Philippines morning news for December 16

Philippines morning news for December 16
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Philippines morning news

Davao Del Sur Hit by Earthquake with 6.9 Magnitude
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded a 6.9 magnitude quake in Davao Del Sur today, December 15, 2019 at 2:11 PM.
— Philippine News

Foreign debt rose 8.2% to hit record $82.7b in September
The country’s foreign debt stock increased by $6.3 billion or 8.2 percent to hit a record $82.77 billion as of end-September from $76.41 billion a year ago, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas show.
— Manilastandard.net

International tourist arrivals reach 1.1 billion in 9 months
Tourist arrivals to worldwide destinations reached 1.1 billion in the nine months ending September, the United Nations World Tourism Organization(UNWTO) said in a report.
— The Philippine Star

At least 1 dead in Davao del Sur earthquake
A 6-year-old girl was confirmed dead in the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Davao del Sur on Sunday afternoon, December 15.
— Rappler

Group wants jail time for refusal to give workers’ 13th-month pay
The country’s largest labor group wants to put in jail and slap a fine on employers who will not give employees their 13th-month pay, a benefit that is required by law.
— Business Mirror

BARMM earmarks P100 million for community, peace-building programs
The Bangsamoro local government ministry has earmarked a total of P100 million for 2020 community services and peace-building programs of the region’s cross-section police regional advisory council.
— The Philippine Star

Despite FIRe disruptions, 210K jobs to be created
AT least 210,000 jobs are still expected to be generated in the country despite the job displacements caused by new technologies and work schemes from the so-called fourth industrial revolution (FIRe), according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
— Business Mirror

Manila, Abu Dhabi eye investment protection deal
The Philippines and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are working on an agreement that will safeguard the investments of both economies, which the country’s trade chief expects will result in an influx of Emirati capital.
— Business Mirror

Philippine secures $623 million ADB loan
The Philippines has secured $623 million in additional loans from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to support the implementation of three projects, which will help the government increase employment, expedite infrastructure projects, and promote fair competition in the country.
— The Philippine Star

Robredo to release drug war report on Monday
Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo confirmed that she will release her report on the government’s drug war to the public on Monday, December 16.
— Manila Times

Lacson to manifest ‘dissenting vote’ on ratified P4.1-T budget
Senator Panfilo Lacson said on Saturday that he would express his dissenting vote on the P4.1 trillion 2020 national budget amid issues of “pork” when he discusses the ratified General Appropriations Bill (GAB) with his colleagues on Monday.
— GMA Network

Locsin calls ‘idiotic’ US Senate panel’s resolution vs PH officials
Foreign Secretary Teodoro “Teddyboy” Locsin Jr slammed as “idiotic” the resolution of a United States Senate committee calling for sanctions against Philippine government officials behind extrajudicial killings and Senator Leila de Lima’s detention.
— Rappler

What the Philippines’ CHR findings on polluters’ liability mean for loss and damage negotiations at COP25
The result of the landmark inquiry of the Philippines’ Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on climate change proved the role and liabilities of the world’s biggest carbon emitters in this global crisis.
— Rappler

2 water firms face bankruptcy over cancellation of agreements
The two private concessionaires of state-run Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System face bankruptcy if the government will pursue the cancellation of the extension of their concession agreements which will expire in 2022, a top executive said over the weekend.
— Manilastandard.net

Government releases P7.24 billion in GOCC subsidies
The national government granted P7.24 billion in subsidies to state-owned corporations in October, the bulk of which went to the National Food Authority (NFA) and Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), according to the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr).
— The Philippine Star

Filipino coffee farmers to undergo skills training via Indonesia-backed project
Kopiko maker PT Mayora Indah Tbk and the Indonesian government will support the training of 10 Filipino coffee farmers to increase their productivity, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).
— Business Mirror

