, are allowed to spend up to P5 per voter. Political parties, for their part, are allowed up to P5 for every voter currently registered in the constituency or constituencies where it has official candidates. — VDV, GMA Integrated News For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.
The Star
14-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Marcos signs law strengthening childcare for kids ages 0-5
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed into law Republic Act (RA) No. 12199, which prioritizes early education, proper nutrition, and caring support for Filipino children ages zero to five. - Photo: PPA POOL MANILA: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed into law Republic Act (RA) No. 12199, which prioritises early education, proper nutrition, and caring support for children ages zero to five. Signed on May 8, RA No. 12199, or the 'Early Childhood Care and Development System Act,' the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the law was passed to 'implement the State's policy to safeguard and promote every child's right to holistic well-being, growth, and dedicated care.' The new law repealed RA No. 10410, otherwise known as the 'Early Years Act (EYA) of 2013.' Under RA No. 12199, the ECCD Council is assigned to care for children below age five, while the Department of Education (DepEd) oversees those aged five to eight, in line with the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013. The ECCD will then be institutionalised through multi-sectoral and interagency collaboration at the national and local levels in government with other stakeholders. 'The law aims to reduce child mortality, support all areas of child development, prepare young children for formal schooling, and establish early intervention systems for those with special needs,' the PCO said in a statement. RA No. 12199 lists the following as the ECCD Council's objectives: - Reduce infant and child mortality rates, and subsequently eliminate preventable deaths, by ensuring that adequate health and nutrition programmes are accessible to young children and their parents and parent-substitutes, from the prenatal period throughout the early childhood years; - Enhance the physical-motor, socio-emotional, cognitive, language, psychological, and spiritual development of infants and young children; - Facilitate a seamless transition to, and ensure that young children are adequately prepared for, the formal learning system that begins at kindergarten; - Establish an efficient system for early identification, prevention, referral, and intervention for the wide range of children with special needs below five years of age, using the Child Find System under Republic Act No. 11650; - Reinforce the role of parents and parent-substitutes as the primary caregivers and educators of their children, especially those below five years of age; - Improve the quality standards of public and private ECCD programmes through, among others, recognition and accreditation; and upgrade and update the capabilities of service providers and their supervisors through their continuing education, reskilling, and upskilling. - Ensure that special support is provided in the delivery of the ECCD programmes and services for the poor, disadvantaged, and minority communities, and that children with disabilities are accommodated through the most appropriate languages and means of communication, and in environments that maximize academic and social development; and - Employ teachers, including teachers with disabilities, who are qualified to manage young children with developmental delays and disabilities, and train professionals and staff who work at all levels of education. Meanwhile, local government units are mandated to play a key role in implementing ECCD programmes through their respective ECCD offices. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
Filipino Times
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Malacañang questions Bato's remark on hiding from ICC arrest
Malacañang has questioned the statement of Senator Bato de la Rosa, who said he is considering hiding if the International Criminal Court (ICC) issues a warrant of arrest against him. Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro enoted that Bato was once the chief of the Philippine National Police. 'Nakakapagtaka lamang po na siya ay dati pang PNP chief. Yan po ba ang gusto niya ring ipahihwatig sa taong bayan na kapag may warrant of arrest ay dapat magtago,' Castro said. She added that it is no wonder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy took time before surrendering or being arrested. Castro stressed that Malacañang does not agree with this kind of thinking and action. 'Hindi natin sinasangayunan ang ganung klase pong paniniwala at kanyang nais gawin. Hindi po ito makakabuti sa mga kababayan natin na mismo leader natin ay hindi haharapin ang kaso o complaint na naisampa o maisasampa laban sa kanya,' she explained. She also pointed out that Senator Bato seemed to distance himself from former President Duterte, recalling that he did not join Duterte's trip to Hong Kong. 'At hindi po ba sabi natin, parang siya nga yata ang medyo umiwan sa dating Pangulong Duterte, considering na hindi siya pumunta sa Hong Kong kasama sa kanila,' Castro said. 'Hindi po ba dapat ang kaibigan ay walang iwanan?' she added. If a warrant of arrest is issued, Castro confirmed that the Philippine National Police (PNP) would be required to assist the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) in finding Bato. She said that the government would still coordinate with Interpol, following Republic Act (RA) 9851. RA 9851 states that the Philippines can surrender or extradite individuals to international courts or other countries, even without an existing treaty. Castro cited retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio's explanation that the law allows surrender to the ICC when necessary.
