National News

MANILA, Dec. 29 -- Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said 2015 augurs well for the country’s millions of workers with the expansion by the government of the list of de minimis benefits to be exempted from income tax on compensation, to include benefits under collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) and productivity incentive schemes.

MANILA, Dec 24 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III yesterday signed the P2.606-trillion 2015 General Appropriations Act (GAA), marking the fifth consecutive year of the National Budget’s timely enactment and cementing the Administration’s spending program for rapid, long-term, and inclusive development.

MANILA, Dec 13 -- The Palace said Friday it hopes Congress would soon come up with a legislation aimed at addressing the looming power shortage in Luzon in the summer months of next year.

QUEZON CITY, Dec. 07 – The Philippines will host its first APEC 2015 meeting, the Informal Senior Officials’ Meeting (ISOM) on December 08 to 09 in Makati Shangri-La, Manila.

MANILA, Dec. 7 -- The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Sunday reported that 716,639 persons conducted pre-emptive evacuations due to the effects of Typhoon "Ruby". NDRMMC, in its 6 a.m. situationer report said 146,875 families or 716,639 persons have been evacuated in safer areas in Regions 4-A (Calabarzon), 4-B (Mimaropa), 5 (Bicol), 6 (Western Visayas), 7 (Central Visayas), 8 (Eastern Visayas) and Caraga.

MANILA, Nov. 30 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III will lead Monday the kick-off ceremony for the Philippines’ hosting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Makati City.

MANILA, Nov 26 -- The Palace on Tuesday welcomed the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey that showed a rise in the people’s net personal optimism.

MANILA, Nov 26 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III is scheduled to have a dialogue with coconut farmers on Wednesday to discuss the coco levy fund, a Palace official has said.

MANILA, Nov. 25 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday led the launch of SM City North EDSA’s solar rooftop project, so far the biggest solar project in the country. In his speech, the President commended the country’s biggest retail outlet for its initiatives on environmental protection and energy conservation.

MANILA, Nov. 24, 2014—“Thou shalt not steal!” This stirring plea sums up the message of a Church official to parties allegedly responsible for the further impoverishment of the country’s coconut farmers, who after so many years of struggle have yet to reap the benefits of the controversial multibillion-peso Coco Levy Fund.