Day: August 14, 2025

Mariveles: Authorities in Central Luzon scored a major win in the fight against illegal drugs with the seizure of an estimated PHP802.4 million worth of suspected shabu in Mariveles, Bataan, on Thursday. Police said six sacks containing 118 packs of suspected shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride), weighing approximately 118 kilograms, were discovered along the shoreline of Barangay Sisiman near the local lighthouse, according to the Police Regional Office-3 (PRO-3). According to Philippines News Agency, in a statement, PRO-3 said the operation stemmed from a tip provided by a concerned citizen. Acting swiftly, personnel from the Mariveles Municipal Police Station, Bataan Provincial Police

Manila: The National Museum of the Philippines (NMP), in collaboration with the Asian Cultural Council (ACC) Philippines, has inaugurated a new exhibition at the National Museum of Fine Arts. The exhibit, titled ‘Layers and Shadows,’ showcases 14 artworks by contemporary Filipino artist Demi Padua, renowned for his expertise in trompe l’oeil, a visual art technique that creates realistic, three-dimensional illusions using light, shadow, and texture. According to Philippines News Agency, the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the exhibit was led by First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, alongside NMP Board of Trustees Chairman Andoni Aboitiz, NMP Director General Jeremy Barns, ACC Philippines Foundation

Manila: The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) on Thursday facilitated the distribution of 33,694 hectares (ha.) of land to 17,564 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) in the Caraga Region during a ceremonial distribution in Patin-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur. According to Philippines News Agency, of the total land distributed, 19,394 ha. are in Agusan del Sur, 9,594 ha. in Surigao del Sur, 3,176 ha. in Surigao del Norte, 922 ha. in Dinagat Islands, and 608 ha. in Agusan del Norte. DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III led the distribution of land titles to the beneficiaries, accompanied by DAR Caraga Regional Director Merlita

Manila: A PHP17.4-million rice processing system (RPS) was officially inaugurated and handed over to the local government of Taraka, Lanao del Sur, enhancing agricultural support for local farmers. According to Philippines News Agency, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) facilitated the project, fulfilling President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to modernize agriculture at the grassroots level. MinDA Secretary Leo Tereso Magno emphasized that the project signifies the President’s commitment to making agricultural progress tangible in the fields. The facility, funded by the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program through the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and

Dumaguete: Negros Oriental’s overall inflation rate has decreased to -1.4 percent in July from -1.1 percent in the previous month, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in the province said Thursday. ‘The decline is attributed to commodity prices that are adjusting slightly, and the purchasing power of consumers has strengthened,’ Engr. Ariel Fortuito, PSA-Negros Oriental provincial chief, said in an interview. According to Philippines News Agency, a PSA-Negros Oriental report showed that the main driver of the headline inflation in July was primarily the commodity group, Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages, which declined by -2.9 percent from -2.2 percent. This was followed