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President Marcos Tackles Rice Price Surge

  President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Responds to Approval Rating Decline

In a candid media interview during a rice distribution event in Taguig City, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. addressed the significant drop in his approval and trust ratings, stating that it was not surprising given the challenges faced by Filipinos due to the sudden spike in rice prices. He empathetically acknowledged the hardships people are enduring and expressed his commitment to ensuring affordable food prices.   The Impact of Rising Rice Prices President Marcos emphasized the unique importance of rice in Filipino culture, remarking, "It's different from anything else, any other agricultural product." He further noted, "You can't blame people. They are really suffering." His remarks come in the wake of a Pulse Asia survey conducted from Sept. 10 to 15, revealing a 14 percentage point drop in approval ratings from 85 percent to 71 percent, and a 15 percentage point decline in trust ratings from 80 percent to 65 percent.  

Executive Order 39 and Its Impact

The survey coincided with the implementation of Executive Order (EO) 39, which imposed price ceilings of PHP41 per kg on regular-milled rice and PHP45 per kg on well-milled rice to curb rising staple prices. During the interview, President Marcos announced the lifting of EO 39 and vowed to continue assisting affected individuals, including farmers and the underprivileged sector.   A Focus on Food Security President Marcos asserted his commitment to ensuring food security and stabilizing agricultural commodity prices. He stressed, "What's important to me is that we make sure that people have enough to eat and that it is affordable to them." Additionally, he highlighted his action to prohibit toll fees and charges on cargo vehicles transporting goods to alleviate distribution costs.  

The Battle Against Smugglers and Hoarders

During the rice distribution event in Taguig City, President Marcos reaffirmed his administration's resolve to combat smuggling and hoarding of agricultural commodities, which have contributed to the unreasonable increase in retail prices. He revealed that charges had been filed against entities involved in agricultural smuggling, sending a clear message to those harming the nation's economy.   Stern Penalties for Smuggling and Hoarding President Marcos cited the Republic Act (RA) 10845, which imposes life imprisonment and substantial fines for smuggling agricultural products. He also referenced RA 7581, which enforces stringent penalties against illegal stockpiling. In a separate statement, Bureau of Customs Legal Service acting Director William Balayo disclosed that several rice smugglers are facing charges of economic sabotage and Customs Modernization and Tariff Act violations.  

Providing Relief to Vulnerable Communities

In a heartening act of support, President Marcos distributed around 1,000 sacks of premium quality rice to beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Taguig City. This rice distribution stemmed from the 42,180 smuggled premium rice sacks forfeited by the Bureau of Customs - Port of Zamboanga during a raid on a warehouse in Barangay San Jose Gusu, Zamboanga City on Sept. 15. While President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. navigates the challenges posed by the surging rice prices, his proactive actions to effectively address the issue and decisively combat smuggling and hoarding have taken center stage in his unwavering mission to alleviate the plight of Filipinos. Consequently, the entire nation watches with keen anticipation as it seeks to stabilize food prices and ensure equitable access to affordable rice for all.   Sources: THX News & Philippine News Agency. Read the full article

[thxnews]

US Champions Sustainable Development Goals Worldwide

  A Historic Pathway: The Sustainable Development Goals

Achieving Economic Opportunity, Social Justice, and Environmental Care for All In 2015, world leaders adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), laying out a global roadmap to enhance the lives and well-being of people worldwide. These goals encapsulate a vision of expanding economic opportunity, advancing social justice, safeguarding our planet, promoting good governance, and ensuring no one is left behind.  

Renewed Commitment at the SDG Summit

Leaders Gather to Tackle Global Challenges and Harness Opportunities This week, leaders from across the globe reconvened in New York at the SDG Summit to reaffirm their dedication to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs. Amidst the challenges and opportunities faced by the world today, they united with years of evidence demonstrating that collective action under a shared development vision—such as the Sustainable Development Goals and the Millennium Development Goals before them—has the power to bring substantial benefits to both people and the planet.  

