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Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero is urging the national government to aggressively market the new 99‑year lease terms under Republic Act No. 12252, saying the measure must be positioned as a long‑term anchor for jobs, capital, and development.Escudero issued the call as the Philippine economy expanded by only 4.4 percent in 2025, below the government’s 5.5 to 6.5 percent target and slower than the 5.5 percent posted in 2024. He warned that the country must compensate for weaker growth by strengthening investor confidence and accelerating structural reforms.“The law is already in place. What we need now is aggressive promotion and clear messaging to investors that the Philippines is ready for long‑term partnerships,” he said.The veteran legislator noted that foreign direct in...

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero welcomed the Department of Education’s (DepEd) designation of Sorsogon as pilot area for its expanded classroom construction initiative, saying the province’s selection is a recognition of the local government unit’s (LGU) long-standing commitment to better education.In commending the initiative, Escudero said the move affirms the principle he earlier advocated: capable LGUs, when empowered through national partnerships, can accelerate progress in critical sectors like education.The senator has earlier called on the national government to pursue a tripartite agreement among DepEd, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Department of Agriculture (DA), to empower qualified LGUs to achieve accelerated growth through improved inf...

The SM Foundation, Inc. (SMFI) is now accepting applications for its SM College Scholarship Program for School Year 2026–2027, open to qualified incoming college freshmen until February 28, 2026. Complete application details are available at www.sm-foundation.org. The SM College Scholarship Program is now open for applications for School Year 2026–2027, continuing SM Foundation’s commitment to accessible education. Now in its 33rd year nationwide, the SM College Scholarship Program continues the vision of SM Group founder Henry Sy, Sr., who believed education is a powerful driver of social mobility. The scholarship provides full tuition coverage, monthly stipends, enrichment activities, part-time work opportunities during school breaks, and potential employm...

Amid rising global concern over the Nipah virus, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero urged health and border authorities to maintain strict vigilance and ensure that preparedness systems remain fully operational.Escudero said that although current health advisories place the Philippines at low risk, developments in neighboring regions underscore the need for sustained, proactive monitoring.“Public safety depends not only on rapid response but on continuous readiness,” he stressed, noting that several Asian countries have already tightened airport health checks following recent Nipah‑related developments abroad.The Philippines must match this level of alertness to safeguard travelers and communities, he pointed out.Nipah virus, first detected in Malaysia in 1998, has resurfa...

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero is calling on the national government to advance the proposed tripartite agreement among the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Education (DepEd), and the Department of Agriculture (DA), saying the framework will empower qualified local government units (LGUs) to achieve accelerated growth through improved infrastructure, stronger rural connectivity, and better school facilities.In his recent conversation with Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, Escudero said he was informed that the proposed agreement identifies two key requirements for LGUs that will be prioritized: demonstrated capacity to implement and complete projects, and a stable peace‑and‑order environment that allows development programs to proceed without dis...

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency–Regional Office Negros Island Region conducted drug testing for personnel of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency–Negros Island Region as part of the government’s nationwide mandatory drug testing program. The activity was held at the NICA–NIR Regional Office in Bacolod City in support of the agency’s Drug-Free Workplace Policy on Monday, Jan. 26. The drug testing was led by PDEA RO–NIR Assistant Regional Director Marjorie Ballesteros with technical support from Adonis Abueva, chief chemist of PDEA RO6, and was coordinated with NICA–NIR under Regional Director Victor Wanchakan. A total of eight NICA–NIR personnel underwent drug testing, all of whom tested negative. PDEA RO–NIR said the activity re...