“Walang Pilipinong mai-scam ngayong Pasko.”

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said on Wednesday that it is working with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), banks, and law enforcers to protect the public from online scams this Christmas season.

In a press briefing in Malacañang, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said the initiative is under the agency’s Oplan Paskong Sigurado that aims to shield the public from online scammers.

“Ilang beses ko na sigurong nabanggit sa inyo, inutos po ng Presidente sa akin at sa DICT itong Pasko na ito walang Pilipinong mai-scam,” Aguda said.

“So, tuloy-tuloy po iyan at were making sure, we’re working with BSP, with the banks, with the law enforcers matiwasay po dapat ang Pasko natin. So tuloy-tuloy lang po kayong mag-e-commerce, e-transaction,” the DICT chief added.

Aguda asserted that there has been no data breach involving e-wallet services, citing the verification done by the National Privacy Commission (NPC).

“Habang nagpapatuloy po na mag-verify kami doon sa mga report kasi kailangan naming gawin, gusto lang po namin linawin, we concluded—fake news po iyon, parang may na-recycle na news in the past na lumutang na lang,” he said.

“And sinabi naman ng website mismo, it’s unverified. So out of abundance of prudence and caution, NPC thought of checking it out and lumabas naman po wala pong problema,” Aguda emphasized.

In the past, authorities recorded a spike in online scams during the Christmas season, driven by increased online shopping and a focus on giving during the holidays, making people more vulnerable to phishing, fake websites, and other fraudulent activities. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday reminded all government agencies nationwide to keep their Christmas and year-end celebrations simple yet meaningful.

During a Palace press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Marcos issued the reminder as the country has been recently hit by devastating natural calamities.

Castro said Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman echoed the President’s reminder.

“Ilang araw bago mag-Pasko, pinaalalahanan ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. at ng Department of Budget and Management sa pangunguna ni Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, ang lahat ng ahensya ng pamahalaan na gawing simple at makabuluhan ang Christmas at year-end celebrations,” Castro said.

Castro said the reminder is in line with the solidarity shown by President Marcos’ administration with Filipinos facing challenges due to a series of natural disasters, including earthquakes in the Visayas and Mindanao, as well as typhoons that have affected several areas of the country.

“Paalala sa mga kawani ng gobyerno, mahalaga ang pagdiriwang ng Pasko na may pag-aalala sa kapwa nating patuloy na bumabangon at nagsisimulang muli mula sa maraming kalamidad na tumama sa bansa,” Castro said.

“Ang mga hakbang na ito ay kasama sa isang inklusibo at may puso na Bagong Pilipinas na tunay na mithiin ng Marcos administration,” the Palace Press Officer added.

In 2024, President Marcos also urged government officials and workers to refrain from lavish Christmas celebrations in solidarity with the thousands of Filipinos affected by the spate of typhoons that hit the country. ǀ PND

Isolated, underserved and underprivileged areas in the country will soon gain access to internet service through the Konektadong Pinoy Act.

In response to the directive of Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensure fast, reliable and affordable internet connection in the country, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and other government agencies signed on Wednesday the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Konektadong Pinoy Act.

DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said the Konektadong Pinoy Act is a priority measure under the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) and one of the main directives of President Marcos under Bagong Pilipinas.

“Layunin nitong pabilisin ang koneksyon, pababain ang halaga – ibig sabihin, dapat mas mura ang service po natin sa internet – at palawakin ang access sa internet lalo na sa mga lugar na unserved, underserved at sa mga GIDAs o geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas,” Aguda said in a press briefing in Malacañang.

The newly signed IRR will make it easier for new internet service providers to enter the Philippine market, enhance competition in the telecommunications industry, and speed up the processing of permits and registrations resulting in much affordable internet connectivity, according to Aguda.

The IRR also includes the implementation of the “Dig Once Policy,” or simultaneous laying out of fiber cables in government projects to save time and money.

Secretary Aguda led the signing of the IRR, together with Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan; Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince B. Dizon; Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor C. Remulla; Department of Transportation (DOTr) Acting Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez; National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) Commissioner Ella Blanca B. Lopez, and Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo.

