Day: May 21, 2025

Negros Occidental: The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has pledged to intensify its efforts to curb the spread of red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI) in the region. The infestation, which poses a significant threat to the sugar industry, was recently reported in several farms across Victoria, Hawaiian area, Silay, Saravia, Sagay, and Lopez in the northern part of Negros Occidental. According to Philippines News Agency, the SRA is collaborating with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Crop Protection Center (NCPC) to enforce strict monitoring and quarantine protocols in the affected regions. Raphael Henri Mundo, SRA Chief Science Research Specialist,

Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is fully supportive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive on the need to shift away from politics and focus on governance that directly benefits the public. In the first episode of BBM Podcast last Monday, Marcos highlighted the recent May 2025 election results as an indication that Filipinos are ‘tired of politics’ and desire more actions from their leaders, acknowledging public disappointment over slow government services in addressing immediate, day-to-day needs. According to Philippines News Agency, Secretary Rex Gatchalian assured the President that all DSWD officials, personnel, and social workers

Manila: In observance of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial (IACM), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has renewed its call for collective action to uphold the dignity of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) to ensure their access to supportive and life-saving care services. “The DSWD is one with the international and local communities in remembering lives lost to HIV and AIDS and in strengthening the call for a stigma-free society where collective compassion and support are the greater forces that serve as lifeline to those who continue to soldier on,” DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said

Geneva: The Philippines, through the Department of Health (DOH), has called for global action to address issues in the health and care workforce. In a side event at the World Health Assembly (WHA) on Tuesday, DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa urged countries, development partners, civil society organizations, and the private sector to work together in strengthening the global health workforce. According to Philippines News Agency, Herbosa emphasized that this effort can be achieved through modern education and training systems, fair wages and decent working conditions, ethical international recruitment, and the adoption of innovative technologies for health worker training. A DOH statement

Maguindanao del Sur: The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) operatives arrested the incumbent mayor of South Upi, Maguindanao del Sur, and his wife for their alleged involvement in the killing of a vice mayor in August last year. According to Philippines News Agency, CIDG Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III stated that South Upi Mayor Reynalbert Insular and his wife, Janet, were apprehended on Tuesday in Barangay Making, Parang, Maguindanao del Norte. This arrest followed the issuance of a warrant by the Cotabato City, Maguindanao Regional Trial Court Branch 27 on May 19, which charged the couple with murder, frustrated