Philippine News

MANILA, Philippines, February 14 ------ The peso is expected to remain under pressure this year, weighed down by moderating export growth, expected monetary easing and rising inflation, although central bank intervention is likely to limit sharper downside moves, according to research and analysis firm BMI. In a report, the Fitch Solutions unit forecasts the peso to weaken by about 1.3 percent to around 59.50 per dollar by end-2026, from an average of 58.76 currently. In the

MANILA, February 14 ------ Oil prices are once again expected to increase in the third week of February due to the geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran, the Department of Energy (DOE) said. Based on the four-day trade monitoring in the Means of Platts Singapore, DOE Oil Industry Management Bureau Assistant Director Rodela Romero said the following increases could be expected next week. - Gasoline – P0.95 per liter - Diesel – P0.10 per liter - Kerosene – P0

MANILA, February 13 ------ The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) continued its search for 26 missing passengers of the sunken MV Trisha Kerstin 3 in the waters of Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan. In a situation update, the PCG said a technical diving group (TDG) attempted to search the first-deck port-side cabin of the ferry but encountered strong underwater currents. “Due to safety considerations, the divers were unable to access the section,” it said. However, the TDG shifted to a

MANILA, February 13 ------ Power transmission charges across the Philippines rose in January and will be reflected in consumers’ February electricity bills, the country's power grid operator said. The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines said the overall average transmission rate increased by more than 13 percent to P1.5279 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) from P1.3544/kWh previously. The increase was driven by regulator-approved under-recoveries and lower overall power consum

MANILA, February 13 ------ Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the five coastal surveillance radars, provided by the Japanese government through its Official Security Assistance (OSA) Program, can be readily integrated into the country's existing military radar systems. "That has already been taken into account before the OSA has been granted, the integration problem has been worked on extensively. And the add-ons to these systems will alw

MANILA, February 13 ------ The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday urged Filipinos to take advantage of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation's (PhilHealth) Oral Health Preventive Package, as the agency stepped up efforts to improve public awareness and address long-standing gaps in dental care services nationwide. “Very payak, simple lang ang gustong iparating ng Department of Health with regards to oral health na mayroon na pong preventive package ang PhilHealth for

MANILA, February 12 ------ The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) are set to file administrative and criminal charges against the Aleson Shipping Line (ASL) and some government officials and personnel following the sinking of passenger ferry M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 in Basilan waters. In a press conference at the DOTr office in San Juan City on Wednesday, acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez demanded accountability from both

MANILA, February 12 ------ The Department of National Defense said Japan handed over five coastal radar systems to the Philippines, which it said would strengthen the country’s maritime domain awareness and coastal defense capabilities. Photos released by the department showed Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya, and other security officials at the ceremonial handover. “The milestone marks a significant step in strengthening the Philippines