Aguda also announced that through the assistance of the Australian Government under the Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I) program, the DICT has completed the national mapping of fiber cables in the entire country. The mapping project was aimed at speeding up fiberization of all households and lowering the connectivity service price with the help of the private sector.

“Alam na natin iyong mga 50 percent na household sa Pilipinas na may fiber optic connectivity. Siyempre alam na rin natin kung ano iyong 50 percent na walang fiber optic connectivity,” Aguda said.

“Iyan po ay pagsisikapan na nating gawing 100 percent para kahit saan pong bahay ay mayroon tayong fiber optic option,” he added.

With the signing of the IRR, the DICT expressed its readiness to start the fiberization of every home in the country in line with the President’s goal of having fast, reliable and affordable internet connection before 2028.

The Konektadong Pinoy Act became a law last August 24 and took effect on September 14, 2025.

The DICT, in coordination with other agencies, was tasked to craft the IRR within 90 days. Stakeholders from various sectors, including the World Bank (WB) also assisted the DICT in crafting the IRR. | PND

Following the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., all concerned government agencies have acted swiftly to provide relief and support to residents affected by Typhoon Tino.

According to Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, various government agencies are already on the ground delivering essential aid to communities badly affected by the storm.

“Mabilisang rumesponde ang lahat ng ahensya sa ilalim ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. upang masiguro ang kaligtasan at seguridad ng mga residenteng tinamaan ng Bagyong Tino,” Castro said in a Palace press briefing on Wednesday.

Castro said the Department of Health (DOH) has immediately distributed medicines, clean drinking water, hygiene kits, and water containers to the provinces of Cebu, Aklan, and Eastern Visayas, which were among the hardest hit by the typhoon.

“Nakabantay din ang ahensya para tugunan ang pangangailangang medikal ng mga residente sa mga apektadong rehiyon sa bansa,” Castro said.

She added that the DOH continues to monitor possible lahar threats from Mount Kanlaon due to the continuous rains brought by Typhoon Tino.

In addition, Castro reported that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has distributed family food packs and ready-to-eat food items to typhoon victims.

Citing DSWD reports, Castro said a total of 121,988 family food packs and 1,628 ready-to-eat food items have been delivered to residents in CALABARZON, Bicol, Western Visayas, Negros Island, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and Caraga.

The DSWD also extended assistance to the National Capital Region and Zamboanga, which included financial aid for families who lost loved ones during the typhoon, added Castro.

The agency likewise provided hot meals and relief supplies to stranded passengers, drivers, and operators at ports and terminals in affected areas.

Castro stressed that Cabinet members continue to monitor the situation closely and oversee the efficient delivery of government assistance in all affected regions.

“Sa oras ng sakuna, palaging prayoridad ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. ang kapakanan ng taumbayan saan man sa bansa,” Castro said.

Meanwhile, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda reported that his office has been working closely with major telecommunications companies — Dito, Globe, and Smart — to accelerate the restoration of communication services in typhoon-affected areas.

“Lahat sila nagsusumikap na maging 100 percent as fast as possible,” Aguda said.

He noted that with the cooperation between the government and telco companies, network restoration will continue to improve within the day. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed Executive Order (EO) No. 102, extending the suspension of importation of regular milled and well-milled rice until December 31, 2025.

The EO, issued upon the recommendation of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and following consultations with the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), seeks to protect local farmers from downward price pressures caused by imported rice, sustain market stability, and safeguard consumer welfare.

President Marcos earlier issued EO No. 93 (s. 2025), which suspended the importation of regular milled and well-milled rice for a period of 60 days, from September 1 to October 30, 2025, to allow the domestic market to absorb the local supply, stabilize prices, and help Filipino farmers sell their palay at a fair and reasonable price.

Under the new executive order, the suspension of importation will remain in effect until December 31, unless lifted earlier or extended further upon the joint recommendation of the DA, DEPDev, and DTI.

The EO said that the suspension does not cover specialty rice varieties that are not commonly produced by local farmers.

The EO also directed the DA, DEPDev, and DTI to convene within 30 days upon effectivity of the order to assess the impact of the suspension on domestic rice supply and prices.

