Day: August 13, 2025

Davao city: The Department of Agriculture-Davao (DA-11), the Durian Industry Association of Davao City, and SM Lanang launched the 11th Durian Festival on Tuesday afternoon as part of this month’s Kadayawan Festival. In his speech, DA-11 Director Macario Gonzaga said the event is a strategic platform for promoting the local durian industry, enhancing market visibility, and driving economic growth. According to Philippines News Agency, the Durian Festival, which runs from Aug. 12 to Sept. 14, is an annual event that continues to promote the durian industry and recognize the hard work of local farmers and producers. ‘It is a testament

Balagtas: Around 5 million rice farmers and workers are anticipated to gain from the government’s PHP20 per kilogram rice initiative, ‘Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na,’ as announced by the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday. This program was inaugurated at the National Food Authority (NFA) warehouse in Balagtas, Bulacan, marking a significant step toward supporting Filipino farmers with subsidized rice and reducing production costs. According to Philippines News Agency, the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) data suggests that approximately five million rice farmers and workers will qualify for this program once it is completely implemented. Agriculture Secretary

Manila: State-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) has urged the public to invest in the Bureau of the Treasury’s (BTr) latest Retail Treasury Bonds (RTBs) and help the national government to raise funds for its priority development programs. ‘Investing in the RTBs presents an excellent opportunity for ordinary Filipinos to grow their hard-earned savings as it is an accessible and low-risk instrument that offers steady returns, aside from directly contributing to the realization of the development agenda of the Marcos administration,’ DBP President and Chief Executive Officer Michael de Jesus said. According to Philippines News Agency, the latest RTB

Manila: Jose Takei, an 82-year-old man of Japanese descent living in the Philippines, is striving to obtain Japanese citizenship after becoming stateless following World War II. Keen to secure his nationality while still in good health, Takei recently visited Japan for the first time, facilitated by the Japanese Foreign Ministry. During his visit, he reunited with relatives in Kawachinagano, Osaka Prefecture, and submitted his application for Japanese nationality at the Tokyo Family Court. According to Philippines News Agency, Takei was born in May 1943 to a Japanese father employed by the Philippines’ national railway and a Filipino mother. Before Takei’s

Naujan: Twenty-two persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the Naujan District Jail attended an information drive on Tuesday to learn about the benefits of the Social Security System (SSS) and how they can start contributions even while in detention. According to Philippines News Agency, the activity was led by SSS representatives and focused on the importance of membership and the advantages it offers, including retirement, disability, and death benefits. The SSS explained how voluntary contributions can be made by PDLs through authorized representatives or family members, ensuring their membership remains active even while they are in custody. By doing so,