Day: May 1, 2025

Davao City: Davao City has once again qualified to participate in the One Planet City Challenge (OPCC) for the 2025-2026 cycle, the local government said on Thursday. City Planning and Development Coordinator Engr. Ivan Cortez revealed in a television interview that One Planet Cities (OPC) recently recognized Davao among 28 global metropolises for its consistent prioritization of greenhouse gas emission reduction and its strong advocacy for sustainable development practices. According to Philippines News Agency, the One Planet City Challenge (OPCC) serves as a global initiative that provides cities with a platform to showcase and further strengthen their environmental endeavors. Engr.

Negros Oriental: Authorities seized nearly PHP7 million worth of suspected shabu and arrested two suspects in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Camanjac early Thursday. Lt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO), identified the suspects as “Gege,” 37, and “Jeb-jeb,” 22, both residents of Sitio Tuwang in Pamplona town. According to Philippines News Agency, the suspects were caught selling suspected shabu to an undercover operative at Purok Makiangahon. Police recovered around 1,000 grams of suspected shabu, valued at PHP6.8 million. Both suspects are tagged as high-value individuals on the police’s drug watchlist. This marks the third

Manila: The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced Thursday that consultations on a possible wage hike for minimum wage earners in Metro Manila will begin mid-May. DOLE-National Capital Region (NCR) Director Sarah Buena Mirasol said preparations are underway for discussions between labor and employer groups regarding a potential salary adjustment for private-sector workers. According to Philippines News Agency, Mirasol stated that consultations between workers and employers will commence in May, with a public hearing scheduled for June. The announcement was made during the Labor Day job fair at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. If the deliberations proceed smoothly

Cebu: The Department of Agriculture (DA) is ramping up preparations to expand its PHP20-per-kilo rice initiative beyond Cebu, with at least 16 additional distribution centers set to operate across Metro Manila under the KADIWA ng Pangulo program. According to Philippines News Agency, outside Cebu, DA has identified key selling points in Metro Manila, including public markets in Caloocan, Quezon City, Mandaluyong, Pasay, and Marikina, as well as DA offices and police headquarters such as Camp Crame and the Philippine National Police (PNP) Eastern District in Pasig. Each site will sell National Food Authority (NFA)-sourced rice at PHP20 per kilo to

Manila: The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has issued a landmark policy mandating all government agencies to adopt the Information Systems Strategic Plans (ISSPs) unified standards in information and communications technology (ICT) planning. The directive compels national government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), state universities and colleges (SUCs), and other covered entities to align their ICT strategies with national priorities using a centralized and quality-assured planning framework. According to Philippines News Agency, the policy was formalized under Department Circular No. HRA-001 s. 2025 ‘Adoption of a Standards-Based Approach to Information Systems Strategic Plan (ISSP) Compliance, and in