The Department of Agriculture (DA) has emphasized the need for the agency to be given police power to apprehend and file charges against smugglers in the country, whether technical or outright. In a virtual press briefing, Agriculture Undersecretary Fermin Dantes Adriano insisted their authority is limited under the law to mere collaboration with the Bureau of Customs (BOC), rather than apprehension of smugglers. “Kung gusto niyo magkaroon ng ngipin ang departamento laban sa smuggling, bigyan po natin ng kapangyarihan, ng mandato, na (If we want the department to have power against smuggling, give it power, mandate, to) makapag-file, apprehend, and
Bus terminals nationwide will be put on “heightened alert” starting Friday to April 16 as part of the government’s preparation for the exodus of devotees and vacationers during the Holy Week and summer vacation. In a statement on Wednesday, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said its central office and regional directors were given orders to work with other government agencies in ensuring the security of commuters and proper observance of protocols in all bus terminals. “Inaasahan ang matinding pagdagsa ng mga pasahero dahil sa Semana Santa (We are expecting a massive influx of passengers because of the
The Supreme Court (SC) has turned down an appeal filed by the union of a food manufacturer questioning the decision of the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) and the Court of Appeals (CA) on the labor case it initiated for terminated workers. In a resolution uploaded online last March 29, the SC first division turned down the petition filed by workers of General Milling Corporation (GMC) represented by its union, the Ilaw at Buklod ng Manggagawa sa GMC (IBM sa GMC), in connection with the decision of the company in 2012 to terminate 33 employees and transfer 18 to
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and motorcycle ride-hailing firm Angkas on Wednesday launched a basic motorcycle driving program designed to professionalize motorcycle training in the country. Jointly designed and developed by TESDA and Angkas, the five-day course will subject motorcycle riders to formal training inside a 400-square-meter facility inside TESDA, including an actual demonstration. The program will also include pre-ride activities, monitoring, and maintenance of motorcycle performance. “I’ve seen the importance of training, of education, especially in this business. Because of the lack of institutionalized training, there were many accidents (in the past),” Angkas chief executive officer
The Philippines took part in the French government-organized Terre de Jeux (land of the games) Wednesday, a 24-hour global relay that aims to raise awareness about the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. The campaign, which also coincides with the International Day of Sports for Development and Peace, kicked off at Fort Santiago in Intramuros and was joined by about a hundred runners and cyclists, which include uniformed personnel, diplomats, and local officials. The Terre de Jeux involves a one-hour race on a dedicated route in the participating countries from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. (local time). Once the race is
