Day: April 3, 2025

Iloilo: The public must take earthquake drills seriously, as these exercises could be lifesaving during actual calamities, Iloilo Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) head Cornelio Salinas said Thursday. In an interview, Salinas emphasized the importance of these drills, conducted by the Office of the Civil Defense, as a means of preparing people to react effectively in emergencies. According to Philippines News Agency, Salinas stressed the need for the public to internalize these drills as a critical survival measure during disasters. He highlighted ongoing initiatives by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) to train barangays on

Cebu: Flag carrier Philippine Airlines is strengthening its Cebu hub by adding flight frequencies and seat capacity. Beginning this month, PAL is increasing domestic frequencies by 10 percent, or 287 weekly round-trip flights via the Mactan-Cebu International Airport. According to Philippines News Agency, the Tan-led carrier will use larger aircraft with 199-seat capacity instead of 86-seater aircraft on certain routes. This adjustment is set to boost the seat capacity via Cebu by 17 percent, translating to over 39,000 additional seats. “These additional flights and greater seat capacity reflect our flag carrier’s commitment to increase connectivity, to boost the economy, and

Quezon City: The Department of Agriculture (DA) has teamed up with the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) to expand the Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) initiative, aimed at ensuring food security and accessibility across the nation, following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive. According to Philippines News Agency, a memorandum of understanding was signed at the DA headquarters in Quezon City, setting the stage for the establishment of 61 new KNP sites this year. This is in addition to the six pop-up stores that commenced operations in 2024. In total, 67 KNP pop-up stores will be set up within PHLPost offices, covering

Ilocos: The Bagnos Multi-Purpose Cooperative is transforming the lives of farmers here with its rice coffee enterprise, which hit around PHP3.2 million in sales in 2024. With a startup capital of only PHP4,457 in 2000, the cooperative now has an asset size of PHP77 million – a success story that Amelia Bautista, project manager, ascribed to community-driven entrepreneurship, sustainable business practices, and government support. According to Philippines News Agency, as rice is one of their main products, the 1,500-member cooperative started a rice coffee business in 2008 through the convergence effort of the local government unit of Banna, the Department

Antique: Residents of Antique should be ready at all times, especially since the province is prone to earthquakes. According to Philippines News Agency, Antique Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Broderick Train made the call following an earthquake that hit Myanmar and Thailand a week ago. Train emphasized that Antique is susceptible to earthquakes as it is located along the West Panay Fault and the Tablas Fault System. He advised families to prepare a ‘go bag’ with food supplies sufficient for three days to sustain them while waiting for rescuers or response teams to arrive. Building owners were urged