Day: June 5, 2025

Mabalacat City: The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Thursday confiscated an illegal shipment of the suspected recreational hallucinogen commonly known as ‘ecstasy’ from France. According to Philippines News Agency, the NBI’s Pampanga District Office (PAMDO), in collaboration with the Inter-Agency Task Force Against Illegal Drugs, carried out a drug interdiction operation at the UPS Warehouse in Clark Freeport Zone, Mabalacat City, Pampanga. The operation took place after a medium-sized brown box, declared to contain animal food, was flagged for inspection by the Task Force at Clark International Airport. The inspection resulted in the seizure of four vacuum-sealed transparent plastic

Tacloban City: The Department of Education (DepEd) aims to strengthen its Project STARS (Strategic Techniques for Accelerating Readiness Skills) to improve functional literacy in Eastern Visayas this year. ‘This initiative focuses on strengthening learners’ reading and numeracy skills as early as kindergarten, laying a solid foundation for lifelong learning,’ Gertudis Mabutin, DepEd Region 8 chief of curriculum and learning management division, told reporters Thursday. According to Philippines News Agency, this development comes in light of data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showing that six out of 10 persons in Eastern Visayas are functionally literate. This places the region

Baguio: The city government’s Health Services Office (HSO) is reaching out to schools to aid in reducing vape usage among students by confiscating the devices. ‘We are collaborating with universities in curbing vaping. We hope that universities continue to do this to avoid exposing the students to unnecessary lung disorders because of vape,’ stated Dr. Celia Flor Brillantes, city health officer, during the Lung Summit Medical Mission held at the President Fidel Valdez Ramos gymnasium. According to Philippines News Agency, the event was organized by the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP). Despite a notable decrease in cigarette smoking from

Manila: The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will commence this week the feasibility study for the construction and/or replacement of 25 priority bridges in 11 regions, with a total estimated combined length of 18.78 km of bridge and approach roads. In a statement Thursday, DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the consulting services, set to officially begin on Saturday, would cover the feasibility study for the Urgent Bridges Construction Project for Rural Development (UBCPRD) Phase II. According to Philippines News Agency, DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil Sadain stated that the UBCPRD Phase II aims to enhance inter-regional connectivity and promote

Ilocos: The Ilocos police have confiscated a total of PHP13.5 million worth of illegal drugs from January to May 15 this year. The operations resulted in the seizure of around 2,000 grams of shabu through 34 buy-busts, eight warrant arrests, two search warrants, and nine other enforcement actions. A total of 53 suspects were arrested -25 in Pangasinan, 19 in La Union, five in Ilocos Norte, and four in Ilocos Sur. According to Philippines News Agency, PRO1 director Brig. Gen. Lou Evangelista stated that the police continue to strengthen their anti-illegal drug campaign. He credited the results to active police