Day: August 27, 2025

Camarines sur: A total of 985 farmers in Camarines Sur received cash aid and modern agricultural machinery from the Department of Agriculture (DA) earlier this week. In a media release Wednesday, the DA-5 said at least 627 registered rice farmers, under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture, each received PHP7,000 in financial aid to enhance farm productivity and sustainability through the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance program. According to Philippines News Agency, a total of PHP4.38 million was distributed among the farmers. Three farmers’ associations, consisting of 203 members, received modern farming machinery. The equipment included a combine harvester

Calapan city: Persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the Calapan City District Jail have experienced a transformation in their court hearing processes, thanks to the Tech4ED (Technology for Education, Employment, Entrepreneurs, and Economic Development) program introduced by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). According to Philippines News Agency, the introduction of e-Hearings has enabled court proceedings to be conducted directly within the jail facility. This is achieved through the use of computers and an internet connection, which has resulted in expedited and more efficient trial processes. A significant benefit of this system is the reduction in government expenses

Manila: Senators are seeking to update the Philippines’ anti-espionage laws following reports of foreign nationals allegedly engaged in surveillance activities near sensitive government and military installations. At the Senate defense panel hearing, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada stated that the country’s current legal framework against espionage, anchored on the 1941 Commonwealth Act No. 616, is outdated. He urged Congress to pass the proposed Anti-Espionage Act during the 20th Congress to provide the Philippines with a stronger legal shield. According to Philippines News Agency, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros detailed a series of cases involving Chinese nationals reportedly

Eastern visayas: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has announced its preparedness for weather disturbances in Eastern Visayas by prepositioning 176,050 family food packs (FFPs). This initiative aims to enhance the region’s readiness for the rainy season’s impacts, including a current low-pressure area and the southwest monsoon, known locally as ‘habagat.’ According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD 8 (Eastern Visayas) information officer Jonalyndie Chua stated that the department has been diligently increasing its stockpile of essential supplies. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to ensure rapid delivery of relief goods in the event of severe flooding

Plaridel: The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Wednesday inspected a warehouse in Plaridel, Bulacan, leading to the discovery of approximately PHP605.29 million worth of illicit cigarettes with Chinese and Vietnamese markings. According to Philippines News Agency, the inspection was conducted through the virtue of a Letter of Authority, following intelligence reports from the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP) led by Intelligence Officer 4 Alvin Enciso, of suspicious warehouse activities. During the operation, BOC operatives uncovered 8,647 master cases of imported cigarettes without the required Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) tax stamps and the Philippine government-mandated graphic