Day: May 29, 2025

Manila: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has called on the Department of Health (DOH) to approve the immediate suspension of increased fees for facility registration and certificate of product registration for health products. This request comes as the FDA seeks to reassess certain provisions of Administrative Order No. 2024-0016, which mandates these increased fees. According to Philippines News Agency, FDA Director General Paolo Teston emphasized the need for the proposed suspension to be effective seven days following the DOH’s approval. The suspension is set to last for 60 days unless the DOH secretary decides to lift or extend it.

Manila: The National Food Authority (NFA) is intensifying its palay procurement operations nationwide as the government evaluates a proposed floor price for unmilled rice to protect farmers from unfair trading practices and stabilize the market. In an interview over Radyo Pilipinas, NFA Administrator Larry Lacson emphasized the operational status of newly reopened warehouses in Bulacan, Zamboanga, Cagayan Valley, and other rice-producing areas. According to Philippines News Agency, Lacson highlighted the reopening of several warehouses, including those in Bulacan’s Maytika, which has a 70,000-bag capacity. Despite incomplete renovations, these facilities are already receiving palay to support farmers in Bulacan and surrounding

Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has accepted the courtesy resignation of Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson Prospero de Vera III, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin announced Thursday. De Vera will be replaced by CHED Commissioner Shirley Agrupis, a former president of the Mariano Marcos State University in Ilocos Norte, as revealed in a press briefing in Malaca±ang. According to Philippines News Agency, De Vera was appointed as CHED Commissioner in 2016, became the officer-in-charge of the agency in January 2018, and was officially appointed as chairperson in October 2018 by then president Rodrigo Duterte. He was reappointed by President

Tokyo: The Japanese government reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening ties with the Philippines as it praised the two states’ rapidly growing partnership, which it said has evolved into ‘near-alliance status.’ Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo held a bilateral meeting in Tokyo on Wednesday and affirmed the two states’ commitment to further strengthen ties, including the foundation for increased security and defense cooperation. According to Philippines News Agency, Minister Iwaya stated that through the Japan-Philippines Summit Meeting in April this year, Japan has been able to further strengthen its relations with the Philippines, a ‘neighbor’

Manila: Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla, and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. will continue to be part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Cabinet, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin announced Thursday. Speaking to Palace reporters, Bersamin confirmed the news, stating that Marcos opted to keep the trio in their current positions to ensure the continued smooth operation of their respective departments. According to Philippines News Agency, this move comes after Marcos’ directive for a Cabinet revamp following the May 12 midterm elections, part of a broader push to enhance government efficiency and responsiveness. Bersamin explained that