Ombudsman to garnish Estrada’s P183.79-M ill-gotten wealth The Ombudsman on Thursday moves to garnish P183.79-M alleged ill-gotten wealth of Senator Jinggoy Estrada. The Office of the Ombudsman filed before the Sandiganbayan a motion “necessary to protect the interests of the State and to prevent the removal, concealment and disposition of […]
13 Bicol towns pass fiscal stability scorecard – DOF Thirteen municipalities in Bicol garnered satisfactory ratings in financial accomplishments according to the Department of Finance tally for local government units of the country. These municipalities pulled a surprise by capturing either the “Good” or “Very Good” rating in the DOF’s […]
SC DAP ruling to lead prosecution of erring gov’t officials – CBCP MANILA, Feb 5 — Archbishop Socrates Villegas said people are hoping the recent ruling of the Supreme Court (SC) will pave the way for the investigation and prosecution of those who were involved in the use of the […]
Palace mum on latest SC decision on DAP MANILA, Feb. 4 — Malacanang officials declined to comment on the latest decision of the Supreme Court (SC) regarding the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) saying they have not received a copy of the decision. Communications Secretary Coloma stressed that there is a […]
Espina sacks budget officer over delayed disbursement of food provisions for COPS. MANILA, Jan. 24 — Philippine National Police officer-in-charge, currently Deputy Director General Leonardo A. Espina, approved Friday the administrative relief of a police budget officer over allegations of delayed disbursement of food provisions for PNP personnel deployed for […]
MANILA, Dec. 23 — President Benigno S. Aquino III is scheduled to sign on Tuesday the P2.606-trillion General Appropriations Act (GAA) for 2015, Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said. On Tuesday “….. the President will sign the General Appropriations Act for 2015, which stands as a testament to the lengthy reviews […]
MANILA, Dec. 22 — Some 585 urban poor families stand to benefit from Manila’s housing projects after the interior and local government department and the city of Manila forged the trust fund for informal settler familie’s homes to cap off this year’s urban poor solidarity week. Leaders from government, civil […]
The advocacy organization Social Watch Philippines alleges that the 2015 General Appropriations Act (GAA), which President Benigno S. Aquino III will sign before the end of the year, is very much loaded with pork barrel funds. The budget watchdog said in a report that vulnerabilities in the 2015 national budget […]
MANILA, Dec.22 — There’s no doubt about it. The Palace supports the impending fare hikes on all services of Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3 and the Light Rail Transit Lines 1 and 2. This was confirmed Sunday when Malacanang on Sunday said that the fare hike on the Metro […]
Sorsogon first district Rep. Evelyn Escudero in a special committee hearing of the House Special Committee on Bicol Recovery and Economic Development, quizzed Director Renato Solidum, of the Philippine Volcanology and Seismology, on the actual situation of Mayon. She was following the argument of Legazpi Mayor Noel Rosal that the […]
The Philippines is spending P11.2 million for the 2-day visit of President Benigno S. Aquino III to South Korea. The amount will cover transportation, accommodation, food, and equipment expenses. The president is attending the 25th Association of South East Asian Nations and Republic of Korea commemorative summit in the city […]
MANILA, Dec. 11 — Whoever thought that the president will miss the opportunity of going out of the country for that tempting ASEAN-SK commemorative summit? Many got it wrong, thinking that President Benigno S. Aquino III would rather be in the country and look after the pressing needs or issues […]
MANILA, Dec. 10 — President Benigno S. Aquino III will be no-show in the 25th ASEAN-ROK commemorative summit in Busan, South Korea. Earlier, reported here that the president will be off to South Korea on December 11-12, 2014 for the symbolic commemorative meet. Palace assistant spokesperson Abigail Valte told reporters […]
MANILA, Dec. 8 — P-Noy leaves for Korea commemorative meet on Dec. 11-12. President Benigno S. Aquino III will be off to Busan to mark the ASEAN-Republic of Korea 25th anniversary commemorative summit on December 11 and 12. The Department of Foreign Affairs said President Aquino and other nine leaders […]
MANILA, Dec 2 — The National Government registered a P2.5 billion fiscal deficit in October, even as expenditures continued in a slower pace than revenues. But instead of delving into the details of the deficit, the National Economic Development Authority, in a statement, was more into highlighting the positive notes […]
