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The newly-built Clarin Bridge in Loay town, Bohol will enhance mobility in the province, particularly in transporting goods and people to the province’s tourist destinations. (Photo courtesy of DPWH) TAGBILARAN CITY — The newly-built Clarin Bridge in Loay town, Bohol was inaugurated and opened to motorists on Tuesday, June 21. The bridge replaced the old bridge, which collapsed and killed four persons on April 27, 2022. Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, chief implementer of the national government’s Build, Build, Build program, led the inauguration on behalf of President Duterte, who canceled his trip to Bohol. “The opening of the Clarin Bridge is a timely response to address the need for a safer and sturdier replacement of the decades-old structure,” Maximo Carvajal, undersecretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), said during a short program attended by stakeholders and government officials. Carvajal said the new bridge, which cost P501.87 million, is … [Read more...] about Newly-built Clarin Bridge in Bohol inaugurated, opened to motorists

Agrarian Reform Sec. John Castriciones and local officials inaugurate the San Mariano-Barrio Militar bridge in Nueva Ecija on Tuesday, June 22. (Contributed photo) PEÑARANDA, Nueva Ecija––Officials on Tuesday (June 22) inaugurated two bridge projects that were expected to benefit residents and farmers in several villages here. Agrarian Reform Sec. John Castriciones led the opening of the San Mariano-Barrio Militar and Diwalaan bridges. The 40.20-linear-meter San Mariano-Barrio Militar Bridge connects this town and Palayan City, the capital of Nueva Ecija. The Diwalaan Bridge, located at the boundaries of the villages of Las Piñas and Sinasajan, spans 17.20 linear meters. Castriciones said the bridges were constructed in collaboration with the Department of Agrarian Reform, the Department of Public Works and Highways, and the local government under the “Tulay ng Pangulo Program.” The completed projects have a combined cost of P14.11 million that was financed through … [Read more...] about 2 new bridges in Nueva Ecija seen to benefit farmers

Stock photo / INQUIRER.net CEBU CITY –– Three suspected drug personalities were gunned down Thursday, June 10, in what police described as a shootout in the upland village of Taptap in this city. The Police’s Special Operations Unit recovered from the suspects 10 kilos of shabu (methamphetamine) worth around P68 million. Police said operatives conducted a drug bust in Barangay Campo 4, Talisay City, Cebu, where Lihbon Kerr Bargayo allegedly transacted with a policeman who acted as poseur-buyer. When Bargayo noticed he was transacting with a policeman, he fired shots at them and fled with two other companions using a car. The Highway Patrol Group-Central Visayas (HPG-7) led by Police Maj. Gideon Merza traced the location of the suspects in Barangay Taptap. Instead of yielding to the police, the suspects—Bargayo, Christopher Lim, and Boyet Rama—engaged authorities in a shootout. Brig. Gen. Remus Medina, chief of the Police Drug Enforcement Group, said they have … [Read more...] about 3 drug suspects gunned down in Cebu City shootout

- A + A WASHINGTON (June 22): US President Joe Biden on Wednesday called on Congress to pass a three-month suspension of the federal gasoline tax to help combat record pump prices and provide temporary relief for American families this summer. "We can bring down the price of gas and give families just a little bit of relief," Biden said in a White House address. The president also urged States to temporarily suspend State fuel taxes, which are often higher than federal rates, the official said, and will challenge major oil companies to bring ideas on how to bring back idled refining capacity when they meet with his energy secretary on Thursday. Biden and his advisers have been discussing the issue for months amid increasing pressure to act as record-high gas prices weigh down the president's poll ratings and cast a dark cloud over Democrats' chances of retaining congressional power in November's elections. A suspension of the 18.4 cents per gallon federal … [Read more...] about Biden asks Congress to pause gas tax to help lower record pump prices

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline President Joe Biden proposed Wednesday a federal gas tax holiday, as gas prices hover around record highs nationally, in a move that would instantly provide some relief to consumers—though some warn may not be the cure-all Biden seeks. Key Facts Biden called on Congress to pass a three-month federal gas tax holiday, which would suspend federal taxes on gas during the period. This would make gas 18 cents cheaper per gallon and diesel 24 cents cheaper. The proposal actually comes as prices are slightly decreasing: the national average price per gallon of gas is $4.955 Wednesday, according to the American Automobile Association, a slight drop from its peak of $5.016 last Tuesday but still a sharp increase from a year ago, when it was $3.069 average per gallon. Despite the holiday likely providing some quick relief at the pump, it may contribute to further inflation by providing an indirect … [Read more...] about What Is A Federal Gas Tax Holiday? Here’s How It Could Impact Prices At The Pump.