The agencies are likewise tasked to submit a joint recommendation to the President, through the Executive Secretary, within 15 days after their assessment.

The directives under EO No. 93, Sections 3 to 5, are adopted under the new EO.

EO 102, signed by the President on October 30, will take effect immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. | PND

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has outlined the efforts undertaken by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration to enhance the country’s rice production, aligned with the President’s priority to improve the yields and living conditions of Filipino farmers.

In a press briefing in Malacañang on Tuesday, DA Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa said President Marcos has issued directives to provide support for production of the country’s staple food.

“Kasi kung titingnan natin ang mandato ng kagawaran, ang focus talaga namin ay production – masigurado iyong production, masigurado iyong kapakanan ng magsasaka,” De Mesa said.

Among the support being provided by the DA to the farmers include free palay seeds, farm machineries, and irrigation, De Mesa said, noting that more than 50 percent of the agency’s budget is intended for the palay subsector.

In addition, much of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) or about PhP30 billion per year, goes to palay farmers.

Other government policies crafted to help Filipino farmers are Executive Order 100 which set a floor price for palay, and Executive Order 101 which ordered the full implementation of the Sagip Saka Act and directed government agencies to purchase agricultural and fishery products directly from accredited farmers and fisherfolk.

President Marcos has also extended the rice import ban until December, which, according to De Mesa, will have a positive effect on palay farm-gate prices.

The rice import ban was originally in effect from September 1 to October 30.

“I’ve been with the department for more than 24 years. This is the first time na nagkaroon ng import ban. At hindi lang isang buwan, na-extend siya for November, ngayon in-extend pa ng December para magkaroon ng epekto doon sa presyo ng farm gate ng palay,” De Mesa said.

“At nakita natin iyong epekto, bagama’t dahan-dahan, ganoon po talaga sa sektor ng agrikultura, hindi iyan biglaan. Kasi marami ring ispekulasyon, pero kapag nakita nila na pursigido ang pamahalaan sa mga ganitong polisiya, nararamdaman iyan tapos unti-unti hanggang maging sustainable,” he added.

To accommodate more palay purchases by the National Food Authority (NFA) from local farmers, De Mesa said the DA is helping NFA repair and rehabilitate existing warehouses and to build new ones.

The DA has also established rice processing systems and has plans to put up more such centers to lower farmers’ production cost and minimize losses. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. received officials of the Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) during a courtesy call at Malacañan Palace on Tuesday.

In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said CIP expressed its confidence in investing in the country’s renewable energy sector during their meeting with the President.

“Ang Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners o CIP ay isa lang sa mga investors na nagpahayag ng tiwala na mamuhunan dito sa Pilipinas sa pamamagitan ng kanilang partner na ACEN – Renewable Energy Solutions,” Castro said.

The Palace official said the company emphasized that it chose to invest in the Philippines because of the country’s favorable location and the President’s strong commitment to transitioning toward renewable energy.

“Ayon kay Pangulong Marcos Jr., mahalaga ang investment ng kompanya dahil sa hangrain ng pamahalaan na mag-shift mula sa fossil fuels patungong renewable energy,” Castro said.

According to Castro, CIP committed to build its first offshore windfarm project worth USD 3 billion in Camarines Sur, also its first project in Southeast Asia.

“Sa ganitong investment, patunay lamang na mataas pa rin ang kumpiyansa ng mga dayuhang investors na mamuhunan sa Pilipinas,” said Castro.

Founded in 2012 in Denmark, CIP manages funds and invests in greenfield renewable energy projects across the globe, including offshore and onshore wind, solar photovoltaic, biomass, energy-from-waste, transmission and distribution, reserve capacity, storage, advanced bioenergy, and Power-to-X technologies.

The company has 55 greenfield renewable energy investment projects spanning the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

CIP established its Manila office in September 2024. Its first windmill energy farm was established in Ilocos Norte when President Marcos was still governor.

Joining the President during the meeting were Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Presidential Communications Office Acting Secretary Dave Gomez, DOE Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara, OSAPIEA Assistant Secretary Kristine Joy Diaz-Teston of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs, Board of Investments Executive Director Evariste Cagatan, and Department of Foreign Affairs Director Ferdinand Flores.

