Author: Mark Salazar

  • Bureau of Immigration Urges Foreign POGO Employees to Depart Philippines by Year’s End

    The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has issued a strong recommendation for foreign workers involved in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) to exit the country before the December 31 deadline. BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval emphasized the importance of adhering to the government’s directive, particularly for those with familial ties in the Philippines. Sandoval explained during a…

  • Tragic Van Accident in South Cotabato Claims Seven Lives

    In a devastating incident on Monday afternoon, a van crash in Tupi, South Cotabato, resulted in the death of seven passengers and left the driver seriously injured. The accident occurred on a barangay road when the Mitsubishi FB van, carrying tourists from Northern Mindanao, lost its brakes. The driver, in a desperate attempt to stop…

  • DepEd and PPP Center Partner to Build 15,000 Classrooms with $1 Million Deal

    The Department of Education (DepEd) has announced a significant initiative to construct 15,000 new classrooms across the Philippines, starting in 2025. This ambitious project is part of a collaboration with the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center, formalized through a $1 million Technical Assistance Agreement signed on December 20, 2024. Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized that this…

  • Metro Pacific Iloilo Water Plans P1 Billion Investment for 2025 Upgrades

    Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW) is gearing up for significant enhancements in its infrastructure and services, with a planned investment of PHP1 billion in 2025. This announcement comes on the heels of completing PHP235 million worth of projects in the current year. Jerry Guillergan, head of MPIW’s Engineering Department, expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming initiatives,…

  • Bureau of Immigration Teams Up with NICA to Enhance Foreign Student Visa Screening

    In a move to bolster security and streamline processes, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) has announced a collaboration with the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) to verify the identities of foreign students applying for visas to study in the Philippines. This partnership was unveiled during the launch of the BI’s new Student Visa and Special…

  • Philippines Rolls Out ARAL Program to Combat Learning Loss

    The Philippine government has taken a significant step forward in addressing educational setbacks with the implementation of the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program Act. The signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) occurred at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, marking a swift response just 34 days after President Ferdinand…

  • Philippines and Japan Strengthen Defense Ties with New Reciprocal Access Agreement

    In a significant move to bolster defense and security cooperation, the Philippines and Japan have formalized the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA). The agreement, signed in the presence of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at Malacañan Palace on July 8, 2024, aims to facilitate mutual military visits for training and joint exercises between the two nations.…

  • Philippine Army Sees Hope in Rebel Leader’s Death in Samar

    In a significant development in Samar, the Philippine Army views the death of a prominent New People’s Army (NPA) leader as a potential turning point that could lead remaining rebels to forsake their armed struggle. Artemio Solayao, known by the alias Budil, was a key figure in the NPA’s Eastern Visayas regional party committee, leading…

  • BFAR Intensifies Crackdown on Dynamite Fishing in Central Visayas

    The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Central Visayas has escalated its efforts to combat the illegal practice of dynamite fishing within the region. Alberto Simbajon Jr., who oversees the Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance Unit at BFAR-7, emphasized that while the use of explosives in fishing has decreased, it remains a concern in…

  • Philippine Coconut Authority Plans to Boost Coconut Production with PHP1.5 Billion Fertilization Initiative

    The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) is set to enhance the coconut industry with a PHP1.5 billion investment aimed at fertilizing 55,000 coconut palms in 2025. This initiative, announced by PCA Administrator Dr. Dexter Buted at the second Salt Congress in Lingayen, Pangasinan, focuses on increasing coconut yields and improving farmer incomes. The Coconut Fertilization Project…