A Game-Changing Win for Education: DepEd Celebrates Breakthrough Tax Incentive Reform Under PBBM’s Agenda

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a historic move that could redefine the landscape of public-private partnerships in Philippine education, the Department of Education (DepEd) has hailed the release of Revenue Regulations No. 13-2025 as a game-changer—transforming red tape into real impact and bringing President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s education reform agenda to life.

The regulation, jointly crafted by the Department of Finance and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (DOF-BIR), is not just a technical adjustment. It is a clarion call to the private sector, philanthropic institutions, and civic-minded enterprises: help is no longer hindered. This is a bold step toward inclusive, transformative, and sustainable change for millions of Filipino learners.

Unleashing the Power of Generosity

For decades, well-meaning corporations and donors faced a maze of bureaucracy when trying to support public schools. Now, RR 13-2025 shatters those barriers by simplifying tax incentive processes under three key laws:

Republic Act No. 8525, the Adopt-a-School Act,

Republic Act No. 12063, the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) Framework Act, and

The National Internal Revenue Code of 1997.

Under the new guidelines, eligible donors can enjoy:

Exemption from donor’s tax under specific provisions of the Tax Code,

Full deductions of directly incurred program costs from gross income, plus an additional 50% deduction (subject to conditions),

Flexible valuation methods for various donation types—from cash to real estate—allowing greater accommodation for corporate contributions.

“This reform transforms generosity into impact,” declared Education Secretary Sonny Angara. “By making it easier for private partners to give, we make it easier for learners to thrive—especially in hard-to-reach communities.”

Turning Frustration Into Fuel for Reform

The timing of this regulatory overhaul is crucial. The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) has long pointed out the sluggish pace of tax endorsement applications—with only 476 endorsements granted since 2018. That’s less than 100 per year, an alarming figure in a country where over 20 million public school students rely on chronically underfunded infrastructure and educational resources.

“With less red tape and more clarity, we are unlocking new opportunities to address gaps in school infrastructure, resources, and technical training,” Angara emphasized.

Now, DepEd expects a tidal wave of renewed engagement, with companies no longer seeing donations as a bureaucratic burden but as a strategic investment in the nation’s future.

Proof of a Working Government

More than just an administrative win, RR 13-2025 exemplifies President Marcos’ whole-of-government approach. It's an embodiment of his commitment to responsive governance, strategic synergy, and inclusive development. The regulation is the result of multiple agencies breaking down silos and working in lockstep—DOF, BIR, DepEd, and other stakeholders—all converging around a common goal: education as a national priority.

“President Marcos has emphasized the need for responsive governance and strategic partnerships,” Angara noted. “RR 13-2025 is proof of how different agencies can work together to support education reform and economic inclusion.”

Not Just Tax Perks—But Transformative Power

DepEd isn’t stopping with the regulation’s release. The agency is now ramping up its outreach to private companies, social enterprises, and civil society organizations, urging them to take advantage of the reformed Adopt-a-School Program.

This isn’t merely about reducing taxes—it’s about redefining impact. Every donation can now be a direct line to a better future for a struggling school, an underserved student, or an entire marginalized community.

“More than tax perks, they’re pathways to real, life-changing impact for our Filipino learners,” Secretary Angara concluded.

With the dawn of RR 13-2025, the message is clear: If you’ve ever wanted to help build the nation through education, now is the time. The door is wide open—and the future is waiting.

Silent Threat on the Dinner Table: UP Biologists Sound Alarm on Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella in Chicken

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Behind the comforting aroma of sizzling chicken lies a silent menace that could endanger millions—multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella—lurking in one of the most consumed meats in the Philippines. In a groundbreaking and urgent revelation, biologists from the University of the Philippines Diliman – College of Science, Institute of Biology (UPD-CS IB) are now raising red flags over the alarming spread of these stealthy, drug-defiant pathogens through poultry sold in everyday wet markets across Metro Manila.

With food safety and public health hanging in the balance, the Pathogen-Host-Environment Interactions Research Laboratory (PHEIRL) of UPD-CS IB has uncovered findings that are as eye-opening as they are terrifying: Chicken meat, a staple on Filipino tables, is teeming with dangerous strains of Salmonella that can no longer be treated by multiple lines of antibiotics.

Led by researchers Michael Joseph Nagpala, Jonah Feliza Mora, Rance Derrick Pavon, and Dr. Windell Rivera, the team deployed state-of-the-art whole genome sequencing (WGS) and phenotypic antimicrobial resistance (AMR) testing to uncover the DNA-level secrets of the bacteria. What they found was chilling: high levels of MDR Salmonella strains, genetic evidence of resistance to 12 different drug classes, and 50 antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) within these pathogens—making them highly virulent and alarmingly persistent.

A Brewing Public Health Crisis

Salmonella infections are already notorious for causing diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever, nausea, and vomiting—often striking victims within hours of consumption and lasting up to a week. But what happens when these bacteria can no longer be tamed by our most trusted medicines?

The research revealed Infantis as the most dominant strain among the samples, followed by Brancaster, Anatum, London, Uganda, and Derby—all possessing an arsenal of virulence and resistance genes. These strains are not just surviving—they’re evolving, acquiring resistance through mobile DNA called plasmids, and infiltrating the food chain with shocking ease.

According to the team, “Infections from MDR Salmonella, especially among vulnerable populations and from highly virulent serovars, can lead to life-threatening, systemic, and untreatable manifestations.”