PASAY CITY, Nov 29 — The Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is getting a bigger spending package envisioned to respond to the needs of the community and push the much-needed development in the region, according to Senator Francis Escudero. An increase of 24-percent to P24 billion has been allotted […]
MANILA, Nov 27 — The Philippine Coconut Authority is a recipient of P1.38 billion funding from the government for its operations and programs that can help strengthen the country’s coconut industry. The fund released by the Department of Budget and Management was charged against the 2014 national budget, will pay […]
MANILA, Nov 20 — The Department of Budget and Management wants more money for its disposal. The agency is pushing for a P23-billion supplemental budget. Its main reason: to ensure sufficient funding support for crucial development initiatives, including various infrastructure projects for post-Yolanda rehabilitation and government preparations for the 2015 […]
The Bureau of Internal Revenue has collected P101.8 billion for the month of October 2014. The tax revenue collected is 6.5% or P6.2 billion more than in October of 2013. For October this year,2014, collections from operations amounted to P99.64 Billion, which is P6.42 billion or 6.88% more than in […]
MANILA, Nov. 18 — The government is set to spend P11.6 million for President Benigno S. Aquino III’s participation in The Economist’s World in 2015 conference in Singapore from November 18 to 19, 2014, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. President Aquino left this morning via a chartered flight to […]
MANILA, Nov. 17– Another one of those presidential trips, this time it is to Singapore. President Benigno S. Aquino III will travel to Singapore to serve as keynote speaker at The Economist’s The World in 2015 Gala Dinner tomorrow, November 18. This is the first time that a Philippine president […]
MANILA, Nov. 17 — Independent power produces are getting a hefty Christmas present courtesy of the Palace. Malacañang said on Sunday that President Benigno Aquino III signed an Executive Order that grants the reduction and condonation of real property taxes, interest and penalties for independent power producers (IPP). Palace spokesperson […]
Government employees to get 13th month pay on time. Yes, government employees and officers are set to feel the holiday season early. It is because state employees will get the remaining half of their 13th month pay and cash gift before the coming Christmas as announced by Secretary Florencio Abad. […]
MANILA, Nov. 9 — The Philippine government is spending P24 million for President Benigno Aquino III’s newest trips abroad to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation-Economic Leaders’ meeting and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit. President Benigno S. Aquino III is set to attend the 25th Association of Southeast Asian […]
LEGAZPI CITY — In the quest for a final disclosure on the fate of the missing P300 million electric cooperative fund, member-consumers are knocking at the turf of former ALECO board chairman and Albay Catholic Bishop Joel Baylon. Concerned member-consumers of Albay Electric Cooperative (Aleco) are seeking an explanation from […]
MANILA, Oct. 10 — The Philippine government is spending around P7.1 million for President Benigno S. Aquino III’s presence in the 7th Bali Democracy Forum from October 9 to 10 in Indonesia, according to Malacanang. The amount covers expenses for transportation, accommodation, food, equipment and other requirements of the president […]
The government through the social welfare department is funding reconstruction and rehabilitation of damaged residential units in identified barangays of San Jose town of Camarines Sur amounting to P6.7 million. The local municipal government in turn, will contribute a counterpart sum of P750,000 for the same endeavor. The targeted beneficiaries […]
After the state volcanology institute Phivolcs raised alert level 3 pertaining to Mayon’s restiveness, the government starts piling millions of pesos in current and projected expenses beginning from the day residents were hauled from the affected areas to the evacuation sites in Albay. So now, governor Joey Salceda has announced […]
The Ombudsman has found probable cause to criminally charge a former member of the House of Representatives representing a district of Masbate province before the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan, in connection with the alleged misuse of the pork barrel funds. Current Masbate governor and former congressional district representative Rizalina L. Seachon-Lañete […]
President Benigno S. Aquino III’s foreign trips shouldered by the government are piling high and now totals P71.3 million for his 4 successive outings in 2014. And there are still three more months left in the year. President Aquino’s trip to four countries in Europe and the United States this […]
