Windows26: Marcos forms body to beef up West Philippine Sea security

April 1, 2024

Hi, reader! Welcome to the INQUIRER.net newsletter. We begin the first day of April with stories on beefing up security in the West Philippine Sea, the highly contagious pertussis, and the forecast for electricity prices.

Marcos forms body to beef up West Philippine Sea security

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the beefing up of the country's maritime security following the recent escalation of aggressive action by China against Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

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Maj. Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil is new PNP chief

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday named Major General Rommel Francisco Marbil as the new chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

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No anthrax in PH yet, but Laos cases under watch

The Department of Health (DOH) has downplayed the remote possibility that anthrax, a noncontagious but fatal disease, may spread in the Philippines like in Laos.

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PH faces more cyberattacks from China-based hackers

The Philippines faces growing cyberthreats from the exploitation of generative artificial intelligence and continuous targeting by China-backed cyberthreat actors, a cybersecurity firm said in a report.

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Face masks fastest protection vs contagious diseases, says expert

A public health expert urges reinstating mandatory face mask-wearing in public, akin to COVID-19 measures, to prevent the spread of highly contagious pertussis.

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EDITORIAL: Big boost to PPP program

On March 21, the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 11966, or the Public-Private Partnership Code, was finally signed, addressing the various concerns about the previous PPP scheme.

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Higher electricity prices forecast until May

Electricity prices are projected to increase as demand across the archipelago peaks during the summer months through May, the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (Iemop) said.

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VAW desk officers, like women in their care, also need support

VAW desk officers lack job security as they're only barangay chair appointees. The Philippine Commission on Women aims to amend the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 for remedy.

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