Malacañang reminded the public on Friday that the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) is providing benefits for confined patients with severe heat-related illnesses at its accredited hospitals nationwide.

In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro reaffirmed the government’s steadfast commitment to promoting public health.

“Patuloy ang pagtutok ng pamahalaan sa kalusugan ng bawat Pilipino. Kasabay ng pagsisimula ng mainit na panahon, nagpaalala ang PhilHealth na saklaw ng PhilHealth benefits ang mga karaniwang sakit tuwing tag-init,” Castro said.

Castro said the health package covers common illnesses such as heatstroke, dehydration, chickenpox, typhoid fever, and sore eyes. The cost of treating these conditions ranges from PhP7,000 to PhP19,000.

PhilHealth also announced that the health packages cover infectious diarrhea or acute gastroenteritis and the toxic effects of contact with marine animals.

For acute health care needs, heat-related or beyond, members can also use the Outpatient Emergency Care Benefit (OECB) Package, which can be availed at any accredited Level 1 to 3 hospital.

The dry season officially began on April 16, aligning with Holy Week, a nationwide peak period for travel and outdoor activities.

PhilHealth reported 77 cases of heat-related illnesses with seven fatalities for the period Jan. 1 to Apr. 29, 2024.

PhilHealth advised the public to stay hydrated, avoid going out under the searing sun, practice proper hygiene, and bathe regularly to prevent illness. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed Administrative Order No. 32 creating the National Task Force Kanlaon to tackle volcanic threats and safeguard communities in the Negros Island Region.

President Marcos signed the order on April 24, following a situation briefing in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental.

President Marcos had stressed the importance of stronger coordination among government agencies to ensure a more effective, efficient and strategic response to natural disasters.

The Task Force Kanlaon was formed in response to the increasing volcanic activity at Mt. Kanlaon. On Dec. 9, 2024, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) raised the alert level to 3.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported the eruption has affected about 12,360 families, or more than 48,500 people. It has also caused PhP129 million in damage to agriculture.

President Marcos called for a “coordinated government approach” to reduce the social, economic, and environmental impacts of the eruption.

The task force will lead the planning and implementation of recovery, rehabilitation, and resettlement programs.

It will be chaired by the Department of National Defense (DND). Other members include the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and other concerned agencies.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) will serve as the secretariat and provide support to the task force.

The creation of Task Force Kanlaon is a move that reflects the government’s commitment to the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 (RA No. 10121).

It also upholds the Mt. Kanlaon National Park Act of 2001 (RA No. 9154), which protects the Mt. Kanlaon ecosystem and nearby communities. | PND

Malacañang on Friday expressed serious concern over reports from the National Security Council (NSC) indicating possible foreign interference in the May 12 midterm elections.

In a Palace press briefing, Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said, “ito po ay talagang nakakaalarma,” referring to the potential external influence in the midterm elections.

Castro noted that when the issue reached President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., he immediately ordered an immediate and deeper investigation.

“Nakarating na po ito sa Pangulo kaya po kailangan po talaga ng maagaran, mas malalim na pag-iimbestiga,” she added.

Castro assured that the concerned government agencies would intensify the investigation into the matter to ensure the integrity of the election process.

“At paiigtingin pa po natin ang [imbestigasyon patungkol dito],” Castro said.

During the April 24 Senate hearing on submersible drones and possible espionage activities, NSC disclosed that “there are indications that information operations are being conducted that are Chinese state-sponsored in the Philippines and are actually interfering in the forthcoming elections.”

When asked to elaborate on the specific interference indicators, Castro said the concerned government agencies are still gathering information.

“Sa ngayon po, ang sinabi po sa atin ay pa-iimbestigahan pa po muna para malaman natin kung ano pa po ang mga detalye dito at kung ano po ang napapaloob sa mga ganitong klaseng pangyayari,” she said. | PND

To further boost Philippine tourism and economy, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has issued Executive Order No. 86, establishing a legal framework to facilitate the entry of digital nomads—foreign nationals seeking to temporarily reside and work remotely in the Philippines.

“The DFA is hereby authorized to issue Digital Nomad Visas (DNVs) to non-immigrant foreigners who desire to enter and/or stay in the country for a temporary period for the purpose of working remotely using digital technologies, and whose clients or employers are situated outside the Philippines,” President Marcos said in the EO, which was signed on April 24, 2025.

Often relying on Internet and mobile devices for connectivity, a digital nomad is described as a person who works remotely using technology.

They travel and live in various locations while working.

Because of its relatively lower cost of living, the Philippines is becoming a haven for digital nomads. Also because of the country’s scenic spots and increasing number of remote workers.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) ranked the Philippines as the 7th fastest-growing remote work hub country in the world in 2023.

Under the DNV Program, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in coordination with the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Tourism (DOT), Bureau of Immigration (BI), and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), was directed to study and adopt measures to effectively implement the program aimed at attracting eligible foreigners.

The President’s order also mandates the DFA to create a database of all DNV holders for monitoring purposes in strict compliance with data privacy requirements under Republic Act No. 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012.

