Lex Talionis: in a time of a shooting war
President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to give the New People’s Army (NPA) tit for tat” is notable on several levels. It is perhaps the first time in the Philippines since American General Jacob Smith and Japanese Geneneral Masaharu Homma were here, that a commander-in-chief or a military commander has ordered “tit for tat,” “Do it to them also,” and “give them what they deserve” against the enemy.
Business World Online

A SOJOURNER’S VIEW: Thirty Six Years Ago
A twenty-year period is considered one generation. Thus if one were to bring in the number 36, that would mean the equivalent of almost two generations. For millennials and Generation Z, 36 years ago would seem like “pre-historic times,” for, indeed, the year 1983 would be to them a long, long time ago. 
Mindanews

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Lifestyles of the Left and famous, and their ‘princelings’
SOCIAL media was abuzz in the past several days, with netizens cheering on as Krizette Laureta Chu, an ordinary but very active and audacious blogger, take on — and shame — the leftist Bayan Muna leader Teodoro Casiño, a three-term party-list congressman, for threatening her with a libel suit.
The Manila Times

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CHR: Activism a basic right
CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia explained it can be done through demonstrations and protests in contesting “an issue or advocate for a cause’’. The statement came in response to the government’s call to revive the anti-subversion law which primarily makes it unlawful to conduct protest actions.
Manila Bulletin

EDITORIAL - Subversion as a crime
Over three decades have passed, but memories remain indelible of how the Marcos dictatorship used anti-subversion laws to crack down on political dissent.
Philippine Star

Without new law, no case vs Red recruiters
Unless the anti-subversion law is revived, the government cannot file charges against arguably progressive, if not radical, groups that allegedly have been recruiting young men and women — mainly students — into the ranks of the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
The Manila Times

Lorenzana backs proposal to ban NPA 'front organizations'
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Sunday he supports the call of Interior Secretary Eduardo Año to revive the expanded version of the Anti-Subversion Act and ban organizations with links to rebel groups.
ABS-CBN News

A good point for Viber
Aside from its absolutely free service, one good point about Viber is that, unlike Facebook and other venues in the internet where you have to be friends for you to communicate with each other, Viber simply announces you as part of the roster of its users and you get to reach one another pronto. In cases where followers of my column get to know I am a Viber user, they take pains in communicating to me their concerns on subject matters they deem dear to my heart.
The Manila Times

Fetalvero: Freedom of expression: The price
THERE is an urgent call for the re-imposition of the Anti-Subversion Law. This call came after four individuals claiming to be former members of the NPA (New Peoples’ Army) issued statements on how they became members of leftist organizations and their recruitment into the armed group.
Sunstar Cebu

PNP: Reds infiltrating schools, religious sector
Even teachers and members of religious groups are being recruited by communist fronts, a police official said yesterday. Philippine National Police – Police Community Relations Group director Maj. Gen. Benigno Durana Jr. said front organizations of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) such as the League of Filipino Students, College Editors Guild of the Philippines and Anakbayan have infiltrated not only schools but also the religious sector.
Philippine Star

Reversing the gains of Phl democracy
A proposal to revive a dead law has – to use a cliché – stirred up a hornets’ nest. The proposal came from Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año who, ironically, is better known to be a tight-lipped official since his military service days. A retired Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff, Año suddenly turned vocal about making public his proposal coming out of the blue. 
Philippine Star

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Anti-insurgency drive gains support from local council newbies
The government sees a positive reinforcing role for neophyte local chief executives in the national government's efforts to wipe out local communist armed conflict.
Philippine News Agency

Mayor adopts ‘whole-of-nation’ approach to achieve peace
Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo of Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental said she is adopting the “whole-of-nation” approach advocated by President Rodrigo Duterte to achieve peace and development in her municipality.
Philippine News Agency

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10th ID trumpets gains vs. NPA
The 10th Infantry Division recorded significant gains against the New People’s Army, which reportedly continues to suffer reduction in support, firearms, and manpower.
The Manila Times