Govt schedules talks with private sector to lift agribusiness sector
The government will consult with the stakeholders in the agribusiness community on Dec. 17 to get their inputs on the implementation of game-changing reforms in the sector, the Department of Finance said over the weekend.
— Manilastandard.net

Indian microlenders fuel growth of Philippine SMEs
The country’s micro, small and medium enterprises are benefiting significantly from the growing lending business by Indian nationals, according to Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce (Phil) Inc. president Rex Daryanani.
— The Philippine Star

PNP: Report on media personalities linked to drugs needs verification
The Philippine National Police on Sunday said they have not received any validated reports of media personalities being involved in illegal drugs.
— GMA Network

Lacson: Budget items sans clearly identified allocations still ‘pork’
Senator Panfilo Lacson on Sunday maintained that items in the proposed P4.1-trillion national budget for 2020 with without clearly identified allocations are still considered pork even if they are not made post-enactment.
— GMA Network

Alab Pilpinas pulls Q4 comeback to down Singapore
Alab Pilipinas rallied in the fourth quarter to turn back the Singapore Slingers, 90-83, in its first ASEAN Basketball League game at home on Sunday night at the Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Sports Complex here.
— Philippine News Agency

Senate to rush ‘sin’ tax increases ahead of break
THE MEASURE increasing excise tax imposed on alcohol products, electronic cigarettes and other vapor products may hurdle the Senate this week, a Senate leader said.
— BusinessWorld

PH re-elected to int’l maritime body
The Philippines has been re-elected as a member of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council under Category C for Biennium 2020 to 2021, during the 31st Session of the IMO Assembly at the IMO Headquarters in London on Nov. 29.
— Philippine News Agency

SAF prepared to go after drug lords
The Special Action Force (SAF) on Sunday welcomed a proposal to tap the elite unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to go after the high-value traffickers in the country.
— Philippine News Agency

LGUs to receive an additional P5.6-B under 2020 budget – solon
Local governments would receive an additional P5.6 billion next year as their 40 percent share in the annual proceeds from national wealth in their respective areas, Deputy Speaker Johnny Pimentel said Sunday.
— GMA Network

NGO bares plans to boost aid activities in vulnerable communities
A non-government organization (NGO) announced its plans to implement more projects that will assist and improve the social development of families and individuals frequently affected by disasters particularly those living in the vulnerable communities in the country.
— Philippine News Agency

Solon urges senators: Support House panel-approved Cha-cha reso
House Committee on Constitutional Amendments chair Rufus Rodriguez on Sunday urged senators to support the measure introducing amendments to the 1987 Constitution, particularly the provision mandating three senators for each of the nine regions.
— GMA Network

‘Disappointed’ Robredo hits PDEA’s Aaron Aquino for being two-faced
Vice President Leni Robredo said that she was “disappointed” over Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief Aaron Aquino’s insincerity when they were co-chairs of Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD).
— Rappler

House to consider new legislation regulating ride-share industry fares
A LEGISLATOR has filed a bill seeking to regulate the fare rates of Transport Network Companies (TNC) and Transport Network Vehicles Service (TNVS).
— BusinessWorld

Another powerful quake hits Mindanao region
A POWERFUL earthquake struck near the Philippine city of Davao on Sunday afternoon, the US Geological Survey said, hurting several people and damaging major buildings.
— BusinessWorld

Sison afraid of E0 70: AFP exec
Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chair Jose Maria “Joma” virtually admitted his defeat when he said that Executive Order 70 or the “whole nation approach” in ending the local communist armed conflict is the “most comprehensive obstacle to peace”.
— Philippine News Agency

2,000 kids in Bukidnon receive gifts
Two thousand children from different schools in Bukidnon received early Christmas gifts from GMA Kapuso Foundation Inc., Department of Education (DepEd), and the 8th Infantry Battalion (IB), 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, on November 26-December 15, 2019.
— Philippine Information Agency

Pinoys to witness partial solar eclipse after Christmas
A partial solar eclipse will be visible in the Philippines on December 26.
— Manila Times

