Day: July 7, 2025

Palo: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday led the launching of the National Fiber Backbone (NFB) Project Phases 2 and 3 in Palo, Leyte, as part of government efforts to extend fast and reliable internet access across more regions in the country, especially in remote and underserved communities. According to Philippines News Agency, the expanded phases of the NFB will provide an additional 100 gigabits per second (Gbps) of bandwidth through 31 new nodes of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), benefiting at least 20 provinces, 1,000 government agencies, and an estimated 1.39 million users. In his

Central luzon: The Police Regional Office (PRO) 3 in Central Luzon has confiscated over PHP8.5 million worth of illegal drugs and arrested 222 individuals involved in drug-related activities from June 29 to July 5. In a statement, PRO3 chief Brig. Gen Rogelio Pe±ones Jr. emphasized the extensive operations carried out by police units across the region during this period. According to Philippines News Agency, these efforts resulted in 141 anti-illegal drug operations, leading to the seizure of 1,086.28 grams of shabu, 3,283.85 grams of dried marijuana leaves, and 520 grams of kush, a high-grade variant of marijuana. Additionally, the operations

Manila: Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Monday filed the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, warning abusive online lending firms that they will be held fully accountable under the proposed measure once enacted. Gatchalian said the bill, one of his priority proposals for the 20th Congress, aims to protect borrowers from harassment, intimidation, and psychological abuse by unscrupulous online lending apps (OLAs). According to Philippines News Agency, the senator emphasized the inhumane nature of debt collection practices involving threats and abuse, particularly targeting impoverished citizens who resort to borrowing out of necessity. Gatchalian highlighted a tragic incident involving a resident of Valenzuela

Negros oriental: A remote public high school in Negros Oriental is the latest beneficiary of a joint initiative by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and the Department of Education (DepEd) to improve access to digital learning tools in far-flung communities. According to Philippines News Agency, Patroci±a D. Encarnacion National High School received PHP400,000 worth of information and communications technology (ICT) equipment, including nine laptops, two printers, and three wall fans, as part of GSIS’s Adopt-a-School program. This initiative supports last mile schools-institutions located in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. The school, which was previously known as Jose B. Cardenas

Cotabato city: Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. emphasized the importance of consistently involving indigenous peoples (IPs) in the peace and development process. “When we say all Filipinos, we must always include our indigenous peoples and their communities,” he stated, noting that their rich history and culture form the very foundations of the national identity. According to Philippines News Agency, a consultative meeting was held on July 3 at Camp Siongco in Cotabato City to address the welfare and protect the rights of Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples (NMIPs) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous