Day: January 29, 2025

Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to release 150,000 metric tons of National Food Authority (NFA) rice stocks to mitigate high prices and address potential food security emergencies. The initiative aims to stabilize rice prices in areas most affected by cost surges. According to Philippines News Agency, the plan involves distributing around three million 50-kilogram bags over six months. This strategy aims to counteract the rising rice prices and ensure that the affected regions have access to affordable rice. The DA is also set to procure palay at PHP23 per kilo in the coming months, aligning with the

Quezon City: The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has reported a surge in online trolls targeting government social media pages following increased transparency efforts in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), an official said Wednesday. During the UTAK Forum in Quezon City, PCG Spokesperson for the WPS, Commodore Jay Tarriela, revealed that these trolls-persons or groups that deliberately post inflammatory messages-have been particularly aggressive in spreading misinformation about the WPS. According to Philippines News Agency, Tarriela stated, “I think this is their reaction to the transparency efforts that the National Task Force (NTF) for WPS is doing right now.” He added that

Surigao City: Police filed 10 charges against the leaders and members of the Federal Tribal Government of the Philippines (FTGP) in Surigao City on Tuesday. Authorities filed malicious mischief, alarm and scandal, grave coercion, usurpation of authority, physical injury, serious illegal detention, grave threats, cyber libel, and violations of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 against FTGP leaders Jorgeto Corpuz Santisas, Lourdes Latraca Infante, and Jhavie Latraca Infante. The group also faces charges of violating the election gun ban. According to Philippines News Agency, ‘We fully support the move of the local police,’ said Maj. Jennifer Omiter, information office chief

Baguio City: Cordillera farmers have the capacity to minimize the impact of possible frost phenomenon on crops with the help of various forms of government aid, an executive of the Department of Agriculture in the Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR) said. Frost phenomenon occurs when temperatures drop usually during the first two months of the year. According to Philippines News Agency, Aida Pagtan, chief of the DA-CAR Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Service (RAFIS), stated that farmers have been provided with equipment such as sprinklers, water hoses, PVC hoses, and watering pails to help mitigate the effects of frost. Farmers have

MANILA: The rank-and-file employees union of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has urged the appointment of officials from within its ranks to replace two retiring commissioners. The call comes as the Comelec prepares for the May 2025 national elections, the inaugural Bangsamoro parliamentary elections, and the scheduled barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in December. According to Philippines News Agency, the Comelec-Employees Union (EU) emphasized the importance of appointing individuals who are well-versed in election laws, administration, and management. The union believes that such appointments would be advantageous during a period when the Comelec is tasked with overseeing three significant electoral