Day: October 7, 2025

Sulu: Cultural and religious norms, poverty, and weak law enforcement continue to drive cases of child marriage in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) – Philippines said Tuesday. In a webinar, the organization launched the report titled Understanding Factors Driving Child, Early, and Forced Marriage and Unions (CEFMU). According to Philippines News Agency, the report revealed that early and forced marriages remain prevalent in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) despite the passage of Republic Act 11596 or the Prohibition of Child Marriage law. In Jolo, Sulu, and Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, two of the region’s most

Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7 (Central Visayas) has already distributed over 225,000 family food packs (FFPs) across 12 local government units (LGUs) in northern Cebu, which were impacted by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake on September 30. According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD-7 Director Shalaine Marie Lucero mentioned in an interview that preparations are underway for a second wave of FFP distribution to the most affected regions. She emphasized the directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ensure no one goes hungry in the aftermath of the earthquake and stated that additional food packs are being

Negros oriental: The abaca industry in Negros Oriental is dwindling, prompting authorities to implement innovations and interventions to fortify the sector, an official said Tuesday. According to Philippines News Agency, Nena Locsin, provincial chief of the Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA), stated that abaca production has sharply declined over the past five years since the Covid-19 pandemic. “In 2020, we noticed that abaca production became less than in previous years due to pandemic restrictions, as well as land conversion, job migration, livelihood opportunities, and disease attacking the plants,” Locsin said. She explained that many farmers and younger generations have shifted

Manila: The manageable rise of the domestic inflation rate lifted sentiments in the local bourse on Tuesday, but the Philippine peso weakened against the US dollar. According to Philippines News Agency, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported earlier in the day the uptick in the domestic rate of price increases in September to 1.7 percent from the previous month’s 1.5 percent, partly due to the impact of weather disturbances. Amid the acceleration, the average inflation rate in the first nine months of the year stood at 1.7 percent, below the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ 2 percent to 4 percent target

Manila: The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is reviewing the citizenship records of Johnson Cai Chen, also known as Johnson Chua Sy, the son of Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc. chair Chen Zhong Zhen. Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado underscored the seriousness of the investigation, stating that dual identities are red flags and, if proven fraudulent, will be dealt with swiftly and firmly under Philippine laws. He emphasized that the duty of the BI is to protect the integrity of Philippine citizenship and national security. According to Philippines News Agency, Senator Risa Hontiveros had previously disclosed in a privilege speech that Johnson Sy