THE Philippines expressed its legislative branch’ commitment to the post-2015 development agenda, consisting of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), that world leaders will adopt at the eve of the United Nations’ 70th founding anniversary this month.

The affected employees will receive a separation package of 125% of monthly basic salary per year of service and a gratuity pay of P100,000

China’s economic slowdown is having a broader impact on the global economy than originally expected, especially on emerging markets, according to the International Monetary Fund

From the Department of Social Welfare and Development Based on the 2014 World-Bank Benefit-Incidence analysis, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program has been able to move beneficiaries closer to the minimum income level needed to transcend poverty. The program is also successful in encouraging school attendance, promoting preventive health check-ups and improving maternal health.

Part 2 of 2 Last Thursday, we published the first part of our interview with The SHIP Foundation’s medical director Dr. Katerina Leyritana and physician Dr. Khaled Alim on the current state of HIV in the Philippines, particularly the underlying issues. Today, we are continuing what we started. Here is the rest of that eye-opening…

Male Filipino domestic workers, mostly drivers, may not be aware of it, but they are now entitled to statutory paid paternity leave for 3 days. Hong Kong’s Labor Department began implementing the Employment (Amendment) Ordinance 2014 on statutory paternity leave on February 27 this year, an official of the agency reminded domestic workers in a…

The Philippines is in danger of experiencing water scarcity in 25 years, according to a new study. The study, conducted by think tank World Resources Institute (WRI), predicts the Philippines will experience a “high” degree of water shortage in the year 2040. The Southeast Asian country ranked 57th likely most water stressed country in 2040…

A wide range of imported goods and materials used in the building industry has been found to contain asbestos, a Federal Senate Inquiry has been told.

You might think that the dangers of asbestos are a thing of the past – but if you live in a house built before 2000, you could be sharing a home with the deadly substance.

STOCKHOLM – Day after day, images of soaked and exhausted parents clutching their glassy-eyed children as they arrive on Europe’s shores make their way around the world.

The country’s GDP grew 5.6 percent in the second quarter of the year from 6.4 percent in the same quarter last year due to weak global demand and lack of government spending. Philstar.com/File MANILA, Philippines – Investment banks slashed the country’s economic growth forecast to below six percent despite picking up in the second quarter…

Countries in Southeast Asia stand to lose billions of dollars in the near future unless urgent measures are taken to enroll millions of out-of-school children in the region.

MANILA, Philippines – Foreign business groups said the Philippines’ first data privacy law remains a “piece of paper” after nearly three years of its passing.

MANILA, Philippines – With 44 million Filipinos using the Internet, the Philippine National Police anti-cybercrime group (PNP-ACG) has advised the public to be on guard against cybercriminals and avoid falling prey to online scams.

The Philippines will remain the fastest growing economy in Southeast Asia this year, despite the slower-than-expected expansion in the first half, British bank Barclays said in a report over the weekend.

FILIPINO business leaders are on tenterhooks on how best to respond to the challenges, uncertainties and opportunities posed by the implementation this year of the integration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations into a single economic community.

SANTIAGO CITY, Isabela – Herculano “Joji” Co, longtime president of the Philippine Confederation of Grains Associations (Philcongrains), says his counterparts in the Asean continue to wonder why subsidy has become a dirty word among Filipino officials.

AIDS and mental illnesses are among the diseases getting closer attention from health ministers attending the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in Cebu City. “Mental illness, up until quite recently a silent but insidious chronic disease, is now recognized, at least through efforts in our region, as a priority that can and should be…

by Kathleen A. Martin (The Philippine Star), Aug. 30, 2015 MANILA, Philippines – A recent report by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) said Southeast Asian countries including the Philippines should take urgent steps to enroll out-of-school youths to avoid the economic consequences of having high numbers of unskilled worforce in the…

MANILA, Philippines — Anton Tanquintic, a young Filipino physicist, received an award for winning in the Nuclear Olympiad 2015 held in Vienna.

Charging for public services sometimes makes sense. Often, though, it is a racket GETTING divorced? Going to the doctor? Flushing a loo? If so, you are increasingly likely to receive a bill from the government. As cash-strapped Western countries try to balance their books without raising unpopular taxes, they are charging higher fees for everyday…

ITOGON, Benguet – Another small-scale miner died of gas poisoning inside a private mine tunnel in Sitio Macaag, Itogon, Benguet, barely a week after four miners also died of the same cause in this town.

THE business process outsourcing (BPO) industry is considered, and not without justification, the Philippines’ most promising economic sector.

The “Fight for $15” campaign is about more than higher pay for fast-food workers. It is also about fighting for the right of workers to form strong unions without retaliation. That goal looks much more achievable this week after a National Labor Relations Board ruling that may force corporate parents, like McDonald’s or Yum Brands,…

Aug 28 After a dizzying two weeks that saw a rapid plunge and rebound in equity prices, investors are looking forward to a week of economic data that may provide clarity on the likelihood of a near-term U.S. interest rate hike and help tamp down the market’s recent wild swings.

The MMDA chairman said there is nothing much that could be done about our traffic gridlock in the next 15 years. The day after he said that, he went traipsing to Cebu supposedly to help with APEC meetings there but honestly, to campaign for his planned senatorial bid.

The Philippines’s lack-luster economic per-formance rooted on the government’s poor spending has made the country’s 2015 growth targets impossible to meet, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).

If your preschools or elementary schools have no desktop computer you must be wondering whether you are shortchanging your children’s education and their future. NOT AT ALL – for the six- to 12-year olds’ intelligence, emotions and physical capacity are mobilized dynamically by Mother Nature to make them independent and responsible.

We have more readers who want to express their views and suggestions on solving the traffic problems confronting Metro Manila commuters. This one is from Constancio de Leon who wrote: “For the last 30 years, I’ve lived in Loyola Heights, an upscale residential community across Katipunan Ave. in front of Ateneo de Manila and Miriam…

Part 1 of 2 We’ve all heard about the startling rate of new HIV infections in the Philippines. We’ve all read about safe sex and how to prevent getting infected. We’ve all been updated on developments in HIV treatment and care. What else don’t we know?