Marawi-like attack won’t happen again – Sobejana
Despite the impending lifting of martial law in Mindanao, a high-ranking military officer yesterday said that an attack as destructive as the Marawi City siege in 2017 “will never happen again” as the strength of terrorists in the country has greatly diminished.
— Tempo

Battle won, war continues against extreme poverty
The Philippines won a major battle recently when it was reported that poverty incidence for a full year fell below 20 percent.
— Manila Times

DILG: Joma Sison ‘personally responsible’ for deadly E. Samar attack
The Deparment of the Interior and Local Government on Sunday said Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Joma Sison is personally responsible for an attack allegedly carried out by the New People’s Army in Borongan City, Eastern Samar last Friday.
— GMA Network

Maynilad could shut down following Duterte threat
THE Duterte administration’s threat to shorten the government’s concession agreements with Manila Water Co. Inc. (Manila Water) and Maynilad Water Services Inc. (Maynilad) could force Maynilad to close, a company executive said.
— Manila Times

Gov’t concludes talks with IAEA on integrated plan for nuclear power infrastructure in PH
The Philippines has recently concluded its week-long discussions with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to develop an integrated work plan for nuclear power infrastructure in the Philippines.
— Manila Bulletin

How home-grown tech firms and the Bayanihan spirit rescued the Philippines’ typhoon-hit farmers
When farmers in the highlands of La Trinidad, Benguet – 250km north of Manila – welcomed the new year, it was more with a whimper than a bang after a series of typhoons in the last few months of 2018 had repeatedly forced them to push back the harvest.
— South China Morning Post

Bilibid returnees die in Duterte administration blunders
In Malacañang on September 4, President Rodrigo Duterte issued a live television warning to heinous crime convicts who were previously released on good conduct time allowance (GCTA): surrender or be hunted.
— Rappler

Duterte hails PH troops bravery in fight vs. Abu Sayyaf
President Rodrigo Duterte has commended the wounded soldiers and policemen for their bravery to secure the country against the lawless acts perpetrated by Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), Malacañang said on Sunday.
— Philippine News Agency

PNP starts full alert status Sunday morning for holidays -Banac
The Philippine National Police on Sunday morning started to implement its full alert status to ensure the safety of the public as they celebrate the Christmas and New Year occasions.
— GMA Network

AFP gains upper hand in war vs. NPA in Caraga in 2019
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), particularly the Philippine Army, has gained upper hand in its campaign against the New People’s Army (NPA) in Caraga Region in 2019.
— Philippine News Agency

DOLE Project Angel Tree benefits 170 child laborers in Valencia
The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Valencia under its Public Employment Service Office (PESO) organized a gift-giving activity to the profiled and identified child laborers in the city.
— Philippine Information Agency

De Lima hits Panelo for criticizing US panel reso calling for her release
Senator Leila de Lima on Sunday, Dec. 15, slammed the Palace for criticizing a United States Senate panel passage of a resolution calling for her release.
— Eagle News

Vic Sotto says MMFF entry ‘Mission Unstapabol: The Don Identity’ ‘definitely different’ from past movies
Vic Sotto is back in the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) with Mission Unstapabol: The Don Identity, and as early as now, the actor is assuring viewers that the movie will be definitely different from his past movies.
— Rappler

Pangilinan hails House panel passage of measure taxing single-use plastics
Pushes for passage of his own measure in Senate -Senator Kiko Pangilinan has lauded a House of Representatives’ panel approval of a measure taxing single-use plastics, as he pushed for the passage of his own measure pending before the Senate.
— Eagle News

Poe reiterates call for single agency to handle water concerns
Senator Grace Poe has reiterated what she said was the need for the creation of a single agency that will address all the country’s water concerns, and called on government to continue to look for other sources of water.
— Eagle News

