Day: September 18, 2025

Tagum city: Agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 11 (Davao Region) confiscated PHP4.6 million worth of suspected shabu from a high-value drug target during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Canocotan, Tagum City, on Thursday morning. According to Philippines News Agency, PDEA-11 spokesperson Nephi Noli Dimaandal identified the suspect as alias ‘Buloy,’ 41, labeled as a major drug dealer and a key figure in the regional drug trade. Dimaandal said the suspect was arrested after selling one plastic sachet containing five grams of suspected ‘shabu’ to an undercover PDEA agent. ‘He has been under surveillance for a long time.

Surigao city: The Surigao City government launched the Monthly Provision Direct Aid program on Wednesday, aimed at providing financial support to indigent single parents in the city. A total of 196 indigent solo parents from 54 barangays received PHP3,000 each during the launch, which covers the period from January to June this year. According to Philippines News Agency, the program aims to provide the needed financial support to marginalized solo parents who are also active members of local organizations in their respective barangays, as stated by the Surigao City Information Office on Thursday. The initiative, led by Surigao City Mayor

Manila: Females in the Philippines spend nearly 11 hours each day on unpaid care and domestic work, the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) said Thursday. In a Facebook post, the commission noted that such responsibility continues to limit their access to education, decent employment, and opportunities for personal growth. According to Philippines News Agency, this includes cooking, laundry, household maintenance, childcare, emotional support and relational concerns, elderly or sick/disabled care, and voluntary community work. In line with the celebration of International Equal Pay Day, the PCW, in partnership with Oxfam Pilipinas and other key stakeholders, highlighted the critical role of

Manila: A business group on Thursday cited government measures aimed towards digital transformation in the Philippines and called for additional moves to ensure a more inclusive shift. According to Philippines News Agency, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) said amendments to the Public Service Act, SIM Card Registration Law, the Digital Transformation Roadmap, and the National Fiber Backbone are ‘steps in the right direction.’ PCCI president Consul Enunina Mangio, however, emphasized the need for more actions, such as prioritizing broadband access in rural and underserved areas. “If we are to achieve inclusive and sustained growth, local governments, schools,

Manila: Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Thursday ordered an audit of all farm-to-market road (FMR) projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) amid continuing investigation into alleged anomalies in infrastructure spending. According to Philippines News Agency, the directive comes amid an ongoing investigation into alleged anomalous transactions and programs of the DPWH related to flood control projects. In a statement, Tiu Laurel said the review is meant to ensure FMRs serve their purpose of linking farmers to markets, rather than becoming ‘farm-to-pocket’ projects. “With what is happening now in flood control projects, I ordered an