Progress and Setbacks: The Halfway Point

Addressing Development Gains and Recent Challenges For two decades, countries around the world made remarkable progress, improving millions of lives, enhancing health outcomes, reducing poverty rates, and combating hunger. However, recent years have witnessed the compounding impact of multiple crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, conflict, and migration, further complicated by the repercussions of Russia’s war in Ukraine. These crises have begun to erode previous development achievements, even leading to the first global decline in life expectancy since the 1950s.  

A Call for Urgent Action

Global Collaboration to Achieve Ambitious Goals At the midway point to 2030, the world faces a critical juncture. Currently, only 15 percent of the SDG targets are on track for achievement on a global scale. Nevertheless, by acting with a sense of urgency, intensifying efforts, and increasing investments across all SDGs while expanding partnerships, these ambitious goals remain attainable.  

United States Unwavering Commitment

Leading Global Development with $100 Billion Investment The United States, a steadfast leader in global development, is wholeheartedly committed to implementing the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, both domestically and internationally. As the largest bilateral donor, the United States has invested over $100 billion in Official Development Assistance in just the past two years. These investments cover various SDGs, including ending poverty (SDG 1), driving inclusive economic growth (SDG 8), and promoting peace, justice, and good governance (SDG 16). Additionally, the United States has taken the lead in providing humanitarian aid in a time of extraordinary need, with more than $42 billion invested since the Biden Administration began.  

Mobilizing Global Collaboration

Harnessing Partnerships for Development Financing and Policy Frameworks Recognizing that the magnitude of change required goes beyond any single government's capacity, the United States calls on all nations, the private sector, civil society, and local partners to leverage their capabilities further. Since adopting the SDGs, the United States has leveraged its investments to attract billions of dollars in additional private investment. Together, these efforts can mobilize substantial financing from various sources, including official development assistance, domestic resources, and private investment. Ultimately, achieving the SDGs also hinges on knowledge and data utilization and the establishment of robust policy and regulatory environments.  

Addressing Key Development Priorities

United States' Response to Partner Countries' Needs Recognizing the interconnected nature of all SDGs, the United States is actively addressing the most crucial issues raised by partner countries. This includes:   Inclusive Economic Growth and Infrastructure Investment The United States is leading initiatives to build a sustainable and inclusive global economy. This effort involves mobilizing private finance, reforming multilateral development banks, addressing unsustainable debt levels, and directing investments toward quality infrastructure.   Global Health and Health Security As a longstanding global health leader, the United States has committed substantial investments to secure life-saving outcomes. Initiatives like the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) have received over $100 billion in investments over two decades, making it the largest commitment by any nation to address a single disease in history.   Resilient and Sustainable Food Systems and Food Security Amid a persistent food crisis, the United States is working tirelessly to advance global food security. Investments totaling $15.2 billion have been allocated to respond to this crisis, with a focus on building resilient and sustainable food systems in 20 target countries.   Clean and Climate Resilient Economies The transition to a net-zero emissions economy holds promise for economic growth, job creation, and ecosystem preservation. The United States is actively partnering with countries worldwide to tackle climate change through initiatives like the President’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience (PREPARE).   Education Investing over $1 billion across nearly 100 partner countries, the United States aims to improve learning outcomes and provide quality education, from pre-primary to higher education.   Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment The United States has doubled its investment to promote gender equality, advancing initiatives like the Gender Equity and Equality Action (GEEA) Fund to enhance economic security for women and girls.   Democracy and Human Rights, Addressing Fragility and Conflict Drivers Through initiatives like the Presidential Initiative for Democratic Renewal (P.I.D.R.), the United States is working to bolster democracy, defend human rights, and promote stability globally.   Digitalization and New Technologies The United States is collaborating with countries worldwide to accelerate economic growth and provide solutions to societal challenges through secure digital technology. Initiatives like Digital Invest aim to connect populations to vital services and promote financial technologies. In conclusion, the United States' commitment to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, along with the cooperation of nations, organizations, and the private sector, holds the potential to create a better and more sustainable future for all.   Sources: THX News & The White House. Read the full article