Public more fidgety about solons’ projects than authored laws -Imee
Lawmakers’ constituents are sometimes more concerned about the projects to be implemented in their districts rather than the laws their representatives have authored.
— GMA Network

234 new privates of 4ID vow to serve the people in NorMin, Caraga
A total of 234 strong youngsters who have undergone the rigid and vigorous Basic Military Training (BMT) and Jungle Warfare Mountain Operations Course (JWMOC) vowed to serve the people following their graduation at 4th Division Training School, Camp Osito Bahian, Malaybalay City Bukidnon, Saturday, December 14.
— Philippine Information Agency

Can one be pro-Filipino without being pro-Chinese?
The question was first prompted in me by an incident I gathered from a book by the late former vice president Salvador Laurel, A Child’s Footnote to History.
— Manila Times

DoH, legislators, and civil society organizations form first multi-sectoral coalition for healthy diet promotion
“More than just a call for this hand-holding initiative is a genuine call to improve our health outcomes from non-communicable diseases and to build a healthy nation,” said Dr. Rosalie Paje, division chief of the Lifestyle-Related Diseases Division of the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau (LRDD-DPCB) of the Department of Health (DoH) as she described the purpose and vision of the Healthy Diet Coalition during its first partners meeting held on October 25 at The Bayleaf Intramuros in Manila.
— Manila Times

At least 5 dead after truck and bus collide in Quezon
At least 5 people died and 33 were injured after a truck and a bus collided in Pagbilao, Quezon on Saturday, December 14.
— Rappler

PCOO releases PH quincentennial brand manual
The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) has released a “brand manual” that will serve as a guide for the next 500 days to the quincentennial commemoration of the world circumnavigation in 2021.
— Philippine News Agency

Metro commuting in 2019: The shortcomings of the motorcycle taxi pilot run
Earlier in 2019, popular motorcycle ride-hailing platform Angkas was allowed a 6-month pilot run to help determine if its kind is viable for public transportation.
— Rappler

Jobs for Pinoys in China, Canada: DOLE
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Saturday said it is looking to deploy Filipino workers to other countries.
— Philippine News Agency

Flood-weary Cagayanos treated to drone show
Thousands of Cagayanos took a respite from days of suffering due to floods last November and early this month when they were treated to a drone light show at the SM Downtown here on Saturday night.
— Philippine News Agency

Distressed Philippine Eagle rescued in Sarangani
Concerned residents rescued a distressed Philippine Eagle in the waters of Sarangani Bay while reportedly flying back to the shores on Friday.
— Philippine News Agency

60 MOIST students receive SPES salaries
Some 60 students of the Misamis Oriental Institute of Science and Technology (MOIST) received on 10 December their salaries for the work rendered under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES).
— Philippine Information Agency

Senior citizens in Maasin City receive social pension for 2019
For three straight days, Dec. 12 to 15, over three thousand elderlies in this city got a feel of merry Christmas as personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development regional office disbursed social pension funds in coordination with the city social welfare office.
— Philippine Information Agency

Borongan improvised bomb attack casualties now 3 dead, 15 hurt including 3 minors
The latest report from the Police Regional Office 8 states that it has recorded three fatalities, and 15 hurt, including civilians and children on the treacherous attack of more or less 50 suspected Communists-Terrorists Group (NPAs) on December 13, 2019, in Brgy. Libuton, Borongan City, Eastern Samar.
— Philippine Information Agency

Leyte soon to be declared insurgent-free
The Armed Forces of the Phillipines (AFP) will declare the Province of Leyte as insurgent-free next week.
— Philippine Information Agency

2 men found dead with faces wrapped in tape inside abandoned van in Cavite
The bodies of two unidentified men with their faces wrapped in tape were found in an abandoned white van in Noveleta, Cavite, on Friday afternoon, December 13.
— Rappler

Senate to push for HSA amendments before Christmas break – Sotto
Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Saturday said the Senate would try to pass amendments to the country’s Human Security Act as well as the Sin Tax Reform Bill before Christmas break.
— GMA Network

