Day: March 20, 2025

Apayao: A total of 175 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in the province of Apayao have benefitted from the PHP3.3 million worth of farm machinery and equipment from the Department of Agrarian Reform. The machinery is expected to boost productivity and enhance the livelihood of farmers who are members of six agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) across Apayao. According to Philippines News Agency, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) announced that the farm machinery and equipment (FME) provided are designed to empower farmers with modern technology. Gilbert Galut, chairman of the Cajoma Multipurpose Cooperative (CAJOMA MPC) in Pudtol, one of the

Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has vetoed a bill that sought to declare Pampanga as the “Culinary Capital of the Philippines.” In a letter to the House of Representatives dated March 12, Marcos explained that while Pampanga’s culinary contributions are widely recognized, officially designating it as the country’s culinary capital could undermine the diversity of Philippine cuisine. According to Philippines News Agency, the President noted that the bill lacked a historical basis and key performance indicators to justify such a declaration, warning that it could offend other provinces with similarly rich culinary traditions. Marcos emphasized that Filipino cuisine reflects

Manila: The Philippines is an ‘independent’ country, Malaca±ang stated on Thursday, dismissing claims that the nation has become a ‘province of The Hague.’ Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro emphasized the country’s sovereignty, countering such insinuations. According to Philippines News Agency, Senator Imee Marcos expressed her discontent during a Senate hearing on former President Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest. She questioned the perceived allowance of ‘outsiders’ to intervene by surrendering Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for charges of crimes against humanity related to his drug war. Castro clarified that the Philippine government is adhering to Republic

Subic Bay: Combined military and law enforcement operatives on Wednesday arrested six foreign nationals and their two Filipino companions during operations in Grande Island, Subic Bay in Zambales province, the Department of National Defense (DND) confirmed on Thursday. According to Philippines News Agency, DND spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong stated that one of the arrested foreigners, identified as Qiu Feng, whose real name is Ye Tianwu, had an arrest warrant for violations under Republic Act (RA) 8799, the Securities Regulation Code, and RA 10175, known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. Ye, a Chinese national, is also known as

Tubay: The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in the Caraga Region (BFAR-13) has condemned the killing of a pregnant blue shark (Prionace glauca) in Barangay Cabayawa, Tubay, Agusan del Norte. In a statement Thursday, BFAR-13 said it is collaborating with the local government unit (LGU) and other agencies to investigate the incident. According to Philippines News Agency, a Facebook post on March 18 showed beachgoers pulling the beached shark from shallow waters and battering it with a piece of wood, sparking outrage online. Under the Philippine Fisheries Code (Republic Act 8550, as amended by RA 10654), it is illegal