Day: September 1, 2025

Manila: The Department of Agriculture-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DA-DRRM) Operations Center assured Monday that necessary aid has been prepositioned for farmers and fishers who may be affected by inclement weather. The agency made the statement considering the combined effects of Tropical Depression Jacinto, a low-pressure area (LPA), and the southwest monsoon or ‘habagat.’ According to Philippines News Agency, in Bulletin No. 4, the DA-DRRM stated that agricultural inputs are on standby in regional field offices, including rice, corn, and high-value crop seeds; drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry; and fish stocks with necessary paraphernalia. So far, 124,094 bags

Manila: AirAsia Philippines is set to bolster its operations at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport by reopening five routes on November 15. The routes will include two international and three domestic destinations, utilizing the A320 aircraft for flights from Cebu to Iloilo, Caticlan, Davao, Kuala Lumpur, and Macao. According to Philippines News Agency, passengers can begin booking their tickets for these routes starting September 3 through the airline’s website or the MOVE app. AirAsia Philippines President Suresh Bangah emphasized the strategic importance of the Cebu hub, stating, “Cebu remains a major driver in realizing our growth story in the Philippines. We

Davao city: People’s Television (PTV) Mindanao Public Affairs launched two new shows on Monday, showcasing authentic stories of the island region to a broader audience, highlighting its rich culture, people, and progress. According to Philippines News Agency, Vina Araneta-Pilapil, head of PTV Mindanao, announced the introduction of the travel show ‘Pit Stop Pinas’ and the talk show ‘Straight Shot’ during a press briefing. She explained that the motivation behind the new programs was to create content that is “new and fresh.” ‘Pit Stop Pinas,’ hosted by motovlogger Alexah Gabia, aims to feature the various locations and natural beauty of Mindanao.

Zamboanga city: Authorities have seized over PHP1.1 billion worth of illegal drugs and arrested several suspects in their intensified anti-drug campaign in Zamboanga Peninsula in August, the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group’s Special Operations Unit-9 (PDEG SOU-9) reported Monday. According to Philippines News Agency, the bulk of confiscated illegal drugs were seized in anti-drug operations in this city. The biggest drug haul involved the arrest of three suspects and the confiscation of PHP605.2 million worth of suspected shabu in Barangay Rio Hondo on August 31. The suspects were arrested in a pursuit operation when they evaded a checkpoint, the

Manila: The Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) on Monday kicked off this year’s Development Policy Research Month (DPRM) with a push for artificial intelligence (AI) rules that reflect the country’s realities. According to Philippines News Agency, PIDS president Dr. Philip Arnold Tua±o emphasized the importance of policy research in providing the necessary guidelines for governments to adopt technology responsibly. He noted that AI is beginning to change decision-making processes, resource allocation, and service delivery. Tua±o highlighted the potential of AI to make government services faster and more competitive by enabling agencies to optimize their resources. He stressed that AI-driven