Categories
Government

PBMM ALLOTS P18B FOR P20 RICE PROGRAM EXPANSION

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has allocated P18 billion to expand the government’s “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!” initiative to provide as many as 60 million Filipinos access to the P20-per-kilo rice. Speaking at a post-State of the Nation Address forum in San Juan City, Tiu Laurel explained that about […]

Categories
Government

NEPOMUCENO ENFORCES STRICT BOC ‘NO TAKE’ POLICY

Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno has reinforced the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) “No Take” policy, which strictly prohibits bribery and unlawful monetary transactions, as part of the BOC’s anti-corruption efforts. Nepomuceno also issued a firm public warning that corruption will not be tolerated, whether committed by Customs personnel or by stakeholders. This policy is non-negotiable and will […]

Categories
Government

BOC RELIEVES PERSONNEL LINKED TO NAIA EXTORTION

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has relieved nine Customs personnel linked to a reported extortion incident at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 and has implemented a 24-hour complaint reporting policy to ensure immediate action on personnel misconduct. The incident, which occurred in June 2025, is now the subject of a full-blown investigation […]

Categories
Government

US TRADE DEAL TO PROTECT PH AGRI PRODUCTS – DA

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said that Philippine trade negotiators have assured him that key locally-produced agricultural goods such as rice, corn, sugar, chicken, fish, and pork will be protected in the ongoing tariff negotiations with the US. “Secretary Frederick Go and Trade Secretary Cristina Roque have assured us that the top priority for […]

Categories
Government

PH TO HOST CLIMATE JUSTICE INT’L MEET IN OCTOBER

Fresh from hosting the 6th Board Meeting of the Fund for responding to Loss and Damage (FrLD), Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla welcomed the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), affirming the legal obligations of all States to address climate change and protect vulnerable ecosystems. Lotilla emphasized the importance of unity in […]

Categories
Government

DOTR DISTRIBUTES BIKES, BACKS ACTIVE TRANSPORT

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Grab Philippines distributed bicycles and equipment to 20 recipients as part of the agency’s initiative to encourage the use of bicycles as a form of active transport. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured that the government will prioritize active transport—cycling and walking—by according the highest priority in the hierarchy of […]

Categories
Government

DTI ENFORCES PRICE FREEZE IN CALAMITY AREAS

Amid the onslaught of tropical cyclones Crising, Dante, Emong, as well as the Southwest Monsoon, or Habagat, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) intensified monitoring efforts to ensure that prices of basic necessities and prime commodities remain unchanged and that supply is sufficient in several areas placed under a state of calamity. The DTI’s […]

Categories
Government

DA TO FAST TRACK HELP FOR HABAGAT-HIT FARMERS

Agricultural losses caused by the combined effects of tropical storms Crising, Dante, and Emong—along with the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat)—have reached P1.12 billion, with more than half of the damage sustained by rice farms, according to preliminary estimates from the Department of Agriculture (DA). In a report to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council […]

Categories
Government

DOT KICKS OFF HOTEL NETWORKING EVENT IN MANILA

The Department of Tourism (DOT) set the tone for a future-ready and investment-driven hospitality industry at the opening of Philippine Hotel Connect 2025—the country’s premier hotel investment and networking event—held at the Manila Marriott Hotel. The summit, now in its second year, gathered over 250 of the country’s top-level hotel executives, investors, developers, and tourism […]

Categories
Government

JAPAN CEMENT FIRM BRINGS 26K JOBS TO BATANGAS

Taiheiyo Cement Philippines, Inc. (TCPI) confirmed that its P3.72 billion Luzon Distribution Terminal in Calaca, Batangas, will be completed by the second quarter of 2026. This also reinforces its solid commitment to the Philippine market. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) welcomed the long-term investment in the country, which is poised to meet the […]