Ticket sold in Nueva Ecija wins P184.9-M SuperLotto jackpot

Ticket sold in Nueva Ecija wins P184.9-M SuperLotto jackpot

MANILA, Philippines — A bettor from Nueva Ecija bagged the PHP184.9million jackpot in Tuesday’s SuperLotto 6/49 draw. In an advisory on Wednesday, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) said the winner from Santo Domingo, Nueva Ecija, correctly guessed the winning combination of 04-25-20-14-12-05. READ: Lone bettor bags P184M Super Lotto jackpot for November 11 draw The winners have one year to claim the PHP 184,998,366.40 prize at the PCSO main office in Mandaluyong City, subject to a 20-percent tax. Under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law, lotto winnings worth more than PHP10,000 are subject to a 20-percent tax. READ: […]... Keep on reading: Ticket sold in Nueva Ecija wins P184.9-M SuperLotto jackpot

Microsoft says to invest $10B in Portugal AI data center

Microsoft says to invest $10B in Portugal AI data center

LISBON, Portugal — Microsoft said Tuesday it intends to invest $10 billion from early next year in a mega data center in Portugal. The facility would be dedicated to developing artificial intelligence infrastructure. The project is part of a partnership with British firm Nscale, which specialises in AI data centers, and with Start Campus. The latter has begun construction of a major data center near the southern port of Sines. The project will see Microsoft install 12,600 of Nvidia’s latest-generation chips. READ: US stocks end mostly higher despite drop in Nvidia The company in a statement termed the scheme “one of […]... Keep on reading: Microsoft says to invest $10B in Portugal AI data center

Enrile receiving best possible treatment in ICU, says daughter

Enrile receiving best possible treatment in ICU, says daughter

MANILA, Philippines — Former Senate President and current Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile remains in the intensive care unit (ICU) and being treated for pneumonia as of Wednesday, his daughter Katrina Ponce Enrile told Inquirer.net via email. READ: Enrile still alive, but ‘may go anytime soon,’ son says “He is under the dedicated care of his attending physicians and medical staff, who are providing him with the best possible treatment and attention,” she said. “We are deeply grateful for the concern, prayers, and support extended to our family during this time. Thank you very much,” she added. On Tuesday, […]... Keep on reading: Enrile receiving best possible treatment in ICU, says daughter

Uwan disrupts classes in parts of Bicol

Uwan disrupts classes in parts of Bicol

LEGAZPI CITY — In-person classes in parts of the Bicol region remain suspended on Wednesday due to the effects of the Typhoon Uwan. In Polangui, Mayor Jesciel Richard Salceda ordered the implementation of modular learning starting Wednesday “in consideration of the effects brought by Uwan.” He said in-person classes will resume on Nov. 17, once schools are deemed safe and ready for occupancy. In Bacacay, Mayor Daniel Jose Bombales said classes are still suspended due to a power outage and lack of communication signals. Bombales advised schools to shift to alternative learning modality until normal operations can safely resume. In […]... Keep on reading: Uwan disrupts classes in parts of Bicol

PIDS study seeks overhaul of PhilHealth payment system

PIDS study seeks overhaul of PhilHealth payment system

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Institute for Developmental Studies (PIDS) revealed that the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.’s (PhilHealth) current payment system leaves hospitals undercompensated and increases patients' out-of-pocket spending. The study “Kabayarang Sapat, Serbisyong Tapat, DRG Dapat: Transitioning from PhilHealth All Case Rates to a Fairer, Responsive, and Transparent Provider Payment System” revealed that of the 8,869 existing case rates, 99.9 percent have not been updated since 2013. This is despite PhilHealth having hundreds of billions in reserve funds that could have been used to pay the hospitals and reduce patient spending. PIDS claimed that the All Case Rates (ACR) payment system is obsolete. Under ACR, PhilHealth pays hospitals a fixed amount per illness or procedure, regardless of the severity of a patient’s condition. As health care costs have increased, the real value of PhilHealth payments has dropped by around 40 percent. The PIDS showed that from 2018 to 2023, hospital charges rose by 51 percent, but reimbursements stayed the same, leaving almost 99 percent of hospital claims higher than the covered amount. As a result, out-of-pocket payments still make up 44 percent of total health spending in the country. “While PhilHealth’s nominal reimbursement has remained the same, its real peso value has declined, and hospital charges have continued to rise,” the authors wrote. The study recommended the need to shift to a Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRG) payment model to ensure that hospitals receive fair compensation and patients are protected from excessive spending. This approach adjusts payments based on the patient’s diagnosis, severity and treatment needs, ensuring hospitals are fairly compensated and patients are protected from excessive fees. The DRG is classified based on demographic information, clinical presentations, and all procedures performed during their stay. The proposed system would also give hospitals advance budget allocations, speeding up payments and improving transparency. The researchers noted that reforms in PhilHealth’s payment system are crucial in achieving genuine universal health care and restoring public trust in the country’s health insurance system.

