Day: June 16, 2025

La Trinidad: The local government unit (LGU) of La Trinidad, along with residents, has successfully obtained a temporary restraining order to protect the Shilan Communal Forest. This legal action comes as a relief to the community, including children, who depend on the forest for vital resources. According to Philippines News Agency, the case was initiated by the LGU in 2020 after discovering unauthorized bulldozing activities by defendants in the communal forest. This unauthorized activity posed a threat to the forest, which is a crucial source of water and one of the few remaining green patches in the area. Bartolome Baldas,

Quezon City: Newly appointed Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla formally took over the leadership of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) during a ceremony held on Monday. In his speech, Lotilla expressed his gratitude to outgoing Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga, acknowledging her efforts in driving science-based policy reforms and advancing climate resilience programs that have benefited vulnerable communities across the country. According to Philippines News Agency, Loyzaga emphasized the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., which are to build on the strengths that the DENR has accumulated over the past three years. The turnover ceremony symbolized a

Manila: Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday urged the incoming 20th Congress to continue investigating online gaming activities in the country. Cayetano expressed concerns about the growing prevalence of online gaming among Filipinos, even after the measure to ban Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) was passed. According to Philippines News Agency, Cayetano highlighted in a news release that despite the recent legislative success in banning POGO, online gaming activities persist and are expanding. “Ang problema, ipinagbawal na natin ang POGO, pero lumalaki naman ang online industry na puro mga Pilipino ang tumataya (The problem is we were able to ban

Baguio: The Benguet Electric Cooperative (Beneco) expressed optimism regarding the imminent signing of a bill by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that would grant the cooperative a renewed 25-year franchise. This extension is anticipated to facilitate negotiations for a stable power supply and more favorable electricity prices. According to Philippines News Agency, Chris Gonzales, head of Beneco’s Community Relations Office, emphasized the importance of electricity for daily life and livelihood, noting the President’s awareness of these concerns. The legislative body has already passed bills in both houses approving the 25-year franchise for Beneco and several other electric distribution utilities across the

Iloilo City: MORE Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power) is poised to extend its services to 15 municipalities and one component city in Iloilo province after the Supreme Court conclusively denied the motion for reconsideration from electric cooperatives contesting the validity of MORE Power’s expanded franchise. According to Philippines News Agency, MORE Power’s legal officer, Elizabeth Dyhn Cabunagan, stated that the Supreme Court’s ruling confirms the legitimacy of MORE Power’s expanded franchise, enabling the company to broaden its electric distribution services beyond Iloilo City to include various areas in the province. This decision, received on June 13, is seen as