Peace Talks

Incidents/ Operations    

Davao City’s most wanted killed in shootout
A FORMER New People’s Army (NPA) member and Davao City’s Number 1 Most Wanted Person was killed in a shootout with the authorities yesterday along Rosalina 3, Barangay Baliok, Talomo District.
Sunstar Davao

Solons reject proposed 90-day legal wiretapping
Lawmakers opposed Sunday the proposal of the Department of National Defense to legalize wiretapping operations up to 90 days. Albay City Rep. Edcel Lagman and Kabataan partylist Rep. Sarah Elago said Congress should not give in to such proposal, saying it is “repressive,” “regressive,” and “anti-people.”
Manila Bulletin, GMA News

Zamboanga has new Army, Marine counterterror chiefs
The military has intensified security measures in this city by installing new commanders for the Marines and Army counterterrorism units. The installation of Lt. Col. Joel Atienza as commander of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 11 and Col. John Divinagracia as chief of the Joint Task Force Zamboanga (JTFZ) is expected to intensify the military’s campaign against kidnapping  and bomb attacks.
Philippine Star

MARAWI

Marawi rehab inches forward
T HAS been more than two years since the siege in Marawi City. The city is now in the process of healing after the firefight that ensued for five months. On August 9, the National Housing Authority (NHA) and the Local Government of Marawi City opened the area to the media. Upon entering, there were strict measures in place. Soldiers were very inquisitive about our agenda in the area. But later on, they allowed the media to go inside provided with an escort.
Sunstar Davao

SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE WORLD     

Afghan officials: Suicide attack in wedding hall kills 63
The death toll from a suicide bombing at a wedding in Afghanistan’s capital is at least 63, including women and children, officials said Sunday, as Kabul reeled from its deadliest attack this year.
Philippine Daily Inquirer 

Kabul bombing shows frailty of security
On Saturday, Kabul was rocked by yet another tragedy. At what should have been a joyous occasion – a wedding with 1,200 people gathered – a suicide bomber detonated his explosives, killing 63 guests, including children.
The National

Terrorists Turn to Bitcoin for Funding, and They’re Learning Fast
Hamas, the militant Palestinian group, has been designated a terrorist organization by Western governments and some others and has been locked out of the traditional financial system. But this year its military wing has developed an increasingly sophisticated campaign to raise money using Bitcoin.
The New York Times

Qatar and Somalia: Terrorism and appreciation!
I VISITED Somalia for the first time in 1986 on a business trip related to the Somali National Maritime Company that specialized in transporting livestock. Livestock was one of the most important sources of modest economic income for Somalia, in addition to the income from the export of small and sweet bananas, which the Somali government had given an Italian company the exclusive right to plant and export.
Saudi Gazette

BARMM

MAGUINDANAO AND COTABATO CITY

Raymund Fortun withdraws as Andal Ampatuan Jr.’s counsel
The high profile lawyer of Maguindanao massacre principal accused Andal Ampatuan Jr. has quit as his counsel. Raymund Fortun’s withdrawal from the case came before Ampatuan’s camp submitted a memorandum which is the final evidence on the 58 counts murder charges against him before the Quezon City court decides on the case.
Manila Bulletin

Cotabato City mayor campaigns versus teenage gangs
The iron-fisted mayor here has offered members of emerging teenage gangs psycho-social interventions but warned of police action if they refuse to cooperate.
NDBC News

NORTH COTABATO

LANAO PROVINCES

Bid to arrest MILF ‘rejects’ leads to clash, escape of suspects
A group of soldiers and policemen clashed with at least 12 armed men at the outskirts of Sapad town of Lanao del Norte when the lawmen tried to arrest the leader of an alleged crime group composed of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rejects.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Mindanews

Proactive, empowered Bangsamoro CSO launched in Malabang, Lanao Sur
A civil society organization with about 3,000 members dedicated to helping the government especially in the alleviation of poverty, upholding transparency and promoting good governance, has been launched here on Saturday, August 17. 
Ranao Star

BASILAN

Basilan opens ‘House of Peace’ to help ex-Abus start anew
Inside the sprawling camp of the Philippine Army’s 4th Special Forces Battalion in Isabela City, Basilan, stands a newly built one-story facility.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

