Day: February 20, 2025

La Trinidad: The municipality of La Trinidad in Benguet province launched on Thursday the 2025 Strawberry Festival that will feature a giant strawberry cake shaped into a “kayabang” (native basket) using 280 kilos of fresh berries. Valred Olsim, municipal tourism officer, said in a media interview on the sidelines of the event held at the Nazarene Bible College here that this year’s design was given a sneak-peek during last year’s festival. The town then featured two giant strawberry cakes–one red and the other, white featuring the snow-white strawberries. According to Philippines News Agency, Olsim said 500 pans of strawberry sponge

Manila: Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday called for immediate government action to stop the recruitment of Filipinos for overseas scam hubs, warning that such operations expose workers to human trafficking, torture, and other crimes. According to Philippines News Agency, Gatchalian cited intelligence reports indicating that syndicates are actively targeting Filipinos seeking job opportunities abroad, luring them into illegal operations. He urged the Bureau of Immigration, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Department of Migrant Workers to collaborate in preventing the departure of Filipinos recruited for these scam hubs. “Law enforcement agencies should also coordinate with their foreign counterparts to

Manila: For the first time, around PHP8.2 million worth of frozen durian meat and durian paste have been successfully exported to China, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Thursday. This milestone marks a significant step in boosting local productivity, enhancing the country’s presence in the global market, and ensuring food security. According to Philippines News Agency, this export is part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration’s initiative to strengthen the agricultural sector. DA-Field Office Davao Regional Executive Director Macario Gonzaga highlighted the significance of this achievement, stating, “From the fertile soils of (the) Davao Region to China’s bustling markets,

Dumaguete City: Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidate Erwin Tulfo has expressed his support for the appointment of former journalist Jay Ruiz as the new head of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO). Ruiz is set to replace outgoing Acting Secretary Cesar Chavez. According to Philippines News Agency, Tulfo, speaking to reporters in Dumaguete City, conveyed his confidence in Ruiz’s ability to assist the Marcos administration, particularly in its efforts to combat misinformation and disinformation, as well as in promoting government policies and initiatives. Tulfo highlighted his previous professional relationship with Ruiz at ABS-CBN, noting his respect for Ruiz’s capabilities.

Davao City: Davao City’s market operations generated PHP134 million in revenue in 2024, the City Economic Enterprises (CEE) said Thursday. The 2024 revenue marked a 6.5 percent increase from the 2023 figure of PHP128.1 million. According to Philippines News Agency, the CEE continues to bolster its market operations initiatives to aid economic growth. The agency manages eight public markets across the city, including Bankerohan, Agdao, Calinan, Mintal, Tibungco, Bunawan, Lasang, and Toril. The Bankerohan Public Market has been the leading market in terms of performance since 2019, with last year’s revenue reaching PHP60.7 million. In comparison, the Agdao Public Market