Day: December 3, 2024

TACLOBAN CITY: Responding to calls from their loved ones, two leaders of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered and turned over to the Philippine Army high-powered firearms in Borongan City in Eastern Samar. Philippine Army 802nd Infantry Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir announced that the two NPA leaders yielded to authorities after hearing Christmas wishes of families of active NPA combatants. According to Philippines News Agency, the sharing of messages is under the brigade’s ‘Wish Upon a Star’ project, where soldiers record the Christmas wishes of families of active NPA combatants. These messages are shared by members of the

Manila: The Consunji Group announced Tuesday that it now owns nearly 90 percent of cement manufacturer CEMEX Holdings Philippines (CHP) after closing the deal on Dec. 2. Through its companies DMCI Holdings, Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC), and Dacon Corp., the Consunji Group completed the acquisition of Cemex Asian South East Corp. (Casec) – CHP’s parent company – at USD272 million. According to Philippines News Agency, at the financial close, DMCI secured a 51-percent effective stake in CHP, while SMPC and Dacon accounted for 10 percent and approximately 29 percent, respectively. ‘We are excited to welcome CEMEX Holdings Philippines

BAGUIO CITY: The Department of Agriculture (DA) in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) is urging hog growers in the region to take part in the testing of a vaccine against the African swine fever (ASF). Dr. Kevin Luna, regulatory chief of the Livestock Division of the DA-CAR, emphasized the importance of participating in the vaccine trials to combat the persistent ASF threat in the region. According to Philippines News Agency, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) has allocated approximately 10,000 vials of vaccines specifically for the Cordillera region. Dr. Luna explained that the vaccine testing, which has already been conducted

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY: Quendy Fernandez bagged three more swimming gold medals Tuesday to the delight of her province mates in the 11th BIMP-EAGA (Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area) Friendship Games here. According to Philippines News Agency, Fernandez, 19, ruled the girls’ 100m backstroke in 1 minute and 7.21 seconds, beating fellow Team Philippines swimmers Lora Micah Amoguis (1:10.53) and Jann Maureen Doton (1:18.42) at Ramon V. Mitra Sports Complex. The perennial Philippine National Games medalist and one of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines’ Athletes of the Year last year also topped the 4×50 girls’ 200m medley and freestyle

LAOAG CITY: The province of Ilocos Norte is making strides to formalize its successful Katuwang sa Diwa at Gawa para sa Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita (Kadiwa) ng Pangulo program, which effectively connects farmers and fisherfolk directly with consumers. This initiative is set to become a permanent fixture following its demonstrated benefits to both producers and buyers. According to Philippines News Agency, Provincial Board member Jonathan Torralba announced the progression of Provincial Ordinance No. 2024-11-097, which aims to institutionalize the Kadiwa program. He highlighted the substantial potential this holds for local farmers, agri-preneurs, processors, and consumers, emphasizing the economic