'Clear and present danger': Inside Australia's anti-terror mission in the Philippines
Australian Army engineer Steve Driver is on a beach teaching Philippines marines how to blast through doors and walls so they can hunt down Islamic State-linked terrorists. He knows a thing or two about bombs. The Glasgow native and former British sapper served in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan before taking a few years' break from military life and then finally finding a new home with the Australian Army.
The Sydney Morning Herald

MARAWI

Budget dep’t releases P13.7 billion in construction funds for Marawi, schools
THE DEPARTMENT of Budget and Management (DBM) released P13.71 billion worth of construction funds in mid-November, to fund the building of schools, the reconstruction of Marawi city, the Metro Manila Subway, and right-of-way acquisition.
Business World Online

ADB allots grants, loans for Marawi rehab  
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has allotted an estimated $400 million (about P20 billion) worth of grants and loans to the government for the rehabilitation of this city. In his visit, ADB Vice President Stephen Groff and his team assessed the most affected areas of the Lanao del Sur capital.
Business Mirror

Martial law extension to pave way for foreign firms in Marawi, fears militant group
The militant Moro group Suara Bangsamoro warned that the extension of martial law would open the door to the entry of foreign capital and foreign corporations to the war-torn Marawi City and put the Maranao in the peripheries. Suara spokesperson Jerome Sucor Aba also said martial law extension in Mindanao would threaten the plebiscite scheduled in January next year to facilitate the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD      

Report: Global Terrorism Index 2018
The Global Terrorism Index 2018 shows the total number of deaths decreased by 27 per cent in 2017, with the largest falls occurring in Iraq and Syria. A drop in fatalities was also reflected in country scores with 94 countries improving, compared to 46 that deteriorated. This is the highest number of countries to record a year-on-year improvement since 2004. The two countries with the most significant falls in terrorism are Iraq and Syria with deaths falling by 5,000 and 1,000 respectively. The large falls in the number of deaths in Iraq and Syria is mainly the result of ISIL’s continuing decline.
Institute for Economics and Peace (Vision of Humanity)
Download Report: Global Terrorism Index 2018 

Afghanistan’s Taliban Is in It to Win It
Like three of his predecessors, U.S. President Donald Trump is now reportedly seeking Pakistan’s assistance in bringing Afghanistan’s Taliban to the negotiating table. But the history of American negotiations with the Taliban, going back to the mid-1990s, shows how large the perceptual gap between the two sides is. Even when Pakistan has facilitated dialogue, those efforts have been frustrated by the chasm between America’s and the Taliban’s worldviews.
Foreign Policy

Terrorism: Nigeria remains third most impacted country
In spite of deaths from terrorism declining by 16 per cent in 2017, Nigeria is still listed as one of the five countries most impacted by terrorism in the 2018 Global Terrorism Index. The country remains in the third position, which it occupied in the 2017 index.
The Guardian Nigeria 

East African security chiefs meet in Uganda over cross-border terrorism
Security chiefs from the East African region are meeting in Uganda to seek measures of controlling cross-border terrorism activities. The chiefs who include INTERPOL and counter terrorism officials from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Comoros, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan and Mozambique are converging under the theme: "Border control challenges in the fight against terrorism in the east African region".
Xinhua

Ministry of Defence Police supports ACT Christmas campaign and promotes use of Project Servator
Counter Terrorism Policing’s biggest ever winter advertising campaign for Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) launched on 19 November 2018, asking business, industry and members of the public to put security on the top of their ‘must have’ lists this Christmas.
UK Government

IS IT SAFE TO VISIT CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN EUROPE?
Tourists visiting Christmas markets across Europe are being warned to “remain vigilant” by the Foreign Office (FCO). In new advice issued on its website, the FCO advises: “There is a general threat from terrorism. There may be increased security in place over the Christmas and New Year period, including at Christmas markets and other major events that might attract large crowds. 
The Independent UK

