MnK Soft

monkeypox

First Mpox Case Emerges in Baguio City

The city's public information office (PIO) reports that Baguio City has recorded its first incidence of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, a viral illness that causes blisters or rashes. The patient is a 28-year-old man with a milder MPXV Clade II infection, according to a post from the Baguio City

angkas

ANGKAS CEO Highlights 99.997% Safety Record During Motorcycle-for-Hire Bill Hearing

ANGKAS CEO George Royeca emphasized the company's strong safety record, citing a 99.997% success rate, during a recent public hearing on the motorcycle-for-hire bill. Senator Grace Poe stressed the need to legalize motorcycle taxis for better public transportation integration. "The motorcycle-for-hire bill has been through the long and winding

Philhealth

PhilHealth Expands Coverage: Emergency Procedures Now Covered Without Admission

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has expanded its coverage to include outpatient emergency care, offering financial relief to Filipinos who require urgent medical attention but don't need hospitalization. This new benefit, called the "Outpatient Emergency Care Benefit (OECB) package," took effect on January 1, 2024. Under the OECB, PhilHealth

POGO

Paranaque LGU Under Scrutiny Over POGO-like Company with 400 Foreign Employees

Jonvic Remulla, the secretary of the interior and local government, stated that he will request an explanation from the Parañaque City government regarding the presence of a corporation that was raided in Barangay Tambo and functioned similarly to a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO). The Bureau of Immigration arrested over

sss

15% SSS Contribution Rate Takes Effect This Year

Beginning in January 2025, the Social Security System (SSS) has implemented the planned 15% increase in employer and member contributions. The Social Security Act of 2018, also known as Republic Act No. 11199, provided for the increase in the contribution rate. The law would require SSS members to increase their

bilibid

EU Funds Digitization of Bilibid Inmate Records

The Philippines, grappling with one of the highest rates of prison overcrowding globally, has taken a significant step towards modernizing its correctional system. The European Union (EU) has provided a substantial P12 million grant to the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) to digitize the "carpeta" – the comprehensive files containing crucial information

UP-PGH

UP-PGH Launches Advanced PET-CT Scanner to Revolutionize Diagnostics for Indigent Patients

New equipment for providing impoverished patients with high-quality medical care has been unveiled by the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH). The UP-PGH released a statement announcing the launch of a PET-CT scan, a combined imaging capacity in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Computed Tomography (CT), for "more comprehensive

Meralco

Senate urges Meralco to amend its franchise bill

In order to better safeguard consumers from future increases in power rates, a consumer rights advocate urged the Senate to change several important clauses in the proposed legislation to renew the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) franchise. Romeo Junia, a consumer rights advocate, wrote to Senate President Francis Escudero and other

veloso

Veloso’s Homecoming: Filipina on Death Row Prepares for Return After 14 Years

Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipina drug addict, has returned home after 14 years. Arriving in Manila at approximately 5:50 a.m., the 39-year-old mother was detained and given a death sentence by Indonesian police in 2010 after 2.6 kilograms of heroin were discovered in her luggage. Wednesday on

DENR

DENR Calls for Public Support to Raise ₱100M for Endangered Species Conservation

The DENR is calling on the public to help save our endangered wildlife. By donating to their conservation efforts, you can help protect the Philippine eagle, tamaraw, dugong, Philippine cockatoo, marine turtles, and Palawan pangolin. “Not only are they important on their own, but they are also important for the

bongbong marcos

Hope Rises in Pampanga: President Marcos Launches Cancer Care Center

Pampanga, Philippines - President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday inaugurated the “Bagong Pilipinas Cancer Care Center” at the OFW Hospital in Pampanga. This new facility aims to address the rising cancer rates in the Philippines, particularly among overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). According to government data, cancer was the second

christmas lights

DTI Urges Public to Buy Certified Christmas Lights and Fireworks for a Safe Holiday Season

