Day: January 1, 2025

MANILA: The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the Philippines concluded 2024 on a high note, marking a leap year defined by significant diplomatic achievements. The year was characterized by the country’s adept navigation of complex regional geopolitics while advancing its national interests. According to Philippines News Agency, a pivotal moment came in July when the Philippines reached a ‘provisional arrangement’ with China concerning rotation and resupply missions in the Ayungin Shoal. This agreement represented the first formal diplomatic accord between the two nations regarding the West Philippine Sea. It followed a tense confrontation on June 17 between the Chinese

BAGUIO CITY: A devastating fire on New Year’s Day in the province of Benguet left 36 families without homes after destroying 26 houses and a church. The blaze, which occurred along Camp 4, Kennon Road in Tuba, also resulted in one fatality and forced the temporary closure of the road to vehicular traffic. According to Philippines News Agency, the fire ignited around 5:30 a.m. and engulfed approximately 2,500 square meters of land, causing an estimated PHP37.5 million in property damage. Among the destroyed structures was a worship hall belonging to the Iglesia ni Cristo. Firefighters managed to bring the fire

MANILA: State lawyers are set to conduct a detailed inventory of the assets belonging to shuttered Philippine overseas gaming operators (POGOs) after the industry ban deadline instituted by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expired at the end of 2024, the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) announced on Wednesday. According to Philippines News Agency, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra outlined the OSG’s extensive post-POGO responsibilities, which include the cancellation of fraudulently obtained birth certificates by foreign nationals and the forfeiture of their illegally acquired real estate and other assets within the Philippines. Guevarra stated that the scale of the assets’ value,

MANILA: The Philippines recorded over 19 million inbound and outbound travelers in 2024, marking a significant resurgence in the country’s travel industry, according to data from the Bureau of Immigration (BI). With a total of 14,540,533 arrivals, including 7,922,052 Filipinos and 6,618,481 foreign nationals, along with 15,050,136 departures, the figures underscore the nation’s growing appeal as a global tourism and business hub. According to Philippines News Agency, Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado attributed the robust travel numbers to the revitalization of international travel and the Philippines’ attractiveness as a premier destination, bolstered by the Department of Tourism’s active campaign to lure

MANILA: The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) announced plans to increase the delivery of housing units to beneficiaries of the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program as the new year commences. The agency emphasized a commitment to a continuous turnover of units, aiming to alleviate housing challenges for many Filipinos. According to Philippines News Agency, DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar expressed confidence in the upcoming weeks, anticipating a steady handover of 4PH units to eligible beneficiaries. This initiative follows a significant event in December 2024, where 4PH units in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija, were distributed to