Day: March 18, 2025

Manila: Malaca±ang on Tuesday urged local farmers to seek local government units’ (LGUs) assistance for the direct selling of their palay (unhusked rice) to the National Food Authority (NFA). This call comes amid clarifications from Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro regarding the reasons behind the decline in palay prices. According to Philippines News Agency, Undersecretary Castro clarified that the significant drop in palay prices is not due to rice imports but rather a decrease in rice prices overall. “Based on the records, our imports are low. And it is not true that this is the

Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has granted an exemption to 12 programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) from the restrictions on the release of public funds leading up to the May 12 midterm elections. According to Philippines News Agency, Memorandum No. 25-01080, revealed on Tuesday, permits the disbursement of public funds for the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) and 11 other social service initiatives. The exemption also ensures that elective officials and candidates remain prohibited from participating in distribution activities associated with these projects from March 28 to May 11, during the election

Manila: The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has emphasized the need for a comprehensive government approach to effectively address the increasing human trafficking cases in the country. Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado highlighted that while enhancing border control is essential, tackling human trafficking demands a collaborative effort that includes local government units (LGUs) and local law enforcement agencies, especially in areas used as illegal travel routes. According to Philippines News Agency, Commissioner Viado stressed the importance of collective action, stating, “Everyone must work together as there is a need to strengthen efforts at all levels to curb illegal departures. Traffickers are exploiting

Manila: The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center said eight were recently added to its pipeline of PPP projects for undertaking between the government and the private sector. According to Philippines News Agency, data released by the PPP Center showed that as of March 14 this year, projects newly added to the list include the Localized Online Visitor Ecosystem Metro Manila: Phase 2 of the Philippine Tourism Digitalization Project, Operations and Maintenance of the Panguil Bay Bridge Project, Public-Private Partnerships for School Infrastructure Project Connect, and the Construction of Septage Treatment Plant in Sagay City, Negros Occidental. Other newly added projects included

Manila: Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced that legal action is being prepared against agricultural smugglers. This announcement follows the Bureau of Plant Industry’s (BPI) filing of a complaint against JRA and Pearl Enterprises, Inc. for allegedly importing PHP2.37 million worth of fresh yellow onions from China without the necessary clearances. According to Philippines News Agency, the 25 metric tons of fresh yellow onions arrived at the Manila South Harbor without Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearances (SPSIC) in July of the previous year. In response, Tiu Laurel emphasized the ongoing efforts to combat agricultural smuggling, stating that similar legal