Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Saturday, June 3, 2023.
BANNER: Super App to boost govt-people linkage
THE government on Friday launched the e-Gov P.H. Super App, an integrated platform designed to make it easier for the public to do business with state agencies. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Information and Technology Secretary Ivan John Uy led the launching of the mobile application in a ceremony in Malacañang. In his speech, the President lauded the Department of Information and Communications Technology for launching the app, saying it will provide the public with a hassle-free transaction and lessen corruption in government.
Bb. Pilipinas winners share their experiences, aspirations
BINIBINING Pilipinas International Angelica Lopez, Binibining Pilipinas Globe Anna Valencia Lakrini and Binibining Pilipinas 1st Runner-Up Katrina Anne Johnson shared their aspirations and future plans during a visit Friday to the The Manila Times editorial office in Intramuros, Manila. The three, who were crowned last May 28, met the publication's Chairman Emeritus Dante Arevalo Ang Sr. who congratulated them and wished them luck on their respective international pageants.
PH inflation on 'downtrend' – NEDA chief
THE country's inflation rate is on the downtrend, National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) chief Arsenio Balisacan said Friday. Balisacan made the statement as he expressed confidence that the government remains on track to attaining its target of slower inflation this year. On May 5, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that food prices continued to accelerate at a slower pace, which pushed down the inflation rate to 6.6 percent in April. This is lower than the 7.6 percent posted in March. The P.S.A. said slower inflation on vegetables, fish, eggs and other dairy products, meat, and sugar pushed food inflation down to 8 percent in April from 9.5 percent in March.
Marcos OKs Forbes Conference in 2024
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has green-lighted the Philippines' hosting of the Forbes Asia Forum and the Forbes Global C.E.O. Conference in 2024, Malacañang announced on Friday. According to the Presidential Communications Office, the event, slated for the fourth quarter of next year, is expected to give the country more worldwide exposure, which could translate to more foreign investments.
11M Filipinos rate selves as 'poor' – OCTA
A ROUND 43 percent of Filipino households have rated themselves as poor, which is equivalent to an estimated 11.3 million families based on the 2020 census, during the first quarter of the year 2023, according to the Tugon ng Masa survey conducted by OCTA Research. The figure was half a million higher than in the previous survey conducted in October 2022, where 10.8 million families rated themselves as "poor." Among major areas, Balanced Luzon had the highest percentage of adult Filipinos who consider themselves as "poor" at 47 percent, an increase of 14 percent from the previous survey.
BUSINESS: Safeguards in place as RCEP takes effect
In business, safeguards have been established to prevent import surges with the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (R-CEP) having taken effect on Friday, the Trade department said. In a press briefing, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said the Import Surge Monitoring System would allow the government to track inbound shipments and immediately impose trade remedies or policy interventions if needed.
SPORTS: Bolick: I need to step up game in Japan
In sports, high-scoring guard Robert Bolick promised to raise the level of his game as he takes his act to Japan. The 27-year-old Bolick recently inked a two-year pact with the Fukushima Firebonds, which is campaigning in Japan's B.League Division 2. Coming off another solid P.B.A. stint that saw him average 21.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 6.14 assists in 36.3 minutes of play for NorthPort in the 2022-23 P.B.A. Governors' Cup, Bolick knows the pressure will be high to deliver for the Firebonds. Fukushima fell short in its goal of moving up to B1 (Division 1), something Bolick wants to accomplish as he tries to bring the much-needed boost to the Japanese club team through his all-around game.
Antonio Contreras, Danton Remoto, and Saul Hofileña are today's front page columnists. Contreras talks about the political posturing on the Maharlika Investment Fund, Remoto discusses four books at the Philippine Book Festival, and Hofileña tackles a lost city.
Today's editorial believes the Philippines can improve climate finance reporting. Read the full version in the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
For more news and information, read The Manila Times on print, subscribe to its digital edition or log on to www.manilatimes.net. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and LinkedIn; and be part of our communities on Viber, Telegram, and Mastodon.