SONA 2021
Improved connectivity, free internet under Duterte admin
July 23, 2021, 8:18 pm
MANILA – The Philippines 7,107 islands are now connected more than ever—with faster internet speeds, better mobile and broadband coverage, and free wireless fidelity (WiFi) networks in some of the most remote parts of the country. Less than a year before the end of President Rodrigo… Read More
More opportunities with TESDA under Duterte admin
July 23, 2021, 7:55 pm
MANILA – The coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic has affected the global workforce. Thus, President Rodrigo Duterte made sure that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will be assisted, whether they decide to go back abroad or opt to stay for good. In his 2020 State of the… Read More
PNP suspends permit to carry guns in NCR for SONA
July 23, 2021, 7:28 pm
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) announced on Friday the suspension of all permits to carry firearms outside of residence (PTCFOR) for seven days in the National Capital Region as part of security preparations for President Rodrigo Duterte's final State of the Nation Address (SONA)… Read More
BOI, PEZA approve P5.2-T investments in past 5 years
July 23, 2021, 5:18 pm
MANILA – Investment approvals in investment promotion agencies (IPAs) under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) have increased from 2016, indicating the improving investment environment in the country in the past five years. Data from DTI showed that combined approved investments of the… Read More
Over 650 transport infra projects completed under Duterte admin
July 23, 2021, 3:47 pm
MANILA – There are at least 671 infrastructure projects already completed by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) less than a year before President Rodrigo Duterte steps down from office, with over 200 more projects expected to be completed before and even beyond his term. In an editorial on… Read More
Final SONA modest, memorable: Andanar
July 23, 2021, 3:44 pm
MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte’s sixth and final State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 26 will be “modest yet memorable". Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar said on Friday they have been working non-stop in their preparations to make the… Read More
'Build, Build, Build': Paving the way to progress
July 23, 2021, 3:05 pm
MANILA – The country is inching closer to reaping the gains of economic development through the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program of the Duterte administration, which resulted in the construction of several infrastructure projects nationwide. Based on its latest data, the Department of Public… Read More
PNP to deploy body cameras for PRRD's final SONA
July 23, 2021, 1:56 pm
MANILA – Some of the newly-procured body-worn cameras (BWCs) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) will be utilized during the final State-Of-the-Nation-Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo R. Duterte on July 26. "For Metro Manila, our different police stations were issued BWCs and as per… Read More
Issuance of rally permits solely up to LGUs: DILG
July 23, 2021, 9:28 am
MANILA – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said the decision on whether to grant or deny rally permits is up to the discretion of local government units (LGUs). DILG Secretary Eduardo Año made the clarification following reports that the Quezon City Police District… Read More
PRRD’s frequent presence in 'Palaro' among his legacy in sports
July 22, 2021, 7:16 pm
MANILA – A number of major breakthroughs in Philippine sports have been among the main highlights of President Rodrigo Duterte's tenure as the first leader of the country from Mindanao. Five years into his presidency, the chief executive broke the ground for the Philippine Sports Training Center… Read More
PH needs developed nations' support to reduce gas emissions
July 22, 2021, 7:02 pm
MANILA – The Philippines will pursue developed countries' support for conditional greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction and avoidance which the country set in its first official Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and aims to meet by 2030. NDC are measures each party to Paris Agreement… Read More
Budget carriers see Boracay rehab's worth
July 22, 2021, 6:55 pm
MANILA – Budget carriers Cebu Pacific (CEB) and AirAsia Philippines have seen the value of President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to close Boracay Island for six months for rehabilitation in 2018. "Ordering the closure of Boracay, to rehabilitate the beach and the ecosystem, was a good display of… Read More
Free college education, UHC law among PRRD's legislative legacies
July 22, 2021, 5:23 pm
MANILA – The laws on free college education and universal health care are just among the Duterte administration's best legislative legacies aimed at improving the quality of life of Filipinos, House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said. Velasco lauded the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary… Read More
Return of Balangiga bells sparks growth in Eastern Samar town
July 22, 2021, 4:58 pm
TACLOBAN CITY – More than two years after the return of Balangiga Bells, the town of Balangiga in Eastern Samar continues to reap the benefits from this historic event. Tourism-related businesses have popped up, accommodation facilities have been improved while roads leading to upland… Read More
Duterte legacy: Fighting corruption in gov’t until his terms ends
July 22, 2021, 4:55 pm
MANILA – It has been over five years since President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to rid the government of corrupt officials and employees. True to his promise, Duterte has signed documents promoting his anti-corruption drive, resorted to a “firing spree” of unscrupulous government workers, and… Read More
DOE pushes shift to renewables during Duterte’s term
July 22, 2021, 4:25 pm
MANILA – Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso Cusi said the agency has been pursuing policies for the country to transition to renewable energy as a source of power during the Duterte administration. During the pre-SONA (State of the Nation Address) forum on Climate Change Adaptation… Read More
Nearly 1.4K-km roads, 570 bridges built, upgraded in Region 8
July 22, 2021, 11:45 am
TACLOBAN CITY – At least 1,380 kilometers of roads and 570 bridges in Eastern Visayas (Region 8) have been built and upgraded in the past five years through the national government’s “Build, Build, Build” program. Since 2016, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has completed… Read More
PRRD legacies: Fight for migrants' rights, broadened ties
July 21, 2021, 9:39 pm
MANILA – Openly denouncing the Kafala system and pioneering the adoption of Global Compact for Migration (GCM) proved that the country has been a leader in advocating migrants' rights in the international arena. At a pre-State of the Nation Address forum on Wednesday, Foreign Affairs Secretary… Read More
Comprehensive peace process intensified under Duterte admin
July 21, 2021, 9:37 pm
MANILA – The pursuit of a comprehensive peace process in the country has been intensified under the Duterte administration, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, said on Wednesday. Galvez reechoed President Rodrigo Duterte's 2016 commitment to… Read More
Next president should continue NTF-ELCAC: Esperon
July 21, 2021, 8:53 pm
MANILA – One of the legacies of President Rodrigo Duterte is his strong stance on putting an end to insurgency, leading to the creation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC). National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said insurgency is a “national… Read More
