Latest news with #GeneralAppropriationsAct
_2022_07_20_16_49_07.png&w=3840&q=100)
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
DA targets corn procurement as rice substitute by 2026
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is targeting to purchase stocks of corn to supplement its rice supply by 2026. During an ambush interview on Tuesday, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the agency intends to purchase white corn and yellow corn to produce corn grits as rice alternatives. 'It's because it's for food… Madami pa tayong area sa Pilipinas na kumakain talaga ng corn grits. At least, subukan natin pababain ang demand ng bigas,' he said. (It's because it's for food… We have a lot of areas in the Philippines where people have corn grits as part of their diet. At least, we should try lowering the demand for rice.) Laurel shared that the budget request for the acquisition was included in the DA's General Appropriations Act (GAA) for 2026. 'Hopefully, mabigyan kami ng konti at least to start the ball rolling. Maybe P500 million to P1 billion [ang starting budget],' he added. (Hopefully, we would be granted even a bit at least to start the ball rolling. [A starting budget] of maybe P500 million to P1 billion.) The DA said the procured corn will be placed in its 134 newly refurbished National Food Authority (NFA) warehouses with their P20-per-kilo rice stocks. 'Pag tumakbo na ang ating P20 na launch [para sa bigas] at tuloy tuloy yan, mababawasan na yung average stock level ng ating mga warehouses sa bigas. So, meron nang room diyan,' said Laurel. (Once our P20 launch [for rice] begins and continues, the average stock level of rice in our warehouses will lessen. So, there will now be room.) Earlier, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited two of the aforementioned 134 warehouses in San Idelfonso, Bulacan for an inspection and to hold a dialogue with rice farmers in the province. The NFA has said that it will be opening Kadiwa Stores for the roll-out of the P20-per-kilo rice grains, and are targeting the nationwide implementation of the program by 2026. —RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
24-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
DOE: Fuel subsidy not needed ‘for now' as crude prices drop
"Mind you, because of the lowering of the prices internationally, it might go lower also… baka hindi na kailangan ng ayuda (there might be no need for subsidy)," Garin told Palace reporters. The government's fuel subsidy program for the public transport and agriculture sectors might not be activated after the price of crude oil in the international market went down, Department of Energy officer-in-charge Sharon Garin said on Tuesday. Garin said that as of Tuesday morning, June 24, the average price of crude oil stood at about $69 per barrel after US President Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire between Israel and Iran was already in place. He also asked both sides not to violate it. "Mind you, because of the lowering of the prices internationally, it might go lower also… baka hindi na kailangan ng ayuda (there might be no need for subsidy)," Garin told Palace reporters. Under the 2025 General Appropriations Act, the P2.5 billion budget allocated for the public transport sector's fuel subsidy will be released once the average price of crude oil breaches the $80 per barrel threshold. Garin said Trump's announcement calmed the industry. "There's less speculation, so it went down to $69 as of this morning,' Garin said. She said that 'technically,' the fuel subsidy is not needed at this time since the price of crude oil has yet to breach $80. Still, Garin said the government was ready to 'distribute anytime.' 'All agencies are bracing for impact, even parang wala namang impact pero we're still preparing for it,' Garin said. To ease the burden on motorists, fuel retailers have agreed to implement the big-time hike in petroleum prices in two tranches. Major petroleum firms hiked the prices per liter of gasoline by P1.75, diesel by P2.60, and kerosene by P2.40, effective 6 a.m. on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. The same price hikes will be implemented at 6 a.m. on Thursday, June 26, reflecting the second tranche of adjustments. The Department of Transportation (DOTr), meanwhile, said it was looking to immediately release the fuel subsidy for operators and drivers of public utility vehicles when a sizable oil price hike takes effect in the country. The fuel subsidy will be released through the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), with guidelines now being finalized. Apart from the P2.5 billion fuel subsidy for the public transport sector, the 2025 national budget also allocated P150 million in fuel subsidy for the farm and fisheries sectors at P75 million each once the crude oil price breaches the threshold. –NB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
18-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Marcos: Fuel subsidies to be provided in expected oil price hike
President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said that fuel subsidies would be given as oil prices are expected to rise amid the tension between Israel and Iran. In an interview with reporters, Marcos was asked how the Philippine government is bracing for the expected impact of the conflict. ''We are starting already with the assumption that the oil prices will in fact go up and I cannot see how it will not. Because the Strait of Hormuz will then be blocked if it escalates. The oil cannot come out of its sources. So the prices will certainly be affected,'' Marcos said. ''So the subsidies that we have always given, fuel subsidies, that we gave to, if you remember during the pandemic, lalong-lalong na 'yung mga napapasada, 'yung mga may hanap-buhay naman sila, binigyan nating fuel subsidies (We gave fuel subsidies to drivers during the pandemic)," he added. The president also said that the fuel subsidy will also include others who will be "severely affected." "Now we will have to do the same for those who are severely affected, stakeholders, by any instability in the price of oil. Yes, it's a serious problem,'' said Marcos. Under the existing policy, fuel subsidies for public transport drivers and farmers are automatically activated when the price of Dubai crude breaches $80 per barrel. Fuel prices The 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) provides an allocation of P2.5 billion through the Department of Transportation for fuel subsidies to drivers of public utility vehicles, taxis, ride-hailing services, and delivery platforms across the country. The President earlier tasked the Department of Energy to strictly monitor the tension in the Middle East as this is expected to affect fuel prices. The conflict between Iran and Israel began last Friday when the latter attacked Iran with air strikes. The Department of Energy-Oil Industry Management Bureau (DOE-OIMB) earlier projected pump price hikes this week, citing gains on positive US-China trade signals, the stall in nuclear negotiations between US and Iran, and the expected oil demand growth in the next two and a half decades. The DOE is already on alert and is implementing proactive and targeted measures to shield the economy and Filipino consumers against the negative effects of the escalating tensions between the two countries. DOE Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Sharon Garin said that the immediate priority is to ensure that the fuel supply remains stable and sufficient and that any local price adjustments are managed in a way that minimizes disruption to the Philippine economy. The agency also called on industry players to 'implement staggered fuel price adjustments, especially in cases of sudden and significant spikes in global oil prices, in order to cushion the impact on local consumers." As of June 16, the price of Dubai crude reached $73 per barrel, according to the DOE. Meanwhile, Marcos also said that there is no need yet for mandatory repatriation despite the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