Uwan death toll climbs to 27 – NDRRMC

Uwan death toll climbs to 27 – NDRRMC

MANILA, Philippines – Severe Tropical Storm Uwan (international name: Fung-Wong) has taken at least 27 lives, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported Wednesday morning. In a message to the media at 7:03 a.m., the NDRRMC said the 27 deaths were recorded across 10 provinces, mostly in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) The deaths per province are as follows: READ: Dole: BPOs must explain ‘forced work’ during Typhoon Uwan On Wednesday morning, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said landslides resulted in 12 deaths reported in CAR, three in Cagayan Valley. The death in Catanduanes was due […]... Keep on reading: Uwan death toll climbs to 27 – NDRRMC

Ex-DPWH chief Bonoan leaves for United States

Ex-DPWH chief Bonoan leaves for United States

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has confirmed that former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan left the country on Tuesday. In a Viber message, Dana Sandoval, BI spokesperson, said that the former DPWH chief left for the United States via Taiwan at 5:30 p.m. from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 in Parañaque City. READ: Dizon slams Cebu’s failed flood control after Tino: ‘Dapat may managot’ “We confirm that former Secretary Manny Bonoan departed this afternoon for the United States via Taiwan,” she said. The BI official noted that since the former government […]... Keep on reading: Ex-DPWH chief Bonoan leaves for United States

Mavericks fire GM Nico Harrison 9 months after Luka Doncic trade

Mavericks fire GM Nico Harrison 9 months after Luka Doncic trade

DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks fired general manager Nico Harrison on Tuesday, an admission nine months later that the widely criticized trade of Luka Doncic backfired on the franchise. The move came a day after Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont attended a 116-114 loss to the Bucks in which fans again chanted “fire Nico,” a familiar refrain since the blockbuster deal in February that brought Anthony Davis from the Los Angeles Lakers and angered the Dallas fan base. The Mavericks appointed Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi as co-interim general managers to oversee basketball operations. READ: No place like home for ‘mama’s boy’ June Mar Fajardo […]... Keep on reading: Mavericks fire GM Nico Harrison 9 months after Luka Doncic trade

MARITIME MANUFACTURING PUSH

In his op-ed, Danish Ambassador Franz-Michael Mellbin calls on the Philippines to think big and position itself as a global hub for shipbuilding and maritime innovation — a move he says could spark a new industrial revolution.

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MARITIME MANUFACTURING PUSH In his op-ed, Danish Ambassador Franz-Michael Mellbin calls on the Philippines to think big and position itself as a global hub for shipbuilding and maritime innovation — a move he says could spark a new industrial revolution. Read:

MARITIME MANUFACTURING PUSH In his op-ed, Danish Ambassador Franz-Michael Mellbin calls on the Philippines to think big and position itself as a global hub for shipbuilding and maritime innovation — a move he says could spark a new industrial revolution. Read:

Taal Volcano logs minor eruption Wednesday morning

Taal Volcano logs minor eruption Wednesday morning

Minor phreatomagmatic eruption in Taal Volcano on Wednesday morning. Screengrab from Phivolcs timelapse. MANILA, Philippines – A minor phreatomagmatic eruption occurred at the main crater of Taal Volcano on Wednesday morning, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). Phivolcs said the eruption was recorded from 6:51 a.m. to 6:54 a.m. “This event generated grayish plumes that rose up to 2,800 meters above the crater before drifting northeast,” Phivolcs said in a social media post. READ: Taal Volcano continues to rumble with quakes, tremors In an interview with dzMM, Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol assured that the minor eruptions is not […]... Keep on reading: Taal Volcano logs minor eruption Wednesday morning

Son: Enrile still alive, but he ‘may go anytime soon’

Son: Enrile still alive, but he ‘may go anytime soon’

MANILA, Philippines — According to the family of Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile that he is still fighting for his life. Columnist Ramon Tulfo said in a Facebook post where he cited Enrile’s son Jack that as of 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Enrile was still alive at an undisclosed hospital, but “his father may go anytime soon.” According to Jack, official records list Enrile’s birthdate as Feb. 14, 1924, making him 101 years old. However, records retrieved from the Aglipayan Church in Cagayan show he was born on June 22, 1922, making him 103. He was baptized into […]... Keep on reading: Son: Enrile still alive, but he ‘may go anytime soon’

Uwan approaching Taiwan; Signal No. 1 in 3 North Luzon areas

Uwan approaching Taiwan; Signal No. 1 in 3 North Luzon areas

MANILA, Philippines – Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 remains in effect in Batanes, Babuyan Islands and the northwestern portion of Ilocos Norte (Burgos, Bangui, Pasuquin, Dumalneg, Pagudpud) on Wednesday morning as Severe Tropical Storm Uwan (international name: Fung-Wong) moves towards Taiwan, the state weather bureau said. In its 5 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine, Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the storm was spotted some 290 kilometers west of Itbayat, Batanes and outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR). Uwan was moving north-northeast at 10 kilometers per hour (kph), packing maximum sustained winds of 95 kph and […]... Keep on reading: Uwan approaching Taiwan; Signal No. 1 in 3 North Luzon areas

‘Uwan’ to re-enter PAR Wednesday morning or afternoon

‘Uwan’ to re-enter PAR Wednesday morning or afternoon

MANILA, Philippines — Severe Tropical Storm Uwan would likely re-enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) either Wednesday morning or afternoon as Signal No. 1 remains hoisted over three Luzon areas, the national weather agency said. Weather specialist Loriedin Dela Cruz-Galicia of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said in a briefing that Uwan maintains its strength as it slowly moves north-northeastward over the sea south of Taiwan. Still under Signal No. 1 were Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and the northwestern portion of Ilocos Norte, the latest Pagasa bulletin said. “Uwan is forecast to move generally northeastward, re-entering PAR this morning or afternoon before making landfall over the southwestern coast of Taiwan by afternoon or evening,” Dela Cruz-Galicia said. It will weaken into a tropical storm prior to its landfall over the southwestern coast of Taiwan.  After landfall, its interaction with Taiwan’s will trigger a continuous weakening trend until it weakens into a remnant low by Friday. The state-run weather agency said Cordillera Administrative Region and the rest of Ilocos Region would be experiencing cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms due to the trough or extension of the severe tropical storm. Meanwhile, Metro Manila and the rest of the country would likely have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or localized thunderstorms, it added.