More than three million Filipino workers could receive additional tax relief under a bill filed in the House of Representatives that seeks to raise the annual tax-exempt income threshold from ₱250,000 to ₱350,000, allowing qualified employees to keep a larger share of their earnings amid rising living costs. Nueva Vizcaya Rep. Timothy Joseph E. Cayton filed House Bill No. 10517, which proposes a higher personal income tax exemption in support of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s call during his recent State of the Nation Address to ease the tax burden on Filipino workers. The measure would exempt individuals earning up to ₱350,000 annually from paying personal income tax, replacing the current ₱250,000 threshold. It also seeks to increase the tax-exempt ceiling for 13th-month pay and other employee benefits from ₱90,000 to ₱120,000. To ensure that tax relief keeps pace with inflation, the bill proposes the automatic adjustment of income tax brackets every three years starting in 2030. It also provides for lower tax rates and other relief measures for qualified taxpayers. “This measure seeks to provide big relief to Filipino workers by allowing them to keep more of their hard-earned income. As the cost of living continues to rise, our tax system must also respond to the changing economic realities faced by working families,” Cayton said. Cayton said the proposed adjustments could benefit an estimated 3.13 million workers, and about 1.2 million taxpayers could be removed from the personal income tax rolls if the bill is enacted. As a House bill, Cayton’s proposal must undergo committee deliberations, win approval in the House plenary, and obtain Senate concurrence before it can be transmitted to the President for signature. By Rachel Magday

By Ana-liza Macatangay and Ernie Delgado   DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon and Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo speak with a resident during their inspection of the dredging operations at Sagop Creek on August 6, 2026. (Image from DPWH) LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines  — Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon on Thursday said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. wants the dredging of all creeks, including the smaller ones, in Naga City to be finished in time for the rainy season. According to Dizon, the deployment of two more smaller dredging machines will help fast-track the DPWH’s efforts to remove silt, debris and other solid waste from the creeks. Dizon personally handed over the equipment during his inspection of the ongoing dredging operations at Sagop Creek in Barangay Concepcion Pequeña. “Kung maaalala ninyo noong nagpunta si Presidente dito, mayroong mga maliliit na creeks tulad nitong Sagop na hindi kayang pasukin ng malalaking equipment,” Dizon said, explaining that Mayor Leni Robredo requested compact backhoes and dredging equipment that can access narrow waterways. (If you remember when the President visited Naga City, there were smaller creeks that larger equipment could not access.) The new excavators will remain in the area to clear the smaller creeks Dizon said that the machines are essential because Naga City collects floodwater from neighboring towns, necessitating regular unclogging and desilting. He also said that more smaller dredging equipment will arrive next week to help clear narrow waterways, including those near Julian B. Meliton Elementary School, which often experiences flooding. “Mayroong paparating next week na mas maliit pa rito para naman sa mga creeks malapit sa Julian B. Meliton Elementary School na laging binabaha,” he said. (Smaller equipment is expected to arrive next week to clear creeks near Julian B. Meliton Elementary School, which frequently experiences flooding) Dizon also committed to deploying two mobile pumps next week to facilitate the rapid drainage of floodwaters during heavy rains. Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo said that the additional equipment would enhance the city’s flood mitigation efforts. She explained that although the City Engineering Office and the DPWH Third District Engineering Office attempted to conduct manual desilting operations in Sagop Creek, the hardened silt and soil have become difficult to remove without specialized equipment. “With this equipment, nakikita namin gumagalaw na. Kahit konting trabaho pa lang, gumagalaw na. Ang laking tulong niya sa pagsugpo ng baha,” Robredo said. (We can already see progress even with just a small amount of work. It is a huge help in addressing flooding.) For residents, the additional equipment brings hope for a long-term solution to the city’s recurring flooding. Lily Romero, 65, a resident of Barangay Concepcion Pequeña, said flooding has become a yearly challenge, particularly during the last quarter of the year. She recalled that floodwaters brought by Typhoon Kristine in 2024 reached chest level, damaging appliances, furniture, and other household belongings. Romero expressed hope that the continuous clearing and dredging of waterways under Oplan Kontra Baha would help reduce flooding and protect communities from similar experiences in the future. “Salamat kay President Marcos, project po ito ni BBM,” Romero said. (I thank President Marcos, this is one of his projects.)  (Nicolle Frilles contributed to this report/PIA Bicol)