Christmas is around the corner, and if you haven’t put Christmas decor up, you need to read this first just in case you are planning to put Christmas lights in your home. When purchasing Christmas lights and fireworks for the holiday season, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)

korea

South Korea Ends Martial Law After Parliament Votes Against Military Rule

South Korea was thrown into political turmoil early Wednesday as President Yoon Suk Yeol lifted martial law just hours after imposing it, following intense backlash from lawmakers and public outcry. The unprecedented move, which harkened back to the nation’s authoritarian past, saw troops briefly surround parliament before a bipartisan

catholics

Why Young Men Are Turning to Catholicism

Young men who want to learn more about the Catholic faith are becoming increasingly interested, according to a South Carolina clergyman. With a background in modern evangelicalism, these older teens—both married and single—are investigating historic Christianity. They are theologically astute, biblically knowledgeable, and investigating Lutheranism, Anglicanism, and historic

landbank

Landbank Boosts Farm Sector with P11.47 Billion Loan Program: Lower Rates, Easier Access

The Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) is sowing the seeds of agricultural prosperity with its newly launched Agrisenso Plus Program. This P11.47-billion initiative aims to empower Filipino farmers by providing easier access to affordable loans. “Through strategic collaborations with public and private partners, we are complementing accessible credit

imee marcos

Imee Marcos Urges Transparency in Finalizing ₱6.3 Trillion 2025 National Budget

The projected P6.3 trillion national budget for 2025 should be finalized transparently, according to SEN. Imee Marcos, to prevent any last-minute additions. There will be bicameral conference committee (bicam) discussions on the 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) from November 28 to 30. The senator urged for a "more inclusive

Maurizio Cattelan

$6.2M Banana: Maurizio Cattelan's Controversial 'Comedian' Sells at Auction

A banana duct-taped to a wall has once again captured the world’s attention, this time selling for an astounding $6.2 million at a New York auction. The artwork, titled "Comedian", is a creation of Italian conceptual artist Maurizio Cattelan. Initially showcased at the Art Basel in Miami Beach

contis

Conti’s Offers Free Mini Chocolate Cake for November Birthday Celebrants with Minimum Spend

November babies, it’s time to celebrate! 🎉 Conti's Bakeshop & Restaurant has a special treat just for you. You can make your birthday extra sweet with a free Mini Moist Chocolate Cake! Birthdays are a time to be cherished, no matter your age, and Conti's makes sure you feel celebrated

OFW

Go Negosyo Launches ‘Balik-Bayan 2024’ to Empower OFWs Through Entrepreneurship

Many Filipinos dream of working abroad to secure a better future. While overseas employment offers lucrative opportunities, the reality of returning home can be a sobering one. Despite significant savings, many OFWs find it challenging to sustain a comfortable lifestyle in the Philippines. An event was arranged by the nonprofit

senior citizen

Bill Seeks Free Vaccines for All Senior Citizens

I know how important Senior Citizens are, and we also know that they easily get sick, so this new bill is what they need. In a move that could significantly impact the health of millions of Filipinos, a new bill has been proposed to provide free vaccines to all senior

Pag-ibig

Savings increased in Q3 according to Pag-IBIG.

According to the Home Development Mutual Fund, often known as the Pag-IBIG Fund, member savings for the third quarter were P98.72 billion. P49.27 billion was collected under the Fund's mandated Regular Savings program, and P48.86 billion was collected through the Modified Pag-IBIG 2 savings program, which is

poland

Philippines and Poland Strengthen Ties with Progress on Legal Cooperation Agreements

The Philippines and Poland have taken significant strides in their bilateral relations, with the recent conclusion of the second round of negotiations for the proposed Agreement on Transfer of Sentenced Persons. Simultaneously, both countries have initiated preliminary discussions on a potential Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters. Citizens

fastest internet

Philippines Leads Southeast Asia with Fastest Internet Economy Growth in 2024

The Philippines is lighting up the digital world. A recent report by Google, Temasek, and Bain & Company has revealed that the country is now the fastest-growing internet economy in Southeast Asia. In 2024 alone, the digital economy surged by 20%, reaching a staggering USD 31 billion. “The results of

inflation rate

BSP Maintains Measured Rate Cuts Despite October Inflation Pickup

Despite the fact that inflation accelerated in October, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) stated that it would stick to its "measured" rate-cutting cycle, preventing extreme easing as long as price growth continued to follow monetary authorities' projections. “The latest inflation outturn is consistent with the BSP’s assessment that

POGO

PNP Chief Vows to Eliminate Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators by End of 2024

After a raid at Manila's Century Peak Tower, Gen. Rommel Marbil, chief of the Philippine National Police, promised to eradicate Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators by 2024. According to reports, it was the main base of Pogo operations and was home to hundreds of people engaged in illegal activity, including 69