World Bank economist: No risk of debt distress for Philippines, Asean
Despite Chinese debt trap fears, Asean countries including the Philippines would unlikely have difficulty settling their obligations, an economist of the Washington-based multilateral lender World Bank said Wednesday.
— Inquirer.net
Philippines considering making Pag-asa Island protected area
Pag-asa Island, an island in the middle of a diplomatic row between the Philippines and China, may one day become a “marine protected area” under Philippine laws.
— Rappler
WB: $1.90/day poverty gauge no longer suitable for PHL
MEASURING a country’s progress in poverty reduction using the global poverty threshold of $1.90 per day may no longer be advisable, especially for lower- and middle-income countries like the Philippines, according to the World Bank.
— Business Mirror
Duterte May Discuss Buying Chinese Arms With Xi At BRI Summit – Defense Undersecretary
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte may discuss purchasing Chinese military equipment during his talks with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, on the sidelines of the upcoming Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, the Philippine defense undersecretary, Cardozo M. Luna, told Sputnik in an interview.
— Spratly Islands
PH not scrapping tax perks, gov’t tells Japan investors
The head of the Duterte administration’s economic team has assured businessmen from Japan’s Kansai region that the pending second tax reform package aimed at rationalizing investors’ fiscal perks would be beneficial to both the government and the business sector.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer
German firms eye taking part in ‘Build, Build’ – business group
German firms are keen on participating in the government’s infrastructure projects, an official of the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) said on Wednesday.
— ABS-CBN News (video)
Fitch cuts Philippine economic growth forecasts for 2019, 2020
A combination of external risks and domestic politics prompted debt watcher Fitch Ratings to trim its economic growth forecasts for the Philippines.
— Rappler
No more sign of life from collapsed Pampanga supermarket, police say
Police on Wednesday said rescuers failed to detect any sign of life from a supermarket in Porac, Pampanga, north of Manila, which collapsed during a strong earthquake Monday afternoon.
— CNN Philippines
41 provinces reel from drought
The state weather bureau said 41 provinces had been hit by drought this month even if the El Niño had weakened.
— The Manila Times
BIR issues draft rules on estate tax amnesty
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) yesterday released the draft implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the estate tax amnesty program, a measure seen to give taxpayers a one-time opportunity to clear up their estate tax liabilities.
— The Philippine Star
Regional wage board OKs P500 wage hike for Western Visayas HSWs
HOUSEHOLD service workers (HSWs) in Western Visayas will be enjoying an additional income next month.
— Business Mirror
Philippine e-commerce to get boost from BSP’s eased digital payment rules
Digital commerce in the Philippines is expected to receive a major boost after the central bank released the first set of rules that make it easier for banks and other parties to register as electronic payment operators.
— Inquirer.net
President Duterte arrives in Beijing for four-day visit
President Duterte has arrived in Beijing, China for a four-day visit amid cold and rainy weather, making his fourth visit to the Asian giant since 2016.
— Manila Bulletin
After Sri Lanka Bombings, Philippine Military Prepares to Stop Similar Attacks
In the wake of the Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka that killed nearly 360 people, Philippine military officials said they had received an intelligence report pointing to potential similar plots, while Asian neighbors moved to increase security around possible targets.
— Benar News
MWSS imposes P1-billion sanction on Manila Water over water shortage
The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System has imposed a sanction of more than P1 billion on Manila Water over the water shortage that grappled its customers in March.
— Eagle News
WB, ADB to work closely on dev’t aid
The World Bank has responded to the Philippines’ call for the institution to closely coordinate its efforts and explore complementarities with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to more efficiently and effectively deliver development assistance and aid to countries in the Asia-Pacific region, the Department of Finance (DOF) said.
— Malaya
Philippines’ first hybrid train makes inaugural run
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) officially launched its hybrid electric train (HET) – the first train to be built by Filipinos – through an inaugural run from the Philippine National Railways’ (PNR) Alabang Station to Biñan station on Wednesday, April 24.
— Rappler
Chinese textile firm commits to invest in Cagayan ecozone
A Chinese textile manufacturing company is set to sign an investment deal in Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport.
— Manilastandard.net
Manila set to block Chinese bidders from largest shipyard
The Philippine government is set to exclude Chinese bidders from acquiring the country’s largest shipyard, situated at the entrance to the highly sensitive South China Sea, amid concerns over Beijing’s growing military presence in the region and its potential threat.
— Spratly Islands
Luzon grid on red alert for 3rd straight day
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) raised the red alert over the Luzon grid for the 3rd straight day on Wednesday, April 24.
— Rappler
Philippine hunger rate drops in Q1 2019 — SWS
An estimated 2.3 million families experienced involuntary hunger at least once in the last three months, the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey revealed.
