The Landbank of the Philippines (LandBank) is walking the talk in its mandate to provide inclusive growth and more job opportunities through better financial access for farmers and small industries.

Outstanding loans by LandBank to small farmers, fishers and entrepreneurs rose by up to 10 percent from P387.4 billion year-on-year to P434.4 billion during the first quarter of 2017, according to a press statement issued on May 23.

Loans to small farmers and fishers also rose to P34.6 billion during the same period, up P2.4 billion from P32.2 billion on year.

The bank’s loans to…

Read more: LandBank Increases Loans to Farmers, SMEs

Even when the economic team pushing for Dutertenomics promises zero corruption on major infrastructure projects in line with the public pledge of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte to “kill” corruption during his watch, at the Department of Education, insiders say “the difference is the same”, referring to the inability of the Secretary of Education to stop corruption common in the previous administration.

The DepEd has the highest budget this year with over P544 billion. It has billions of pesos for purchases of books and tools in education and building of school houses. 

In two weeks, DepEd will bid out P1.8 billion…

Read more: No stopping of corruption at DepEd

Affordable school supplies will now once again be within reach as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) relaunches its Diskwento Caravan Balik-Eskwela program.

The Diskwento Caravan aims to provide opportunity for schoolchildren and their parents to access school supplies and other commodities at discounted or reduced prices.

DTI-Regional Operations Group Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya has invited the public to take advantage of the Diskwento Caravan Balik-Eskwela Edition, which could help parents save money especially in preparation for the new school year.

“We encourage parents to come to the Diskwento Caravan, especially with the opening of the school year just days away. There are many affordable and practical items that can be found at the Diskwento Caravan that will definitely help parents stretch their budget,” Maglaya said.

 The Diskwento Caravan Balik-Eskwela Edition aims to provide and bring basic and prime commodities closer to the general consuming public. 

Products sold during the Balik-Eskwela Editions are food items, school supplies, uniforms, shoes, and other school related merchandise.

 The Diskwento Caravan Balik-Eskwela Edition is also in partnership with the local manufacturers who are willing to sell school related items at a discount. (James Veloso)

Read more: Diskwento Caravan is Back

Six stranded Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) are set to return to the Philippines a few days after President Rodrigo Duterte’s short visit to Russia.

Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos Sorreta revealed that six Filipinos - five females and a male - are set to fly back to the country upon the orders of the President.

"He has instructions to repatriate so we will repatriate them, but following the process. Now, six will be repatriated, but straight to the Philippines," said Sorreta.

The repatriated OFWs will not be charged with violating Russia’s immigration laws despite working without proper documents.

"We fixed it so that they will not be charged with violation by immigration. We made sure they will not work and they will be repatriated," he added.

These OFWs, who took jobs as cooks, nannies, and household helpers, are currently staying in a shelter provided by the embassy.

The ambassador also shared that OFWs in Russia were all treated well by their respective employees.

"They are treated very well. In fact, they are treated so well we have now recently had an influx of workers from Hong Kong and Middle East coming in," said the envoy. (Mico Agustin)

Read more: Duterte helps 6 OFWs during Russian visit