PhilHealth corruption: all healthcare providers “being watched” (video)
The Philippines National Bureau of Investigations (NBI) has launched a wide ranging inquiry into medical clinics and health service providers associated with Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).
— AEC News Today (video)
Duterte prodded to invoke Unclos, file case vs China over ‘hit and run’ at sea
ANGERED by reports that a Chinese boat “rammed” a Filipino fishing vessel anchored in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and then abandoned 22 fishermen as their boat sank, senators on Thursday prodded the Duterte administration to lodge a strong formal protest over what they deemed a blatant violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos).
— Business Mirror
Safeguards in place for graft-free UHC implementation, DOH chief assures
Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III on Thursday assured that anti-corruption safeguards are in place for the implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC), even as he warned all health-care providers and Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) officials not to “cheat the system nor even attempt to do it.”
— Business Mirror
Completion of flagship projects gains headway in April–Neda
The National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) has revealed that the majority of ongoing flagship infrastructure projects as of April this year are halfway done.
— Business Mirror
Duterte spokesman says cutting PH-China ties possible if boat ramming is ‘intentional’
The Philippines could end diplomatic relations with China if it is proven that a Chinese fishing vessel “intentionally” sank a Filipino boat in the West Philippine Sea, the presidential spokesman said Thursday as he talked about possible scenarios arising from the boat ramming incident.
— CNN Philippines
Duterte slams ‘abuse’ of party-list system
President Duterte took a swipe at the party-list system in the country, saying it is being “abused” by wealthy and influential people.
— Business Mirror
Gov’t to issue Marawi bonds for large-scale infrastructure projects
THE GOVERNMENT is looking to issue its planned Marawi bonds to help fund large-scale infrastructure projects covered by the second phase of the rehabilitation plan for the city, the Finance department said in a statement on Thursday.
— BusinessWorld Online
DTI seeks 50% budget hike to develop MSME
THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is asking for a 50-percent increase in its budget to expand programs for small businesses and heighten consumer protection initiatives.
— Business Mirror
ADB exec: PH doing well in infra buildup
The Philippines is moving in the right direction to reverse its infrastructure lack through the Duterte administration’s ambitious “Build, Build, Build” program, according to an official of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
— Philippine Daily Inquirer
Huge funding requirement for teacher pay hikes
PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte said it may take time to honor a campaign promise to raise teachers’ salaries because there are “millions” of educators in government schools.
— BusinessWorld Online
Remitters to GSIS spared from submitting paper requirements under eBCS
THE Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has issued a memorandum circular (MC) discontinuing the requirement for remittance agencies (RA) to submit printed copies of remittance lists, as it further streamlines its processes in accordance with the Ease of Doing Business law, or Republic Act (RA) 11032.
— Business Mirror
Philippines imposes additional requirement from foreign workers
The government is imposing an additional requirement for all foreigners who intend to work in the country, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said yesterday.
— The Philippine Star
UHC law means more nurses need to stay in PHL
THE Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) said it is exploring measures to raise the salaries of nurses to address local shortages ahead of the implementation of the Universal Health care (UHC) Law.
— BusinessWorld Online
DOLE may reimpose OFW deployment ban to Kuwait after HSW rape report
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) may reimpose an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) deployment ban to Kuwait following the recent reported rape of a household service worker (HSW) in the Middle Eastern country.
— Business Mirror
DOE eyes 14 transmission projects for NGCP till 2040
FOURTEEN transmission projects are lined up for completion by the grid operator between this year until 2040.
— Business Mirror
CoA flags P74M of PDEA travel claims lacking supporting documents
THE Commission on Audit (CoA) said the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) claimed P74 million worth of domestic travel expenses and transactions in 2018 with no adequate supporting documents, representing the bulk of its travel bill for the year.
— BusinessWorld Online
Shellfish banned as red tide alert up in Samar’s Irong-Irong Bay
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources regional office here has imposed a shellfish ban in Irong-Irong Bay in Samar due to the presence of toxic microorganisms that trigger red tide phenomenon.
— Manilastandard.net
DoE: Power projects probe 74% done
The Department of Energy (DoE) on Thursday said it has inspected 74 percent, or 53 of the 72 development projects hosted by various local government units (LGUs) under the Energy Regulations 1-94 (ER 1-94) Program.
