Day: July 8, 2025

Laguna: Governor Sol Aragones has pledged full support to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across Laguna, emphasizing their key role in promoting local food tourism and nurturing grassroots talent. Speaking Monday during her first flag-raising ceremony as provincial chief executive, Aragones highlighted a new initiative showcasing delicacies from each district during weekly gatherings at the provincial capitol. Employees and guests were treated to a spread of specialties from the province’s third district. According to Philippines News Agency, under the program, each flag-raising ceremony will feature free delicacies from an assigned district, alongside performances and exhibitions highlighting local talents. Among

Butuan city: Twin encounters Monday morning in the hinterlands of Barangay Pianing, Butuan City, resulted in the death of an unidentified New People’s Army (NPA) rebel and the recovery of two high-powered firearms. According to Philippines News Agency, the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID) stated that troops from the 29th Infantry Battalion (29IB), under the operational control of the 901st Infantry Brigade, were dispatched early Monday in response to civilian reports of NPA insurgents in the area. The first armed confrontation occurred at approximately 5:20 a.m. and lasted over two minutes before the rebels abandoned their position. The second

Donsol: A Philippine serpent eagle (Spilornis holospilus) found in a barangay in Donsol, Sorsogon, was turned over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Bicol (DENR-5) on Monday. The eagle, appearing weak and dehydrated, was initially rescued in Barangay Dancalan in Donsol. According to Philippines News Agency, Francisco Milla, DENR Bicol Regional Executive Director, stated that a concerned citizen, Lalaine Herrera Amor, cared for the eagle for about three weeks. Amor noted that after its recovery and release into the wild, the eagle returned multiple times, prompting her to contact DENR for appropriate handling and rehabilitation. DENR Bicol

Northern samar: A lawmaker in Northern Samar is pushing for livelihood or skills training for beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) to help them escape poverty. House Bill 604, introduced by Northern Samar 2nd District Rep. Edwin Ongchuan, proposes critical amendments to Republic Act (RA) 11310 or the 4Ps Act, with an added focus on livelihood and self-reliance. According to Philippines News Agency, Ongchuan stated that while 4Ps has long provided crucial financial assistance to poor families to support children’s education, health, and nutrition, the proposed bill introduces a new dimension: the integration of skills development and livelihood

Tacloban: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has released PHP12.92 million to support college students who participated in its reading tutorial initiative across Leyte and Samar provinces. This financial aid was provided to students who took part in the “Tara, Basa!” program, which ran from May 19 to June 13. According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD Eastern Visayas regional information officer Jonalyndie Chua stated in a phone interview that approximately 1,512 college students from five regional campuses received their cash-for-work payments. These payments, amounting to PHP8,550 per student, were based on the prevailing regional minimum wage. The DSWD