Malacañang welcomed a US$10 million grant from a multilateral agency to help climate-vulnerable towns in Tawi-tawi secure safe, reliable water access amid growing climate challenges.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the project, dubbed “Harnessing the Water-Energy-Food Nexus to Address and Adapt to Climate Change Impacts in Tawi-Tawi,” will specifically benefit the towns of Sibutu and Sitangkai.

“Nakakuha ang Pilipinas ng US$10 million mula sa Adaptation Fund para sa isang proyekto sa Tawi-Tawi. Partikular na susuportahan nito ang mga bayan ng Sibutu at Sitangkai para masiguro ang ligtas at matatag na access sa tubig sa harap ng tumitinding mga hamon dala ng climate change,” Castro said in a press briefing at Malacañang.

According to its website, the Mindanao Development Authority reported that the initiative, focused on improving water security in Sibutu and Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi, is the Philippines’ first project funded by the Adaptation Fund. It aims to benefit over 71,000 residents in the island province by providing access to safe water and supporting the local seaweed industry.

The Philippines has secured its first grant from the multilateral agency Adaptation Fund to finance projects that will improve access to safe water and support the local seaweed industry in the island province of Tawi-Tawi.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources will work with other stakeholders to ensure that the adverse impacts of and risks posed by climate change in the water management sector in Tawi-Tawi are adequately addressed.

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization and the Mindanao Development Authority will implement the project. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday conferred the 2023 Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) on nine exceptional traditional artists for their contributions to preserving and expressing cultural identity through traditional arts, crafts, and storytelling.

During the celebration at the historic Manila Metropolitan Theater, President Marcos called the nine awardees “cultural masters” whose lives continue to preserve Filipino traditions and cultural practices integral to the national identity.

“Ang ating pagkakakilanlan bilang Pilipino ay hinubog ng mayamang kultura at tradisyong minana natin sa ating mga ninuno–kayamanang ating iniingatan at ipapasa sa susunod na mga henerasyon,” the President said.

The GAMABA, created through Republic Act No. 7355, recognizes Filipino traditional artists who exemplify excellence and dedication to their craft. The law ensures the continuity of Indigenous cultural traditions across generations.

GAMABA awardees Adelita Bagcal of Ilocos Norte and Rosie Sula of South Cotabato were honored for preserving oral tradition and chanting, keeping ancestral voices alive through storytelling passed from generation to generation.

Other GAMABA awardees, Abina Coguit of Agusan del Sur and Amparo Mabanag of Mountain Province, were recognized for their intricate embroidery and beadwork, which reflect deep cultural meanings tied to identity, spirituality, and community life.

The award was given to Marife Ganahon of Bukidnon, Samporonia Madanlo of Davao Oriental, and Barbara Ofong of South Cotabato for their mastery in weaving. Through native materials and detailed patterns, their work weaves the stories and spirit of their communities.

In traditional dance, Hadja Sakinur-ain Delasas of Tawi-Tawi was honored for her graceful movement, which powerfully expressed her people’s culture.

Finally, Bundos Fara of South Cotabato was recognized for his expertise in brass casting, using fire and metal to create enduring pieces that symbolize cultural pride and identity.

President Marcos recognized the vital role of cultural masters in preserving the Filipino spirit amid modernization and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting traditional artists through the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to preserving indigenous culture and traditions amid rapid technological advances.

President Marcos directed the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) to intensify implementing programs promoting and developing Philippine culture and the arts, as Republic Act No. 7356 mandated.

The President issued the directive after conferring Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) to nine traditional artists who have excelled in oral tradition, embroidery, weaving, dance, and brass casting.

“Sa ating mga Manlilikha ng Bayan, maraming salamat po sa pagtuturo ng kahalagahan ng ating katutubong kultura. Sa gitna ng makabagong mundo, kayo ang tinig ng ating pinagmulan,” President Marcos added.

Highlighting the importance of cultural preservation, President Marcos said, “May today’s ceremony serve as a powerful reminder of our collective duty to protect, preserve, and to pass on the cultural treasures entrusted to us.”

“Be assured that this Administration, through the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, will continue to champion traditional arts, indigenous knowledge, and cultural sustainability,” the President stressed.

The NCCA administers the National Endowment Fund for Culture and Arts, which is meant exclusively for implementing art and cultural programs, projects, and activities nationwide. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday rallied the youth to take pride in Filipino culture and heritage, which is a source of national pride and a key factor in the country’s future success.

During the 2023 Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) awarding rites at the Manila Metropolitan Theater, President Marcos urged the youth and the Filipino people to recognize the value of national heritage and take an active role in safeguarding the country’s identity.

“Kasabay ng pangakong ito ay panawagan ko sa lahat ng Pilipino—lalong-lalo na sa ating mga kabataan—kilalanin natin at ipagmalaki natin ang sariling atin,” the President said.

President Marcos conferred the GAMABA honors on exceptional individuals who devote their lives to preserving Filipino traditions and Indigenous cultural practices, which are essential to preserving the national identity across generations.

The President emphasized that Filipino culture is a source of national pride and a key pillar of the country’s development, linking cultural sustainability with economic and social progress.

