Abbey M.

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has issued an advisory urging the public to postpone non-essential land travel to the Bicol Region amid the threat of Tropical Storm Ada.

The LTFRB is discouraging non-essential trips, particularly to the provinces of Masbate and Catanduanes, as well as some areas in Visayas and Mindanao.

The agency warned of possible travel delays and congestion at ports and along Maharlika Highway due to adverse weather conditions.

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has broken his silence on the status of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure following recent concerns about the body's dissolution after two commissioners resigned.

PBBM confirmed he has not decided on whether to disband the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), stating he will first assess if the commission has completed its work, particularly its investigation into the flood control projects anomaly.

"If their work is finished, then we will see what they can do next. But they really are coming toward the end—everything that needed to be investigated has been investigated. Maybe there are one or two other loose ends that they have to clear up," Marcos said.

[“Kung matapos na yung trabaho nila, then we will see what they can do next. But they really are coming toward the end-- lahat ng kailangang imbestigahan, naimbestigahan na nila. Maybe there are one or two other loose ends that they have to clear up.”]

The President also has not decided on appointing new commissioners to fill the vacancies left by former Commissioners Rogelio Singson and Rosanna Fajardo, who both stepped down from their positions.

Motorists traveling along the North Luzon Expressway should prepare for congestion this Saturday and Sunday, January 17-18, as the Hiraya Music Fest & Hot Air Balloon takes place at Clark Global City in Pampanga.

NLEx Corp. issued an advisory on January 14, warning of expected delays throughout the weekend. The festival runs from 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. both days, with a significant impact on surrounding expressway traffic.

The tollway operator urges drivers to ensure their RFID accounts have sufficient load and map out routes ahead of time. Event-goers are recommended to take the Clark South exit for easier access.

To manage the flow, traffic personnel will be stationed across areas along the Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway to provide assistance and guidance to motorists navigating the busy weekend.

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino workers are expected to benefit from better-quality socialized housing following the government’s approval of higher price ceilings for socialized subdivision and condominium projects, while Pag-IBIG Fund continues to provide affordability through its subsidized housing loan rates under the Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (Expanded 4PH) Program.

The updated ceilings, issued under the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2025-001, are intended to reflect current cost conditions and enable developers to deliver improved unit quality and safer housing standards.

“Under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s housing agenda, our goal is clear. Filipino workers should have access to homes that are safe, decent and built to last, and that remain within their reach,” DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon P. Aliling said. “By updating the price ceilings, we are aligning project prices with today’s cost conditions so developers can build better socialized housing units and sustain construction. 

This strengthens the housing industry’s capacity to deliver more homes at scale, while keeping Expanded 4PH firmly focused on affordability to make homeownership more attainable for Filipinos.”

Under the IRR, the maximum selling price for socialized house-and-lot units has been adjusted to P844,440 for a minimum unit size of 24 to 26 sq. m., and P950,000 for 27 sq. m. and above.

For socialized condominium projects, price ceilings were also updated based on building classification and unit size, with maximum selling prices set at up to P1.8 million for projects above five floors with unit sizes of 27 sq. m. and above.

For eligible socialized condominium projects in the National Capital Region and other highly urbanized cities, the IRR also allows maximum add-ons based on zonal value of up to P200,000, bringing the allowable maximum selling price for select categories to as high as P2.0 million.

Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Marilene C. Acosta said the Fund will continue to support Expanded 4PH by keeping housing loan terms affordable for qualified members, in line with President Marcos Jr.’s push to expand access to homeownership. She added that Pag-IBIG Fund will work closely with housing stakeholders, including partner developers, to help speed up unit production and takeouts under the program.

“Our strong fiscal position allows us to continue offering subsidized rates under the Expanded 4PH so our members can truly achieve their dream of owning a home,” Acosta said. “Even as better socialized homes become available under the new ceilings, we will keep loan terms affordable and work closely with our partners to help fast-track the availability of more housing units for Filipino workers.”

Under the Pag-IBIG Housing Loan for the Expanded 4PH, qualified members may avail of loans at a subsidized 3% interest rate for the first five years of the loan, extendible for another five years for qualified borrowers.

This lowers monthly payments to P4,005 for house-and-lot units priced up to P950,000, and about P8,432 for condominium units priced up to P2 million. Through the agency’s Early Bird Promo, the first 30,000 qualified borrowers may enjoy the subsidized rate for the first 10 years of the loan.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced that the country will utilize artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate economic growth, as he spearheaded the launch of the Department of Education's (DepEd) Project Accelerating Governance and Adaptive Pedagogy through Artificial Intelligence (AGAP.AI).

"At the national level, we are leveraging AI as an engine for development. We are establishing the Philippine AI Program Framework for the future-proofing of our economy," President Marcos said during the launching held at the Quezon City Science High School.

[Sa antas ng bansa, ginagamit natin ang AI bilang makina para sa kaunlaran. Itinatayo natin ang Philippine AI Program Framework para sa pagprotekta sa kinabukasan ng ating ekonomiya.]

The national framework emphasizes building robust infrastructure, including high-performance computing systems and upskilling workers and educators, the Chief Executive explained.

"Through investment in AI research and development, we ensure that this technology delivers real benefits while remaining ethical and responsible," the President stressed.

[Sa pamamagitan ng pamumuhunan sa pananaliksik at pagpapaunlad ng AI, sinisiguro natin na naghahatid ng teknolohiyang ito ng tunay na benepisyo habang nananatiling etikal at responsable,]

As Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this 2026, PBBM shared that the Philippines is also developing a harmonized and human-centered AI ecosystem across Southeast Asia, concentrating on five vital sectors: finance, agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, and education.

"Indeed, we are taking the lead in building an innovative environment for Filipinos, as well as for our ASEAN brothers and sisters," the President said.

[Tunay nga, nangunguna tayo sa pagbuo ng makabagong kapaligiran para sa mga Pilipino, at para sa ating mga kapatid sa ASEAN.]

The Chief Executive observed that this generation is very fortunate to live in a world where information and tools are readily available.

As a tech enthusiast, President Marcos noted that AI will help people tackle more complex challenges but it cannot replace core human qualities and responsibilities.

"You have in your hands an extraordinarily powerful tool. But you must use it to help you think and support your learning. It should never replace your drive, your creativity, and grit to learn about our world," the President emphasized.

[Nasa mga kamay niyo ang napakalakas na kasangkapan. Ngunit dapat niyong gamitin ito upang tulungan kayong mag-isip at suportahan ang iyong pag-aaral. Hindi dapat nito palitan ang inyong determinasyon, kreatibidad, at tiyaga na matuto tungkol sa ating mundo.]

"There are still some things that technology cannot do for us. Technology cannot replace discipline. It cannot replace effort. It cannot replace the habit of showing up prepared and ready to learn. It cannot replace hard work."

"That is how we build a Bagong Pilipinas, one that is enabled by technology and powered by Filipinos who choose to learn, to work and to aspire for a better future for all," said President Marcos.

[‘Yan ang paraan sa pagbuo ng Bagong Pilipinas. Pinagagana ng teknolohiya at pinapatakbo ng mga Pilipinong pumipili na matuto, magtrabaho, at mangarap para sa mas magandang kinabukasan para sa lahat.]

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