— The Manila Times
Philippines to spend less than P1 B for Dubai expo participation
The Philippine government is spending less than P1 billion for the country’s participation in Expo 2020 Dubai, the first world expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.
— The Philippine Star
Tugade orders 24/7 construction work on Sangley Airport
Transport agencies are fast-tracking the construction of the Sangley Airport in Cavite to meet the operational timeline of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
— Manila Bulletin
Benguet town mulls over ban on cigarette sale
The Municipal Advisory Council here has approved a resolution urging the Sangguniang Bayan to enact an ordinance on the total ban of the sale of cigarettes in the town, an official said Thursday.
— Manilastandard.net
PHL, Indonesia driving growth in wheat imports from US
SOUTHEAST ASIA is expected to be the top wheat importing region in 2018/2019 driven by demand from Philippines and Indonesia, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said.
— BusinessWorld Online
NWRB cuts water allocation for Metro Manila
Consumers should brace anew for possible water interruptions after the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) decided to cut the allocation for Metro Manila amid the continued drop in water levels at Angat Dam, the metropolis’ main water source, an official said yesterday.
— The Philippine Star
Gatchalian sees need to resolve jobs-skill mismatch to address underemployment
Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian said Thursday there is an urgent need for government to focus on resolving jobs-skills mismatch if it wants to address underemployment in the country.
— Manila Bulletin
No bail for KAPA execs in investment scam — Duterte
Those who will continue the operations of Kapa Ministry International Inc. (KAPA) will be arrested without bail, President Duterte said yesterday.
— The Philippine Star
N. Cotabato receives P13.6-M health support facilities
The Department of Health (DOH) has turned over PHP13.6-million worth of facilities to North Cotabato’s Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) and the Cotabato Provincial Hospital (CPH).
— Philippine News Agency
PRRD to distribute over 13,000 CLOAs to Soccsksargen ARBs
President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to arrive at the Lagao gymnasium here later this afternoon to personally distribute 13,585 certificates of land ownership award (CLOA) to recipients-agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Soccsksargen (Region XII).
— Philippine Information Agency
DOLE-12 releases P5.5-M livelihood grants to informal workers
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Region 12 (Soccsksargen) released around PHP5.5 million worth of livelihood grants in line with the 2019 Independence Day or Kalayaan job and business fairs here on Wednesday.
— Philippine News Agency
Top performing city, town councils in Ilocos Norte recognized
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) recognized on Wednesday the city government of Batac, along with six other municipalities of Ilocos Norte, for their exemplary performance in crafting ordinances and resolutions that help build a strong foundation for local administration and development.
— Philippine News Agency
PH files protest vs China over boat sinking
The Philippines has filed a diplomatic protest against China after an anchored Philippine fishing boat was hit by a Chinese vessel that abandoned 22 Filipino fishermen as the boat sank in the disputed South China Sea on Sunday night.
— Inquirer.net
Amid PhilHealth mess, study cites surging cost of PH health care
Coming on the heels of huge losses incurred by Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) from overpayments and fraudulent claims are results of a study that found that the cost of health care in the country is surging.
— Inquirer.net
PhilHealth: Over 4,000 cases still to be resolved
State-owned Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has failed to resolve about half of 9,033 cases alleging fraud and other violations by partner healthcare providers.
— The Manila Times
PNB: Trade gap may widen in H2
DESPITE narrowing slightly in April, the country’s trade deficit may widen in the second half of the year, the Philippine National Bank (PNB) said on Thursday.
— The Manila Times
China vows to punish crewmen on vessel that left 22 Filipino fishermen near Recto Bank if Chinese
China has vowed to punish the crewmen of a Chinese vessel that rammed a Filipino fishing boat near Recto Bank and immediately left the scene, without caring for the 22 Filipino fishermen who were in danger as the boat sank, if they were Chinese.
— Eagle News
South China Sea: Maritime Expert Urges PH Gov’t To Review Policy
Maritime Expert Urges PH Gov’t To Review South China Sea Policy SOUTH CHINA SEA – A maritime expert from the University of the Philippines urged the PH government to review the South China Sea policy.
— Philippine News
Ex-PhilHealth exec: Abolishing PhilHealth, replacing officials won’t solve issues
The former independent director of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) on Thursday said abolishing the corporation or replacing its officials will not address the controversies hounding the health insurance firm.