Foreigners applying for DNV must be at least 18 years old; must show proof of remote work using digital technology and sufficient income generated outside the Philippines; and must have unblemished criminal record.

An applicant must have health insurance valid for the DNV period; must be a national of a country that offers DNVs to Filipinos and where the Philippines has a Foreign Service Post (FSP); must not pose threat to the internal or external security of the Philippines; and must not be employed in the Philippines.

Foreigners who are nationals of countries that offer DNVs to Filipinos but do not have a Philippine FSP may apply for DNV in the nearest country where a Philippine FSP is located.

Foreigners who are holders of valid DNVs may enter and/or stay in the Philippines for a maximum period of one year and may renew their visas for the same duration. They may also be granted multiple entry privileges during the validity of their DNVs.

The DFA, in coordination with the DOJ, DOT, Bl, and BIR, shall issue the necessary guidelines for the effective implementation of the order within 30 days from its effectivity. | PND

The First Couple will join around 170 world leaders and other dignitaries expected to arrive in Vatican as the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis, who died on April 21.

“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos will depart for the Vatican on Thursday, 24 April 2025, to attend the funeral of His Holiness Pope Francis,” the Palace said in a statement released Thursday evening.

“The President and the First Lady will convey the thoughts and prayers of the Filipino people, who fondly recall Pope Francis’ visit to the Philippines in 2015, his compassion, and his life of humility and service to the world,” the statement said.

The funeral will take place on Saturday, April 26, 10:00 am (4:00 pm Philippine time), at the Saint Peter’s Basilica parvis, or the open space in front of the basilica surrounded by its colonnades.

The Philippines, being the largest Catholic country in Asia, joins the global Catholic community in honoring the life and legacy of the pontiff. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday honored three exceptional Filipino world travelers who had visited all 193 UN-member-countries, a rare feat accomplished by less than 500 people.

The distinguished travelers are Odette Ricasa, the first Filipino to achieve the milestone; Luisa Yu, the oldest; and Kach Medina Umandap, the youngest.

The travelers were accompanied by Donalito “Dondon” Bales, the founder of the global community of Filipino World Travelers (FWT), during their courtesy call in Malacañan Palace.

During the visit, President Marcos and his guests discussed their travel experiences.

The President said he was amazed at how dedicated the travelers are in achieving their dreams.

When he was informed that the three Filipinas had visited all the UN member-countries, President Marcos told his guests that he wanted to meet them and “benefit from their experience.”

Filipinos are popular globally for their innate hospitality and empathy, he said.

“Most importantly kahit saan tayo pumunta gusto tayo … We create nice communities. Nagtutulungan talaga,” the President told the three.

“So, nakaka-proud naman. I’m sure you left a whole trail of new friends and new Filipino fans everywhere in the world,” he said.

Bales gave the President his book titled, “Galà: Adventures of the Most Well-Traveled Filipinos” which was released in September 2021. It features the stories of Ricasa, Yu, Umandap, himself, and other inspiring Filipino travelers. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday urged all public servants to adopt the latest technologies and innovations for improved public service to the Filipino people.

“It is an opportunity now for us to rethink, to innovate, and serve our people better through technology,” President Marcos said.

The President made the remarks during the ceremonial presentation of the signed Memorandum of Agreement on the Philippine Civil Service Digital Leadership Program in Malacañan Palace.

During the event, President Marcos said it was in June 2023 when the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) Digital Infrastructure Sector Lead proposed the Philippine Civil Service Digital Leadership Program.

The PSAC announced on February 14, 2025, the collaboration among various stakeholders that led to the drafting of the Memorandum of Agreement, the President said.

“Now, the early results of this initiative have come to fruition,” he said.

This month, the first batch of dedicated participants—including 30 representatives from the Civil Service Commission (CSC)—completed their pilot training in Singapore, the President said.

They returned equipped with essential knowledge on digital leadership, citizen-centric design thinking, and data-driven decision-making to help modernize public service delivery.

Between now and 2027, Phase 2 of the program targets to train at least 10,000 civil servants, the President said.

Equipped with the necessary skills and a renewed vision for public service, these civil servants will then be catalysts in leading the digital transformation of the bureaucracy from within, President Marcos said.

During the event in Malacañang, President Marcos thanked the partners from the Civil Service Commission (CSC), the National University of Singapore’s Institute of Systems Science, and the PSAC through the Private Sector Jobs and Skills Corp. for working on the initiative.

He also expressed gratitude to visionary partners like the Temasek Foundation, SM Group, and Ayala Group for their invaluable support and commitment to advancing public sector transformation.

“This collaboration brings us closer to realizing our shared aspiration of building a modernized public sector workforce,” President Marcos said. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed the nation’s solidarity with the global community mourning the passing of Pope Francis as he officially declared a period of national mourning to honor His Holiness, who passed away on April 21, 2025.

In Proclamation No. 871, President Marcos declared a period of national mourning effective immediately until the burial of Pope Francis on Saturday.

President Marcos also cited the late Pontiff’s enduring legacy, describing him as “a global symbol of humility, compassion, and peace,” who spent his life “devoting his ministry to the care of the poor, marginalized, and vulnerable, and advocating tirelessly for social justice, equality, and interfaith dialogue.”