In other words: this is not just about getting sick from undercooked chicken. This is about battling bacteria that could soon render our medical defenses useless.

Wet Markets: Ground Zero

Perhaps most alarming is the setting in which these MDR bacteria are thriving—local wet markets. Often overlooked in formal food safety regulation, these markets serve as major distribution points for raw meat, making them potential hotspots for bacterial cross-contamination. From the butcher’s blade to the consumer’s kitchen, every touchpoint becomes a transmission opportunity.

“This isn’t just about farms anymore,” warns the team. “There is a clear and significant risk of MDR Salmonella variants spreading within wet markets and food animal value chains, as well as cross-contamination and undetected transmission in kitchens and homes.”

A Call to Action: Policy, Awareness, and Research

The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated. The team calls for sweeping multi-sectoral reforms that cut across agriculture, health, and consumer behavior. These include:

Stricter regulations on the use of antibiotics in poultry farms

Surveillance and reporting systems for antimicrobial resistance

Education campaigns for farmers, vendors, and consumers on AMR and food hygiene

Research investment into alternatives to antibiotics and new treatments

National policies aligning with global food safety standards

The study, supported by the Department of Agriculture-Biotechnology Program Office, should serve as a wake-up call for all sectors. The Philippines cannot afford to let this biological threat fester unnoticed and unchecked.

The Invisible War

As families across the country prepare their favorite chicken adobo or inihaw na manok, the invisible war against superbugs continues in the background. This isn’t just a scientific study—it’s a warning siren. MDR Salmonella doesn’t just threaten our food—it endangers our future.

The Wazzup Pilipinas founder urges all stakeholders—from policy makers and food producers to everyday consumers—to treat this threat with the seriousness it demands. The time to act is now—before our antibiotics fail and a simple meal becomes a matter of life and death.

A Smooth Ride and Peace of Mind: How a Home Service PMS Saved My Toyota Avanza and My Weekend

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In a world where time is gold and car trouble waits for no one, a well-timed home service preventive maintenance check (PMS) can feel like a miracle. For Ross Flores Del Rosario, founder of Wazzup Pilipinas and a passionate advocate for efficiency, convenience, and credibility, trusting his 2019 Toyota Avanza 1.3 Automatic to a home service mechanic from MechaniGo.ph was a leap worth taking — and one that paid off with flying colors.

The Cost of Reliability: A Breakdown of Service and Expenses

Ross recently availed himself of the All-In PMS-Oil Change Home Service Package at ₱4,399, a price that includes not just labor, but peace of mind. The service, conducted right at his home in Pasig, was handled professionally by a casa-trained mechanic, Jeric Brojas, with transparent billing and no hidden charges.

Package Inclusions:

4 Liters of Vortex Plus Fully Synthetic Oil

New Engine Oil Filter

Brakes Cleaning and Adjustment

Air Filter Check

Cabin Filter Check

Spark Plug Check

Battery Health Check

Brake Fluid Top-Up (up to 500 ml)

Coolant Top-Up (up to 500 ml)

Windshield Washer Fluid Top-Up (up to 500 ml)

Tire Rotation (if applicable)

Multi-point Safety Inspection

This service alone cost ₱4,399, with a ₱200 reservation fee already paid and a ₱4,199 balance remaining, as indicated in the billing statement.

But that wasn’t all.

Upon deeper inspection, Jeric also discovered that Ross’s Avanza required further attention in the form of:

Additional Services and Replacements:

Air Filter Replacement

Spark Plug Replacement

Brake pads replacement 

Parts:

Fleetmax Air Filter FAS 8951 – ₱650.00

NGK Laser Iridium Spark Plug ILKAR6B-11 – ₱5,600.00 (Qty: 4 @ ₱1,400 each)

Total for this segment: ₱6,490.00 

Grand Total (So Far):

All-In PMS Package: ₱4,399.00

Air Filter & Spark Plug Replacement: ₱6,490.00

Total: ₱10,889.00

And the car care journey doesn’t end there.

What’s Next?

The brake pads are also scheduled for replacement as soon as parts become available, ensuring that this maintenance job is as complete and thorough as it is convenient.

"Hi Ross,

 Here's the quotation based from the recommendations we sent:

-Replace Brakepads Front = 3500

Home Service Fee = 400

-Replace Brake Light Bulb (busted)

Cash Price: 3900

*Installment(0% 3mos):

 

*Available banks: Metrobank.

Please do let us know if you will proceed so we can prepare everything ahead of time as well finalize your preferred schedule.

Note: The validity of the prices of parts of this quotation is 1 week only. Price varies on the available brands and availability of parts of our suppliers."

The Wazzup Verdict: Convenience and Care at Your Doorstep

When you're a busy media professional constantly on the move — from covering events to leading environmental causes and attending international conferences — having a trusted service provider who can bring high-quality automotive maintenance to your home is nothing short of a game-changer.

MechaniGo.ph delivered that game-changing experience. From diagnostics to execution, everything was documented, professional, and customer-focused.

This isn't just a repair job — it's a story of trust, efficiency, and automotive empowerment right from your own parking space at home.

Stay tuned for the next update once those brake pads are in — because this 2019 Toyota Avanza isn’t just a vehicle, it’s a companion in a journey fueled by purpose, stories, and destinations yet to be discovered.

Written by Ross Flores Del Rosario, founder of Wazzup Pilipinas — your go-to hub for real stories, road adventures, and reliable experiences.