Speaking during the inauguration of the country’s first interactive energy museum, Marcos encouraged households to switch off unnecessary lights and unplug appliances that are not in use.

“We encourage every Filipino to take part in the Oras Natin sa Efficiency campaign. Help us conserve electricity, switch off non-essential lights, unplug unused appliances,” the President said.

The Department of Energy launched the campaign on July 17, encouraging the public to reduce electricity consumption every Saturday from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Marcos Jr. said energy security is a shared responsibility and stressed that simple conservation efforts can help ensure a more reliable and sustainable power supply.

He also noted that government agencies have already been ordered to cut their electricity and fuel consumption by 10 to 20 percent following tensions in the Middle East earlier this year.IMT

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In his privilege speech following President Marcos’ SONA, Cayetano said overseas employment should remain an option—but not the only way for Filipinos to earn a decent living.

“Can we have a vision whether it’s five years, ten years, twenty years, where a Philippine President can say wala nang Pilipino na OFW na napilitan lang mag-OFW dahil walang trabahong maganda sa Pilipinas?” he said.

Cayetano said the country should move beyond a minimum wage and work toward a living wage that can cover a family’s basic needs.

He cited Senate Bill No. 104, which seeks to create the Executive-Legislative Labor Commission that will craft a long-term labor roadmap toward achieving a living wage.

He recalled meeting a Filipino chef in Singapore who said he would gladly return home even for half of his salary if he could still support his family.IMT

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The new law institutionalizes government assistance for public schools in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs), addressing long-standing problems such as lack of classrooms, learning materials, teachers, electricity, internet, and other basic services.

It also orders the Department of Education (DepEd) to identify and map all Last Mile and GIDA Schools within a year to guide funding and program implementation.

The measure requires various government agencies to help improve roads, electricity, internet access, water supply, and transportation for remote schools, while local governments are encouraged to provide transport or alternative learning options where needed.

Teachers assigned to these schools will also receive additional support, including hardship and mobility allowances, housing assistance, scholarships, and career development opportunities.

Schools located in ancestral domains will also integrate Indigenous knowledge, languages, and culturally relevant learning materials.

President Marcos signed the law on July 22.IMT

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In his fifth SONA, Marcos Jr. said the declaration of a State of National Energy Emergency allowed the government to roll out the UPLIFT assistance program and other emergency measures.

The President said nearly P58 billion was released to local government units, while more than 12,000 OFWs were brought home safely from conflict areas.

He added that over 140,000 overseas Filipino workers received financial, medical, and livelihood assistance.

Marcos Jr. also said the government secured fuel supplies from several countries and temporarily suspended excise taxes on LPG and kerosene to help ease the burden on consumers.IMT

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During a committee hearing, Sotto asked to be made a co-sponsor of all the proposed measures.

“What I would want to do this morning is to endorse all these local bills, and if I may, be made a co-sponsor,” Sotto said.

Lawmakers are currently deliberating on six bills seeking to establish new hospitals in Zambales, Davao de Oro, Zamboanga Sibugay, Capiz and Bukidnon.

Another seven measures seek to upgrade and renationalize existing hospitals in Agusan del Norte, Bukidnon, Capiz and Romblon by placing them under the supervision of the Department of Health.

Sotto said he also wanted to know whether hospital bed capacity is keeping up with the growing number of patients, expressing hope that the proposed measures would help narrow the gap.

Health Committee chair Sen. Risa Hontiveros welcomed Sotto’s support.

“Thank you very much, SP Pro Temp. Wala nang mas masaya pa kung hindi co-sponsor kayo sa mga bills ng Committee on Health and Demography,” Hontiveros said.IMT

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In his opening speech, Gatchalian said the Senate will push bills aimed at making rice more affordable, increasing workers’ take-home pay, lowering electricity rates, improving infrastructure, and creating more jobs.

“The most urgent point of concern, therefore, is getting the Philippine economy back on track,” Gatchalian said.

Among the priority measures are amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law to keep rice prices affordable while protecting farmers, the proposed Ginhawa Bill, the ERC Strengthening Bill, and changes to the Oil Deregulation Law to make fuel pricing more transparent.

Gatchalian also stressed the need to pass the 2027 national budget on time, saying it remains the government’s strongest tool to support the economy. 

He added that the transparency reforms introduced in the 2026 budget process, including the livestreaming of bicameral meetings, should continue.IMT

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Tulfo said many consumers continue to complain about sudden increases in their electric bills, confusing billing statements, questionable meter readings, and frequent power outages.

“Is the government really powerless here? For instance, if an electric cooperative’s service is awful and the people are fed up with it, are we helpless?” he asked.

While power companies are entitled to recover legitimate operating costs, Tulfo said consumers also deserve fair, transparent and accurate billing, as well as a reliable system for resolving complaints.

He said the Senate inquiry aims to come up with long-term, pro-consumer policies, stressing that Filipinos should no longer bear some of the highest electricity rates in Southeast Asia.IMT

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Marcos said he understands the personal impact of the move, but stressed that his responsibility as President is to the Filipino people.

“Hindi ako Pangulo ng aking pamilya. Hindi ako Pangulo ng aking kaibigan. Ako ay Pangulo ng Pilipinas at ang tungkulin ko ay sa inyo: ang aking mga kapwa Pilipino,” Marcos said.

The President said the Ombudsman informed him that the filing of “patong-patong na kaso” against the former Speaker is already near.

“Masakit man sa akin ito ngunit kailangan nating gawin ang tama,” he said.

Marcos recalled his promise during last year’s SONA to go after those behind the alleged corruption in flood control projects. He said the investigation was carried out without favoring anyone and followed where the evidence pointed.

“Mayroon nang mga unang nakasuhan at nakulong: mga kontratista; matataas na opisyal; pati na mga mambabatas,” he said.

He also reported that nearly P25 billion worth of money and assets linked to the alleged anomalies have been recovered, frozen, or preserved. More than P800 million has already been returned to the national treasury.

Marcos said the government also stopped the release of funds for defective, fake, and “ghost” projects to prevent more public money from being lost.

The President said the Ombudsman and the National Prosecution Service will handle the cases, while assuring the public that any recovered funds will be returned to government coffers.IMT

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US President Donald Trump has assured President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that he will bring up the Philippines’ concerns over the West Philippine Sea when he meets Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The assurance came during a phone call between Trump and Marcos Jr. on Thursday, where the two leaders discussed the global economy and security issues.

According to Presidential Communications Office Secretary Dave Gomez, the call followed Marcos’ meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Malacañang a day earlier.

“The President updated Sec. Rubio on the recent incidents in the South China Sea,” Gomez said.

He added that Trump told Marcos Jr. he would personally raise the Philippines’ concerns in his next meeting with Xi.

The latest tension happened earlier this week in Ayungin Shoal, where a China Coast Guard personnel allegedly struck a Philippine Navy serviceman on the head with a wooden baton during a confrontation.

Malacañang said Marcos condemned the incident and continues to hope for a “reset” in the Philippines’ ties with China to prevent similar confrontations in the West Philippine Sea.IMT

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Speaking during the turnover of PTVs in San Fernando, Pampanga, Marcos Jr. said the fire trucks have already been ordered and will be distributed once they arrive.

“Inantay lang natin ang pagdating, nabili na ito, na order na itong mga firetruck na ito, inantay na lang natin ang pagdating nila bago natin ididistribute,” the President said.

Marcos Jr. said the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will implement the program using the same system used for the ambulance distribution.

He said many towns still have no fire trucks or are using old units, adding that the goal is to make sure every province, city and municipality has one to improve emergency response during fires.IMT

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