The President underscored the deep bond between Pope Francis and the Filipino people, recalling his historic Apostolic Visit to the Philippines in January 2015, during which he offered comfort and solidarity to victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) and celebrated the resilience of the Filipino faithful despite adversities.

“The passing of Pope Francis is a moment of profound sorrow for the Catholic Church and for the Filipino people, who recognize him as a global leader of compassion and a tireless advocate for peace, justice, and human dignity,” President Marcos stated in the proclamation.

As a mark of national respect, the Philippine flag shall be flown at half-staff on all government buildings and installations throughout the country and abroad, from sunrise to sunset, effective immediately until the day of Pope Francis’s burial.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Pope Francis served as the head of the Roman Catholic Church for 12 years. He was the first Jesuit, the first Latin American, and the first non-European pope in more than 1,200 years. He led more than 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide, including millions of Filipinos.

President Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos are set to attend the funeral of Pope Francis in Vatican City this Saturday, joining world leaders in paying their final respects to the late pontiff.

The funeral ceremony will take place on Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 AM (08:00 GMT) in St. Peter’s Square, where Pope Francis made his last public appearance during his Easter Sunday blessing and popemobile tour. | PND

The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced plans for the pilot rollout of the PhP20-per-kilo rice initiative, which will begin in the Visayas region, following a closed-door meeting with the President and 12 governors from the Visayas region at the Cebu Provincial Capitol on Wednesday.

According to Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., the said regions shall serve as a testbed for implementation strategies and logistical coordination.

He added that the program is intended to be scaled up nationwide, with the goal of making affordable rice accessible to more Filipino families across the country.

“We launched it here (Cebu) because mas marami ngang nangangailangan sa mga regions na ‘yun. But, of course, ang eventual intention nitong programang ito — once we sort out all the issues logistically and para makita talaga how to operate it and launch it and manage it — nationwide ito eventually,” he said.

As part of the initial phase, the DA will provide up to 40 kilos of rice per household per month. The program is set to run until December, with the possibility of extension to February 2026 or even until 2028, Laurel said.

“Our President has given the directive to the Department of Agriculture to formulate this to be sustainable and tuloy-tuloy hanggang 2028,” the DA secretary said.

Laurel said selling cheaper rice to the public will decongest National Food Authority (NFA) warehouses, which are currently operating at full capacity due to the large volume of milled and unmilled rice stocks.

He noted that the country’s stockpile has grown from 300,000 metric tons to 358,000 metric tons due to harvest season.

“So, we really have to move out and dispose of. That’s also the other factor,” Laurel said. | PND

Expanding digital infrastructure beyond Metro Manila, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday led the launch of the AI-ready VITRO Santa Rosa (VSR) Data Center, urging stronger public-private collaboration and innovation to build an inclusive and tech-driven Bagong Pilipinas.

In his speech, President Marcos emphasized the vital role of collaboration between the government and the private sector in advancing the country’s digital transformation.

“Our job in the government is to create the conditions for growth. But real progress comes from partnership—from trust, commitment, and a shared vision,” the President said.

Labelling the Filipino workforce as “the greatest asset,” the President invited investors to explore opportunities in the Philippines’ growing digital economy.

“Let us shape the digital economy together—with the Filipino being your greatest asset,” he said.

The VITRO Santa Rosa Data Center is an AI-ready, hyperscale-capable facility that offers secure digital data storage and access. It serves as a key pillar in expanding the country’s digital infrastructure beyond Metro Manila.

The VSR site is linked to key hubs in the cities of Makati, Parañaque and Pasig through the VITRO Data Center Interconnect (DCI), ensuring seamless network reliability and scalability.

The President hailed the data center as a symbol of the country’s readiness for a digital future and a reflection of the administration’s people-centered approach to technological advancement.

“The launch of this landmark ICT infrastructure is also a testament to the people-centered future we are building—a Philippines where technology and human connection go hand in hand and exist seamlessly,” he said.

“In today’s world, data is as critical as water and electricity. We need to strengthen further our digital infrastructure, especially for critical, private, and confidential data. We need to safeguard our digital identity. We need to secure our digital future,” President Marcos said.

President Marcos cited the country’s progress in the digital sphere, pointing to the Philippines’ improved ranking in the Global Innovation Index — from 56th in 2023 to 53rd in 2024 out of 133 economies.

Despite these gains, the President said the government remains committed to driving further growth through major initiatives, including the National Fiber Backbone Project, expanded free public Wi-Fi, and streamlined processes for energy projects supporting the digital economy.

To complement infrastructure development, the government is also preparing the workforce for future jobs through the implementation of the Digital Workforce Competitiveness Act.

President Marcos expressed his gratitude to the VITRO and ePLDT Group for their confidence and contribution to the country’s digital future.

President Marcos also toured the facility, accompanied by Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, PLDT Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Manuel V. Pangilinan, VITRO Inc. President Victor Genuino and other officials.

Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda was also present during the event along with Santa Rosa Mayor Arlene Arcillas. | PND