The Philippines will receive a hefty financial package from the World Bank amounting to US$508 million (P22.4 billion) earmarked for infrastructure, business and livelihood assistance, which can help over two million farmers and fishermen secure a higher income in the next six years. More than 70 percent of the fund […]
LEGAZPI CITY — There is no reason to be flaunting about the age of modern air travel in the region via the Southern Luzon international airport. The thing is, the airport’s completion may come beyond the 2016 national elections, yet. Because of this, Bicolanos, more specifically the people of Albay, […]
A federation of senior citizens in the municipality of Calabanga in Camarines Sur is a recipient of a P1 million investment capital assistance from the regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The fund will be earmarked to finance the opening of a drug store in the […]
MANILA — The House of Representatives on Monday approved on third and final reading Joint Resolution No. 7 extending the validity of appropriations under the calamity and quick response funds until Dec. 31, 2014. This includes those sourced from savings realigned in the current year, as well as all unobligated […]
MANILA — A new batch of complaint involving the alleged misuse of the P10-billion Priority Development Assistance Fund may be filed as a new group of whistleblowers, including government officials, have surfaced. Because of this, the second batch of complaint involving the alleged pork barrel scam filed before the Office […]
The government has launched a website that allows the public to monitor the status of foreign aid for relief operations in super typhoon Yolanda-hit areas. Department of Budget and Management Undersecretary and Chief Information Officer Richard Moya said the initiative, called Foreign Aid Transparency Hub (FAiTH), may be accessed through […]
The government might start affixing tax stamps on cigarettes by April next year to ensure tax compliance among tobacco companies. Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares disclosed this during a recent hearing conducted by the House Committee on Ways and Means chaired by Rep. Romero “Miro” Quimbo (2nd District, Marikina City) […]
The regional office of the Bureau of Customs in Bicol disclosed on Monday it was short of P17.4 million in its collection target of P135.2 million during the past three quarters of this year. The agency attributed the shortfall due to the decrease in import duties paid by companies operating […]
Bicol congressmen received a total of P3.881 billion pork barrel funds between 2009 and March 2013, according to the records of the Department of Budget and Management. The amount represent funds released to 24 present and past congressional representatives of the six Bicol provinces. Representative District Amount 1 Bravo, Narciso […]
Albay public work projects remain unfinished despite completion report and millions of pesos spent irk residents. Intended direct beneficiaries in five barangays of Daraga town are angry and curses each time they see the area with several installed concrete pilons of an unfinished bridge project. They asked whether there were […]
As we qet more clear concept on how lawmakers dipped their hands into the Presidential Development Assistannce Fund, there will be more stories that will unravel. Here’s one for the province of Catanduanes, courtesy of the Party list representatives of A-Teacher and Alagad. Books as gardening manuals and worms for […]
PDAF is too hot to handle. Under the scrutiny of the public and the lawmakers themselves, funds disbursed for projects in the region are getting good attention, this time, Read this interesting report discussion here. Albay Rep. Fernando Gonzalez (LP, 3rd District) is questioning the P25-million dredging projects in Polangui […]
Bicol Headline News, August 26, 2013 Bicolanos join million march, COA tags 13 congressmen in PDAF list A unified group of concerned citizens composed of students, farmers, transport organizations and educators massed at the Penaranda Park of Legazpi city for a march rally which urged the scrapping of the controversial […]
Rush Transcript: Cbanga360 News and Public Affairs’ Bicol Headline News with Ginger, August 17, 2013 edition. Lupi Camarines Sur was listed among the beneficiaries of the P900 million Malampaya fund, supposedly given to farmer-beneficiaries under the Department of Agrarian Reform. The fund is part of the alleged, P10 billion government […]
In a seemingly desperate but obsessed dream of guiding Daet into becoming a city, the local officials are into a frenzy of proposed redevelopment projects. According to mayor Tito Sarion, “… we are presently in the process of implementing large-scale facelift projects such as the P30-million local government center, P30-million […]
