Day: April 24, 2025

Tacloban: A nine-hectare mangrove area in the coastal village of Paraiso is being considered as an urban green space to enhance climate resilience and promote environmental conservation in the city. Drawing from the lessons of Super Typhoon Yolanda’s destruction in 2013, efforts are underway to conserve the Paraiso Mangrove and Eco-learning Park through a partnership led by Pintakasi for Landscape Restoration Inc., the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), and the City Agriculture Office. According to Philippines News Agency, the collaboration has also involved State Universities and Colleges to raise student

Manila: Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo announced that Japan and the Philippines are set to sign multiple bilateral agreements during the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to Manila next week. Manalo stated that while the exact number of agreements is yet to be confirmed, discussions will encompass a broad range of political, economic, and cultural issues. According to Philippines News Agency, the Department of Foreign Affairs has not yet disclosed the specific agreements that are expected to be signed. Manalo emphasized the importance of the visit, highlighting the ongoing efforts by both governments to strengthen their strategic partnership.

Pagudpud: Tourism stakeholders in Ilocos Norte are looking forward to developing more budget-friendly destinations to attract more visitors, particularly those who want to enrich their travel experience without spending too much. The Ilocos Norte Tourism Office (INTO) saw this emerging trend as the province welcomed almost 350,000 day visitors during the Holy Week. According to Philippines News Agency, Resyln Salud, who owns a lodging house in the coastal village of Saud in Pagudpud town, mentioned that they were fully booked for the whole week. “Business is good. We have so many visitors during the weekend,” Salud reported. Latest accommodation data

Manila: The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board, chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., has approved a three-year program to improve food insecurity and malnutrition measures. The NEDA Board approved the Reducing Food Insecurity and Undernutrition with Electronic Vouchers (REFUEL) Project during its final meeting on Wednesday before its transition to become the Economy and Development (ED) Council as mandated by Republic Act (RA) 12145. RA 12145 also gave the NEDA greater authority as the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev). According to Philippines News Agency, the REFUEL project is set to be implemented from July 2025

Manila: The Philippine Navy (PN) has announced the detection of two vessels from the China People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) off the northern coast of Luzon on April 22. These developments highlight ongoing maritime activities in the region. According to Philippines News Agency, this observation was facilitated by the PN’s “intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities.” The PLAN vessels were identified at different locations, indicating separate operations. Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, PN spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, reported that the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong was initially detected at approximately 3 a.m., positioned around 101.3 nautical miles off Burgos, Ilocos