Author: Jerald Castaneda

  • Baguio City Surpasses P2.6 Billion Tax Collection Target for 2024

    Baguio City has successfully met its tax collection target of PHP2.6 billion for 2024, an increase from the PHP2.3 billion collected the previous year. Fernando Ragma, the assistant city treasurer, highlighted the achievement during the ‘Ugnayan’ program on January 8, 2024, attributing the success to streamlined tax payment methods including online payments, GCash, and bank…

  • Department of Agriculture Foresees Robust Recovery in Rice Production for 2025

    The Department of Agriculture (DA) has expressed a positive outlook for the recovery of local palay production in 2025, following a challenging year marked by natural disasters. In a recent statement, DA spokesperson Arnel De Mesa projected that rice production would rebound to 20 million metric tons, a significant recovery from the setbacks caused by…

  • Antique Police to Flag Tobias Fornier as Area of Concern Due to Political Tensions

    The Antique Provincial Police Office (APPO) is set to propose that the Municipality of Tobias Fornier be categorized as an area of concern due to escalating political rivalry. This recommendation will be presented to the Provincial Joint Security Control Center (PJSCC), as stated by APPO Information Officer Lt. Col. Willy Diel during a recent interview.…

  • Comelec Urges Government Agencies to Distribute Aid Without Politicians

    The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has directed government agencies to distribute social services without the involvement of politicians. Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia emphasized that the commission will not obstruct the provision of essential services during the election ban. He specified that services such as education for the poor, scholarships, hunger relief, and burial services…

  • Philippine Navy Vows Robust Defense of Key Maritime Routes

    MANILA – The Philippine Navy (PN) has reaffirmed its commitment to the protection of vital maritime routes across the nation, aligning with the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC). During a recent press conference, PN’s spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, emphasized that the Navy’s vigilance extends beyond the San Bernardino…

  • Bicol Police Honored for Outstanding Service During 31st Ethics Day

    LEGAZPI CITY – On Monday, the Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO-5) celebrated the 31st Philippine National Police (PNP) Ethics Day by honoring several officers for their remarkable service and acts of kindness. The ceremony took place at Camp Gen. Simeon A. Ola, where PRO-5 director Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon underscored the importance of ethical…

  • 2025 National Budget to Enhance Job Prospects for SHS Technical-Vocational Students

    In a move to enhance the employability of senior high school students enrolled in the technical-vocational livelihood (TVL) track, the 2025 national budget will continue to fund free assessments for national certifications. This initiative, highlighted by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, aims to increase certification rates among these students, thereby improving their job prospects. The budget includes…

  • Senator Urges Immediate Action on Triple Planetary Crisis in the Philippines

    MANILA – Senator Loren Legarda has issued a strong call for immediate and coordinated action to tackle the triple planetary crisis, which includes climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, severely impacting the Philippines. In a recent statement, Legarda emphasized that this crisis is not a looming threat but a current reality with significant consequences for…

  • Iloilo City Considers Ban on Improvised ‘Boga’ Cannons Amid Rising Injuries

    In response to a surge in injuries linked to the use of homemade cannons known as ‘boga,’ the Iloilo City government is contemplating new regulations or a potential ban on these devices. Mayor Jerry Treñas announced on January 2, 2025, that he would urge the City Council to either revise current laws or introduce new…

  • Lawmaker Advocates for New Naval Base in Surigao del Norte Following Chinese Drone Incident

    In the wake of a Chinese underwater drone being discovered off the coast of Masbate, a Philippine lawmaker has called for the establishment of a new naval facility in Surigao del Norte under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States. Representative Robert Ace Barbers emphasized the strategic significance of Surigao del Norte…