Somalia: Prosperity Propels Islamic Terrorists
Al Shabaab and the local ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) franchise are increasing their extortion efforts against Somali businesses. Al Shabaab attacks in Mogadishu and against the security forces continue but are not escalating towards regaining control of much territory, at least not yet. The time when the Islamic terrorists controlled a lot of the country ended in 2011 when al Shabaab, after increasing the areas it controlled since it first appeared in 2006, lost control of Mogadishu and much else over the next few years.
Strategy Page

U.S. Soldier Who Tried to Help Islamic State Terrorists Gets 25-Year Sentence
A soldier based in Hawaii was sentenced Tuesday to 25 years in prison for trying to help the Islamic State group. Sgt. 1st Class Ikaika Kang, 35, pleaded guilty in August to four counts of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. He provided classified military documents, a drone and other help, he said.
TIME

Student grantees of CEAP call for peace promotion through education
About 100 student grantees of the College Education Assistance Project (CEAP) who underwent a training on peace formation in Koronadal City, South Cotabato, last December 1, 2018 have called for peace promotion through education.
Manila Bulletin

Duterte to appoint AFP chief Galvez as OPAPP chief
Military chief General Carlito Galvez Jr will be the next chief peace adviser after he retires next week, Malacañang announced on Wednesday, December 5. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a Palace news briefing that President Rodrigo Duterte bared this during the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, December 4.
Rappler, The Manila Times

BANGSAMORO ORGANIC LAW

OPAPP enlightens Sulu Bangsamoro Professionals on OLBARMM
The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process OPAPP explained Republic Act 11054 or the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao BARMM to Sulu Professionals during an activity at the Sulu State College Gymnasium on November 18. 
Luwaran

Atty. Meling: BOL is the most inclusive law we’ll ever have
The Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) is the most inclusive law we’ll ever have in the country. This was the statement of Atty. Haron S. Meling during a Forum on Understanding the Bangsamoro Organic Law. Atty. Meling is the Executive Assistant of BTC Commissioner Mohagher Iqbal, who is also the Chair of the MILF Peace Implementing Panel. 
Luwaran

Zamboanga City to block bids to include barangays in BOL plebiscite
The city government is set to oppose before the Commission on Elections petitions filed by some residents of island villages for inclusion in the January plebiscite to ratify the Bangsamoro Organic Law. Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said the city's position against petitions by some residents of barangays Busay and Landang Gua in Sacol Island will be presented to the city council for approval.
Philippine Star

MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY

1 hurt in ambush on Maguindanao town bets
A candidate for a local post in Maguindanao was wounded when a car he was riding in with two other bets was ambushed in Sultan Kudarat town Wednesday. Chief Superintendent Graciano Mijares of the Police Regional Office-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao identified the victim as Khadafy Karudin Pendi, candidate for municipal councilor in Parang, Maguindanao.
Philippine Star

Govt forces discovers BIFF encampment near massacre site
The military has found an encampment of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) near the site of Maguinanao massacre in Maguindanao Wednesday morning.    “It was already abandoned, the rebels are no longer here,” Army 1Lt. Juvylito Lisondra, commander of the 21st Mechanized Company who led the clearing team.   
NDBC News

Tips from vigilant residents thwart BIFF attack in Ampatuan hinterlands
Soldiers foiled Tuesday an attempt by militants to hoist the Islamic State flag on a strategic spot overlooking the Maguindanao massacre memorial in Ampatuan town. A gunfight ensued as soldiers arrived to drive away the marauding members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters positioned on hills in Sitio Narra in Barangay Masalay in Ampatuan, as if preparing to attack agricultural enclaves around.  
NDBC News

4 BIFF men killed in Maguindanao
Four members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters were killed in a gunfight with soldiers who foiled an attempt by the militants to hoist a flag of the Islamic State in Sitio Narra, Barangay Masalay, Ampatuan town on Tuesday. Sources from local communities identified the fatalities as Samir Guinta, Undak Kamarudin, Sangkay Guiabar and Mohammad Bantuas, who were led by Abu Ruzdak and a certain Diok.
Philippine Star, Philippine News Agency