SULU 

Australian Energy firm eyes first LNG hub in the PH
The Armed Forces of the Philippines is supporting the proposed natural oil exploration project of an Australian energy firm in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) that is expected to create employment opportunities for Mindanaoans.
Manila Bulletin

TAWI-TAWI 

Energy firm considering nuclear power facility in Tawi-Tawi, Sulu
SULU SEA Energy Resources Development Corp., a new entrant in the energy and petroleum exploration sectors, may well be the first local company to come forward under the present administration with plans to put up a nuclear power station.
Business World Online

Violation of rules of order in territorial seas 'concerning' —US general
A US military general on Friday said the violation of international rules of order in territorial seas is "concerning." "I think quite frankly any activity that we see both at sea and in the air, and increasingly now we’re also having the same conversation in space and in cyber, has got to adhere to some international rules of order that we all live by. 
GMA News

DRUGS

Bones of suspected drug dealers discovered in Cavite
The Skeletal remains of suspected drug dealers were found by police officers in Dasmariñas, Cavite in the course of an anti-illegal drugs operation. According to Dano Tingcungco's report in GMA's 24 Oras Weekend on Sunday, the anti-narcotics officers had just arrested suspects Richard Lozanta and Sonny Toledo for their alleged drug involvement when the suspects revealed the location of the remains.
GMA News

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Operations/ Incidents

YouTube sensation Xander Bay nabbed for drugs
A rap artist and YouTube sensation was arrested in a buy-bust operation in front of a bar in Angeles City on Sunday (Aug  18). Police said Arnly Dimabuyu, also known as Xander Bay, 21, was arrested after he allegedly sold ecstasy and marijuana to an undercover agent.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Female drug mule yields P340-K shabu
A 21-year-old woman who allegedly works as a "mule" of some known drug personalities in Cebu was arrested in a buy-bust operation in a village here on Sunday, the local police reported.
Philippine News Agency

Gym instructor, cohorts arrested in Digos City buy-bust
A gym instructor and his cohorts were arrested in an anti-illegal drug operation conducted in Digos by the city police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 11 (PDEA 11)-Davao del Sur, on Sunday morning.
Philippine News Agency

3 'pushers' slain, 6 others nabbed in Bulacan
Three alleged drug peddlers were killed while six others were arrested during intensified buy-bust operations conducted in this province on Saturday.
Philippine News Agency

Suspected drug pusher dead in Laguna
A man tagged as a “high value target” of the police for illegal drugs was killed in a buy-bust operation here, police said Sunday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Korean-American nabbed for alleged drug use in CDO
Police apprehended a 66-year-old Korean-American national for alleged possession of illegal substance inside a hotel room in Barangay Lumbia, this city, on August 16.
Philippine News Agency

Surprise, surprise: Bohol jail raid yields ‘shabu’
A surprise raid on a jail at a village in this city on Sunday (Aug 18) yielded what may no longer be a surprise in detention facilities nationwide—drugs.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Recovery and Rehabilitation  

ILLICIT FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES AND AMMUNITION

CROSS-BORDER TRADING/ SMUGGLING  

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

KIDNAP FOR RANSOM

ILLEGAL GAMBLING

ILLICIT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/ EXTORTION

Gretchen Diez incident also a health issue —sociology professor
A sociology professor believes that disallowing transgender individuals from using public toilets intended for sexes opposite of their gender identity is a health issue, not just a question of preferences.
GMA News

Hontiveros debunks ‘I love my LGBT friends but…’ statements
“I love my LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) friends but…” One may have heard this statement whether be it from a friend, overheard from a conversation at a cafe, or randomly read in a Facebook post. 
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Christian group airs apprehensions on SOGIE
Transgender women are invading safe spaces, especially that of women, according to Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life.
Manila Bulletin

TESDA bags second GADTimpala award
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority recently received its second Philippine Commission on Women GADTimpala Bronze Award after five years for its Sari-sari Store Training and Access to Resources (STAR) Program which focuses on skills training on women.
Manila Bulletin