— Inquirer.net
Trudeau urged to act fast on Duterte’s ‘ultimatum’ over Canadian trash
The Eco-Waste Coalition has urged Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to act fast on President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent statement over illegal garbage exports from Canada that have yet to be returned to its origin.
— GMA News
Facebook to train 1M Filipinos on ‘positive and safe’ online culture
SOCIAL MEDIA giant Facebook has brought to the Philippines a localized version of its global literacy program We Think Digital, aiming to conduct online and in-person training sessions for a million Filipino netizens by end-2020 to “develop skills that enable Filipinos to create a positive and safe culture online.”
— BusinessWorld Online
PHL urges China for ‘mutual self-restraint’ in South China Sea to avoid conflict–envoy
The Philippines, through diplomatic discussions, has enjoined China to practice mutual self-restraint in the South China Sea to avoid miscalculations and any conflict amid the two countries’ territorial dispute, according to Philippine Ambassador Jose Santiago Sta. Romana on Wednesday.
— GMA News
Negosyo Centers help provide ease in doing business, processes
As its name suggests, a Negosyo Center served as a vital link for the business-minded, offering information on what best to invest and facilitating business-related procedures.
— Philippine Information Agency
China assures PH it won’t occupy Pag-asa Island
China assured the Philippines it would not occupy the Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea despite reports that Chinese militia vessels had swarmed the island, the Philippines top envoy in Beijing said Wednesday.
— Inquirer.net
NAIA Consortium submits updated proposal ahead of April 30 deadline
A consortium made up of 7 of the country’s top conglomerates submitted an updated proposal to rehabilitate the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), ahead of the April 30 deadline set by the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
— Rappler
Filipino ‘co-owner’ of Thailand-based firm nabbed for fraud
Like most Filipino workers, Melinda (not her real name) arrived in Thailand from Dubai in August 2018 as a tourist. She was also tourist in Dubai.
— Inquirer.net
Davao takes twin hits
Two earthquakes hit Davao on Wednesday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported, even as it warned the public to prepare for powerful aftershocks that could follow the quake that rocked Luzon Monday.
— Manilastandard.net
Workers not allowed to evacuate during earthquake ‘can file complaints’
Workers who were not allowed to evacuate from their offices when a magnitude 6.1 earthquake jolted Luzon on Monday, April 22, may file complaints with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said on Wednesday, April 24.
— Rappler
Filipinos get a glimpse of their ruined city; Chinese get the contract
Approaching her house for the first time since militants took over the neighborhood, evidence of a disaster unfolded around Haydee Dimalawang: the word “ISIS” spray-painted on the door of the family’s completely stripped car, walls gouged by bullets, a kitchen ripped in half by a mortar shell.
— ABS-CBN News
Fitch Ratings eyes stabilization of PH budget deficit
Fitch Ratings forecasts stabilization of the Philippine government’s budget gap at 3.2 percent of domestic output this 2019.
— Philippine News Agency
Int’l media fellowship to feature zero waste project in Dumaguete
The best practices on environmental protection of three pilot areas of the Zero Waste Cities Project here will be among the highlights of a four-day media fellowship of international journalists to be held April 27 to 30 in this capital city of Negros Oriental province.
— Philippine News Agency
Post-quake cracks prompt NBI to evacuate top floors at Manila office
Some 300 employees of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) were told to leave their offices at the third, fourth and fifth floors of its headquarters in Manila on Wednesday due to the cracks caused by the earthquake that struck on Monday.
— GMA News
Philippines: Basilan to set up 1,000-hectare banana farm
Local organisations are very happy with the setting up of the first ever 1,000-hectare Cavendish banana farm near Lamitan City, in the province of Basilan.
— Fresh Plaza
Mrs. EcoPH advocates single use plastic awareness starts at home
Mrs. ECO Philippines 2019 Shiela Teodoro – DeForest joins Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club (BCBC) President Jordan Tablac (left) of Bombo Radyo and the 2019 Baguio – Benguet Lucky Summer Visitors in a tree planting activity during the BCBC Easter Sunday Family Day.
— Philippine Information Agency
SC urged to compel Comelec compliance with ruling for vote receipts
A poll watchdog has asked the Supreme Court to compel the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to comply with a 2016 ruling for the activation of the Voter Verification Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) feature of vote-counting machines.
— GMA News
DND on Duterte’s travel warning for Zamboanga: It’s his way of looking out for tourists’ safety
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Wednesday said President Rodrigo Duterte’s statement wherein he urged tourists not to travel to Zamboanga was the chief executive’s way of looking out for the safety of tourists visiting the Philippines.
— GMA News
What do Maria Ressa, Glenn Close, and Taylor Swift have in common?
Over at Rappler, we’ve long known that our CEO and Executive Editor Maria Ressa is something else. But she definitely upped the cool ante this week, when she attended the Time 100 Gala .