Kin of slain LGU worker, 3 others in Maguindanao cry for justice
Relatives of a local  government employee and three others who were killed last November 19 in a supposed encounter with the police are seeking justice, belying claims that the victims were criminal elements. Facing the local media over the weekend, the relatives raged over the way the victims were killed by the police.
GMA News

LANAO PROVINCES

BASILAN

SULU 

Military's 2022 plan: New army division vs Abu Sayyaf in Sulu
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is creating a new infantry division specialized to hunt down Abu Sayyaf and other threat groups in Sulu, military spokesman Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo announced on Wednesday, December 5.
Rappler

New Sulu-bound infantry division activated this month
To fully neutralize Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) terrorists in Sulu, the military will formally activate a new infantry division sometime this month. "The unit shall be oriented, armed, and equipped to address the peculiarity of the enemy, weather, and terrain; as well as enemy techniques, tactics and procedure; and other variables that are unique to the island province of Sulu," Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said in a press briefing Wednesday.
Philippine News Agency, Philippine Daily Inquirer

TAWI-TAWI 

DRUGS

Duterte ready to go to jail over drug war, but won't recognize ICC
President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday that he was willing to go to jail if needed, but will never recognize the International Criminal Court (ICC). "Look, I am admitting. For those encounters by the police, 4,000 plus, I assume full responsibility and I will answer for it and if I have to go to jail, I will go to jail. So be it," Duterte said in front of the presidential awardees in Malacanang.
GMA News

DILG requires mandatory drug test for all personnel
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has maintained that the mandatory drug tests for its personnel will spare no one and will even be administered to the agency’s top officials as a testament to the government’s all-out war against illegal drugs.
Manila Bulletin

A long-awaited turning point in Duterte's bloody drug war
"Never has homicide or murder been a function of law enforcement," declared Filipino Judge Rodolfo Azucena Jr in a landmark ruling, which may change the fate of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's bloody drug war. On November 29, the Regional Trial Court in Caloocan City found three police officers guilty of murdering Kian Delos Santos, a 17-year-old teenager, in August last year. 
Aljazeera

Philippines' Duterte: 'Kill those useless bishops'
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said his country's Catholic bishops are "useless fools" and should be "killed" as the controversial leader stepped up his attack on the church, which has opposed his deadly war on drugs in the Southeast Asian archipelago. 
Aljazeera

CHR hopes Duterte administration can curb abuses in drug war
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) hopes the Duterte administration will “utilize all means to exact accountability from all perpetrators” of abuses in its war on drugs. “With this recognition and admission of the existence of abuses, we are hopeful that the administration will utilize all means to exact accountability from all perpetrators,” CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said in a statement on Tuesday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Operations/ Incidents

Trap for gunrunner leads to mass arrest in drug den
Fourteen people were arrested in the cities of Navotas and Malabon in separate police operations on Tuesday that yielded about P100,000 worth of “shabu” (crystal meth) and two unlicensed firearms.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Recovery and Rehabilitation  

ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES AND AMMUNITION

CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING  

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

‘Online trafficker’ caught; 5 minors rescued
Authorities arrested a 30-year-old mother who offered to livestream sexually explicit acts involving her own 9-year-old daughter in exchange for money from online predators and customers abroad. The suspected trafficker was caught in the act of trafficking her daughter during an anti-trafficking entrapment operation led by the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Women and Children’s Protection Center – Mindanao Field Unit (WCPC-MFU) in Barangay Tubod, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte Province, at noon Wednesday.
Sunstar Cagayan de Oro

ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS 

Duterte: If my remark is ‘too ridiculous’, it must be a joke
How can the public determine if President Duterte is telling a joke in the middle of a formal speech? Amid the controversy arising from his joke about marijuana use, the President explained that if his statement was “too ridiculous,” it must be a joke.
Manila Bulletin