Bato’s new enemy: imagined transwomen rapists
One of the defining features of the Duterte regime is a dehumanizing rhetoric that expresses virulence, seething hate, and an incitement to violence and an obsessive compulsion to portray its targets as unworthy of respect.
Bulatlat

Editorial: Understanding Sogie
ALL gender. Gender-neutral. Gender-sensitive. LGBTQIA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, queer, intersex and asexual). A public confused over matters concerning gender should go beyond a cognitive understanding of terms, which subtly define and categorize persons as certain “types” that are perceived as different—equated with “strange” and “abnormal,” thus “threatening”—from the rest of the world that is predictably and safely male and female.
Sunstar Cebu

Male or female
I wonder what happened to the janitress who barred the male transgender from using the restroom for females. Remember there are only two restrooms, one for males and another for females. Under the circumstances, did she do the right thing?
Philippine Star

Press Freedom/ Freedom of Expression

Martial Law 

Evolution of the Duterte Cabinet
Eight-hour Cabinet meetings. Midnight monologues on repeat. Curve-ball policy pronouncements. These are just some of the presidential habits a Duterte Cabinet member must learn to live with.
Rappler

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Envoy to Panelo: What if China suspects OFWs of spying, too?
Do Filipinos suspect that Chinese workers in the Philippines are really spies? Well, the Chinese can think the same way about overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in China, too. But let’s perish the thought that the  thousands of our nationals working in your country and yours working in ours are security threats.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DND scoffs at China envoy's suggestion that OFWs could be spies
Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua's suggestion that Filipinos working in China could also be accused of spying, similar to how the Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana had warned that Chinese Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) workers could be spies, was the "most preposterous statement" Lorenzana had heard in a long while. 
GMA News, Philippine News Agency, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin

Palace: Zhao’s assertion that PH possibly spying on China is just an opinion
Malacañang said that Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua was just expressing an opinion when the latter said that China can also suspect that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in their country are actually spies.
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Panelo: It is my duty to be transparent
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo explained that it was his duty as the Chief Executive’s mouthpiece to tell the public any information that may affect them, including the remark of Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua about the possibility that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in China may be suspected for being spies.
Manila Bulletin

Lacson asks Panelo: Have you switched sides? 
Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Sunday asked presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo if he has switched roles and is now the Chinese embassy’s spokesperson.
Manila Bulletin

Panelo hits back at Lacson for ‘Chinese Embassy spokesman’ jab
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo on Sunday fired back at Sen. Panfilo Lacson for insinuating that he was speaking for the Chinese Embassy when he shared to the media its ambassador’s reaction to fears that some Chinese workers in the country could spy on Philippine military bases.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Panelo: Repeated intrusion of Chinese vessels in PH waters an ‘irritant’
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo echoed the sentiments of Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana, saying that the repeated unannounced presence of Chinese vessels in the country’s waters is becoming an “irritant”.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Malacañang leaves to the wisdom of lawmakers passage of mandatory autopsy bill
Malacañang has left to the wisdom of lawmakers whether or not to push for a bill seeking mandatory autopsies on crime victims in the country.
Manila Bulletin

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PACC: P100K ‘insignificant’ gift
Just how “insignificant” can gifts or tokens be which a government worker can accept? For Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission Commissioner Greco Belgica, it could be as much as P100,000.
Philippine Star

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

‘Walang monopoly ng husay’: Robredo remembers Jesse on his death anniversary
“Parati niya sa aming sinasabi na una, walang monopoly ng husay, na dapat iyong lahat nabibigyan ng pagkakataon.” This is how Vice President Leni Robredo remembered her late husband, Jesse Robredo, and his leadership on Sunday, seven years after the untimely plane crash that took the life of the then interior secretary. 
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Robredo thanks all those who remembered her husband Jesse on his death anniversary
Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday expressed gratitude to all those who remembered her husband Jesse on his 7th death anniversary.
GMA News

Robredo open but does not have definite plans yet for a possible presidential run
She may be open to all possibilities, but it doesn’t mean she already has definite plans for a presidential run in 2022, Vice President Ma. Leoonor “Leni” Robredo said.
Manila Bulletin