17-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
DOE appeals: Stagger price hikes in case of sudden spikes amid Israel-Iran tensions
The Department of Energy (DOE) is on alert as global petroleum prices rise amid the escalating tensions between Israel and Iran and is now implementing proactive and targeted measures to shield the economy and Filipino consumers. 'As we face continued volatility in the global oil market, the Department of Energy is taking firm and proactive steps to protect the welfare of our people,' DOE Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Sharon Garin said in a statement on Tuesday. 'Our immediate priority is to ensure that our fuel supply remains stable and sufficient, and that any local price adjustments are managed in a way that minimizes disruption to our economy. Through close coordination with the oil industry and strict monitoring of inventory levels, we are working to maintain energy security while preparing targeted interventions to support the most affected sectors,' Garin added. Thus, the Energy Department appealed to industry players to 'implement staggered fuel price adjustments, especially in cases of sudden and significant spikes in global oil prices, in order to cushion the impact on local consumers.' As of June 16, the price of Dubai crude reached $73 per barrel, according to the DOE. With this, the Energy OIC said the government is prepared to roll out fuel subsidies to sectors directly impacted by fuel price increases, specifically transport and agriculture. Fuel subsidies are aimed to prevent a domino effect that could drive up the cost of basic goods and services. Under existing policy, fuel subsidies for public transport drivers and farmers are automatically activated when the price of Dubai crude breaches $80 per barrel. The 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) provides an allocation of P2.5 billion through the Department of Transportation for fuel subsidies to drivers of public utility vehicles, taxis, ride-hailing services, and delivery platforms nationwide. Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture has an allocation of P585 million to support farmers and fisherfolk in the agricultural sector who may be adversely affected by rising fuel costs. Garin said the DOE will continue to monitor and analyze real-time global energy market data to inform timely, evidence-based policy responses. Oil companies are currently mandated to maintain at least a 30-day inventory of crude oil and a 15-day inventory of finished petroleum products. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
26-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
DepEd: Classroom shortage still at 165,000
'We're now at around 165,000 [classroom shortage] and growing kasi hindi na kakayanin nung current budget to meet the ano eh… It would take us 30 years, probably, if we work with the current budget,' Angara told reporters. Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara on Monday said the classroom backlog nationwide still stands at 165,000—a problem expected to have once again an impact when the incoming school year starts. Three weeks before School Year 2025-2026 opens on June 16, Angara admitted that some public schools may again need to implement shifting of classes—some double, others triple, even—due to the lack of classrooms. 'We're now at around 165,000 [classroom shortage] and growing kasi hindi na kakayanin nung current budget to meet the ano eh… It would take us 30 years, probably, if we work with the current budget,' Angara told reporters. (We're now at around 165,000 classroom shortage and growing because the current budget will not be able to meet the need to construct these. It would take us 30 years, probably, if we work with the current budget.) 'Buong bansa kasi ang kakulangan eh especially in populated areas like Region 4-A and NCR, grabe 'yung… All the cities actually all over the country, mataas ang backlog,' he added. (The classroom shortage is all over the country, especially in populated areas like Region 4-A and NCR, it's serious... The classroom backlog in all the cities in the country is high. There are hundreds of thousands per city.) School Year 2025-2026 is set to open on June 16, 2025 and end on March 31, 2026. Angara underscored the need to provide a strong internet connection in key areas so that 'independent learners,' particularly incoming senior high school students, may be able to study at home, just like in other countries. Under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), P28 billion was appropriated in DepEd's budget for the basic education facilities, which includes P7.18 billion for the construction of new kindergarten, elementary, and secondary school buildings. It also includes a P6.13 billion budget for the rehabilitation, renovation, repair, and improvement of the school buildings under the 'Repair All Policy." 'Para 'yung mga kailangan talagang nasa loob ng classroom, kailangan kausap talaga ang mga teachers, 'yun 'yung mga Nursery, Grade 1, Kindergarten dahil 'yun palang ang natututo at kailangan matuto magbasa, kailangan matuto magsalita. 'Yan talaga kailangan nasa loob ng classroom,' he explained. (This is so learners who really need to be in classrooms and learn directly from teachers—those in Nursery, Kindergarten, and Grade 1—will be able to occupy the classrooms instead.) Angara on Monday afternoon attended the launch of Generation Hope—a partnership of several brands with DepEd to help address the urgent need of building more public school classrooms in the country. The DepEd chief emphasized that such a partnership would help hasten the classroom construction and also help DepEd in meeting its deficits, considering the incoming school year. 'Malaking bagay 'to kasi nga diba nabawasan kami ng budget nitong 2025 so ito, makakatulong do'n sa kakulangan natin sa classrooms. 'Yung ibang programa ng DepEd, mabigyan ng focus tapos may katulong tayo dito,' he said. (This is a big help because our budget for 2025 was cut, so this will help address our lack of classrooms. The DepEd can focus on its other programs, and we will be assisted in classroom construction.) –NB, GMA Integrated News
