Day: January 6, 2025

Abu Dhabi: A total of 220 Filipinos detained in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were pardoned on the occasion of the Gulf State’s 53rd National Day, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday. According to Philippines News Agency, the UAE leadership traditionally grants pardons to celebrate its national day on Dec. 2. The pardon for Filipinos, which was announced on Dec. 26, 2024, was granted in view of the distinguished friendship between the two countries, the agency added. ‘It is the direct result of President Marcos’ meeting with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the

Manila: Senator Sherwin Gatchalian announced that the PHP80 million scholarship fund allocated under the 2025 national budget is crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of child development workers (CDWs) in their roles. According to Philippines News Agency, Gatchalian, who serves as the chair of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, stated in a news release that the scholarship fund will support the upskilling and reskilling of CDWs. The PHP80 million budget is designated under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s (TESDA) Promotion, Development, and Implementation of Quality Technical Education and Skills Development Programs. The special provision prioritizes incumbent CDWs whose

Baguio City: Monday’s turnover of the 240-hectare leased areas of Camp John Hay to the government did not encounter hitches. The Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) has gained control of different facilities following a Supreme Court decision in October 2024 that ordered the private developer, Camp John Hay Development Corporation (CJHDevCo), to turn over management of the leased property. According to Philippines News Agency, Leilani Macasaet, BCDA vice president for public affairs, said in a statement that they have gained control of The Manor, Forest Lodge, golf club, CAP Convention Center, Commander’s Cottage, open spaces and other areas. “BCDA assures

Manila: The Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) has distributed PHP2.89 billion in loans to almost 65,000 rice farmers through the Expanded Rice Credit Assistance of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ERCA-RCEF) over the past six years. According to Philippines News Agency, Landbank stated that from 2019 to 2024, the ERCA-RCEF program has benefitted 17,767 individual farmers and 270 cooperatives, which collectively have more than 47,100 members. A significant majority, 98 percent, of these loans have been allocated to individual rice farmers. The ERCA-RCEF initiative is designed to assist farmers in their rice production, post-harvest activities, and in acquiring farm

Iloilo City: Top officials of the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army in Western Visayas welcomed the arrest of three individuals accused of terrorism financing in Negros Occidental. In a statement on Monday, Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky, director of Police Regional Office (PRO)-6, emphasized the critical role that terrorism financing plays in the operations of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF). “It remains the single, most utilized strategy in their desperate bid to overthrow our democratic government. Cutting the source and prosecuting those who facilitate the generation of these funds will put an end