Day: June 11, 2025

Tacloban City: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has distributed approximately 2,078 family food packs (FFPs) to truckers and porters stranded due to the 3-ton load limit imposed on the San Juanico Bridge. This bridge serves as a crucial link between Luzon and Mindanao. According to Philippines News Agency, the DSWD also provided 443 bottles of water, each containing 6.6 liters, and PHP14,000 worth of financial assistance under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations program. The department reported that in total, more than PHP1.2 million worth of food and non-food items, as well as financial aid, were

La Union: La Union’s inflation rate inched up to 1.7 percent in May 2025, a slight increase from 1.3 percent in April. According to Philippines News Agency, Dr. Danites Te±ido, chief statistical specialist of PSA La Union, attributed the uptick mainly to higher inflation in three major sectors: housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (71.7 percent share); food and non-alcoholic beverages (37.9 percent share); and restaurants and accommodation services (3.4 percent share). ‘The rise in overall inflation was primarily driven by a faster increase in food and non-alcoholic beverages, which rose to 1.6 percent in May from just 0.8

Eastern Visayas: Eastern Visayas officials welcomed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s decision to declare a state of calamity in the region, saying this will expedite government response to the transport crisis and the repair of the San Juanico Bridge. Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez, chairperson of the Regional Development Council (RDC), said Proclamation 920, signed by the President on June 5, 2025, and in effect for a year, implies that the Chief Executive is serious in addressing the crisis arising from the 3-ton load limit on the bridge that links Leyte and Samar provinces. According to Philippines News Agency, the

Iloilo: The Department of Science and Technology in Western Visayas (DOST 6) will hold a three-day Artificial Intelligence (AI) Festival from August 11 to 13 with the theme ‘Coding a Better Future: Responsible AI for Cities and Communities.’ The event aims to humanize artificial intelligence and advocate for its ethical and responsible use, especially as AI becomes increasingly integrated into daily life. According to Philippines News Agency, DOST assistant regional director for technical operations Keithlyn Sarah Bernardino stated in a press conference on Wednesday that the initiative is part of efforts to position not only Iloilo but also Region 6

Bacolod City: Several companies employing minimum wage earners in Negros Occidental are set to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) to avail of the PHP20 per kg rice for their workers. Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Negros Occidental Provincial Head Carmela Abellar stated that their office is facilitating the companies’ requirements for inclusion in the ‘Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na’ program. According to Philippines News Agency, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is preparing the advice for the National Food Authority. The DA announced it would allocate 1.2 million kg of rice monthly for 120,000