Day: October 21, 2024

Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) conducted reengagement activities for 1,400 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) decommissioned combatants (DCs) in the Davao Region on Oct. 7 to 11. The ‘Kamustahan’ validation and assessment carried out through house-to-house visits were meant to monitor the reintegration status of the DCs in their communities and families. “These reengagement activities are conducted to ensure those who were given the PHP100,000 transitory cash assistance were given post-activity care services. These include the needs assessment of decommissioned combatants,” Inclusive-Sustainable Peace and Special Concerns Undersecretary Alan Tanjusay said in a news release. Some 120

Manila: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has destroyed 18,000 kilograms of illegal and unsafe health products valued at PHP5.7 million. In a news release Monday, the FDA said a disposal operation was held from Oct. 15 to 18 at the Biñan Disposal Facility in Laguna as part of the FDA’s Oplan Katharos program. Its Regulatory Enforcement Unit led the initiative to eliminate illegal health products deemed unsafe for consumers by removing these items from circulation. Oplan Katharos, now on its second year, is tasked with the development and implementation of guidelines for the proper handling, storage and disposal of

Manila: Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela on Monday urged the Filipino electorate to support poll candidates who advocate the cause on the West Philippine Sea (WPS). This, after the release of a recent Pulse Asia Survey showed seven out of 10 Filipinos will not support political candidates with known leanings to China during the 2025 midterm elections. ‘Voters now recognize that our fight in this area is not solely the responsibility of the current administration, but a collective endeavor for all citizens of the country, regardless of political affiliation or geographic location,’

Manila: The PHP178.273 billion proposed 2025 budget of the Department of Agriculture (DA) was ‘deemed submitted’ to the Senate plenary after it was approved on Monday by the Finance subcommittee chaired by Senator Cynthia Villar. Villar assured that she will convey and push to the Finance Committee the DA’s request of establishing a Rubber Institute that will cost PHP50 million, as well as the PHP150-million additional funding proposed by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. She also committed to pass the Livestock Bill to fund the request of the Bureau of Animal Industry to strengthen food safety, as well

LEGAZPI CITY – The Police Regional Office (PRO) 5 (Bicol) confiscated nearly PHP3 million worth of illegal drugs and arrested 53 drug suspects in various anti-drug operations from Oct. 14 to 20. In a report on Monday, PRO-5 director Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon said the 48 successful anti-drug operations in the six provinces of the region and one component city resulted in the seizure of 408.6540 grams of shabu worth PHP2.7 million. Camarines Norte recorded the highest amount of drugs seized with PHP1.59 million; followed by Camarines Sur –PHP825,411.20; Albay –PHP213,520; Naga City –PHP81,260; Masbate –PHP56,440; and Sorsogon –PHP2,380. Catanduanes