The city government of Legazpi is set to put up an P80-million hospital in a 3,000-square-meter site at the reclamation area. Health officials believe the site is conducive to health, being at a prime coastal location and near the city center. The project will start next year, ahead of the […]
Presented here is a short discussion on how the seven Bicol city local government units prioritized expenditures for the welfare of its constituents. Like the provincial LGUs, selected were five current operating expenditures which ate up much of the operating income of, and by comparison with, all seven city local […]
We are crunching figures here. This time, we discuss how the six Bicol provinces spent the people’s money in 2009. Selected were five current operating expenditures which ate up much of the operating income of, and by comparison with, all six provincial local government units. General Public Service The province […]
The local government unit of Legazpi city in Albay proved a notch better than Bicol’s only independent component city of Naga when it grossed higher in its total operating income for fiscal year 2009 by a margin of P31,291,467. Other local cities income rank in order from high to the […]
The capital town of Daet was the highest-earning municipal local government unit in Bicol for fiscal year 2009 based on the totals of income from local sources and external sources. Also interesting that of the 107 municipal LGUs of Bicol region, 22 received an IRA share for the fiscal year […]
On this second installment on municipal LGUs focus is on the total non-tax revenue which consists of collections from regulatory fees (permit and licenses), service/user charges (service income), income from economic enterprises (business income) and other receipts (other general income). Daet of Camarines Norte earned the distinction to have topped […]
The local government unit of Aroroy town of Masbate province topped in the combined collection of real property, business and other taxes for the fiscal year of 2009. It was able to collect the sum of P30,339,656 ahead of 106 other local government units in Bicol. The combined collection of […]
In 2009, the premier Bicol provinces of Albay and Camarines Sur maintained their stellar performance in fiscal management in company with the billion-pesos-earning LGUs of the Philippines for the second consecutive years. In 2008, Albay and Camarines Sur registered an annual income of P1,071,063,490.47 and P1,036,642,000.00, respectively. Twenty seven […]
The short discussion here will delve on the “External Sources” of income by the provincial local governments. That is specifically referring to the LGU share in (1) Internal Revenue Allotment, (2) other shares from the National Tax collections, (3) inter-local transfer, (4) and extraordinary receipts, grants donations and aids. The […]
Presented on the first part of this series, was how the 80 Philippine provinces ranked in tax revenue which is the sum of taxes on real property, business and other taxes. On this second installment the focus is on the individual province’s total non-tax revenue which consists of collections from […]
Here is the unofficial financial data about the Philippine provinces on tax revenue for fiscal year 2009. Tax revenue include real property, tax on business and other taxes. Of the 80 provinces, 11 collected property tax over P155M. The list is topped by Pangasinan with collection of P437,984,080; followed by […]
In 2008, 106 Bicol towns collected business tax in the total amount of P45,516,080. Rapu-Rapu of Albay province topped the ranking with an earning of P14,585,151; Daet (CAN) P11,550,642; Pili (CAS) P8,357,679; Virac (CAT) P6,493,543; Aroroy (MAS) P4,009,968; Guinobatan (ALB) P3,382,494; Camalig (ALB) P3,048,655; Nabua (CAS)P2,867,000; Goa (CAS) P2,822,819; Tiwi […]
Based on annual earnings listed here and here, the towns of Libon (ALB), Daraga (ALB), and Daet (CAN) led the top earners of Bicol LGUs for fiscal year 2008. Other towns now classified as first class that earned P55M or more, in order of their income starting from the top […]
Of the 107 Bicol towns, 18 received an IRA that ranged from the low of 52.32% to 79.24% of their gross annual income. Libon of Albay was the least IRA dependent with 52.32% at P74,015,836. Bear in mind any percentage of share on the national government allocation of internal revenue […]
The Bicol country has a myriad of towns, big and small in terms of land area and population. These municipal local government units can also be grouped according to their income and total dependence on internal revenue allotment. Without the allocation, some, if not many, may have gone the way […]
It seems there is no stopping the lottery numbers game in the country any time soon. For while the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) sealed the fate of small town lottery in the country, it is also introducing the PCSO Loterya ng Bayan (PLB). The game starts May.
