Latest news with #VAL
GMA Network
29 minutes ago
- Business
- GMA Network
BSP pegs July inflation to slow down to 0.5%-1.3%
Philippine monetary authorities are expecting that the country's inflation rate cooled down last month amid the continued contraction in rice prices. In its month-ahead forecast, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said it projects July 2025's inflation rate to settle within the 0.5% to 1.3% range. The central bank's projection for last month's inflation print is lower compared to the 1.4% rate seen in June. 'Upward price pressures for the month are likely to be driven by higher meat and vegetable prices partly due to unfavorable weather conditions, increased electricity rates, elevated domestic fuel costs, and the depreciation of the peso,' the BSP said. 'These price pressures, however, could be partially offset by the continued decline in rice prices,' the central bank said. The BSP said it will continue to monitor developments affecting the outlook for inflation and growth in line with its data-dependent approach to monetary policy decision-making. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
an hour ago
- Health
- GMA Network
Marcos: Small cities, municipalities priority in patient transport vehicles distribution
President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. said Friday that the government would prioritize giving patient transport vehicles (PTVs) to smaller cities and municipalities in support of their health projects. Marcos made the remark during the distribution of patient transport vehicles in Dipolog City. ''At inuna namin – hindi namin muna pinarioritize (prioritize) 'yung malalaking lungsod, the big cities because usually mayroon na silang mga facilities. Hindi urgent. Iyong mga maliliit ang inuna namin. Inumpisahan natin fourth, fifth, sixth class na municipality. Then slowly we'll work our way back,'' Marcos said. (We did not prioritize the big cities because they usually have the facilities. It's not urgent. We prioritize the small ones. We started with the fourth, fifth, and sixth class municipalities. Then slowly we'll work our way back.) According to the President, the government, through the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, has already distributed 1,067 PTVs since June 2022. He said this would continue as his administration intends to provide ambulances to all local government units by the end of the year. The PCSO allocated P1 billion in 2025 to procure 395 more PTVs for requesting local government units and national government agencies. A total of 106 PTVs will be distributed to various cities and municipalities across the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Lanao del Sur and Isabela City in Basilan —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
3 days ago
- General
- GMA Network
AFP launches 'HEROES' program for veterans
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has launched the Helping Every Retiree Obtain Enhanced Services (HEROES) program, a new initiative that reinforces the military's enduring commitment to its veterans and retired personnel. Designed to enhance responsive communication, support services, and partnership engagements, the HEROES Program aims to uphold the welfare and dignity of AFP retirees who once served the country in uniform. 'The HEROES Program is more than a service initiative. It is a solemn promise that even after retirement, our heroes remain at the heart of the institution,' said AFP Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Rommel P. Roldan 'We will continue to support them with dignity, compassion, and unwavering respect.' The program reflects the AFP's recognition that service to the nation does not end with retirement, and that gratitude for the sacrifices of veterans must 'transcend time.' Through HEROES, the AFP commits to sustaining its engagement with retirees and delivering quality post-service support that recognizes their role in national defense and peacebuilding. 'We aim to ensure that they continue to receive the support and care they deserve,' the AFP said in a statement. VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
3 days ago
- GMA Network
Fake optometrist nabbed in Manila
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Tuesday said that it has arrested an individual for practicing optometry without a license in Manila. The NBI said the suspect was nabbed in an entrapment operation at an optical center in the city on July 17. An agent posed as a patient and was attended by the subject. The NBI agents immediately arrested him after handing him the marked money. The suspect underwent inquest for violation of the Revised Optometry Law of 1995 and Falsification by Private Individuals and Use of Falsified Documents. The NBI said the operation stemmed from a complaint filed with the bureau on June 29. –Joahna Lei Casilao/ VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Thousands of teachers to be promoted under new career progression plan —DepEd
Thousands of public school teachers are set to receive long-awaited promotions this year under the Department of Education's (DepEd) expanded career progression system. According to Education Secretary Sonny Angara, the move is part of sweeping reforms to recognize the vital role of educators and ease long-standing burdens that have affected their morale and productivity. 'We began by operationalizing the expanded career progression system, and there are thousands who will be promoted this year,' Angara said at the launch of the QBEDP 2025–2035 on Tuesday. The initiative is accompanied by several teacher-focused measures, including the doubling of the teaching supplies allowance, an increase in salary subsidies even for private school teachers, and the creation of 20,000 new teaching positions. To reduce non-teaching workload, DepEd also hired 10,000 administrative officers. 'We provide them relief, we lighten the load, led by our beloved President (Marcos),' Angara said. The career progression system introduces more flexible promotion tracks, allowing teachers to move up in rank based on classroom performance and subject expertise —not just through supervisory roles. During his speech, Angara also lauded Marcos for highlighting teachers' welfare during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, where the President vowed to institutionalize reforms such as compensation for overtime work and teaching overload, alongside nationwide digitalization efforts in education. 'The President emphasized not only our duty to educate but also our duty to care for those who educate,' Angara said. For years, teachers' groups have raised concerns over unpaid overtime and the mounting volume of paperwork that detracts from instructional time. Responding to these concerns, Marcos said his administration had already removed nearly 100 non-teaching requirements previously imposed on teachers, with the remaining documentation soon to be automated. DepEd's new career system and support measures form part of the larger QBEDP 2025–2035, a ten-year roadmap designed to overhaul basic education in the Philippines and ensure that no teacher is overburdened and no learner is left behind. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