ELECTION RELATED

Panelo to Cardema: We have nothing to do with your tiff with Guanzon
“We have nothing to do with what you’re doing,” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said, referring to former National Youth Commission (NYC) chief Ronald Cardema and Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon. 
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Cardema should just file case against Guanzon — Palace
Former National Youth Commission (NYC) chair Ronald Cardema should just file a case against a poll official instead of dragging Malacañang and using the media for publicity, a Palace official said Sunday.
Manila Bulletin

Kontra Daya tells Cardema to just accept Comelec decision
Poll watchdog group Kontra Daya said Duterte Youth partylist first nominee Ronald Cardema should just accept the decision of the Commission on Elections First Division disqualifying him instead of turning the tables on poll Commissioner Rowena Guanzon.
Manila Bulletin

DISASTER

MINDANAO

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

JUDICIARY

LEGISLATIVE

Senate of the Philippines

Revilla bats for P3,000 hike in war veterans’ pension
Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. is seeking the immediate passage of a bill that provides an increase of P3,000 in the monthly pension of war veterans.
Manila Bulletin

‘I am for equality’ – Gordon
Senator Richard Gordon believes that all people should be treated equality and with respect, regardless of gender. Gordon made the pronouncement after Senator Risa Hontiveros brought to the Senate floor the discrimination transwoman Gretchen Diez suffered at Farmers Plaza Mall in Cubao, Quezon City last week.
Manila Bulletin

House of Representatives

House mulls road user’s tax hike
The House of Representatives is considering an increase in the road user’s tax, which the government collects from millions of owners of motor vehicles, including motorcycles.
Philippine Star

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Barbers seeks House probe on Meralco’s ‘redundant’ charges
Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers is seeking a congressional probe on Manila Electric Company’s supposed “redundant” power charges passed on to consumers.
Manila Bulletin

Congress warned against ‘repressive policies’
A veteran independent lawmaker yesterday warned Congress against passing and giving in to Duterte government’s alleged repressive and regressive measures and policies, saying that it could slow down the country’s sustainable socio-economic development.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News

BUDGET, FINANCE and TAXATION

BIR should look into allegations of corruption in the case of abducted revenue officers – Albayalde
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) should look into allegations that kidnap-for-ransom victims were involved in corruption activities.
Manila Bulletin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

PNP requires normal BMI for police recruits
The body mass index or BMI will now be strictly used as a basis before a police recruit is allowed to be hired as a member of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Manila Bulletin

ECONOMY AND INVESTMENTS

PHL fares well in Asean in GDP, open data; poor in FDI, tourism, inflation
THE Philippines continued to rank well against its Asean counterparts in terms of GDP growth and open data efforts but lagged in terms of investments, tourist arrivals and inflation, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Business Mirror

Economist: Strong population drives PH growth prospects
THE Philippines’ strong population of more than 100 million is driving the steady growth prospects in one of Asia’s promising economies, a senior economist said. Ronilo Balbieran, founder and president at consulting firm Arsokos Corp., pointed out that the country’s young population is its main advantage.
Sunstar Cebu

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

AUDIT, GRAFT AND CORRUPTION

COA questions award of Kaliwa Dam contract to Chinese firm
The Commission on Audit (COA) questioned the selection of the contractor for the New Centennial Water Source-Kaliwa Dam Project which would be funded through an Official Development Assistance loan.
GMA News

Atienza describes Duterte’s fight against corruption as ‘herculean’
Buhay partylist Rep.  Lito Atienza yesterday described as “herculean fight against corruption”  President Duterte’s directive to dismantle all those who illegally occupy and obstruct a public road or sidewalk.
Manila Bulletin

Acosta tags allegations as ‘malicious, baseless, fabricated’
Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) chief Persida Rueda-Acosta has denied allegations of corruption, saying that the claims were “unfounded, malicious, baseless, fabricated, and concocted to malign” her and her office.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

