Philippine economy grows by 5.7% in Q1 2024Men pull a trolley of agricultural products along a street in Manila on May 9, 2024. MANILA, Philippines — The country’s economy grew by 5.7% in the first three months of 2024, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said. Here are the growth figures for major economic sectors on a quarter-on-quarter basis:Agriculture, forestry, and fishing: -0.3%Industry: 2.6%Services: 1.0%. On April 8, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) Monetary Board (MB) retained its target reversed repurchase rate at 6.5%. This has been the MB retained its policy rates since its off-cycle rate hike in October 2023 to mitigate supply-side inflation pressures.

Several lawmakers on Thursday shared their thoughts on the survey by OCTA Research that seven out of ten Filipinos want military action and diplomacy in resolving the dispute in the West Philippine Sea. Representatives Jude Acidre of Tingog Partylist, Faustino Dy 5th of Isabela, and Ernesto Dionisio Jr. of Manila said that the survey result was a "good indicator" of the trust enjoyed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in pursuing a diplomatic solution to the sea row. However, Representatives Arlene Brosas of Gabriela, Raoul Manuel of Kabataan, and former Makabayan Bloc Representatives Carlos Zarate and Rafael Mariano opposed military action in the disputed area, saying the government should declare the West Philippine Sea as a "zone of peace." Get the latest newsdelivered to your inbox Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

REUTERS/Almaas Masood/ File PhotoAir India's budget carrier subsidiary cancelled 85 flights on Thursday, a day after its operations were severely disrupted by dozens of cabin crew calling in sick at the last minute. The airline was taken over by Indian conglomerate Tata Group in 2022 after a government effort to privatise the heavily indebted carrier. Media reports linked the sudden mass sick leave to simmering staff discontent over new policies on hiring and promotion imposed by its new ownership. "This act is certainly not representative of the 2,000-odd cabin crew colleagues in the company who continue to respond to the call of duty." An Air India Express spokesperson said Thursday that the airline taken "appropriate steps against certain individuals", but did not provide further details.

Agricultural reels from El Niño; Q1 farm output flatMANILA, Philippines — The value of local agriculture and fisheries output in the first quarter remained relatively flat as subsectors reeled from the El Niño phenomenon, with poultry being the lone subsector posting higher production. Fisheries output slipped by 1.3 percent to P53.73 billion from P54.42 billion. “The impact of reduced rainfall and hotter temperatures was evident in lower crops and fisheries production in the first quarter,” Tiu Laurel added. De Mesa said the Department of Agriculture (DA) remains keen on achieving an agriculture and fisheries output growth of about one percent and two percent this year. Fausto added that agriculture output for this year would grow by about one percent.

A man is set to appear at West Kowloon court on Friday after being found to have attempted to smuggle HK$9.4 million worth of ketamine in metal filters of an air purifier on Wednesday afternoon. In the unit, they found 1.8 kilograms of suspected ketamine on the floor, one cylinder-shaped metal filter that was cut open, and a batch of cutting and packing tools. In addition, officers were also able to find a large air purifier with 11 metal filters inside. During a later inspection, an additional 19.8 kilograms of suspected ketamine was found inside the metal filter sticks. An investigation revealed that the large air filter machine that hid the suspected ketamine was transported from Europe to Hong Kong to avoid detection.

School's out: How climate change threatens educationStudents leaving their school compound carry umbrellas on a hot summer day in Dhaka on April 28, 2024, amid the ongoing heatwave. BANGKOK, Thailand — Record-breaking heat last month that prompted governments in Asia to close schools offers fresh evidence of how climate change is threatening the education of millions of children. Asia is warming faster than the global average, and climate change is producing more frequent, longer, and more intense heatwaves. Schools across much of Asia are simply not equipped to deal with the growing consequences of climate change. "The climate crisis is a child crisis.

DOJ, CHR probe ‘degrading, traumatic’ strip searches at BilibidInmates from the Correctional Institution for Women visit their husbands or relatives at the New Bilibid Prison during the Christmas holidays, in Muntinlupa on December 24, 2022. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Commission of Human Rights (CHR) said on Wednesday that they are conducting separate investigations into reported cases of strip searches involving visiting relatives of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the National Bilibid Prison (NBP). Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said his agency will not tolerate any misconduct by prison guards at the national penitentiary after wives of political prisoners reported undergoing “degrading and traumatic” strip searches. ‘Dehumanizing’Kapatid, a support organization of families and friends of Filipino political prisoners, on Monday filed formal complaints after wives of political prisoners endured “dehumanizing” strip searches on April 21 at the NBP. The wives were made to sign a consent form allowing strip searches.

