Latest news with #P150
GMA Network
8 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
House to Imee Marcos: Stop pointing fingers, we delivered on San Juanico Bridge
House spokesperson Atty. Princess Abante cited official data showing that the House had secured P27 million in funding for the bridge in 2018, followed by P22 million in 2019, P105 million in 2021, P90 million in 2022, and P150 million in 2023. For 2026, a House-initiated proposal seeks to raise that amount to P400 million. The House of Representatives on Friday fired back at Senator Imee Marcos for deflecting responsibility over the upkeep of the San Juanico Bridge. They said that lawmakers should focus on solutions instead of pointing fingers and reminded Marcos that the House has long initiated funding for the landmark infrastructure. In a press conference, House spokesperson Atty. Princess Abante called out the senator for turning the issue into a personal attack rather than acknowledging her legislative responsibility, particularly in the national budget process. 'Una, bilang senador, kasama din sa tungkulin niya 'yung pagbalangkas ng budget ng bansa. Galing sa House, papunta sa Senate,' Abante said. (First, as a senator, her duties also include drafting the country's budget. From the House, to the Senate.) 'Kaya nung kinuwestiyon niya kung ano ang nangyayari sa pangangalaga ng San Juanico Bridge, eh sinagot lang natin na alam ko, sigurado ako based on records may pondong nailagay for the maintenance ng San Juanico Bridge since 2018, mismo advocated by the congressman of the 1st District of Leyte,' she added, referring to Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez. (So when she questioned what was happening with regards to the maintenance of the San Juanico Bridge, we just answered that I know, I am sure based on records there has been funding allocated for the maintenance of the San Juanico Bridge since 2018, itself advocated by the congressman of the 1st District of Leyte.) Earlier, Abante challenged Marcos to account for her own contribution to the upkeep of the bridge, after the senator reportedly downplayed government efforts by saying the budget allocated for the structure was good only for repainting. In Friday's press conference, Abante said that if the senator truly cared about the condition of the bridge, she should show what she has done to support it. 'Ngayon kung tatanungin niya ano 'yung nangyayari, dapat tanungin din bilang senador ano ang nagawa niya para sa San Juanico Bridge. Tutal, hindi pwedeng tanong lang nang tanong. Kailangan nagtatrabaho,' she said. (Now if she asks what is happening, she should also be asked as a senator what she has done for the San Juanico Bridge. After all, we can't just ask questions. We need to work.) Abante cited official data showing that the House had secured P27 million in funding for the bridge in 2018, followed by P22 million in 2019, P105 million in 2021, P90 million in 2022, and P150 million in 2023. For 2026, a House-initiated proposal seeks to raise that amount to P400 million. 'This is a concrete initiative of the House of Representatives. Gusto rin nating malaman ano rin ang initiative ng Senado, tutal gusto nilang malaman kung ano ang nangyayari. Nasa posisyon sila para gumawa ng solusyon, hindi maghanap ng sisi,' Abante said. (This is a concrete initiative of the House of Representatives. We also want to know what the Senate initiative is, because they want to know what is happening. They are in a position to create solutions, not find blame.) Speaker Romualdez, who represents Leyte's 1st District where the bridge is located, has long included San Juanico's rehabilitation in his infrastructure agenda even before becoming Speaker. The 2.16-kilometer San Juanico Bridge connects Samar and Leyte and is one of the longest bridge in the country. It serves as a crucial economic and transport link in Eastern Visayas and has also become a key tourism attraction. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. recently declared a state of calamity over the bridge after recent typhoons caused structural damage, triggering emergency rehabilitation measures. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
2 days ago
- GMA Network
Motorist may be fined P150k for using EDSA busway 309 times — MMDA
A motorist may be fined up to P150,000 for the unauthorized use of the EDSA busway 309 times, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). In Vonne Aquino's Wednesday report on 'Saksi,' MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said the motorist kept using the EDSA busway at night, where it is dark and no traffic enforcers were deployed from August 2024 to last Friday. 'Irereklamo na po namin siya sa LTO for suspension ng license [at] kung ano pa pwedeng penalty ipataw sa kanya,' Artes said. (We will file a complaint before the LTO (Land Transportation Office) for the suspension of his license and other penalties.) The MMDA showed CCTV footage of the motorist to underscore the importance of the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) to discipline motorists even without the presence of traffic enforcers. The MMDA is also looking into endorsing to the Metro Manila Council the move to oblige NCAP violators engage in community services as a penalty. 'Sinsabi po kasi na negosyo ang NCAP. Hindi po. Ito po ay para disiplinahin ang tao at bantayan ang kalsada. Tamang tama po may mga programa kami gaya ng paglilinis ng estero at kanal para malabanan ang pagbaha, maalis ng mga basura,' Artes said. (Some say NCAP is a business. It's not true. The policy is implemented to discipline motorists and monitor the road. We have programs like cleaning drive of drainages and canals to combat flood and dispose garbage.) Some motorists approved the idea since they don't have to pay a fine, while others said paying a fine is better since the process is faster. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
