Starlink now available in PH, Elon Musk says

previous administration in order to offer its services here in the country.

No talks on inflation aid for poor, gov’t workers, Balisacan says

The distribution of inflation assistance to poor families and government workers has not been discussed in the executive branch, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said Tuesday.

Balisacan made the remarks a day after Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said Senate employees are set to receive a onetime P50,000 financial aid amid the record-high inflation.

However, the NEDA chief said the government would prioritize indigent families if such assistance is implemented.

reached by traditional connectivity such as fiber.

Starlink collaborated with regulators and the government during the

It has received the backing of former Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, the National Telecommunications Commission as well as the Department of

Information and Communications Technology.

SpaceX made the announcement in the local vernacular Tweeting the words “Available na ngayon ang Starlink sa Pilipinas (SpaceX is now available in the Philippines),” it said.

“‘Yung very poor and vulnerable groups, ‘yun ang talagang pagbuhusan natin ng assistance. Hindi feasible na lahat naman ay pare-pareho yung treatment as you know our fiscal space is very, very limited,” he said.

(We will prioritize poor and vulnerable groups if this will be implemented. It is not feasible to provide the assistance to everyone because our fiscal space is very, very limited.)

The Philippines recorded 8.7% inflation or the rate of increase in the prices of goods and services in January 2023, the fastest in 14 years.

Balisacan said the NEDA is expecting inflation to gradually ease as the harvest season starts.

To address the high inflation rate, the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is eyeing to lure in more investments and create more jobs.

Balisacan said the ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will help in opening more investment opportunities in the country as he refuted claims the mega trade deal will hurt the local agriculture sector.