News Roundup 26 March 2023
Mar 26, 2023 • 3 min Read
New round of oil price cuts seen | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Another round of pump price cuts across all oil products are expected next week.
In its price forecast, Unioil said gasoline prices could decrease by P0.60 to P0.75 per liter, while diesel could decline by P1 to P1.20 per liter.
In a radio interview, Department of Energy-Oil Industry Management Bureau director Rodela Romero said global banking concerns continued to be a main driver in the downtrend of global oil prices.
Adding to the downward pressure is the higher global oil inventory and the strengthening of dollar, she said.
In next week’s price adjustment, gasoline prices would continue to have lower prices for two straight weeks.
Meanwhile, diesel and kerosene are set to have three straight weeks of price cuts.
Oil companies will announce the final price movements on Monday to take effect the next day.
Last week, oil firms reduced gasoline prices by P1.20 per liter, diesel prices by P1.85 per liter and kerosene by P2 per liter.
NDRRMC: Over 170k now affected by MT Princess Empress oil spill | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The National Disaster Risk Reducation and Management Center (NDRRMC) on Sunday said the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro now has affected 172,928 individuals nearly a month after the oil tanker submerged in waters off Naukan, Oriental Mindoro.
The sinking of Princess Empress, which carried around 800,000 liters of industrial fuel, caused an oil spill that has affected the livelihoods of fisherfolk and caused harm to marine life in the area. It sank off the waters of Naujan, Oriental Mindoro on February 28 and was finally located by authorities on March 21.
According to the NDRRMC’s situational report, majority of the affected individuals are from the MIMAROPA region at 138,043, followed by 27,145 from Western Visayas, and 7,740 from Calabarzon.
Full Story at: NDRRMC: Over 170k now affected by MT Princess Empress oil spill | Philstar.com
Menstrual leave may lead to layoffs, business closures — Lacson | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Former Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Sunday insisted that implementing a proposed law allowing on paid menstrual leaves would be counterproductive since employers might not be able to provide an additional 24 days of leave per year and may eventually result in layoffs and business closures.
Lacson earlier drew flak from his social media post where he stated: “Maternity leave, paternity leave and now, menstrual leave – all with pay. Next time, a legislative measure will be filed mandating menopause and andropause allowances to increase the testosterone levels of workers.”
Lacson said the economic implications of menstrual leaves may end up in layoffs and even closure of some factories.
Full Story at: Menstrual leave may lead to layoffs, business closures — Lacson | Inquirer News
Colombia police chief says used exorcism and prayer to fight crime | INQUIRER.NET – BOGOTA — Colombia’s chief of police said he and other officers have used exorcism and prayer to tackle crime and the country’s most powerful criminals, including drug cartel leader Pablo Escobar.
Sitting in his office surrounded by crucifixes, effigies of the Virgin Mary and other Catholic symbols, General Henry Sanabria told local media on Saturday that these religious practices have helped the police throughout the last 50 years of armed conflict in the South American country.
As examples, he recalled police operations in which Escobar (in 1993), FARC guerrilla leader Alfonso Cano (2011) and his military chief known as “Mono Jojoy” (2010) were killed.
“The existence of the devil is certain. I have seen him. I have felt him,” Sanabria said in an interview with Semana magazine, making the sign of the cross at every mention of the devil.
Full Story at: Colombia police chief says used exorcism and prayer to fight crime | Inquirer News