Duterte in high spirits to joke again: Anyone with marijuana? 
President Rodrigo Duterte again cracked a joke on Wednesday about using marjiuana in his usual expletive-laden speech in Malacañang.  “Inaantok ako. Sinong may marijuana diyan?” Duterte said in a speech during the awarding ceremonies for the 2017 Presidential Award for Child-Friendly Municipalities and Cities (PACFMC), drawing laughter from the audience.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Duterte asks gov’t appointees to ‘serve and protect the people’ during oathtaking
President Duterte has urged new appointees in government to serve and protect the people well. The President reminded the latest batch of presidential appointees about being “workers of government” during the mass oath-taking ceremony in Malacañang last Tuesday.
Manila Bulletin

Duterte: Almost 90% of Catholic priests are homosexuals
President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday that almost 90 percent of Catholic priests were homosexuals. "The most hypocritical institution in the entire Philippines is the Catholic church and the pope knows that," Duterte said during his speech at the Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the  2018 Model OFW Family of the Year Awards ceremony in Malacañang.
GMA News, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Duterte: Don’t be so sad about being taxed
President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said the public should not be “so sad about being taxed,” after he gave the green light for the second tranche of the fuel excise tax hike in 2019. “Don’t be so sad about being taxed because your money during my term is safe. I will not allow corruption,” Duterte said in his speech during an awarding ceremony for model overseas Filipinos.
ABS-CBN News

Sangil: The two years of Duterte
IN A few days, it will be 2019. Five months and the Duterte administration will enter its third year. These past two years he still enjoys the support of many Filipinos, if we believe results of the periodic surveys. The question is: does he still deserve the political grace of our people? In the gospel of St. Mathew 20:20-28 is saying in part, 'whoever wants to be great in your community, let him minister to the community. And if you want to be the first of all, make yourself the servant of all.'
Sunstar Pampanga

---------------------

DISASTER

Gawad Kalasag: Pampanga is best in disaster response
Pampanga, one of three provinces that struggled to overcome the impact of Mt. Pinatubo’s 1991 eruptions and lahar flows, was chosen as the country’s best Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MINDANAO

ELECTION RELATED

LIST: Comelec raffle results for party-list order on 2019 ballots
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) released on Wednesday, December 5, an initial list reflecting the order of appearance of party-list groups on the official ballot for the May 2019 midterm elections.
Rappler

Bayan Muna gets top spot for party list in Comelec ballot
Bayan Muna earned the top spot among partylist organizations in the official ballot in the May 2019 midterm polls. The Commission on Elections held the raffle to determine the listing of partylist groups in the ballot Wednesday.
Manila Bulletin

Roxas seeks repeal of train law amid easing of inflation rate
The easing of the inflation to six percent for the month of November should not be considered as a sigh of relief for the Filipinos, senatorial candidate Mar Roxas said on Wednesday. The reality, according to Roxas, is that ordinary people continue to bear the brunt of the high inflation rate which is the high prices of basic commodities.
Manila Bulletin

Cayetanos seek dismissal of petitions filed against them
Former Foreign Affairs secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, who is running for congressman in the 2019 midterm polls, is seeking the dismissal of the petition filed against him by Leonides Buac at the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Manila Bulletin

Congresswoman urges Comelec: Place La Union under military protection
Following the killings of local officials in her province earlier this year, La Union 2nd District Representative Sandra Eriguel has asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to place La Union province under military protection.
Rappler

Election-related Violence

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

LIST: Major constitutional changes the House wants under federalism
The House of Representatives approved on 2nd reading a resolution that would amend the 1987 Constitution and shift the Philippines to a federal system of government. On Tuesday, December 4, majority of lawmakers said aye to Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 15, penned by Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and 35 other legislators.
Rappler

Senate closes door on Cha-Cha for lack of time
The Senate is still not keen to take up proposals to revise the 1987 Constitution even as the House of Representatives comes close to approving a draft charter for a federal form of government.
Manila Bulletin

