Day: September 22, 2025

Iloilo: Ilonggos are encouraged to adopt cashless transactions following the rollout Monday of the “Paleng-QR Ph Plus,” which promotes digital payments in public markets, public utility vehicles, and other business establishments. The payment system is a national initiative jointly spearheaded by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). According to Philippines News Agency, Iloilo Vice Governor Nathalie Ann Debuque emphasized the importance of this program in her message, highlighting it as a significant step toward integrating digital financial services into every household and business in Iloilo. She acknowledged the challenges posed

Manila: The Department of Tourism (DOT) regional office here is supporting efforts to establish Mount Huraw in San Jose de Buan, Samar, as a recognized mountaineering and ecotourism destination. According to Philippines News Agency, the support is crucial since more mountaineers have been visiting the area known as the highest peak of Samar Island, with an elevation of 890 meters above sea level. ‘The tourism development workshop will play a vital role in supporting San Jose de Buan’s efforts to establish the site as a destination, boosting local pride, livelihood opportunities, and sustainable tourism development in Eastern Visayas,’ the DOT

Bacolod city: Mayor Greg Gasataya announced that the city government is collaborating with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) to seek a presidential proclamation for acquiring government land occupied by informal settlers displaced by a recent fire. According to Philippines News Agency, the initiative involves coordinating with the Office of the President to facilitate the transfer of the 7,787-square-meter property, currently occupied by 290 families in Purok Acacia I, Cheriza I, and Cheriza II, who lost their homes to a blaze on September 12. The land is owned by the Philippine Alien Property Administration, a U.S. government

Manila: The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) announced that 19 government websites were hacked and defaced amid protest actions against corruption on September 21. However, the department confirmed that there was “no evidence of a data breach” in the incident. According to Philippines News Agency, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda revealed in a Palace press briefing that the affected websites included four from national government agencies (NGAs) and the rest from local government units (LGUs). The NGAs involved were the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), Bureau of Customs (BOC), DICT itself, and the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev).

Camiguin: The Camiguin provincial government led the dismantling of illegal water connections in Mahinog town on Monday. Governor Xavier Jesus Romualdo visited barangays in Tupsan, Tupsan Peque±o, and Cahulogan, based on reports from community officials. According to Philippines News Agency, barangay chairpersons reported that residents were charged PHP22 per cubic meter by a private water system firm, despite not having entered into any contract with the company. The village chiefs noted that the private firm proceeded with installing its connections and issued collection notices even without an official agreement in place. The name of the private water firm has been