Day: June 2, 2025

Taguig City: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday led the ceremonial turnover of 229 newly procured vehicles and maintenance equipment to various irrigators’ associations across the country to strengthen irrigation services and support farmers facing the worsening impacts of climate change. The equipment – comprising dump trucks, backhoes, excavators, and 17 mini buses – forms the third tranche of the National Irrigation Administration’s (NIA) Re-fleeting program and is designed to boost the agency’s capacity to maintain and develop irrigation systems critical to agricultural production. According to Philippines News Agency, speaking at the turnover rites in Barangay Wawa, Marcos emphasized

Manila: Lawmakers on Monday welcomed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s decision to suspend the rehabilitation of the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), citing the need for stronger traffic management planning and public consultation to avoid worsening Metro Manila’s already dire congestion. “We laud President Marcos for heeding reason. Without adequate preparation, the closure of a portion of the main thoroughfare would result in mayhem, exacerbating the suffering of our commuters and motorists,” Senator Grace Poe said in a statement. According to Philippines News Agency, Poe urged concerned agencies to lay down a ‘comprehensive and efficient traffic management plan’ ahead

Singapore: The Philippines is looking at strengthening defense cooperation with Japan, Ukraine, and the Netherlands. Over the weekend, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. held bilateral meetings with defense officials of the three nations on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. According to Philippines News Agency, Secretary Teodoro met with Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani following their last engagement in Manila in February 2025, which preceded the visit to the Philippines of Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba last April. Secretary Teodoro expressed gratitude for Japan’s continued trust and goodwill. During the meeting on Sunday, Nakatani

Manila: Oil firms are set to implement new pump price adjustments effective June 3. According to Philippines News Agency, Cleanfuel, Caltex, Petro Gazz, Seaoil, and Shell will increase gasoline prices by 40 centavos per liter and diesel prices by 30 centavos per liter. These adjustments mark the third consecutive week of gasoline price hikes. Meanwhile, kerosene prices will see a decrease of 10 centavos per liter, as announced by Caltex, Seaoil, and Shell, marking the second consecutive week of decline for kerosene. In a related development, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices have continued their downward trend in June, marking the

Singapore: Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. emphasized the need for nations to enhance cross-regional security cooperation and counter unilateral actions that threaten the global order. He also called for rebuilding trust in multilateralism amidst “interlocking dynamics that transcend regional boundaries.” According to Philippines News Agency, Teodoro’s remarks were made during a plenary session on cross-regional security interlinkages at the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. The event was attended by defense and security leaders and experts. Teodoro highlighted the strategic competition between the United States and China as a significant factor affecting the security of the Philippines and