Day: July 18, 2024

MANILA: The Philippines has won the prestigious Best Ports of Call 2024 award at the 10th Asia Cruise Awards in Jeju Island, South Korea amid the government’s intensified push to boost the country’s cruise tourism. The Department of Tourism (DOT) received the award during a ceremony at the Asia Cruise Forum on July 10. Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said the award highlights the efforts of cruise tourism stakeholders in revitalizing the country’s cruise industry post-pandemic. ‘These accolades reaffirm our vision and validate our efforts in positioning our country as a must-visit destination for cruise enthusiasts,’ she said. The annual

MALASIQUI: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Pangasinan has partnered with several businesses to offer up to 70 percent discounts on school supplies until the first week of August this year through its annual ‘Back-to-School’ Diskwento Caravan. In an interview on Thursday, Guillermo Avelino Jr., DTI-Pangasinan consumer and protection division officer-in-charge, said the participating stores are Unitop-Dagupan City, Magic Mall-Urdaneta City, Magic Mall-San Carlos City, Magic Mall-Tayug town, CSI The City Mall-Dagupan City, SM City-Rosales, CB Mall-Urdaneta City, and SM City-Urdaneta Central. DTI has also released the ‘Gabay sa Pamimili ng School Supplies for School Year 2024 -2025’

TACLOBAN CITY: At least 30 former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Matuguinao, Samar will soon own houses through the ‘Saad nga Balay’ (promised housing) program. Mayor Aran Boller said on Thursday the site preparation is now ongoing after the groundbreaking on June 19. The project, located within the town center, is primarily funded by the Samar provincial government. Each house costs PHP250,000 and has a 49-square-meter lot area, with a semi-concrete design. The town has about 50 former rebel surrenderers who are qualified to avail themselves of the housing project. ‘The priority to receive these houses are

KUALA LUMPUR, Government actions, including drafting of legislation, in addressing cyberbullying are expected to be the focus of today’s Dewan Rakyat session. According to the Order of Business on the official Parliament website, a question regarding the government’s initiatives in drafting cross-ministerial laws to tackle rampant cyberbullying will be posed by Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas) to the Communications Minister during the Minister’s Question Time. Also in the spotlight is the government’s action plan to strengthen the halal industry in line with Malaysia’s goal to become a leader in the international halal market, with a halal export target of RM63.1

KULIM, A 33-year-old man who was remanded to assist in the investigation into the incident involving two brothers who died from consuming crackers tainted with poison has been released on police bail. Kulim district police chief Supt Mohd Azizul Mohd Khairi said that the suspect, a farmer, had been held in remand since July 11 until yesterday. ‘The remand period will not be extended, and the suspect is released on police bail pending the decision of the deputy public prosecutor (DPP). ‘The investigation papers have been submitted to the DPP,’ he said in a statement today. The media previously reported