Day: October 8, 2025

Zamboanga city: The city government has declared a suspension of classes on Wednesday for all levels, both private and public schools, due to inclement weather. According to Philippines News Agency, Mayor Khymer Olaso suspended classes as the city continues to experience light to moderate to at times heavy rains due to the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), based on the latest advisory from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). “The safety and the welfare of students and school personnel remain to be the foremost priority,” Olaso said in his order. He advised the public to stay alert, especially

Bago city: Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Bago City Mayor Marina Javellana-Yao on Tuesday recognized the contributions of the indigenous peoples (IPs) to society as the province hosts the Dayaw 2025: Philippine Indigenous Peoples Festival this week. According to Philippines News Agency, the three-day event, led by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, gathers more than 200 delegates from 36 IP clusters across the country under the theme ‘Habi ng Kultura, Yaman ng Kinabukasan’ (Weaving the Culture, Enriching the Future). “This celebration is a tribute to our IPs who have made a great contribution to the

Manila: The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is conducting a review of pension and benefit levels for its pensioners, following consultations with teachers’ associations and government employee groups. According to Philippines News Agency, the state pension fund announced in a news release that it met with the teachers’ group Action and Solidarity for the Empowerment of Teachers (ASSERT) and the Philippine Government Employees Association (PGEA) to discuss concerns raised by members and pensioners. During the meeting, ASSERT urged the state pension fund to revisit the minimum pension, burial benefit, and Christmas cash gift granted to some pensioners. GSIS President and

Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) is prioritizing climate-resilient and technology-driven programs in its proposed PHP216.1-billion budget for 2026. During the budget deliberation of the Senate Committee on Finance Subcommittee J, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized that the proposed allocation represents a ‘meaningful investment’ in the country’s food producers who continue to face challenges such as volatile commodity prices and extreme weather conditions. According to Philippines News Agency, Laurel stated that the DA’s budget for the coming year is not merely a numerical figure but a commitment to the nation’s farmers and fisherfolk. The budget is anchored on

Manila: The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Wednesday advocated for the rigorous implementation of the lifetime blacklisting provision under Republic Act 12009, also known as the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA). This law permanently prohibits contractors, suppliers, and consultants with violations from engaging in transactions with the government. According to Philippines News Agency, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman emphasized the importance of this enforcement as the government intensifies its comprehensive investigation into multi-billion peso flood control projects plagued by irregularities, including collusion between government officials and private contractors. The new regulation is aimed at entities with severe or recurring