Minority blocs assail railroading of Charter change measure
Minority blocs in the House of Representatives decried on Wednesday the alleged railroading of the approval of the Charter revision measure – the Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 15. ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio of the Makabayan bloc aired suspicions that the Duterte administration and its House allies will attempt to ram through Congress by convening the legislative body into a constituent assembly when Senate and the Lower Chamber meet in a joint session to consider a proposal by government to extend the effectivity of martial law in Mindanao for another year.
Manila Bulletin

Arroyo denies railroading Charter change resolution
HOUSE Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has denied that the House of Representatives railroaded the passage of the resolution suggesting amendments to the 1987 Constitution. The Resolution of Both Houses No. 15 or the “Resolution of Both Houses Proposing the Revision of the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines,” was passed on second reading during the plenary session Tuesday, December 4, just a week before the Congress will adjourn for the holidays.
Sunstar Manila

Robredo asks Congress to focus on gut issues rather than charter change
Instead of changing the Charter, Vice President Leni Robredo said on Wednesday lawmakers should prioritize measures that will address the rising prices of basic goods and impact of the tax reform law to Filipinos.
Manila Bulletin

JUDICIARY

Bersamin: ‘Our role is to be an independent judiciary’
Although he wants the Judiciary to maintain a harmonious relationship with the two other branches of government, newly appointed Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin said he does not want to always depend on the other branches of government for support.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

LEGISLATIVE

Congressmen defend huge budget for Arroyo’s district
Senior opposition and administration lawmakers on Wednesday assured the Senate that the proposed 2019 General Appropriations Act passed by the House of Representatives contains neither “pork barrel” funds nor unjustifiable insertions as claimed by Senator Panfilo Lacson.
Manila Bulletin, Rappler

Pork-hater Ping ‘don’t know plight of congressmen’
House Minority Leader, Quezon 3rd district Rep. Danilo Suarez highlighted this detail about the senator even as the latter continued his exposés on the existence of “pork barrel” or illegal discretionary funds in the proposed P3.757-trillion national budget for next year that have been prepared by congressmen.
Manila Bulletin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Madrigal is new AFP chief
President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Armed Forces of the Philippines-Eastern Mindanao Command (AFP-EastMinCom) Chief Lt. Gen. Benjamin R. Madrigal, Jr., as the new AFP Chief of Staff.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Star

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

Inflation eases in Nov. amid lower food, fuel costs
The rate of increase in consumer prices eased for the first time last month amid lower costs of food and fuel products, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed today.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Star

Speaker Arroyo “happy” over the easing inflation this November
Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Wednesday cheered the drop in the inflation rate to six-percent in November from a high of 6.7 percent in October. “Well, I’m very happy to hear about the easing inflation,” she told reporters in an ambush interview.
Manila Bulletin

Nothing to celebrate with lower inflation, says Makabayan solons
The lowered inflation rate of 6 percent for the country this November is nothing to celebrate over. Thus, said members of the militant Makabayan Bloc in a press conference Wednesday at the House of Representatives. The congressmen, who are part of the opposition, also said they expect inflation to skyrocket anew early next year.
Manila Bulletin

Escudero asks Duterte to reconsider implementation of second tranche of fuel excise tax
Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero has filed a resolution asking the President Rodrigo Duterte to reconsider the implementation of the second tranche of excise tax on fuel. Escudero, in filing Senate Resolution No. 964, said it is best to suspend the implementation of the scheduled excise tax increase in January 2019, before it directly affects Filipinos thru an uncontrollable inflation.
Manila Bulletin

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

GRAFT AND CORRUPTION

Imelda posts P300k bail
Former First Lady and incumbent Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos on Wednesday posted a P300,000 bail before the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division after she was granted permission to file post-conviction remedies.
Manila Bulletin, Rappler

SC upholds dismissal of Mikey Arroyo’s tax evasion case
For “procedural defects and substantive deficiencies,” the Supreme Court (SC) has dismissed the government’s petition that challenged the acquittal of Juan Miguel M. Arroyo of alleged tax evasion for years 2004 to 2009 and failure to file and pay income taxes for 2005, 2008, and 2009.
Manila Bulletin