By Joshua Sugay   CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro,Philippines — More residents across MIMAROPA will gain access to science, technology, and innovation as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-MIMAROPA brings the 2026 Regional Science, Technology and Innovation Week (RSTW) to all island provinces for the first time from August 17 to 19. Instead of holding the annual celebration in just one province, DOST-MIMAROPA will conduct activities across Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Palawan, and Romblon to reach more communities, including those in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs). Speaking during the Arangkada MIMAROPA radio program of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-MIMAROPA and Radyo Pilipinas-Palawan on August 5, Regional Director Dr. Bernardo Sepeda said the initiative proves that MIMAROPA’s island geography does not limit development. “Gusto nating ipakita na hindi hadlang ang pagkakahiwalay ng mga probinsiya. Bagkus, konektado ang MIMAROPA gamit ang agham, teknolohiya, at inobasyon,” Sepeda said. This year’s celebration carries the call to action “Tara Pa-MIMAROPA,” inviting residents to experience technologies that support livelihoods, protect the environment, preserve culture, and create opportunities for communities. Each province will showcase technologies that reflect its strengths. Occidental Mindoro will feature technologies that preserve Indigenous Peoples’ culture, including handloom weaving machines for Mangyan communities. Oriental Mindoro will highlight technology commercialization, including the Palatak Palay Seeder and the Mobile Modular Food Processing Facility that helps farmers reduce crop losses and add value to their harvests. Marinduque will present science-based solutions for environmental protection, such as coral nursery units and reef block deployment. Palawan will showcase robotics, mechatronics, and Industry 4.0 technologies while launching innovation facilities that support students, engineers, and local industries. Romblon will serve as the regional hub, bringing together the themes of all provinces while featuring technologies for disaster resilience, climate change adaptation, industry development, and technology-based livelihoods. “Gusto nating ipakita kung paano nagkakabuklod-buklod ang isang bayan gamit ang agham at teknolohiya,” Sepeda said. Activities will run simultaneously across MIMAROPA from August 17 to 19, bringing government innovations closer to communities and highlighting how the region’s islands can move forward together through science, technology, and innovation. (JJGS/JBG/PIA MIMAROPA-Oriental Mindoro)

By Charmaine Odong-Pangan   CALAMBA CITY, Laguna, Philippines — In a continued effort to dismantle illegal drug networks and protect communities across the region, the Police Regional Office (PRO) Region IV-A arrested 1,208 drug suspects and seized ₱29.6 million worth of illegal drugs during anti-drug operations carried out across Calabarzon from July 1 to 31. In an official press statement, PRO Calabarzon, under the leadership of Acting Regional Director Police Brig. Gen. Dominic Baccay, reported that it conducted 942 anti-drug operations throughout July, reflecting the region’s intensified and intelligence-driven law enforcement efforts under Baccay’s B.E.S.T. leadership framework, which stands for Be visible, Engage immediately, Serve together, Transform trust. “The month-long operations resulted in the seizure of 4,333.59 grams of shabu, 245.58 grams of marijuana, and 43.46 grams of kush, with a total Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) standard value of Php29,563,092.00,” PRO Calabarzon shared. In his statement, Baccay emphasized that Calabarzon cops remain proactive in sustaining aggressive anti-illegal drug operations to disrupt the illegal drug trade and ensure that individuals who continue to violate the law are held accountable. “Our message is clear: anyone who chooses to engage in the illegal drug trade will face the full force of the law. We will not slow down, we will not back off, and we will not allow drug personalities and syndicates to endanger our communities. Our operations will remain relentless, intelligence-driven, and firmly anchored on the rule of law until every drug network operating in CALABARZON is dismantled,” he stated. All arrested drug suspects are now under the custody of their respective arresting units and are currently facing appropriate charges for violations of Republic Act No. 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. The intensified anti-illegal drug campaign in CALABARZON also supports the Focused Agenda of Philippine National Police Chief  General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. through sustained intelligence-driven operations, strengthened inter-agency coordination, and active community partnerships to combat illegal drug activities and promote public safety. (COP/PIA CALABARZON with reports from PRO4A RPIO)          

By Rachel Magday   NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines — OceanaGold (Philippines), Inc. (OGP) has earmarked P768.43 million for the eventual closure and rehabilitation of its Didipio Mine, with P551.4 million already secured in a government-mandated trust fund as of 2026, underscoring the company’s long-term commitment to responsible mining and environmental restoration even as operations continue. The rehabilitation fund will continue to increase through the company’s required annual contributions under its mine closure program, ensuring sufficient financial resources are available to restore the site once mining operations end. “Responsible mining means planning for rehabilitation throughout the life of the mine and closure long before operations eventually conclude,” said OGP President and General Manager for External Affairs and Social Performance Joan D. Adaci-Cattiling. “By progressively rehabilitating our operating areas and steadily building the rehabilitation fund while operations continue, we are ensuring the resources, systems and plans are in place to support a safe, responsible and sustainable transition beyond mining,” she added. The company said the Didipio Mine occupies a relatively compact operational footprint of about 340 hectares within its 975-hectare approved mining permit area. Of the active mining area, around 100 hectares have been identified for progressive rehabilitation while the mine remains operational. By the end of 2025, more than 55 hectares had already been rehabilitated, with the remaining areas scheduled for restoration in phases throughout the life of the mine. Upon the completion of mining operations, approximately 221 hectares are expected to undergo final rehabilitation. Another 58 hectares, including the open pit and selected mine camp facilities, have been earmarked for potential post-mining community uses instead of conventional revegetation. Earlier consultations with host communities identified several possible future uses for these areas, including agriculture, forestry, a freshwater lake and an enterprise tourism development zone. OGP emphasized that these proposals remain subject to detailed technical studies to determine their safety, suitability and long-term sustainability before implementation. The company’s Final Mine Rehabilitation and Decommissioning Plan (FMRDP) is reviewed and updated every two years to incorporate rehabilitation accomplishments, revisions to the mine plan, new technical findings, stakeholder feedback and government requirements. The next review is scheduled for the third quarter of 2026. “We have been part of the Didipio community for 20 years, building enduring partnerships founded on mutual respect and shared progress,” Adaci-Cattiling said. “As our operations continue in the years to come, we are already investing in rehabilitation and closure planning to help ensure positive and sustainable outcomes for the environment and our host communities well into the future,” she added. OGP said the FMRDP will continue to be refined as engineering designs for mine closure advance and post-mining land-use studies become more comprehensive.