Day: April 24, 2025

Manila: The Department of Health (DOH), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, has reiterated the importance of achieving vaccine coverage targets to prevent outbreaks, highlighting the critical role of immunization in public health. “Vaccination is a cornerstone of the DOH’s 8-Point Action Agenda,” stated DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa in a recent news release. According to Philippines News Agency, as of February 2025, 1,542,282 of the 2,392,392 children aged 0 to 12 months have been fully vaccinated. This marks an improvement with the number of unvaccinated or ‘zero-dose children’ decreasing to 163,000 in 2023 from over 1

Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has suspended the exemption granted to several aid-related projects of the provincial government of Batangas amounting to PHP273 million amid fears that they could be used to influence voters. According to Philippines News Agency, in an en banc decision dated April 21, the Comelec revoked the exemption previously granted by its Law Department to the provincial government of Batangas in connection with the distribution of financial assistance during the election period. The poll body also directed its Law Department to look into the allegations raised by the group Progressive Allied Batangue±os (PAB) in its

Manila: Philippine Airlines (PAL) will commence direct flights to Qatar starting June 16, facilitated through a codeshare agreement with Qatar Airways, the national airline of Qatar. This daily nonstop service will operate from Ninoy Aquino International Airport. According to Philippines News Agency, PAL President Stanley Ng expressed enthusiasm about expanding the airline’s global presence through strategic alliances. Ng highlighted that the new route would offer business and leisure travelers increased flexibility and seamless access to desired destinations. The decision to introduce daily flights to Doha is expected to boost tourism, trade, and business growth, further strengthening the bilateral relationship between

Binalbagan: The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environment Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) in Western Visayas has issued an interim cease and desist order (CDO) against the Binalbagan-Isabela Sugar Co. (Biscom) Inc. for its discharge of molasses into the Binalbagan River. This action follows a significant spill from the sugar mill that occurred on April 19, contaminating the river. The order, signed by EMB-6 Regional Director Ramar Mel Pascua on April 22, mandates Biscom to stop its molasses discharge into the perimeter canal that leads to the river. According to Philippines News Agency, EMB-6 chief legal officer Wilma Lagance confirmed the issuance

Manila: Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino has unveiled documents suggesting the Chinese Embassy in Manila engaged in a covert online disinformation campaign in the Philippines by allegedly hiring a local marketing firm. During a session of the Senate Special Committee on Maritime and Admiralty Zones, Tolentino presented evidence that the Chinese Embassy paid approximately PHP930,000 to Infinitus Marketing Solutions, a Philippine-based company, to establish and manage troll farms. According to Philippines News Agency, these troll farms were reportedly tasked with disseminating disinformation, attacking Philippine government officials, and promoting pro-China narratives through fake social media profiles. Tolentino highlighted contract details and