Day: January 30, 2025

Madrid: The Department of Agriculture in the Caraga Region (DA-13) distributed PHP5.5 million worth of discount vouchers to rice farmers in Madrid, Surigao del Sur, on Thursday. The distribution aims to support local farmers and enhance rice production in the region. According to Philippines News Agency, the 2,624 vouchers cover 2,888 hectares of rice fields and include subsidies for fertilizer, bio-fertilizer, and soil ameliorant. The agency also announced plans to distribute vouchers to farmers in other towns in Surigao del Sur from February to March. For the entire province, DA-13 allocated PHP8.2 million for seed discount vouchers covering 1,650 hectares,

Manila: Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino has called for the establishment of a Virology Institute of the Philippines (VIP) to enhance the country’s response to animal-borne diseases such as African swine fever (ASF). Tolentino emphasized the need for the institute while advocating for the passage of Senate Bill (SB) 2893, which aims to address the overlapping mandates of various agencies dealing with ASF. According to Philippines News Agency, Tolentino also submitted Senate Resolution 565, directing the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform to investigate ASF’s impact on local pork production, supply, and prices. He noted that the prolonged

Marilaque: The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Thursday summoned a motorcycle rider who survived a crash with a fellow rider after doing a “Superman” stunt while driving along the Marilaque (Marikina-Rizal-Laguna-Quezon) Highway. In a statement, LTO chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II said the show cause order (SCO) was sent to the rider’s residence in Lipa City, Batangas province. According to Philippines News Agency, Mendoza expressed his views on the incident, stating, ‘I personally saw the video and although it was really tragic, that could have not happened if they just chose to be responsible motorcycle riders.’ The LTO has