Day: July 9, 2025

Manila: Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. on Wednesday called on researchers to continue exploring bioscience and harness innovation in this field. “By connecting scientific breakthroughs with community needs, the biosciences can provide relevant, transdisciplinary, and comprehensive solutions that promote community resilience, environmental responsibility, and economic progress,” he said during the National Academy of Science and Technology’s 47th annual scientific meeting. According to Philippines News Agency, Solidum cited as an example the country’s drug discovery and development program called Tuklas Lunas, which currently supports 29 institutions in developing locally-derived therapeutic agents and possible commercialization of new

Manila: The Department of Energy (DOE) might not have the police powers to run after erring oil companies, but it continues to monitor and report violations to other relevant agencies, its officer-in-charge said Wednesday. According to Philippines News Agency, Energy OIC Sharon Garin mentioned that the issue of an oil cartel in the country is based on unconfirmed information. She acknowledged the existence of some forms of anti-competitive behavior in the industry, though not widespread. “There are still some activities that are not of the best interest of the public,” Garin stated. The DOE remains vigilant in its monitoring efforts.

Talisay city: The Department of Justice’s (DOJ) anti-agricultural smuggling arm has announced the seizure of 26,526 sacks of smuggled rice valued at PHP38 million from a warehouse in Talisay City, Cebu. This significant operation marks an important step in the fight against agricultural smuggling in the country. According to Philippines News Agency, the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage (AAES) Council conducted its first enforcement operation on June 20, following a directive from the Executive Committee. The committee issued a letter of authority instructing the enforcement group (EG) to inspect various warehouses in Kimba Compound suspected of housing smuggled agricultural products in violation

Manila: The draft circular on nuclear power, set for discussion during a public consultation next week, proposes to offer power distribution utilities (DUs) an additional option to meet energy demand, according to a Department of Energy (DOE) official. DOE’s Energy Utilization Management Bureau Director Patrick Aquino stated that the proposal provides DUs with alternative sources of capacity. According to Philippines News Agency, the proposed circular is not a mandate but is guided by the principles of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) regarding the least cost. Aquino emphasized that the circular gives electric power industry participants the choice to