On the CIP side, present were Managing Partner Jakob Baruel Poulsen, Senior Partners Torsten Lodberg Smed, Christina Grumstrup Sorensen, and Christian Skakkebæk. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos. Jr. said the government conducted preemptive evacuations and prepositioned food packs and relief goods in preparation for the effects of Typhoon Tino.

In a statement read by Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro in a press briefing on Tuesday, President Marcos said the government continues to monitor Typhoon Tino, that has already affected 340,000 individuals in 1,397 barangays in MIMAROPA, Bicol, Western and Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Caraga and Negros Island Region.

The President said the government has carried out preemptive evacuation for more than 175,000 individuals who are now sheltering in evacuation centers in the affected regions.

The Chief Executive said all concerned agencies have been mobilized for immediate disaster response, such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Energy (DOE), National Electrification Administration (NEA), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

“Ang DSWD ay nakapag-preposition na ng food packs at relief goods sa mga apektadong lugar na handa nang ipamahagi. Ang DOE at NEA ay tumutugon na sa mga ulat ng power outages, habang ang DPWH at MMDA ay nagpapakilos ng mga clearing teams para linisin ang mga daan,” said President Marcos.

“Tutungo rin ang ilang miyembro ng Gabinete sa mga pinakaapektadong probinsiya upang personal na alamin ang kalagayan at tiyaking naibabalik agad ang mga pangunahing serbisyo,” the President added.

The President assured that the government is working to help affected residents recover quickly from the effects of Typhoon Tino. | PND

During the press briefing in Malacañang, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Spokesperson Junie Castillo said President Marcos ordered the preemptive evacuation as a precautionary measure and placed various government assets and personnel on standby for debris-clearing operations.

Castillo said most of the families who have been preemptively evacuated are from the Eastern Visayas region.

Castillo said teams composed of about 1,737 government personnel have been prepositioned for debris clearing and civil works in Eastern Visayas and Central Visayas after the typhoon’s onslaught. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to remain on high alert and take all necessary precautions against potential cyberattacks anticipated on November 5.

In a message read by Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro during a Palace press briefing on Tuesday, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said the President instructed the DICT and all government cyber teams to be vigilant and take necessary preventive measures.

“The President directed DICT and all cyber teams in government to be vigilant and prepare for the November 5 possible DDoS attacks,” Aguda said.

“DICT has activated Oplan Cyberdome to ensure that all digital services of the government as well as privately operated critical information infrastructures such as banks, telcos, hospitals, et cetera, are also protected and ready to respond to any DDoS attacks,” he added.

DICT earlier warned of a potential Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack that could temporarily disrupt websites and online services by flooding target servers with massive internet traffic from multiple compromised systems.

Castro said Aguda made the assurance that the DICT, together with the private sector, is working closely to safeguard the country’s digital infrastructure.

“The public is assured that the government and the private sectors are working hand in hand to ensure all digital services are available and secure,” Castro said, quoting Aguda.

Castro said DICT also guaranteed that agencies will continue to provide in-person services in case of temporary unavailability of online services. | PND

In recognition of the efforts and dedication of public servants, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the early release this November of the year-end bonus and cash gift for government employees.

“Limampu’t isang araw bago mag-Pasko, may good news sa ating mga kawani ng gobyerno,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing in Malacañang on Tuesday.

“Sa ilalim ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. maagang maipamimigay ng Department of Budget and Management o DBM ngayong buwan ang year-end bonus at PhP5,000 pesos cash gift sa mga kawani ng gobyerno,” Castro added.

For fiscal year 2025, a total of PhP63.69 billion was allocated for the year-end bonus of civilian, military and uniformed personnel.

Meanwhile, PhP9.24 billion was allocated for the PhP5,000 cash gift for more than 1.85 million government employees.

Castro said the early release of the year-end bonus and cash gift by by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) led by Secretary Amenah Pangandaman demonstrated the Marcos administration’s appreciation for public servants and their heroism for the nation.

“Isa rin ito sa mga hakbang ng pamahalaan sa pagkilala sa pagsisikap at dedikasyon ng mga kawani ng gobyerno,” Castro said. | PND