The Social Weather Station survey from March 4 to 7, from sample respondents of 1,200, revealed that 20.5 percent of respondents or about 4.1 million families say they went hungry at least once in the past three months.
The open-walled Octagon building of Calabanga is a constant venue of people on the move. Poor and deprived residents of the town’s different barangays pour in mass on a scheduled day, converge, queue on long hours, and associate with the assigned personnel of the LGU/DSWD for paperworks. They are prospective beneficiaries of the national government’s conditional cash grants program.
For income year of 2007, the local government unit of Libon eclipsed the always front runner first class Albay town of Daraga which slid one notch lower. Libon earned over P113M against Daraga’s P109.8M. Polangui followed in far third with P84M. Coming close was Bacacay with P83.6M annual income.
For the fiscal year of 2007, the LGU of Libmanan was the first and only that surpassed the P100M earnings among the 35 municipalities, while capital town Pili had P87M. Rinconada’s Nabua made P73.2M and the third district town of Calabanga earned P72.6M.
The Bicol country has a myriad of towns, big and small in terms of land area and population. These municipal local government units can also be grouped according to their income and total dependence on internal revenue allotment. Without the allocation, some, if not many, may have gone the way […]
The Philippine government has appropriated P6.5 billion in the 2016 General Appropriation Act (GAA) for the rehabilitation and upgrading of provincial roads in 73 provinces. The Department of Budget confirmed the allocation of funds is performance-based with the recipient provinces chosen on compliance with good governance standards. Dubbed KALSADA (Konkreto […]
Through PPP projects, many crucial responsibilities of the government are being transferred to profit-oriented private corporations and banks, particularly the development and operation of core infrastructure such as roads and mass transportation network, power generation, and water supply and distribution, among others.
The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the filing of graft and corruption charges against one-term Albay congressman Rino Lim for the anomalous utilization of his 2007 PDAF amounting to P27 million. Lim, together with five Technology Resource Center officials, Kaagapay Magpakailanman Foundation Inc. (KMFI) representatives and Carmelita Barredo of […]
Looking deep at the 2005 income of cities and provinces of Bicol this time, the trend is no different from previous years. The moneys earned stay more on the uptrend. The cities of Legazpi and Naga are truly rivals. Sorsogon may seem to occupy the third position now and the next years to come.
There are similarities between the cities of Davao and Puerto Princesa. Both have large land area than any of the cities one can locate in the country. Same cities are outside of Metro Manila. Before, respective residents claim either of the two LGUs was the biggest in the Philippines in terms of territory covered. Checking their websites and Wikipedia recently, it seems that has been settled.