FOREIGN RELATIONS  

West Philippine Sea

US freedom of navigation operations in SCS mere deterrent to those who disobey int’l laws
The purpose of the freedom of navigation operations (Fonops) being conducted by the United States in the Indo-Pacific region, including the South China Sea, is to “highlight” and deter those that do not follow rules-based international order following reports that Chinese warships were recently spotted making unauthorized passage in the southern part of the Philippines.
Manila Bulletin

LABOR

DOLE blacklists 21 foreign recruitment agencies, cancels licenses of 19 local firms
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Sunday blacklisted 21 foreign recruitment agencies and direct employers and cancelled the licenses of 19 erring local recruitment firms.
Manila Bulletin

OFW headcount in HK urged
Recruiters of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to Hong Kong were advised on Sunday to conduct a close monitoring of their deployed workers as tens of thousands of Hong Kong democracy activists gathered Sunday for a major rally to show the city’s leaders their protest movement still attracts wide public support despite mounting violence and increasingly stark warnings from Beijing.
Manila Bulletin

Work visas, permits: What foreigners need to know to work in PH
With the influx of foreigners working in numerous Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), it is a good time to revisit the types of work visas and permits every foreigner needs to be aware of when they intend to work in the Philippines, whether as a local hire or as an assignee on a short- or long-term assignment.
The Manila Times

TRANSPORTATION

No garage, no car policy to help solve traffic crisis: exec
Traffic in Metro Manila is already a "crisis situation", hence the need for drastic measures like "no garage, no car policy," a government official said Saturday.
Philippine News Agency

COA questions CAAP over P500M spent for 10 execs’ life insurance
The Commission on Audit (COA) has called out the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) for purchasing life insurance plans worth a total of P500 million for 10 of its officials, despite lack of board approval and proper selection criteria.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

HEALTH 

Drilon cites frequent change in leadership as one of PhilHealth’s major woes
Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon on Sunday said that one of the major problems hounding the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) is the frequent change in its leadership.
Manila Bulletin, GMA News

PhilHealth committed 'grave abuse of discretion' over case of Cebu hospital —Lacson
Senator Panfilo Lacson on Sunday alleged that the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) committed "grave abuse of discretion" when it overturned the order of its board and of the Court of Appeals in the case of a hospital in Cebu over its supposedly anomalous collections from the state health insurer.
GMA News

Roque's claims vs. PhilHealth IT dep't acted upon already —exec
An official at the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) on Sunday claimed that the accusation lawyer Harry Roque was claiming over anomalous remittances to the agency has already been acted upon ever since it was discovered in 2012.
GMA News

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

New DA chief seeks changes in Agri-Agra Law
Newly appointed Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar is now pushing to either amend or review the Agri-Agra Reform Act, which is supposed to provide financing to farmers, fishermen, and agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), but failed.
Manila Bulletin

EDUCATION

ENERGY

POVERTY

SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT

HOUSING

TOURISM

Making Philippine tourism compete at higher levels
Last week, the Department of Tourism (DoT) announced that foreign arrivals breached the 4.1 million mark in the first semester of the year, an 11.43% increase from last year. It expressed confidence that it would meet its whole year target of 8.2 million visitors.
Business World Online

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES 

DENR to rehabilitate San Juan River
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has partnered with the Aboitiz Group for the rehabilitation of the San Juan River, one of Metro Manila’s main river systems and a major tributary of Pasig River.
Manila Bulletin

Water crisis

Angat Dam water level rises, nears minimum operating level
After falling below critical level in July, Angat Dam slowly regained its water level as it nears its minimum operating level. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration’s (Pagasa) dam bulletin showed that water level at Angat Dam further rose to 177.54 meters as of 6:00 a.m., Sunday.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY

Government eyes establishment of academy for information and communication officials
The government is eyeing the establishment of a training academy for its information and communication officials in Bukidnon next year.
Manila Bulletin

'Hackathon' eyes crackdown on fake news
Students and professionals from Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines will face off in a "hackathon" or software contest that aims to weed out fake news on social media next month in Manila, organizers said Sunday.
ABS-CBN News

DEVELOPMENT SECTOR