Year: 2024

Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday projected a robust rice supply by yearend despite the effects of La Niña and other weather disturbances. Based on the DA’s national rice supply outlook, the country will have 3.83 million metric tons (MT) of rice inventory. In a statement, DA Undersecretary for the National Rice Industry Development Program Christopher Morales said this is enough to cover a 100-day consumption. ‘This projection incorporates updated rice stock data, actual import arrivals, and historical trends, ensuring the country’s rice needs are met despite the production drop,’ he said. The stable supply is expected despite

Manila: Upon the instructions of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., a large-scale relief operation has been launched by the House of Representatives to assist the families severely affected by Tropical Storm Kristine, Speaker Martin Romualdez said on Wednesday. As part of this operation, Romualdez facilitated the request for the immediate release of PHP390 million in cash aid, which will be distributed to 22 districts affected by the typhoon in the Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, and Mimaropa, as well as through four party-list representatives. ‘Malinaw po ang direktiba ni Pangulong Marcos: walang pamilyang Pilipino ang maiiwan sa pagtulong ng pamahalaan sa

BUTUAN CITY – About 4,800 beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) graduated in this city on Tuesday, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 13 (Caraga). ‘Most of those who graduated have improved their economic conditions, moving from survival to subsistence and toward self-sufficiency,’ Aiza Sarmiento, the 4Ps Butuan operations team leader, said in an interview Wednesday. Sarmiento noted that 98 percent of the graduates achieved self-sufficiency, while the remaining 2 percent completed the program due to natural attrition. Natural attrition refers to beneficiaries who no longer have children aged 0 to 18, the age

DUMAGUETE CITY – At least seven houses on the renowned dive destination Apo Island in Dauin, Negros Oriental were destroyed by huge waves and strong winds caused by Tropical Storm Kristine, an official said Wednesday. Apo Island barangay chairperson Mario Pascobello told the Philippine News Agency in an interview that five houses in Sitio Baybay were battered by huge waves Tuesday evening and later by strong winds in the succeeding hours. Two other houses were knocked down by a fallen tree near a school in Sitio Ubos, Pascobello added. An estimated 30 individuals were affected and temporarily being sheltered by

Manila: The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) reported Wednesday that it has approved a total of PHP123.76 billion worth of projects from January to October 2024. Despite the lower investment commitments, which went down by 6 percent from PHP131.76 billion in the same period in 2023, the number of projects approved by the PEZA Board in the first 10 months in 2024 improved to 198 from 169 last year. These projects will boost Philippine exports by USD3.08 billion annually and generate 40,733 jobs. Job creation in PEZA ecozones this year increased by 43 percent from 28,521 jobs generated in the