Day: July 30, 2025

Manila: Tourists and residents were told to stay away from beaches as the government issued a tsunami warning following a powerful magnitude 8.7 earthquake off the eastern coast of Kamchatka, Russia on Wednesday. In an advisory, the Department of Tourism (DOT) urged those in shoreline communities to “move farther inland” as a precaution. According to Philippines News Agency, owners of boats in harbors, estuaries, or shallow coastal water of the affected provinces were advised to secure their boats and move away from the waterfront. Boats already at sea during this period should stay offshore in deep waters until further advised,

Manila: The country’s trade deficit fell by 8.8 percent in June this year as exports recorded double-digit growth, preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed. Data released Wednesday showed the balance of trade in goods or the difference between the value of exports and imports, amounted to a deficit of USD3.95 billion, down from the USD4.33 billion recorded in June last year. According to Philippines News Agency, export sales went up by 26.1 percent to USD7.02 billion from USD5.57 billion in June 2025. By commodity group, the PSA said electronic products continued to be the country’s top exports

Manila: Criminal charges have been filed by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) against former high-ranking officials of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) over a questionable PHP1.4-billion land deal. Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac announced that charges have been brought before the Office of the Ombudsman against former OWWA Administrator Arnell Ignacio, his two former deputy administrators, and six individuals associated with the seller group. According to Philippines News Agency, the charges pertain to violations of Republic Act 3019, also known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, RA 7080 (Anti-Plunder Act), and Article 217 of the Revised

Bicol: The National Irrigation Administration in Bicol (NIA-5) announced that 3,800 bags of affordable rice will be available for sale in its offices within the Bicol region on Thursday. Priced at just PHP29 per kilogram or PHP290 per 10-kilogram bag, this initiative aims to provide affordable rice to the local population. According to Philippines News Agency, NIA-Bicol spokesperson Ma. Cleofe Baraero highlighted that the rice will be sold across nine locations in different provinces as part of a collaboration with the National Nutrition Council (NNC) to conclude Nutrition Month activities. The sales locations include the NIA regional office in Naga

Manila: Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson George Garcia announced that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is expected to sign the measure postponing the December 1 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) “very soon”. “Any moment from now, the President could sign the law because the Palace has not given any indication that it will be vetoed by the President or that it will not be signed,” Garcia stated in an online interview. According to Philippines News Agency, once approved, the holding of BSKE will be moved to the first Monday of November 2026. Garcia assured that they are ready for