DigiPlus secures spot in Fortune list of fastest-growing firms
DigiPlus Interactive Corp. (DigiPlus) has secured its spot in the Fortune Southeast Asia 500 list, making it as one of the region's largest and fastest-growing companies by revenue. The digital entertainment leader moved up more than 259 notches from last year, reflecting sustained growth in its 2024 financial performance. This also solidified its status as a leading force when it comes to the Philippine gaming and entertainment landscape. 'Being part of Fortune's list is a reflection of the trust we've earned and the impact we deliver,' DigiPlus Chairman Eusebio Tanco said in a press release. 'From building world-class gaming platforms, to pioneering self-exclusion tools, we are shaping a safer, more vibrant digital entertainment industry,' he added. The ranking marks DigiPlus' second consecutive year on the prestigious list, which names the 500 largest companies in Southeast Asia by revenue. The sharp climb reflects the company's 'standout 2024 performance,' which was achieved through the help of the ongoing demand for its flagship entertainment platforms BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone. This also showed the firm's successful market expansion and deep commitment to innovation, regulation, and corporate responsibility. In 2024, the company paid P33.7 billion in taxes and regulatory fees, which funded government programs in public health, education, and infrastructure. Its platforms also led the way in responsible gaming, with in-app self-exclusion tools that enable players to cap deposits and set gaming time limits. Meanwhile, DigiPlus is allocating P150 million for social impact initiatives this year through its social development arm, BingoPlus Foundation, for programs in technology education, healthcare, and community resilience. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
Malaysian Reserve
26-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Vietnam's Durian Farmers Power Up with XAG Drones to Boost Efficiency
MY THO, Vietnam, May 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Amid Vietnam's 'durian gold rush,' farmers are turning to smart agri-tech, notably XAG agricultural drones, to stay ahead. In the Mekong Delta, where durian exports have soared to $3.3 billion, growers use drones to cut costs, improve yields, and work more safely, adapting quickly to the demands of this booming fruit market. Few understand these shifting tides better than Nguyễn Văn Hường, a lifelong farmer in Tiền Giang province. At 64, Hường and his wife manage more than 300 durian trees, along with 250 jackfruit and coconut trees, on a four-hectare farm. 'Selling durians is like selling a house,' he says, noting that a single mature durian tree can yield nearly 100 kg of fruit a year and earn him 15 to 16 million VND. Hường's real edge, though, comes from his willingness to embrace innovation—a trait that traces back decades. 'I was the first here to buy a backpack sprayer 50 years ago,' he recalls proudly, believing firmly that 'technology brings profits.' Today, that same forward-thinking spirit once again sets Hường apart as a local pioneer, helping him tackle challenges and stay ahead of the curve. Standing confidently in his lush orchard with a remote control in hand, Hường now relies on the XAG P150 agricultural drone—a tool that has completely changed his approach to crop protection. Before, he would row his boat between the trees, stand near each trunk, and reach up with a long-handled sprayer to coat the highest branches, which often failed to cover thoroughly and left him exhausted. 'On windy days, chemicals would get on my head and in my eyes,' he explains. By late 2024, motivated to 'protect health and change traditional agriculture,' Hường invested in the drone, making the plant protection process safer, more efficient, and far less labor-intensive. It took him just three days to learn how to operate the drone, and now he manages every aspect of pesticide spraying with only a few taps on the screen. The impact was immediate. Hường estimates that the P150's intelligent RevoSpray system cuts water use per spray from 3,000 to just 800 liters, and what once took two tiring days now finishes in just three hours. Equipped with a 70-liter smart liquid tank and rotary atomization nozzles, the drone can spray evenly and thoroughly, sending droplets deep into the canopy where pests lurk and manual spraying can't reach. 'It used to be dizzying wearing a mask and spraying by hand, but now I can keep my distance and let the drone handle it more accurately,' Hường says. The financial impact is also expected to be substantial. 'Using drones for spraying can reduce my overall costs by about one-third. With expenses down and our work made easier, the profits would be higher,' he proudly exclaims. Last season, nearly one billion VND in revenue came from just 100 mature durian trees, thanks to higher yields and the export surge. Hường's experience reflects a wider movement. According to a study by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), the adoption of agricultural drones in Southeast Asia led to yield increases of up to 20% and a 30% reduction in pesticide use. For Vietnamese smallholders in regions like the Mekong Delta, adopting such technologies isn't just about profit, it's also about keeping pace with rising global expectations and unpredictable weather. Word of Hường's success has spread in the community. 