“Ang ating pagkakakilanlan bilang Pilipino ay hinubog ng mayamang kultura at tradisyong minana natin sa ating mga ninuno–kayamanang ating iniingatan at ipapasa sa susunod na mga henerasyon,” President Marcos noted. | PND

The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) is working with other government agencies to make the Philippines a more attractive investment destination, especially as global manufacturers seek new hubs following the U.S. imposition of reciprocal tariffs.

“Hinahanda na natin iyong Pilipinas na magkaroon ng business friendly environment,” Anti-Red Tape Authority Director General Secretary Ernesto Perez said in a press briefing in Malacañang.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed on March 4, 2025 Proclamation No. 818 declaring the Month of May as the Ease of Doing Business Month.

“The goal is simple: less red tape, more action, more results, more success, more quickly. We want investments to come in, projects to break ground faster, [and] jobs to reach our people sooner. Because when businesses move quickly, progress follows just as fast,” the President said.

The President made the remarks during the Gawad Bayanihan sa Pamumuhunan Milestone Event held in Malacañang last month.

ARTA’s role is to facilitate and coordinate efforts with various lead agencies to address concerns such as digital infrastructure, aimed at boosting internet speed and attaining wider coverage.

He said ARTA is currently working closely with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Energy (DOE), and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

He added that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) spearheaded a workshop on digital infrastructure and renewable energy last week.

Perez said that to address challenges related to high power costs, ARTA encourages businesses to harness the Philippines’ renewable energy potential, noting that ADB conducted a workshop on the matter.

“By June, we will have a study that will recommend expediting the permitting process further to encourage investors to really come in, and we’re really preparing for it,” Perez said.

ARTA issued a memorandum circular under the theme “Red Tape to Red Carpet: Better Business Movement in a Bagong Pilipinas,” highlighting the administration’s brand of governance to create a transparent, efficient, citizen-centric, and business-friendly government. | PND

With two Philippine beaches ranked among the “World’s 50 Best Beaches,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration reaffirmed its commitment to promoting sustainable tourism that supports communities and preserves national heritage.

Malacanang said the inclusion of two Philippine beaches—Entalula Beach in El Nido, Palawan, and Bon Bon Beach of Romblon Island—in the “World’s 50 Best Beaches” list reflects the progress of the Marcos administration’s National Tourism Development Plan (NDTP) 2023–2028.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) will lead the implementation of the NTDP 2023–2028, the government’s blueprint for tourism development, through strategic programs and partnerships with key national agencies.

“Ang pagkilalang ito ay patunay sa kahanga-hangang ganda ng Pilipinas at sa ating global standing bilang isa sa mga pangunahing beach destinations sa buong mundo,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a briefing in Malacañang.

Entalula Beach climbed to second place in the 2025 World’s 50 Best Beaches list, up from fourth in 2024. With its dramatic limestone cliffs and white sand, it is praised as “Palawan’s overlooked slice of heaven.”

Bon Bon Beach also rose to 38th from 48th, described as a “laid-back paradise” known for its striking sandbar connecting to Bangug Island.

Castro said the Marcos administration, through the NTDP 2023-2028 and the DOT’s “Love the Philippines” campaign, is pushing for sustainable tourism while attracting more tourists.

“Patuloy ang DOT sa pagsusulong ng sustainable tourism, hindi lang para sa ating coastal destinations, kundi para rin sa pag-unlad ng ating mga komunidad at pagtaguyod ng ating national heritage,” Castro said.

About 1,000 travel professionals and influencers chose the World’s 50 Best Beaches for 2025. | PND

On orders from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) is stepping up efforts to eliminate delays and corruption in local government offices by ensuring that all LGUs fully use the Electronic Business One-Stop Shop (e-BOSS) system.

This e-BOSS, a digital portal developed by the ARTA, aims to make business transactions faster, easier, and more transparent for the public.

In a Malacañang press briefing on Tuesday, ARTA Director General Secretary Ernesto Perez reaffirmed the government’s commitment to “replacing red tape with red carpet,” creating a more investor-friendly environment by 2028.

Perez said the LGUs’ full compliance with e-BOSS is key to attracting local and foreign investments, especially with the global manufacturing shifts.

“In 2028, ang ating gusto ay lahat po ng local government units should comply with the electronic business one-stop shop because we know that by attracting businesses to come in. That’s why we’re replacing red tape with red carpet, because this is the number one concern amongst the businessmen,” Perez said.

Perez reported that 131 LGUs will face legal action for failing to comply with the mandated creation of an e-BOSS system. This move follows the issuance of 431 notices to explain, of which 134 LGUs did not respond.

“As early as 2021 ay naglabas po tayo ng Joint Memorandum Circular with the DICT, DILG at DTI kung saan nilatag po natin iyong guidelines para mabilis sa kanila ang mag-comply dito sa requirement ng electronic Business One-Stop Shop,” Perez said.

Perez said that failure to comply or respond to notices constitutes a clear violation of the Ease of Doing Business Law and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. He added that cases will be filed with the Office of the Ombudsman.

Perez said only 115 out of 1,642 LGUs have fully complied with e-BOSS requirements, of which 77 achieved compliance only in 2025.

