by ACE ALEGRE Bulatlat.com BAGUIO CITY — Long-standing opposition to mining is turning out into another snag in the peace negotiations between the government of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front. Conceding that the Communist Party of the Philippine (CPP) has a standing policy against “destructive mining”, prompting its armed group, the New Peoples…
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VAT on toll fees, a precedent for all public services under PPPs
By MARYA SALAMAT Bulatlat.com MANILA – It is bad enough that the Philippine government has been ceding to the private sector the operation of vital public services such as major highways, turning its operation into a business instead of a public service. What is also worrisome even for authors and consultants to the crafting of…
Lessons from the flood
Prometheus Bound By GIOVANNI TAPANG, PhD Bulatlat.com MANILA — It came as a surprise to receive a call from my sister in Bulacan last Thursday, since I was the one who was supposed to be sending her a birthday greeting then. She was worried about the floods in the nearby towns of Hagonoy, Paombong and…
Students, administrators of SUCs troop to Senate budget deliberations
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO Bulatlat.com MANILA — John Mark Malquisto, 19, was forced to stop schooling after his grandfather, who shouldered his school needs, died. “I really wanted to study but what can I do? I do not have the resources to send myself to school,” Malquisto told Bulatlat.com. After his parents separated, Malquisto’s…
Congress acknowledges ‘deafening cries’ vs ‘regressive VAT’ on toll fees
By MARYA SALAMAT
“It’s really ridiculous that the people are already paying for the cost of constructing roads and on top of that paying for taxes on their payments.” – former Rep. Renato Diaz, consultant when VAT law was crafted 17 years ago.
Sidebar: VAT on toll fees, a precedent for all public services under PPPs
Radio workers in Davao gear up for strike
By RONALYN V. OLEA Bulatlat.com MANILA – Workers of a radio station based in Davao City are gearing for a strike after the management insisted on a moratorium on increases in salaries and benefits. Members of the Radio Mindanao Network Davao Employees’ Union (RDEU), filed a notice of strike at the Department of Labor and…
Groups call for state control over dams to lessen damage of typhoons
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO Bulatlat.com MANILA — Youth groups said the damage brought about by Typhoon Pedring could have been lessened if the government has control over the operations of dams. “State control over the operations of dams, such as the release of water, could have diminished the ravages of typhoon Pedring. Corporations or…
New ruling allowing foreign domestic workers to be HK residents hailed
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO Bulatlat.com MANILA — Celebrate the small victories and continue to fight for migrants’ rights in Hong Kong. The Mission for Migrant Workers (MFMW) in Hong Kong hailed the positive decision of the Hong Kong High Court on the case of a Filipino domestic helper who applied for permanent residency in…
NDFP says continuing military operations impede release of captives
By RONALYN V. OLEA Bulatlat.com MANILA – The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) said military operations packaged as “rescue” and “peace and development” operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines hinder the release of four captives of the New People’s Army (NPA). In a statement, the NDFP-Southern Mindanao Region said the 6th…
NPA-Ilocos Sur criticizes AFP ‘overkill,’ lies and violation of CARHRIHL
By ACE ALEGRE Bulatlat.com BAGUIO CITY – Communist guerillas operating in Ilocos Sur has admitted that two of their comrades were slain by government soldiers in an almost week-long gun battle in Cervantes town, Ilocos Sur a week ago. Benny Boy “Ka Likot” Aguilar and Delfin “Ka Dindo” Gullayan died on the second day of…
OFW jumps off building to escape from abusive employer
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO Bulatlat.com MANILA — In an attempt to escape abuse from her employer, a Filipina domestic worker jumped from the second floor of her employer’s apartment last September 5. Hadeah Macalpang, 33, landed on the pavement after jumping from the second floor and was immediately taken by a passerby to the…