Latest news with #Romualdez
GMA Network
7 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Romualdez: Free college law should include stipend, address dropouts
The Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act should be expanded to reduce, if not eradicate college dropouts, Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez on Wednesday. In a statement, Romualdez said that according to the latest report of Second Congressional Commission on Education, nearly four in 10 students still drop out despite the passage of the Free College Law. 'Free tuition was a landmark achievement, but the work is far from over. Nearly four out of 10 students in state universities and colleges are still dropping out. In some regions, the situation is even more alarming,' he said. 'These are not just statistics. They are shattered dreams and interrupted futures, often because students cannot afford transportation, food, rent, books or internet. We need to protect and build on the gains of the Free Higher Education Law by ensuring students have the means to actually finish school,' Romualdez added. He said the government must consider strategic interventions such as monthly stipends, transport subsidies, food allowances and digital access programs. 'These [additional support] are gaps we must urgently fill if we truly want free higher education to be a ladder out of poverty,' Romualdez said. Based on a Pulse Asia survey conducted in January 2024 and commissioned by Senate Committee on Basic Education chairperson Sherwin Gatchalian, 8 percent of Filipinos support free tuition in state-run colleges and universities. Romualdez then said the expansion of the Free College law should start with the review of the measure as provided under House Resolution 61 filed by Bicol Saro party-list Representative Terry Ridon. 'We owe it to our students to fund this law properly. We owe it to every Filipino family to give their children a real chance at a better future, and we owe it to the nation to make education a powerful equalizer, not an unfinished promise,' Romualdez said. — BM, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
a day ago
- Business
- Filipino Times
PH eyes local ammunition production as part of stronger defense strategy with US
The Philippines is considering the establishment of an ammunition production facility in partnership with the United States. Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel 'Babe' Romualdez said the government is open to hosting such a facility, describing it as a strategic move that aligns both with national security goals and economic development. 'Obviously, we're open to that one, because it's a good way of being able to help a combination of both defense and economic cooperation between the Philippines and the United States,' Romualdez told members of the Philippine media delegation. 'So, setting up a production facility in the Philippines, would obviously be beneficial for us economically also because it will create a job, and it will obviously be a good hub for them to be able to produce what it requires for our defense,' he added. He added that several Filipino companies are already showing interest in joining a potential consortium should the plan move forward. The idea gained traction after the US House Committee on Appropriations, in a June 16 report, tasked the US Department of Defense to assess the viability of setting up a joint ammunition manufacturing and storage facility in Subic Bay. The facility would allow for forward deployment of munitions and critical materials like nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin.
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
Envoy says PH open to having ammunition manufacturing site in Subic
The Philippines is open to the production of ammunition in the country as it will enhance the defense ties between Manila and Washington, according to an envoy. Speaking to the Philippine media delegation, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel ''Babe'' Romualdez has said an ammunition production facility would also generate employment in the country. ''Obviously, we're open to that one, because it's a good way of being able to help a combination of both defense and economic cooperation between the Philippines and the United States,'' Romualdez said. ''So, setting up a production facility in the Philippines, would obviously be beneficial for us economically also because it will create a job, and it will obviously be a good hub for them to be able to produce what it requires for our defense,'' he added. Romualdez said a number of companies in the Philippines are interested in joining the potential consortium for the said ammunition production facility. Earlier, it was reported that US lawmakers were exploring the possibility of establishing a joint ammunition manufacturing facility in Subic Bay. In its report dated June 16, the US House Committee on Appropriations directed the US Department of Defense to assess the feasibility of establishing a joint ammunition manufacturing and storage facility in the said area. The facility will enable the forward staging of ammunition stockpiles and related materials such as nitrocellulose, nitroglycerin, and acid. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
Firms lining up for Luzon Economic Project, envoy says
A lot of companies have lined up to participate in the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC), Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel ''Babe'' Romualdez has said. ''There are already a lot of companies that are lining up into working on projects and also locally, it will boost the economy in those areas,'' Romualdez told the Philippine media delegation in Washington D.C. The envoy, however, did not specify the companies that expressed intent to participate in the project. He said President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. would meet with the potential investors as part of his official visit to the US. The LEC is a partnership with the United States and Japan, which was announced during the Trilateral Leaders' Summit in the United States in April of last year. This program seeks to connect Subic Bay, Clark, Manila, and Batangas with high-impact infrastructure projects including ports and railways. Finance Secretary Ralph Recto earlier said this project is envisioned to become a prime location for export-manufacturing firms, positioning the Philippines as Asia's top destination for cutting-edge production and innovation. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
Marcos arrives in US to meet Trump
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is welcomed upon his arrival at the Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, USA by Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez, US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson and another American official on Sunday, July 20, 20025 (Monday, July 21, PH time). Screenshot from RTVM videoPresident Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is welcomed upon his arrival at the Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, USA by Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez, US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson and another American official on Sunday, July 20, 2025 (Monday, July 21, PH time). Screenshot from RTVM video WASHINGTON, DC - President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. arrived in Washington, DC on Monday at 2:48 a.m. Manila time. The President is set to meet with US President Donald Trump at the White House. He is also scheduled to visit the Pentagon for a meeting with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez said Marcos and Trump are set to discuss defense and security. 'Essentially it's really the reaffirmation of all these agreements that we have with the United States specifically surrounding the Mutual Defense Treaty. So, it will be more on discussions on how we can continue to cooperate with the United States, our major ally.' Romualdez said. The West Philippine Sea situation is also expected to be discussed in the President's meetings here. 'At the same time, I think President Marcos would like to see how we can work with the United States and other countries that have the same mindset as far as the West Philippine Sea is concerned. So, it will be on those general subjects of discussion,' Romualdez added. Marcos will also be meeting with business leaders. 'Generally he'll be talking to semiconductor industry which is very important for us. One of our biggest industries that we're having economic ties with the United States. I think the President of the Semiconductor Association will be meeting with the President," the ambassador said. "And then we have other business leaders particularly those who have already invested in the Philippines or planning to expand their investments in the healthcare,' Romualdez said, adding that groups interested in developing the Luzon Economic Corridor will likewise attend the meeting. Marcos and Trump are also expected to tackle the 20% tariff on Philippine goods entering the US with the Philippines, hoping to arrive at a trade agreement beneficial to both countries. Romualdez also told the media covering the President's visit that the controversial immigration policy of President Trump is not on the agenda. There are currently 3,772 Filipinos identified by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement who are not detained but with 'final orders of removal.' —KG, GMA Integrated News