While 1,203 LGUs are partially automated, ARTA continues to push for full compliance, citing available free systems from the Department of Integrated Communications and Technology (DICT) such as eGov.ph.

Perez said delays often cited by LGUs, such as poor internet connectivity or lack of funding, are not valid excuses. He pointed out that even sixth-class municipalities have managed to implement e-BOSS with national support.

Perez highlighted how e-BOSS dramatically reduces processing times, citing Malabon and Navotas, which now issue business permits in under 10 minutes. In Valenzuela, it takes as little as five minutes. | PND

In a landmark step to improve the business climate in the Philippines, the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) kicked off on May 5 the first celebration of “Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Month.”

ARTA Director General Secretary Ernesto Perez affirmed ARTA’s full and proactive compliance with President Marcos’s directive to streamline and digitalize all government services, describing it as the most effective tool in combating red tape and corruption.

“Mahigpit po ang direktiba ng ating mahal na Pangulo for all government processes to be streamlined and digitalized. Napatunayan natin na ito po ang pinakaepektibong paraan para labanan ang red tape at corruption in the process,” Perez said in a Malacañang press briefing on Tuesday

The celebration aligns with Proclamation No. 818 signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on March 4, 2025, which declared May of every year as “Ease of Doing Business Month.”

The presidential proclamation also marks a significant milestone in the country’s reform agenda for streamlined, transparent, and efficient governance.

With the theme, “Red Tape to Red Carpet: Better Business Movement in a Bagong Pilipinas,” ARTA highlights the administration’s commitment to citizen-centric and business-friendly public service.

Perez said the initiative reflects the growing collaboration among government, business chambers, and international partners.

“The business sector is very upbeat about the prospects for the Philippines,” Perez said, citing active support from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Employers Confederation of the Philippines, and the Philippine Exporters Confederation.

The month-long campaign includes a virtual shipbuilding orientation with the Department of Transportation and Danish Embassy on May 7, and a nationwide inspection of frontline services from May 13–15 to assess improvements in LGUs and national agencies. | PND

While an investigation into the fatal vehicular crash at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 is underway, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has also ordered a separate probe into the design and construction of the bollards installed at the terminal’s entrance.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President has ordered a review of the procurement process and technical specifications of the bollards installed in the walkway of NAIA Terminal 1.

“Pinaiimbestigahan na po kung papaano po ang naging procurement pati ‘yung specification ng mga bollards. Iyon po ay sa pag-uutos po ng Pangulo,” Castro said during a press briefing on Tuesday.

Initial reports indicated that the bollards failed to prevent a vehicle from crashing through the walkway, killing two persons, including a 5-year-old girl, and injuring four others.

Bollards are sturdy vertical posts primarily used to manage and control traffic, enhance security, and protect people and property.

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon raised concerns about the bollards’ failure to stop a sports utility vehicle (SUV) that crashed into NAIA’s departure area walkway.

Dizon said the bollards were installed to prevent wayward vehicles from crashing through.

Castro pointed out that the bollards in question were installed in 2019 under the administration of then-Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade.

Castro said that in compliance with the President’s directive, Dizon has begun an immediate assessment of the incident and is committed to addressing the issue with utmost urgency.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) would also inspect all the remaining bollards at NAIA and replace them if necessary to ensure public safety.

President Marcos earlier vowed to implement reforms in the country’s transport system and hold all those responsible for the deadly NAIA accident accountable. | PND

Government agencies and the private sector are coordinating closely to ensure a stable power supply during the May 12, midterm elections, Malacañang said Tuesday.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Department of Energy (DOE) and other government agencies and private sector partners are taking proactive steps to guarantee uninterrupted electricity throughout the electoral process.

“Mahalagang masiguro ang maayos na daloy ng kuryente para maprotektahan ang publiko at mapanatili ang katatagan ng national grid ngayong halalan,” Castro said.

The Palace Press Officer said the DOE has directed the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), National Electrification Administration (NEA), electric cooperatives, and private distribution utilities to clear any structures obstructing power lines promptly.

“Kabilang dito ang mga ilegal na campaign material at iba pang mga istrukturang posibleng magdulot ng panganib sa kaligtasan at sa tuloy-tuloy na suplay ng kuryente,” Castro stressed.

The DOE is coordinating closely with local government units (LGUs) and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Special Task Force Baklas to swiftly and safely remove such obstructions.

Castro said the DOE responded to reports from the Comelec regarding the widespread illegal practice of putting campaign materials on electrical poles and power lines.

“Hindi lamang paglabag sa election rules kundi malaking panganib din sa kaligtasan at operasyon ng ating power system,” she stressed.

The DOE initiative aligns with Republic Act No. 11361, or the Anti-Obstruction of Power Lines Act, which seeks to protect power lines and related facilities from hazards.

Earlier, the DOE-led Energy Task Force on Election (ETFE) assured the public of an uninterrupted power supply nationwide during voting, transmission, and canvassing.

The ETFE, a multi-agency body led by the DOE, works closely with the Comelec, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, and the Bureau of Fire Protection to ensure smooth and credible elections. | PND