It’s an annual summertime battle as I try to see the sunflowers to maturity before my four-hoofed neighbors devour them. When we think about our lives as believers in Jesus, it’s easy to see a similar battle being waged between us and our enemy—Satan. Our goal is continual growth leading to spiritual maturity that helps our lives stand out for God’s honor. In Him we have the power (v. 10) to resist the enemy’s spiritual attacks and to flourish in Jesus—displaying a life of true beauty. Dave BranonIn what areas does the enemy try to nibble away at your growing spiritual maturity?

Here in the Philippines, however, we are still prone to using dangerously unfair English-language stereotypes, particularly when referring to the disadvantaged sectors of our society. But to use blatantly discriminatory language in polite society or in the mass media is an altogether different matter. By being more discerning in our choice of words, we can truly make ourselves confidently and pleasantly nondiscriminatory in our English. This is the continuation of my 1,631-word essay with the original title "Using nondiscriminatory language" that formed Chapter 135 of my book "Give Your English the Winning Edge," 2009 and published by the Manila Times Publishing Corp. All rights reserved. Read this part of the essay and listen to its voice recording in The Manila Times: "Using nondiscriminatory English – Part 2"AdvertisementNext, May 16, 2024: "The perils of sweeping generalizations"Visit Jose Carillo's English Forum, http://josecarilloforum.com.

The administration of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has denied it reached a secret agreement on the shoal with China. The US and the Philippines have repeatedly disputed Beijing’s version of events in the South China Sea, while also accusing China of spreading misinformation. Chinese officials declined to identify that person. Asked Tuesday about China’s claims to have an audio of a phone call with Carlos, Teodoro said he didn’t know anything about it. The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday said that only President Marcos can authorize agreements on the South China Sea.

A man jailed for 14.5 years after being found guilty of biting off a former district councilor’s ear and attacking three others during the 2019 social unrest had his sentence reduced by half a year on appeal. The man, Joe Chen, was previously found guilty by a jury on three counts of wounding with intent – an offense punishable by life in prison – and one of common assault . Handing down judgment on Wednesday, Court of Appeal judges disagreed with the appellant's lawyers that the starting point of the sentence was too high. Considering the payment as a mitigating factor, the judges reduced Chen’s jail sentence by six months to 14 years. Read more:Man who bit off councilor's ear in Taikoo Shing gets 14.5 years in jailTai Koo terror

DKT Philippines SODEX or Service Outreach and Distribution Extension Program Mobile Clinic, the country's first ever ambulatory clinic for family planning, is held at the Casimiro Ynares Auditorium in Binangonan, Rizal on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Dr. Glen Mathew Baggao, Health undersecretary for Public Health Services Cluster, in an interview with the media, said the deployment of an ambulatory clinic would be 'helpful' in promoting family planning across the country. Denise Van Dijk of DKT, meanwhile, said that they aim to deploy more mobile clinics across the Philippines to expand its reach. Videos by Red Mendoza and John Orven Verdote

Reigning Miss Universe Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua graces the Miss Universe Philippines Sponsors Night on Monday, May 6, 2024, at the Manila Hotel where she was reunited with friend and batchmate Michelle Dee. Just like the candidates of the local pageant, Palacios wore a traditional Filipiñana and shared how she felt immediately at home in the Philippines as part of her Asia tour. Video by Iza Iglesias

MANILA, Philippines — The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) plans to sell rice at P29 per kilogram this August. According to NIA Administrator Eduardo Guillen, there was already rice selling for P20 per kg at select NIA Kadiwa Stores from the irrigators’ association as a token of appreciation to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.ADVERTISEMENT“At NIA, we also have a big project – our contract farming… In fact, our estimate for that is we can sell at P29 per kilo by August,” Guillen said in a Palace briefing on Tuesday. One of Marcos’ most famous campaign promises was to lower the price of rice to P20 per kg. However, rice prices are still high, with some selling it at almost P60 per kg —almost triple that of Marcos’ promise.

Agenda: S. No. 1907 - Migrant Filipino Youth Desks Act of 2023 (By: Sen. M. Villar) P.S. 534 - International Labour Organization Work in Fishing Convention (By: Sen. Villanueva) P.S. 539 - Philippine Government Treaty Obligations to the Comfort Women (By: Sen. Hontiveros) P.S. 969 - Diplomatic Ties Between the Philippines and Iraq (By: Sen. Padilla)Get the latest newsdelivered to your inbox Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy