Day: November 7, 2024

MANILA: The planned acquisition of 40 units of fast patrol boats is a ‘game-changer’ in the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) quest for modernization, PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gavan said Thursday. In a Palace press briefing, Gavan highlighted that this acquisition marks the largest single-purchase in the PCG’s modernization efforts. According to Philippines News Agency, Gavan emphasized the significance of this purchase, noting that it will allow the Philippine Coast Guard to station at least two patrol boats in every district. These boats, he stated, are fast enough to reach the edges of the country’s socio-economic zones, thereby enhancing the enforcement

MANILA: The government has allocated standby funds to boost relief efforts in disaster-stricken regions following recent natural calamities, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman announced Thursday. This move comes in response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s statement regarding the depletion of the Quick Response Fund (QRF) due to the impacts of recent tropical cyclones. According to Philippines News Agency, Pangandaman explained that the QRF is distributed among various agencies to facilitate preparatory activities, relief, and rehabilitation in the event of disasters. As of October 24, approximately half of the PHP30 billion QRF has been utilized. Agencies such as the Department of

Manila: The Philippine government has initiated talks with Southeast Asian nations party to the South China Sea to fast-track progress on the negotiation of a code of conduct (COC) in the disputed sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Thursday. Speaking at the Pacific Forum-organized Manila Dialogue on the South China Sea, DFA Assistant Secretary Marshall Louis Alferez underscored the need to improve the pace of negotiation for an “effective COC”. According to Philippines News Agency, the Philippines believes that improved coordination among the ASEAN claimant states is critical to making substantive progress. To this end, the country has

LEGAZPI CITY: The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) 5 (Bicol) announced on Thursday that 1,150 bags of affordable rice will be available for sale at different NIA Kadiwa ng Pangulo stores on Friday. In an interview, NIA-Bicol spokesperson Ma. Cleofe Baraero said rice will be sold for PHP29 per kilogram (kg) for the vulnerable sectors and PHP35 per kilogram for the general public. According to Philippines News Agency, the PHP29 per kilo, known as Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka (BBM Rice), can be bought by senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), solo parents, and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) members, while the PHP35

TACLOBAN CITY: Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami) has caused PHP16 million in damage to the fishery sector in the Eastern Visayas region, affecting 2,000 small fisherfolk, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) reported on Thursday. Destroyed are hundreds of aquafarms, fishing boats, fishing gear, and post-harvest facilities based on the BFAR regional office’s damage and loss assessment. According to Philippines News Agency, a total of PHP27.7 million in damage to fisheries caused by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine has been recorded in the country, with Eastern Visayas sustaining a portion of these losses. The typhoon’s strong winds