— GMA News
TBGI eyes Chinese partner for tower rollout plan
Listed Transpacific Broadband Group International Inc. (TBGI) announced its intention to partner with a Chinese telecom equipment supplier to participate in the government’s common tower initiative.
— Inquirer.net
Philippines asks China to sanction ship crew in ‘hit-and-run’
The Philippines on Thursday called on China to sanction the crew of a Chinese ship who figured in what the military called a “hit-and-run” that sank a boat carrying Filipino fishermen in disputed waters.
— Spratly Islands
COMELEC-Tabuk opens until 8PM to accept SOCE
Tabuk City opens until 8:00 PM today to accommodate candidates during the May 2019 elections beating the deadline of filing of Statement of Contribution and Expenditure (SOCE).
— Philippine Information Agency
PLDT eyes commercial launch of 5G services by Q4
PLDT Inc. is eyeing the commercial launch of its fifth generation (5G) technology services for its residential and business customers by the fourth quarter of this year.”Probably Enterprise and Home within the year.
— Philippine News Agency
Economist eyes resilient peso despite increasing trade deficit
An economist for the Tan-led Philippine National Bank (PNB) forecasts the Philippine peso to remain resilient despite a slight deterioration in the country’s trade deficit.
— Philippine News Agency
Lacson asks why Duque wasn’t asked to resign amid ‘ghost dialysis’ mess
Senator Panfilo Lacson on Thursday questioned why Health Secretary Francisco Duque was not among the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) officials asked to resign amid the ghost dialysis scandal.
— GMA News
Kapa members rally to urge Duterte to lift closure order on investment scams
Kapa Community Ministry International, Inc. founder Joel Apolinario told a huge crowd of his followers here he would soon be meeting with President Duterte, amid anxiety voiced out by his followers over the government’s move to shut down their offices.
— Inquirer.net
Robredo claims recount win, Marcos calls it ‘self-serving assumption’
Vice President Leni Robredo on Thursday, June 13, urged the Supreme Court sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) to rule on the revision of pilot provinces, claiming “clear victory” in the electoral protest.
— Rappler
Don’t blame us for scheme that defrauded PhilHealth-PSA
While it acknowledged it had refused to share information about deceased members of Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) due to the data privacy law, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Thursday said it should not be blamed for the scheme that defrauded PhilHealth.
— Inquirer.net
DoTr says airlines agree to transfer turboprop flights to Sangley Airport
THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) said local airlines have agreed to operate flights that utilize turboprop planes at the Danilo Atienza (Sangley) Air Base, as the government prepares to open the airport for more flights before the year ends.
— BusinessWorld Online
Angkas to retrain more drivers before test run
ANGKAS will retrain an additional 15,000 drivers before it could even begin its six-month pilot run of its motorcycle taxi service by the end of this month, an official of the ride-hailing company said on Thursday, a month after the Department of Transportation (DoTr) allowed its implementation in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu.
— The Manila Times
DSWD-CAR taps military, gov’t facilities for positioning of relief goods
To ensure that relief goods will be provided immediately to affected families during disasters, the Department of Social Welfare and Development – Cordillera (DSWD- CAR) has partnered with the different government and military facilities to be used as relief goods warehouses in the different provinces.
— Philippine Information Agency
Ifugao LGU provides incentives to 27 nonagenarians
Twenty seven nonagenarians here received incentives from the local government unit (LGU) in recognition for their long lives. The LGU provided cash incentives and cakes to 27 registered senior citizens who are 90 years old and above on June 13 at the municipal compound.
— Philippine Information Agency
Ilocos farmers learn adaptation strategies to beat climate change
The provincial government of Ilocos Norte, in collaboration with various national government agencies and the extension directorate of the state-run Mariano Marcos State University, continues to empower farmers and teach them practical ways to sustain crop productivity in climate vulnerable areas.
— Philippine News Agency
DOTr pilots anti-scalping drive in Zambo port
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has chosen the local port as one of the country’s pilot areas in the campaign to eliminate scalping activities.
— Philippine News Agency
2,000 pine tree saplings planted in ‘victory’ tree planting event
It was massive tree planting activity instead of a lavish victory party for City Mayor-elect Benjamin Magalong.
— Philippine Information Agency
Feature photo Rakso Air Travel & Tours
This week’s Philippines morning news feature photo acknowledges Philippines Independence Day, June 12.
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 June 14 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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