Metro road projects to ease traffic will cause gridlocks during construction MANILA, Feb. 16 – The Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) will start in April the construction of another major infrastructure project aimed at easing the flow of traffic in Metro Manila. Commuters are aware that once the […]
Ombudsman to garnish Estrada’s P183.79-M ill-gotten wealth The Ombudsman on Thursday moves to garnish P183.79-M alleged ill-gotten wealth of Senator Jinggoy Estrada. The Office of the Ombudsman filed before the Sandiganbayan a motion “necessary to protect the interests of the State and to prevent the removal, concealment and disposition of […]
LEGAZPI CITY — There is no reason to be flaunting about the age of modern air travel in the region via the Southern Luzon international airport. The thing is, the airport’s completion may come beyond the 2016 national elections, yet. Because of this, Bicolanos, more specifically the people of Albay, […]
SC DAP ruling to lead prosecution of erring gov’t officials – CBCP MANILA, Feb 5 — Archbishop Socrates Villegas said people are hoping the recent ruling of the Supreme Court (SC) will pave the way for the investigation and prosecution of those who were involved in the use of the […]
Experiences show PPPs did not guarantee savings for the government but even bloated the public debt. And it can only get worse under the Aquino government’s new schemes for more of PPPs.
Proponents for the devolution of government owned and operated hospitals, which before were geared to serve the poor and needy patients, were right after all. Take for example the eight devolved hospitals in the province of Albay. The provincial health office takes pride that it was successful in its operations, […]
MANILA, Nov 27 — The Philippine Coconut Authority is a recipient of P1.38 billion funding from the government for its operations and programs that can help strengthen the country’s coconut industry. The fund released by the Department of Budget and Management was charged against the 2014 national budget, will pay […]
Research group IBON calls on lawmakers deliberating on the budget for the controversial Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program to look into the resulting additional debt burden that Filipinos will shoulder to repay the program’s loans.
The Social Weather Station survey from March 4 to 7, from sample respondents of 1,200, revealed that 20.5 percent of respondents or about 4.1 million families say they went hungry at least once in the past three months.
Research group IBON calls on lawmakers deliberating on the budget for the controversial Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program to look into the resulting additional debt burden that Filipinos will shoulder to repay the program’s loans.
MANILA — The House of Representatives on Monday approved on third and final reading Joint Resolution No. 7 extending the validity of appropriations under the calamity and quick response funds until Dec. 31, 2014. This includes those sourced from savings realigned in the current year, as well as all unobligated […]
13 Bicol towns pass fiscal stability scorecard – DOF Thirteen municipalities in Bicol garnered satisfactory ratings in financial accomplishments according to the Department of Finance tally for local government units of the country. These municipalities pulled a surprise by capturing either the “Good” or “Very Good” rating in the DOF’s […]
Malacanang on Thursday said President Benigno S. Aquino III will attend the 21st Conference of the Parties for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on Nov. 30. The working visit will enable Aquino to further expand Philippine bilateral ties and cooperation with the Holy See, France, and […]
The Department of Social Welfare and Development is seen to continue supporting its 4P’s beneficiaries maybe beyond 2019. This information was confirmed Monday by the agency belying rumors that Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) is set to end in 2019. Social Welfare secretary Judy Taguiwalo clarified the misconception and pointed […]
We just got hold of information about income and expenditures of towns, cities and provinces. So this post begins a series related to that, and we will try to make the most logical presentation with analysis and comparison to better understand the data.
Presented on the first part of this series, was how the 80 Philippine provinces ranked in tax revenue which is the sum of taxes on real property, business and other taxes. On this second installment the focus is on the individual province’s total non-tax revenue which consists of collections from […]
Government employees to get 13th month pay on time. Yes, government employees and officers are set to feel the holiday season early. It is because state employees will get the remaining half of their 13th month pay and cash gift before the coming Christmas as announced by Secretary Florencio Abad. […]
TIAONG, Quezon, March 24 — The briefing on the P13.1-billion Southern Luzon Expressway-Toll Road 4 (SLEX-TR4) extension project was held here with President Benigno S. Aquino, III in attendance. The 58-kilometer project will link Sto. Tomas, Batangas all the way to Lucena, Quezon. The four-lane project, which was mandated under […]