Day: September 9, 2025

Rosales: A five-day “Raniag” creative tour with more than 30 participants, including local artists, social media influencers, and entrepreneurs, kicked off on Tuesday at Casa Amarillo in Rosales town, Pangasinan. The tour, which runs until Sept. 13, was initiated by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). It aims to promote the region’s arts, crafts, and traditions in La Union and Pangasinan and support future creative enterprises. “Raniag,” according to the DOT Ilocos Region, is an Ilocano word for “light,” “brightness,” or “radiance.” According to Philippines News Agency, the participants started their day with

Manila: The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) is fast-tracking housing projects under its Enhanced Community Mortgage Program (ECMP). According to Philippines News Agency, SHFC President and CEO Federico Laxa stated in a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview that the aim is to approve 34 projects by October this year. As of now, 14 projects have been approved this month, with six more scheduled for approval this week. Laxa noted that they are averaging two to three project approvals per week but emphasized the need to accelerate this pace. The ECMP is an improved version of the 37-year-old Community Mortgage Program (CMP).

Manila: The Negros Oriental Bamboo Industry Development Council (NOBIDC) has orchestrated a series of activities to commemorate Philippine Bamboo Month this September, in collaboration with the private sector and government agencies, announced Jade Krystle Bato, spokesperson of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). According to Philippines News Agency, the centerpiece of the celebration is a bamboo planting activity scheduled for World Bamboo Day on September 18 in Tanjay City. On the same day, NOBIDC member Kawayan Collective Agricultural Cooperative, based in Dauin, Negros Oriental, will inaugurate a franchise outlet in Tanjay City. This establishment, known for its bamboo products

Manila: The Philippines and Cambodia have formally agreed to collaborate in combating transnational crimes, including human trafficking and cybercrime, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tuesday. Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Prak Sokhonn exchanged notes on this critical partnership during President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s state visit to Cambodia on September 8. According to Philippines News Agency, President Marcos, who witnessed the exchange, acknowledged the pressing challenges that cut across borders, such as human trafficking, cybercrime, illicit drugs, and other transnational threats that affect the safety of citizens

Surigao city: The streets came alive with vibrant colors and rhythmic dances on Tuesday morning as Surigaonons gathered for the grand parade and street dancing to mark the 41st Bonok-Bonok Festival, a celebration of culture, resilience, and thanksgiving. According to Philippines News Agency, the annual festival, themed ‘Kultura Surigaonon, Isadjaw! Isangyaw!’ (‘Surigao Culture, Dance! Proclaim!’), featured 11 contingents competing in two categories-the Bonok-Bonok-based category and the Festival of Festivals category. The event culminates in a grand showdown scheduled at 5 p.m. Top officials, including Department of Tourism Undersecretary Ferdinand Jumapao, Surigao del Norte Governor Robert Lyndon Barbers, and Mayor Pablo