Day: January 6, 2025

Eastern Visayas: The number of firecracker-related injuries in the Eastern Visayas region has risen to 34, surpassing last year’s count, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Monday. According to Philippines News Agency, the number significantly increased in the first five days of 2025 from just eight cases as of December 31, 2024, as more health facilities sent updated reports to the DOH regional office. The recorded cases are higher than the 31 noted last year. Victims hail from various towns and cities across the provinces of Eastern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, and Southern Leyte. The majority of those

Cebu City: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has been invited to attend the Sinulog Festival on Jan. 19, Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia said Monday. “Perhaps he has an interest in coming here. The President has not attended Sinulog since he took office in 2022. This will be a great opportunity for him to speak to Cebuanos,” Garcia said during a press conference. He noted that Marcos last visited Cebu on July 9, 2024, when he officially opened the Palarong Pambansa. According to Philippines News Agency, the mayor said he also invited Senate President Francis Escudero, House Speaker Martin

Baguio: The executive committee (execom) of the Baguio Flower Festival (BFF) on Monday reiterated its policy against political campaigning ahead of this year’s midterm polls. ‘We will not allow campaigning. Nobody will take advantage of the festival and we have a policy on that,’ said BFF execom chair Anthony de Leon, on the sidelines of the launch of the 29th Baguio Flower Festival or ‘Panagbenga’. According to Philippines News Agency, De Leon stated that politicians may join the parade but the floats cannot carry political banners and hand-outs, and they cannot go down the floats to shake hands with the

Manila: The Philippine Coast Guard in Bicol (PCG-5) has reported that over 107,000 passengers departed from all ports in the Bicol region during the recent holiday season. According to Philippines News Agency, PCG-5 Commander, Commodore Ivan Roldan, stated that 315 personnel were deployed to various locations and ports in the region from December 20, 2024, to January 3, 2025. Roldan emphasized that these efforts were crucial in ensuring passenger safety and managing the high volume of travelers. This initiative was part of their Oplan Byaheng Ayos: Pasko 2024, which aimed to provide a safe and convenient travel experience to the

Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced that ‘Sulit rice’ will soon be available in 24 Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) Centers and kiosks. Sulit rice, which is 100 percent broken but white, will be sold at PHP36 per kilogram. According to Philippines News Agency, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. mentioned that the official rollout of the Sulit Rice program will be finalized following a positive public reception during its trial in two KNP sites in Metro Manila. He emphasized the need to ensure sufficient stock for the rollout, hinting at a possible launch next week. DA Assistant Secretary Arnel