By Joann Santiago MANILA, Jan. 20 (PNA) — The Philippines’ US$ 5.1 billion balance of payment (BOP) surplus in 2013 was below the central bank’s US$ 5.3 billion target but Bangko Sentral…
Open Data site won’t delay passage of FOI bill, Palace official says
By Azer N. Parrocha MANILA, Jan 20 (PNA) — The launch of the national government’s Open Data Philippines website will not delay the passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill, a…
Bicol’s P8 wage hike takes effect this month
LEGAZPI CITY, Jan. 18 (PNA) — The minimum wage in the Bicol region increased by P8, as specified under Wage Order No. RBV-16, and it must be reflected in the next payroll…
CDO’s disaster council orders preemptive evacuation of residents
By Cris Diaz CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Jan. 18 (PNA) — Preemptive evacuation was ordered in about 20 barangays Saturday afternoon in this premier capital as water level in rivers and creeks…
Moon, Mars, Jupiter exploration open prospects for ESA-Russia cooperation
PARIS, Jan. 18 (PNA/Itar-Tass) — The European Space Agency (ESA) considers Russia as one of the key partners and has high hopes for joint projects on the exploration of the Moon, Mars…
NRCP appeals for more funding, personnel to boost country’s basic research
By Aerol B. Patena MANILA, Jan 18 (PNA) — The National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) is calling for additional manpower and funding as part of its mandate to strengthen the…
Palace welcomes China’s willingness to dialogue with PHL on fishery row
MANILA, Jan. 18 (PNA) — Malacañang on Saturday welcomed China’s willingness to dialogue and meet halfway on fishing rules in the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). But presidential spokesman Edwin…
Business missions attract 23 companies to set up in PHL
By Kris M. Crismundo MANILA, Jan. 18 (PNA) — Twenty-three foreign companies will be setting up operations in the Philippines as an offshoot of their inbound business missions here during the past…
Palace finding ways to further improve services, investment climate –Lacierda
By Azer N. Parrocha MANILA, Jan 18 (PNA) — Following news that the country’s investment climate ranks second in a survey, a Malacanang official said on Saturday that although it is a…
5,500 travelers still stranded at Matnog port
By Mar S. Arguelles LEGAZPI CITY, Jan. 18 (PNA) — Around 5,500 passengers bound for Samar province were still at the Matnog port in Sorsogon after maritime authorities suspended seacraft sailing due…
Australian Open: Big names come through except Wozniacki
MELBOURNE, Jan. 18 (PNA/Xinhua) — Big names all advance into the fourth round of the Australian Open after Saturday’s matches except the women’s 10th-seeded Caroline Wozniacki, who missed another chance for her…
Thai protesters continue march despite deadly blast
By Jaishree Balasubramanian BANGKOK, Jan. 18 (PNA/PTI) — Defiant Thai protesters on Saturday marched through the capital vowing to continue their campaign to oust beleaguered premier Yingluck Shinawatra, blaming the government for…
Floods kill 7, displace about 11,000 in Indonesian capital
JAKARTA, Jan. 18 (PNA/Xinhua) — Widespread flooding in Indonesia’s capital of Jakarta has left seven people dead and about 11,000 others displaced, officials said here Saturday. The officials also said bigger floods…
8 provinces in Mindanao still under signal no.1
MANILA, Jan. 19 (PNA) –Eight provinces in Mindanao are still under public storm warning signal no. 1 as tropical depression “Agaton” continues its slow movement due to the presence of two high-pressure…
Soil finding has implications for global climate change — research
WELLINGTON, Jan. 17 (PNA/Xinhua) — Soil, the top layer of “skin” on the Earth’s surface, might be produced at twice the speed previously thought, New Zealand scientists said Friday, revealing research that…