Day: September 2, 2025

Manila: The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday expressed gratitude to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) following the release of a Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) amounting to PHP6.767 billion. In a statement, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said the amount will be used to settle the remaining balance of the Health Emergency Allowance (HEA) for qualified health and care workers, upon the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. According to Philippines News Agency, Herbosa highlighted that similar to the previous year, the DOH has promptly managed to pay the pending claims of health and care workers within

Manila: The tourism sector is projected to generate PHP2.7 trillion for the Philippine economy in 2025, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT) on Tuesday. Speaking at the House of Representatives’ hearing on the DOT’s PHP3.7-billion proposed budget for 2026, Tourism Undersecretary Verna Buensuceso emphasized the role of domestic travel as a key driver for the sector. According to Philippines News Agency, Buensuceso highlighted projections indicating that tourism employment is expected to reach 6.8 million, with the sector contributing PHP2.7 trillion in gross value added. In 2024, the Tourism Direct Gross Value Added (TDGVA) contributed PHP2.35 trillion to the economy,

Davao city: Police here confiscated PHP6.4 million worth of illegal drugs in August, the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) reported Tuesday. In a report, acting DCPO chief Col. Mannan Muarip said 168 anti-drug operations resulted in the arrest of 190 suspects and the seizure of 2,764.8 grams of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) and 906.02 grams of marijuana. According to Philippines News Agency, a total of 219 drug-related cases were filed in court, demonstrating DCPO’s aggressive stance against illegal drug activities. ‘DCPO remains steadfast in its mission to safeguard the city with utmost sincerity, integrity, and dedication,’ Muarip said in a news

Lingayen: The Department of Health (DOH) Ilocos Region has turned over three brand-new ambulances to Pangasinan local government units. The ambulances were allocated to Alaminos City and the towns of Agno and Mapandan to improve their emergency response capabilities. According to Philippines News Agency, the DOH regional office emphasized the importance of these ambulances, highlighting their role in enhancing healthcare access for communities, particularly in remote areas where reaching hospitals quickly can be difficult. DOH-Ilocos Director Paula Paz Sydiongco stated that the ambulances are equipped with essential life-saving facilities and will function as “lifelines on wheels.” The newly provided ambulances

Manila: The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) clarified that the hacked National Database of Restricted Persons (NDRP) is not a list of gambling addicts but a compilation of names of people who are not allowed to gamble such as government officials. According to Philippines News Agency, PAGCOR issued the statement after social media posts said that hackers were able to access the NDRP, and erroneously claimed that the database is a list of gambling addicts. PAGCOR’s Gaming Licensing and Development Department (GLDD), which maintains the NDRP, said the database is still being updated and needs more inputs from other