'If anyone asks, I'm happy to share my experience. This drone is almost fully autonomous and delivers much better spraying quality. Its automatic return-to-home function is especially convenient,' he says. 'I'm really satisfied with this drone.' From the days of hauling heavy sprayers through his orchard to now guiding a drone above bountiful trees, Hường embodies the evolution of Vietnamese farming—proving that with the right tools and openness to change, small family farms can still thrive in an increasingly competitive world.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Vietnam's Young Farmers Fly High with XAG Agricultural Drones
MY THO, Vietnam, May 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Across Vietnam, a generation of digitally fluent farmers is embracing technology to bring fresh life to rural communities. Among the tools reshaping their fields are agricultural drones developed by XAG, which help save labor, boost yields, and create promising careers for young people returning home. One such returnee is 30-year-old Lưu Văn Đoàn. Slim and tan from years of outdoor work, Đoàn starts his day at 3 a.m., when the village lies silent in darkness. Clad in his company's green shirt, he readies the XAG P150 agricultural drone for a long day ahead. From early morning to late afternoon, Đoàn travels throughout Tiền Giang province, providing crop protection services to local farmers, including his own rice paddies. "I used to work at a factory far from home, barely earning enough and missing my family," he recalls. When his brother introduced him to agricultural drones, Đoàn immediately saw their potential and began learning. "I found my passion for technology. Soon I was piloting drones every day," he says. After five years in the field, Đoàn now earns a living from work he finds far more rewarding and exciting. His story reflects Vietnam's broader farming challenges. According to analysis from the Vietnamese Elderly Population, the country's farming communities are rapidly aging, with about 7.96 million elderly people living in rural areas. Meanwhile, millions of young Vietnamese have left for city jobs, creating severe labor shortages in agricultural regions. Đoàn understands why farming has lost its appeal. Traditional farming can be grueling—manual spraying means trudging through rough, muddy fields up to 12 times each season, often with little protection. "Carrying heavy equipment under the hot sun, chemicals burning your skin—sometimes the fields were almost impossible to cross," Đoàn remembers. Now, with just a smartphone and an autonomous drone, he finishes jobs faster and with far less risk. "It's much easier," he says. For Đoàn, the XAG P150 agricultural drone has been a game-changer. Equipped with a remarkable 70kg payload and route planning using centimeter-accurate RTK positioning, the P150 achieves consistent and even coverage over fields of various shapes and sizes. Unlike manual spraying, which often misses spots or overlaps, the drone delivers thorough application. "When spraying herbicides by hand, weeds sometimes persist," Đoàn notes. "With drones, fields are often completely weed-free." At first, many farmers were hesitant: "The spray uses too little water—how will the rice grow?" they questioned. But seeing is believing. As the P150, with its 70-liter smart liquid tank, hovers over the paddies, its quad-rotor design generates a downdraft that ensures pesticides coat both sides of the leaves. "You can clearly see that drone spraying makes the rice look healthier," Đoàn says, proud to have convinced the skeptics. This effectiveness also translates to economic benefits: farmers using Đoàn's drone service have cut their use of plant protection products by 30%. "The savings on pesticides cover what farmers pay for the drone service!" Đoàn proudly shares. These real-world results also echo findings from the Institute of Agricultural Economics in Vietnam, which reports that agricultural drones can cut pesticide use by up to 30% and increase crop yields by as much as 15%. Even and precise spraying is especially crucial in Vietnam's fast-growing fruit export sector. For crops like durian and jackfruit, strict residue limits are enforced by importers throughout Asia and beyond. With the P150, Đoàn can precisely map areas, set exact dosage rates, and guarantee even coverage—helping farmers maintain access to high-value overseas markets and ensuring their fruit meets tough international standards. Like many young Vietnamese, Đoàn is part of a new wave: tech-savvy, ambitious, and deeply rooted in their hometowns. "Drones have made a huge difference for us," he says. "As things develop, I hope to expand, add more drones, and help more farmers succeed." For Đoàn and his peers, the workday still starts before sunrise and ends late—but now, drone technology has changed what's possible in the fields. By adopting these tools, a growing community of drone pilots is solving two problems at once: making farming more efficient and creating tech-driven careers that are drawing young Vietnamese back to the land they've always known. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE XAG Sign in to access your portfolio