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

West Philippine Sea

Guevarra: PH-China MOU on oil, gas needs no Senate concurrence
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has assured that that the country’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Cooperation on Oil and Gas Development with China needs no Senate approval.
Manila Bulletin

LABOR

Filipinos in France advised to exercise caution in view of violent protests
The Philippine government on Wednesday advised Filipinos in France as well as those in the Philippines who are traveling to Paris to exercise caution in view of the violent protests that have been taking place in the French capital and other areas during the past several weekends.
Manila Bulletin

UAE extends amnesty program for undocumented Filipinos
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has extended for the second time the implementation of its amnesty program that would allow undocumented foreigners, including Filipinos, to either correct their immigration status and continue working or return home without penalties.
Manila Bulletin

8 PWDs hired on the spot during DOLE’s special job fair
A total of 8 persons with disability were hired on the spot during the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) special job fair held in Quezon City on Wednesday. Information provided by the Labor department revealed that these are for the positions of cashier, sales clerk, janitor, promodizer and merchandiser.
Manila Bulletin

Public urged to treat ‘kasambahays’ like family
Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito is calling for greater appreciation of the invaluable services and loyalty of domestic helpers to the families they serve and their contributions to nation building.
Manila Bulletin

TRANSPORTATION

‘Traffic emergency powers measure may stall in Senate’
While the proposed emergency powers against the country’s traffic woes succeeded in the House of Representatives, senators appear cold on passing a similar measure amid concerns that the move will trigger massive corruption and bury the country deeper in debts.
Manila Bulletin

HEALTH 

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

Duterte orders DA to step up efforts to improve condition of farmers in PH
President Duterte has ordered the Department of Agriculture (DA) to step up efforts to further improve the plight of farmers in the country. The welfare of Filipino farmers was among the national issues discussed by the President during a Cabinet meeting in Malacañang last Tuesday.
Manila Bulletin

Agriculture credit breakthrough
On Nov. 23, an agriculture breakthrough occurred. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas invited the heads of 30 commercial banks to a meeting on the need for more accessible agriculture financing. This was in response to an earlier discussion among BSP Governor Nestor Espanilla Jr., Deputy Governor Chuchi Fonacier and the Agri Fisheries Alliance (AFA). For AFA,  the Coalition for Agriculture Modernization in the Philippines (CAMP) acted as the initiator while the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc (PCAFI) took the lead.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

EDUCATION

Senate seeks to realign CHED aid program, to raise free higher education budget
Suspecting that the discretionary nature of the Tulong Dunong financial assistance program of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) was a form of pork barrel, senators decide to realign it instead in the proposed 2019 budget.
Rappler

DepEd revives schools inside gardens program
In line with its efforts to support the national government’s initiatives in protecting and conserving the environment, the Department of Education (DepEd) revived a program establishing schools inside gardens.
Manila Bulletin

ENERGY

POVERTY

HOUSING

TOURISM

Massive rehab for Panglao Island, El Nido
The government is determined to push through with the rehabilitation of two other popular beach destinations in the country even without an executive order from President Duterte. “On the rehabilitation of Panglao Island in Bohol and El Nido in Palawan, the Cabinet agreed that there is no need to issue an Executive Order,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said.
Manila Bulletin

‘EO not needed for Panglao and El Nido’
President Rodrigo Duterte need not to issue an executive order for the rehabilitation of Panglao Island in Bohol and El Nido in Palawan, the Palace said on Wednesday. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the Duterte’s Cabinet members had agreed that an EO was no longer necessary for the government to rehabilitate the tourist destinations.
Manila Standard

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES 

COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY

Metro Manila to benefit from 3rd telco service
Metro Manila residents can avail themselves of the third telco player’s services on its first full year of operations. People living in Batanes, the northernmost province of the Philippines, are less fortunate, with the rollout ignoring the area completely in the first five years.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DEVELOPMENT SECTOR