Day: September 16, 2025

Manila: The United Kingdom (UK) is interested in having a defense deal with the Philippines that would enhance operational collaboration between the two countries’ armed forces. According to Philippines News Agency, UK Minister of State for Defense in the House of Lords, Lord Vernon Coaker, expressed this interest during his meeting with Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. at Camp Aguinaldo. “During the call, Lord Coaker presented Secretary Teodoro with a letter from The Rt Hon John Healey MP, the UK Secretary of State for Defence, conveying their intent to enter into a SOVFA with the Philippines,”

Manila: Some 12 houses will soon rise in three Eastern Samar towns under the Saad nga Balay (promised housing) program meant for former members of the New People’s Army (NPA). These housing units will be built in Can-avid (five units), Dolores (five units), and Maslog (two units), intended for former rebels who are in the process of reintegrating into the community. According to Philippines News Agency, the 12 units with a total cost of PHP4.2 million will be funded by the Philippine Army Finance Center Producers Integrated Cooperative. Officials held a groundbreaking ceremony and signing of the memorandum of agreement

Manila: First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos spearheaded the ‘LAB for All’ caravan at the Dapa Sports Complex on Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte. She was joined by various government agencies and top officials in the province, including Governor Robert Lyndon Barbers. Accompanied by her son, William Vincent, the First Lady aimed to provide essential services to the local community. According to Philippines News Agency, around 2,000 residents from different towns on the island benefited from medical and social services during the event. The caravan saw the participation of agencies such as the Department of Health (DOH) 13 (Caraga), the Department of

Iloilo city: The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on Tuesday unveiled the 2025-2030 Regional Action Plan for Startup Development during the opening ceremony for the Western Visayas Innovative Startup Festival and Tech Expo 2025 at the Iloilo Convention Center. According to Philippines News Agency, the action plan was developed by the Regional Research, Development and Innovation Committee of the Western Visayas Regional Development Council. The plan’s components include innovation structure development, capability-building and talent development, startup support services and acceleration, policy support, ecosystem governance, and knowledge and technology transfer. In a press conference, DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development

Cotabato city: The Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on Tuesday formalized a partnership to integrate Comprehensive Gender and Health Education for Youth (CGHEY) into the education system of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) for 2025 to 2028. Under the memorandum of understanding (MOU), CGHEY will be mainstreamed across basic education, alternative learning systems, Indigenous Peoples Education, special education, and the Madaris system. According to Philippines News Agency, the initiative seeks to equip Bangsamoro learners with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to live healthy lives, uphold their