ENERGY Secretary Angelo Reyes keynotes the Energy, Climate and Food Security Forum by presenting the Philippine case on energy security through regional cooperation and public-private partnerships. The conference opened Wednesday at the Sofitel Hotel in Pasay City. --ROY DOMINGO

AMID the national crises brought about by world problems in oil and food prices, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will have the biggest funding increase—117 percent, or from this year’s P4.8 billion to P10.5 billion next year—from the proposed P1.415-trillion 2009 budget. This will give the DSWD more “welfare armor” in the form of conditional cash transfers (CCTs) and subsidies to families at risk from food and fuel price spirals.

100-percent disbursement target set

THE President’s economic managers have decided to set no less than a 100-percent disbursement rate target for 2008 to push government line agencies to efficiently use their budgets for state projects.

National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Director General Ralph Recto said the economic managers will also intensify their monitoring of the Department of Transportation and Communications, whose disbursement level so far is less than 50 percent.

National petroleum-stockpile facility eyed

COGNIZANT of the fact that oil supply continues to be tight and remains a concern, with demand from China and India increasing further even as world prices remain volatile, the Department of Energy (DOE) said on Wednesday that it is looking at setting up a national petroleum stockpile.

Loss of RP workers may imperil development 

WITH so much publicity focused on the “heroism” of overseas Filipino workers, many overlook the plight of Filipino workers remaining in the country and its implications for the future of our businesses and industries. 

WFP warns of food crisis, prods RP to get UN declaration

THE World Food Programme (WFP) of the United Nations admitted on Wednesday that with escalation of hostilities in Mindanao, its food resources may no longer be enough for the increasing number of internally displaced persons. The worsening security situation may already be difficult for food supply to reach the displaced communities, it added.

Inviting more aliens into peace talks scored

THE armed conflict that exploded in Mindanao over the controversial memorandum of agreement giving the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) a wide swath of Mindanao as their fief has exposed several “mistakes” of the Arroyo administration, if the large brickbats hurled against it are to be the basis for the view.

LRT reaches peak of .5-M riders

THE Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) said its Baclaran-Monumento (Line 1) system reached a record high of 497,008 passengers on Friday last week.

The feat topped the recorded passenger volume of 458,061 on February 2, 2000, said LRTA administrator Melquiades Robles.

Scientists back population bill

SCIENTISTS on Wednesday expressed support for the reproductive-health bill, pointing out that the Philippines should have a zero population growth by 2025.

As it strongly backs House Bill (HB) 16, or Reproductive Health, Responsible Parenthood and Population Development Bill, the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST)—an advisory body to the President and the Cabinet on science and technology—urged the national government to fully support the bill “as a reflection of its seriousness in pursuing long-term economic growth and poverty reduction.”

With VAT cutting seniors’ discounts, amendment eyed

SEN. Edgardo Angara is pushing for additional benefits for senior citizens including exemptions from the value- added tax on goods and services in order for them to manage the impact of rising food and fuel prices.

RP ‘big loser’ if Jpepa is ratified

TWO acknowledged experts on constitutional and trade issues warned on Wednesday that Filipinos would end up as the big losers if the controversial Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (Jpepa) is ratified. It is being debated in the Senate.

GMO-free rice offered by restos

A NUMBER of local restaurant outlets have committed to serve only rice that is free from genetically modified organisms (GMO).

DR. ARSENIO BALISACAN (right), president of t he Human Development Network (HDN), and Prof. Solita Collas Monsod, HDN’s founding president (second from right ), receive an award for the organization credited with mainstreaming human development in the Philippine setting. The award was bestowed by the Department of Science a nd Technology ( DOST) as part of awarding rites for the outstanding “50 men and women of science.” The award was given by DOST Secretary Estrella Alabastro (second from left), assisted by Under secretary Fortunato de la Peña. --ROY DOMINGO