— Rappler
Leader’s 9-year push makes state’s Fil-Am History Month permanent
State lawmakers passed a bill on Wednesday, April 17 declaring October Filipino-American History Month, thanks to a local Filipino American community leader who spent 9 years pushing for the designation.
— Inquirer.net
DA, DTI cooperate to fix sugar supply, price woes
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday said it would coordinate with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to resolve supply and price regulation issues hounding the local sugar.
— The Manila Times
PHL trusts China but envoy sees need to build capability for deterrence
The Philippine government trusts China to keep its word as regards their overlapping claims in the West Philippine Sea but Ambassador to China Jose Santiago Sta. Romana on Wednesday raised the need to build its capability in terms of deterrence.
— GMA News
Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao quakes not related – Phivolcs
The earthquakes that struck Zambales in Luzon, Eastern Samar in Visayas, and Davao Oriental and Davao Occidental in Mindanao over the last three days were not related, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Wednesday.
— Inquirer.net
China willing to investigate poaching of giant clams in South China Sea » Manila Bulletin News
China is prepared to investigate the alleged illegal harvesting of giant clams by local vessels in the disputed South China Sea. According to Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago Sta.
— Spratly Islands
Swaying high-rise condos amid earthquake scares residents
Being on the 18th floor of a condominium unit while a magnitude 6.1 earthquake is rocking Central Luzon and Metro Manila is a terrifying experience.
— GMA News
Consuelo Bridge in Pampanga now open to all types of vehicles
The Consuelo Bridge in Floridablanca town, which was damaged by the 6.1-magnitude earthquake, is now open to all types of vehicles.
— Philippine News Agency
Duterte lauds HUDCC for ‘sturdy’ housing units in Marawi City
MANILA — President Rodrigo R. Duterte commended the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) for building resilient housing units for the victims of Marawi siege in 2017.
— Philippine News Agency
70 former rebels, supporters receive E-CLIP benefits
Seventy former New People’s Army (NPA) and Militia ng Bayan (MB) members received more than P1 million-worth of assistance and benefits from the government for joining anew mainstream society.
— Philippine Information Agency
To avoid summer diseases, stay hydrated – DOH
To avoid catching summer-induced diseases, the Department of Health (DOH) advises residents to keep hydrated and take vitamins. Common summer diseases are sore eyes, flu, diarrhea, heat stroke, rabies and various skin diseases.
— Philippine Information Agency
Huawei biggest sponsor in PNP’s anti-cybercrime summit
As it deals with controversies, technology giant Huawei continues to broaden its presence in the Philippines, tapping the anti-cybercrime team of the country’s national police as a partner.
— Rappler
DTI tightens monitoring of construction materials
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) intensified its monitoring of the quality of construction materials following the magnitude 6.1 earthquake in Luzon.
— Rappler
[ANALYSIS] ‘The Matrix’ and Duterte’s tomfoolery
Ms. Ellen Tordesillas , who, strangely enough, now finds herself in the middle of a so-called “plot to oust Duterte,” makes a really strong case about the state of the government’s intelligence services.
— Rappler
SLIDESHOW: Earthquake leaves Aeta community in ruins
An Aeta village in Porac, Pampanga was left in ruins following the 6.1-magnitude earthquake last April 22.
— ABS-CBN News
Study: 8 of 10 Pinoy kids choose internet over TV
Eight out of every 10 children in the Philippines would rather have internet access over television, according to a study.
— ABS-CBN News
BI boosts campaign against fake overseas employment certificates
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) bolstered its campaign against the proliferation of fake overseas employment certificates (OECs) by fielding additional personnel to screen documents of departing overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
— Philippine News Agency
Nat’l Youth Day opens in Cebu; archbishop welcomes 15k participants
Cebu Archbishop Jose S. Palma on Wednesday welcomed some 15,000 delegates and participants to the National Youth Day 2019 in a millennial-themed message he delivered during the opening program at the Cebu City Sports Center here.
— Philippine News Agency
Feature photo Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines
This week’s Philippines morning news feature photo acknowledges World Intellectual Property Day, April 26.
Find our previous morning news feature photos in the AEC News Today Morning News Feature Photos gallery where you will find a pictorial display of daily life throughout the Asean Economic Community (AEC).
Philippines morning news by AEC News Today is your one stop source for Philippines news on matters of governance and policies affecting Asean business communities. It is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.
Philippines morning news for April 25 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on
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Stella-maris Ewudolu
Between November 2010 and February 2012 she was a staff writer at Daylight Online, Nigeria writing on health, fashion, and relationships. From 2010 – 2017 she worked as a freelance screen writer for ‘Nollywood’, Nigeria.
She joined AEC News Today in December 2016.
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