INQToday: Gov’t to focus on development of islands in West Philippine Sea

Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:

Marcos asks Senate to lead review of economic provisions

Agreeing that Charter change (Cha-cha) through people’s initiative was “too divisive,” President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos  Jr. has instead directed the Senate to take the lead in reviewing the economic provisions of the Constitution.

Marcos gave this order after meeting with congressional leaders last January 11, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri  disclosed on Monday.

Gov’t to focus on development of islands in West PH Sea

The government will focus on developing all of the islands and features in the West Philippine Sea, according to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.

“We will also focus on developing the islands and the other features that we are occupying,” Brawner said in a press conference in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

Unconsolidated PUVs to ply routes beyond franchise merging deadline

Some unconsolidated public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators in Metro Manila will go on ferrying commuters in February, transport group Piston said on Monday.

Piston expressed its intention despite the announcement from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Plastic drivers’ licenses delayed anew due to paper work issues — LTO

The promised plastic cards for driver’s licenses are facing delays, as they still need to overcome technical hurdles before becoming available to the public, Land Transportation Office (LTO) Chief Atty. Vigor Mendoza II said on Monday.

The LTO said earlier that the Philippine Society of Medicine for Drivers donated four million plastic cards to print licenses, which were expected to be delivered this month.

Oil firms hike fuel prices by up to 90¢ per liter

Motorists will see an increase in the pump prices of petroleum products for the second week in a row this year, with prices expected to rise by up to P0.90 per liter.

The Department of Energy Oil Industry Management Bureau (DOE-OIMB) said the price of gasoline would go up by P0.30 per liter on Tuesday, Jan. 16, while that of diesel would rise by P0.90 per liter.