By Danny Estacio   LUCENA CITY, Quezon, Philippines – House deputy speaker Rep. David C. Suarez announced on Monday that he filed a House Bill in Congress in aid of legislation to provide a clearer explanation for why oil prices are rising rapidly, even though there is supposedly an adequate fuel supply in the country. Suarez posted on FB said that if the country has sufficient stock, consumers should also have immediate protection against sudden price increases. The Quezon 2nd district lawmaker acknowledged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s earlier statement that the country has sufficient fuel inventory, including more than 50 days’ supply of diesel and gasoline, more than 60 days for kerosene, and almost a month for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). However, Suarez said that the public still questions why global market movements are immediately reflected in prices even though the country has reserves. Of this, he filed House Resolution No. 852 to investigate the recent and expected fuel price hikes and to determine whether the government is adequately protecting consumers. He also asked the Department of Energy to submit a detailed report to Congress on the movement of oil prices, fuel inventories, and the basis for price adjustments in the country. Suarez insisted that transparency is important to ensure that ordinary Filipinos are not overly affected by the fluctuating oil prices in the global market.

Nueva Vizcaya Lone District Representative Timothy Joseph Cayton has expressed his full support for the proposed National Minimum Wage Act, which aims to abolish the current regional and provincial wage system and establish a single national minimum wage for all Filipino workers. According to Cayton, it is time to implement a fair wage system where workers in provinces are not paid less despite doing the same job and sacrifices as those in Metro Manila. “It is unjust that a worker in the province is paid less compared to Metro Manila, given the same hardship and value of their work,” Cayton said. Currently, the provincial minimum wage in Nueva Vizcaya is around ₱500 per day, far from the minimum wage in the National Capital Region. “HB 8081 is one of the most historic reforms for workers in a long time. Under the proposal, the current regional wage structure will be abolished and replaced with a single national minimum wage to ensure fairer and more equitable wages for all,” he added. Under the proposal, the initial national minimum wage rate will be based on the region with the highest wage in the country. Currently, the minimum wage in Metro Manila is ₱695 per day, which will serve as the basis for the new national rate. Cayton emphasized that this reform is not just about wages but about dignity and recognition of the value of every Filipino worker. “The goal is simple but fair. Equal pay for equal work. Workers should not be penalized just because they are in the provinces. Raising the minimum wage will also boost the local economy as families will have more ability to spend and support businesses in their community,” he explained. For Cayton, this proposal is a significant step towards reducing wage inequality in the country and ensuring that economic progress is truly felt by Filipino workers everywhere. “Ending provincial wage disparity is a clear message that progress is not just for cities, but for the entire country,” Cayton concluded.          

PANGASINAN, Philippines  – The Provincial Government of Pangasinan’s continuous effort in implementing its manpower development and employment program has yielded impressive results, with a recorded employment rate of 95.63% in 2025. The Pangasinan Public Employment and Services Office (PESO), led by Ms. Richelle Raguindin, reported that the province saw 10,204 job placements for local and overseas employment last year. On record, the PESO conducted 31 job placement activities, including seven Job Fairs, eight Job Fair Caravans, 12 Local Recruitment Activities, and four Special recruitment events. These activities were designed to provide easier access to job seekers, particularly in far-flung municipalities. To inform job seekers of various opportunities, the province posted employment activities on social media platforms, resulting in 11,243 students and job applicants participating in 83 Career Development Support Programs. Additionally, some 1,193 participants acquired employable skills through the Employability Enhancement Program (EEP), which offered trainings on skills, livelihood, and career/entrepreneurship development. The province also provided financial assistance to Out of School Youth (OSY), unemployed adults, LGBT community, and other beneficiaries from different disadvantaged groups, worth P2,000 for Bread and pastry Production and tool kits worth P1,000 for various skills training. In partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the province implemented the Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, benefiting 3,139 displaced,underemployed and seasonal workers. The Government Internship Program and Special Program for Employment of Students also benefited 26 and 130 individuals, respectively. The province’s Skills Registry/PESO Employment Information System (PEI) registered 5,067 job applicants in 2025, further solidifying its commitment to providing employment opportunities for Pangasinenses and realizing Governor Ramon V. Guico’s goal to create more jobs during his term. (Ruby F. Rayat| PIMRO)  

CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Philippines — The Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) has reaffirmed its strong support for Gender and Development (GAD) initiatives, underscoring the importance of sustained programs that promote gender equality, inclusivity, and women’s empowerment both within the agency and among its partner stakeholders. As part of its continuing commitment, CIAC announced the conduct of a GAD lecture-seminar on March 26 at the Clark civil aviation complex which will gather employees from companies operating within the Clark Freeport Zone. The activity forms part of the CIAC’s broader GAD advocacy and its celebration of National Women’s Month this March. CIAC President Jojit Alcazar emphasized the role of collaborative efforts in advancing gender equality, noting the participation of locator companies and their workforce is crucial in expanding awareness and strengthening inclusive workplace practices. “CIAC remains committed to supporting GAD programs that promote inclusivity and gender equality.  By engaging our locators and encouraging their employees to participate in these initiatives, we hope to further broaden awareness and reinforce the importance of equal opportunities in the workplace,” Alcazar said. Major CIAC locators, including Global Gateway Development Corp., Luen Thai International, and Outback Five Star Clark Phils., Inc., employ thousands of workers, a significant number of whom are women. CIAC said the involvement of these companies in GAD-related activities helps ensure that gender-responsive policies and practices are promoted not only within government but also in the private sector operating within the Clark Aviation Capital. CIAC GAD Focal Person and Chief Finance Officer Nancy Paglinawan stressed that the agency continues to champion the protection of women’s rights and the promotion of safe and equitable working environments. “Our GAD programs aim to strengthen awareness on non-discrimination and protection from all forms of violence, particularly against women workers. Through these activities, we hope to cascade these important principles to the private sector and encourage workplaces that are respectful, safe, and inclusive,” Paglinawan said. CIAC’s lineup of GAD-related activities this month includes a seminar on “Women’s Reproductive Health System and Diseases Affecting Women” scheduled on March 17. The agency will also conduct an outreach program titled “Serbisyo para kay Juana” on March 25 at the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-run Haven for Girls in Pampanga, further demonstrating CIAC’s commitment to community engagement and women-centered support services. Paglinawan noted CIAC’s continued efforts in implementing gender-responsive programs have gained national recognition. Late last year, the agency received an award from the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) for its exemplary implementation of GAD programs and for recording the highest organization-focused GAD budget expenditure among government-owned and controlled corporations. The National Women’s Month Celebration serves as an important platform for recognizing women’s achievements while highlighting key issues related to women’s empowerment and gender equality. This year marks the third installment of the 2023–2028 recurring campaign banner, “WE for Gender Equality and an Inclusive Society,” which calls for stronger collaboration and collective action to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment. For 2026, the celebration carries the sub-theme “Lead Like the Babaylans, Filipinas!”, drawing inspiration from the babaylans of pre-colonial Philippine society, who were regarded as wise, compassionate, and respected community leaders. Through its GAD initiatives, CIAC said it remains committed to supporting this vision by promoting inclusive development and empowering women within and beyond the Clark aviation community.