Davao City to send rescuers to quake-hit DavSur town
Villagers of Padada town in Davao del Sur who were affected by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake on Sunday will be given immediate assistance by the city government here, an official said Sunday evening.
— Philippine News Agency

Ex-PCGG chairman guilty of trying to influence CA justice brother
The Sandiganbayan found former Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) chairperson Camilo Sabio guilty of trying to pressure his brother regarding a pending case involving the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).
— Rappler

Bank exec sees Mindanao growth picking up in 2020
A bank official on Saturday said that there will be continuing growth for Mindanao and Davao in 2020 in terms of bank investments by Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW).
— Philippine News Agency

Zambo educators train on mushroom production
Educators of the Alternative Learning System (ALS) Continuing Education Program from Zamboanga del Sur will establish their own mushroom production site in the 2nd quarter of 2020, an official said on Saturday.
— Philippine News Agency

Ex-councilor’s brother shot dead in Bacolod
The elder brother of former Bacolod Councilor Ricardo “Cano” Tan was gunned down Sunday morning by two unidentified motorcycle-riding men in Barangay Estefania here.
— Tempo

San Clemente declares CPP-NPA as ‘persona non-grata’
The local government of San Clemente declared the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) as “Persona Non-Grata” or undesirable in the town.
— Philippine Information Agency

6 dead as van, bus collide in Quezon
At least six people died while more than 11 others were injured when a delivery van figured in a head-on collision with a passenger bus along a national highway in Pagbilao, Quezon, late Saturday afternoon.
— Tempo

Duterte hails bravery of wounded troops
President Duterte has commended wounded soldiers and policemen for their bravery to secure the country against the lawless acts perpetrated by Abu Sayyaf Group, Malacañang said yesterday.
— Tempo

Public urged to keep holiday revelries fire-free
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) regional office has shared tips to ensure safe, fire-free, and merry celebrations this holiday season.”
— Philippine News Agency

Combat ops vs NPA to continue even during peace talks – Lorenzana
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Sunday that the combat operations against the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) would continue even during peace negotiations.
— GMA Network

Careful review of water concession agreements needed – Robredo
Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday, December 15, favored a careful review of the country’s water concession agreements with Manila Water and Maynilad Water Services.
— Rappler

AFP inaugurates new training facilities in Camp O’Donnell
Armed Forces of the Philippines Peacekeeping Operations Center (AFPPKOC) and Joint United States Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG-Philippines) inaugurated Thursday two new training facilities in Camp O’Donnell. These include the Central Training Complex (CTC) and Mess Hall of Peacekeepers.
— Philippine Information Agency

D&L products help out firms amid possible single-use plastics ban
Food and plastic input manufacturer D&L Industries has developed two proprietary product lines which can provide solutions to companies given the potential ban on single-use plastics in the country.
— Philippine News Agency

Village chief, companion gunned down in Bayawan City
The village chief of Kalamtukan in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental and one of his companions were shot dead by suspects believed known to them in that Saturday night.
— Philippine News Agency

Soldier killed, 2 hurt in clash with NPA rebels in Isabela
An Army corporal was killed and two of his comrades were hurt when they engaged a group of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in a firefight in the mountainous barangay of Villa Rey, Echague town, Isabela province on Saturday afternoon.
— Philippine News Agency

 

Feature photo Philippine News Agency

This week’s Philippines morning news feature photo focuses on International Migrants Day, December 18.

 

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).

 

 

About Philippines morning news.

Philippines morning news roundup is the most comprehensive hand-curated selection of Philippines English language news headlines published. Each weekday we scour hundreds of local and international news sites and websites to find the most recent Philippines English language news today.

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Stella-maris Ewudolu

Journalist at AEC News Today

Stella-maris graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Education from Ebonyi State University, Nigeria in 2005.

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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