Recto bats for more funds to DepEd’s ‘bike and bancas’ project

13 October 2015, Comment are Off
Because lack of transportation or high fares is a leading cause of school absences, government will fund the purchase of “bancas and bicycles” to boost school attendance and reduce drop out rates, Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph G. Recto said today. Under the Department of...

To fight dengue, P77-B worth of classrooms built next year must be screened

11 October 2015, Comment are Off
Sen. Ralph Recto today said he would introduce an amendment in the provisions governing the use of schoolbuilding funds in the 2016 national budget which would require the installation of window and door screens in public school classrooms to shield students from dengue...

Gov’t to spend P1B to fight HIV epidemic next year

10 October 2015, Comment are Off
Government budget to treat HIV/AIDS cases will breach the P1 billion mark next year, “the price the Philippines has to pay for reportedly having one of fast growing HIV epidemics in the world,” a Senate leader said today. Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph G. Recto said the...

To prevent drought in funds, Recto wants specific El Nino funding in 2016 budget

09 October 2015, Comment are Off
Despite the threat of an El Niño depressing farm output and dampening economic growth, there is no fund in the 2016 budget which is specifically earmarked to cushion the effects of the projected dry spell. “Is there a single peso in the P3 trillion budget which is labelled as an...

Joker Arroyo, patriot first class

07 October 2015, Comment are Off
Joker earned sobriquets in his storied life. The Great Dissenter. The Maverick. The Defender. He was even called The Scrooge for his economical use of office funds. But there was one area he didn’t scrimp on. And that was offering his sharp legal mind, for free, to those who need...

Gov’t to spend P850M to produce 3,201 PhDs, Masters in science courses

06 October 2015, Comment are Off
Government will be spending P850 million next year to finance the studies of 3,201 scholars taking up masteral and doctoral degrees in science, engineering and mathematics. Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph G. Recto said the allocation, booked under the budget of the Department...

Bicol is now the cradle of VP candidates

05 October 2015, Comment are Off
This is the longest political courtship in recent years. Good things await those who have the patience to wait. Leni is the perfect match and a great catch for Mar. If Gringo will join the fray, Leni will be the fourth Bicolano to throw her hat into the vice presidential ring....

Display in NAIA ‘performance guarantees’ of agencies

02 October 2015, Comment are Off
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph G. Recto today called for the “clustering” of all airport-related “performance guarantees” pledged by government agencies operating in NAIA and other major gateways for 2016. Under the new budgeting scheme, agencies are required to enumera...