Day: March 24, 2025

Quezon City: Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. is set to meet his American counterpart, Department of Defense (DOD) Secretary Pete Hegseth, on March 28 at Camp Aguinaldo. This meeting marks their first face-to-face encounter following a preliminary phone call in February. According to Philippines News Agency, the DND released an advisory on Monday confirming the meeting’s venue. During their initial phone conversation, Secretary Teodoro extended his congratulations to Secretary Hegseth on his recent appointment, with both officials expressing a positive outlook on enhancing the defense ties between the Philippines and the United States. During his address

Bicol: A total of 100,414 minimum wage earners in the Bicol Region will receive an additional PHP40 in their daily wages following the approval of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB). Wage Order No. RBV-22 has increased the daily minimum wage in the region from PHP395 to PHP435 for all sectors and industries, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in a news release on Monday. According to Philippines News Agency, the wage adjustment will be implemented in two tranches, with the first on April 5 and the second on December 1. Retail and service establishments

Pasig City: Jude Garcia of Criss Cross was named Player of the Week Monday for his performance in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference. The league’s two-time Most Valuable Player delivered 12 points, including three blocks, in leading the King Crunchers to a 25-22, 25-18, 25-18 victory over the Savouge Spin Doctors in the opener of the round-robin semifinals last Sunday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. According to Philippines News Agency, Criss Cross, which survived two five-set duels against Savouge in the elimination round games, banked on Garcia to beat last year’s Invitational Conference bronze medalist. “We really

Davao de Oro: The provincial government of Davao de Oro announced on Monday the groundbreaking of several infrastructure projects set to be implemented across various municipalities. Governor Dorothy Gonzaga, in an online post, highlighted the projects, which include the installation of 64 solar streetlights in Barangays Nuevo Iloco and Bawani in Mawab town, 21 solar streetlights in Barangay Pindasan in Mabini town, and the concreting of a 600-meter road in Barangay Naboc, Monkayo town. According to Philippines News Agency, other projects include a 20-meter road construction in Barangay Magangit, New Bataan, a 670-meter concrete drainage system, and a 172-meter earth

Baguio City: It was business as usual for drivers and operators of public utility vehicles (PUV) here on Monday amid the start of a three-day nationwide transport strike set by groups opposed to the PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP). In a joint statement, 16 transport cooperatives and corporations operating in Baguio City and nearby areas voiced their support to the government’s PUVMP. According to Philippines News Agency, the groups expressed their unified stance saying, “United we stand in support to modernize the transport system in the Cordilleras.” While they are in favor of the PUVMP and have shunned the transport strike,