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin I believe many of our political leaders have a comic book view of how gasoline prices are set. They envision oil companies adding up all of their input costs, and then tacking on a profit margin. Oddly, sometimes the oil companies are really generous and sell gasoline for under $2.00 a gallon. Other times, the belief must be that they are super greedy and sell it for $6.00 a gallon. Adding to all of the input costs and profit margins are the taxes. State and federal governments get a cut of each gallon of gasoline sold. Since 1993, the federal portion of the gasoline tax has been 18 cents a gallon. Add on the costs, profit margin, and taxes, and you end up with the price of gasoline. Or, so the belief goes. Some politicians have floated the idea of a gas tax holiday to help ease prices at the pump. President Biden is reportedly weighing this idea now. One of the problems in such a scheme is that these taxes help … [Read more...] about Why A Gas Tax Holiday Probably Won’t Work

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Is too much inflation crushing your summer vacation plans? President Joe Biden has a holiday for you — at the gas pump. Biden is set to request from Congress a three-month, emergency relaxation of the federal tax on gasoline. By removing that tax of 18.4 cents per gallon, and right before the July 4th peak of driving season, Biden hopes to be credited for saving you three or four bucks every time you fill up. It’s not a huge savings. The federal gas tax hasn’t changed since 1993 and is not indexed for inflation. Still, according to the Congressional Budget Office, it brings in $45 billion a year, which covers nearly all the $47 billion last year in federal highway spending. As Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said on CNN, “Part of the challenge with the gas tax, of course, is that it funds the roads.” Ultimately, Congress will have to find another pocket to dig in to replace the $10 billion or so in highway funding. The … [Read more...] about Why Biden’s Federal Gas Tax Holiday Would Be Bad For America

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline President Joe Biden on Wednesday called on Congress to suspend the federal gas tax for three months, a move that the White House hopes will help ease some of the pain caused by high gas prices across the country. Key Facts In a statement released by the White House, Biden urged lawmakers to suspend the current 18-cent tax per gallon of gasoline and 24-cent on diesel until the end of September. The president also urged states to act, either by pausing their own gas taxes, deferring any planned hikes, or offering rebates and relief payments, in a bid to alleviate the burden of high prices at the pump. Biden asked lawmakers in Congress to ensure that the three-month tax freeze does not negatively impact the Highway Trust Fund—which is funded by these taxes—by using other revenues to cover its $10 billion cost. In the statement, Biden once again blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin and his … [Read more...] about Biden Calls On Congress To Approve 3-Month Federal Gas Tax Holiday

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Despite being marked by the country’s famous fjords, Norway’s Northwest is often overlooked, with tourists preferring to spend their whole trip in Oslo or Bergen and surrounding areas. In the Northwest, the coastline is broken up into miles of idyllic islands where the North and Norwegian seas converge and weave further inland via bays, channels and fjords. Trondheim, located a little over 300 miles north of Oslo, is one of the area’s largest cities, offering cultural sites, viking curiosities, local eats and a vibrant city center ready to welcome foreign visitors. Highlights include the 11th century Nidaros Cathedral, Ringve Museum of Music History and the world’s first bike lift. Trondheim is easily accessible by airplane or train, and car rentals are available.While there is plenty to do in Trondheim, the remaining towns and natural phenomena that define the Northwest are just as enthralling, especially if you move through … [Read more...] about Trondheim To Ålesund: An Epic Road Trip Through Norway

Traffic is seen along the Strip on Memorial Day in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., May 31, 2021. REUTERS FILE PHOTO A record 42 million people around the United States are expected to hit the road for trips over the July 4 Independence Day weekend, AAA said Tuesday, absorbing historically high fuel costs to crowd the highways. The average U.S. retail price of gasoline recently broke through $5 per gallon for the first time in history. While that is not a record from an inflation-adjusted basis, it still represents an increase of nearly $2 per gallon from a year earlier. Despite the higher cost, gasoline demand is only 1% below the average for this time of year in the United States. The 42 million figure, should it pan out, would surpass 2019’s peak, when 41.5 million people traveled by vehicle on Independence Day, according to the American Automobile Association. Including air travel, 47.9 million people are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home during the holiday period, … [Read more...] about Record number of travelers to hit US roads for July 4 weekend—AAA