Day: October 21, 2025

Butuan city: More than a thousand households in Butuan City have officially graduated from the government’s flagship anti-poverty initiative, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), after achieving self-sufficiency in their living conditions. The Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Caraga Region (DSWD-13) said 1,129 partner-beneficiaries were recognized during the “Katumanan 2025” graduation and exit ceremony in Butuan City on Monday. According to Philippines News Agency, ‘Katumanan,’ a Cebuano word meaning fulfillment, reflects the program’s goal of breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty. DSWD-13 said the households reached the well-being status of self-sufficiency, as determined by the Social Welfare

Pasay city: An official of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) on Tuesday underscored demographics as a factor that will likely counter the impact of the high tariff rate imposed on the Philippines by the U.S. According to Philippines News Agency, since Aug. 7, 2025, the tariff rate for Philippine products bound to the U.S. is 19 percent, and trade officials have said they continue to talk with their American counterparts to lower the rate, to make Philippine products more attractive to U.S. consumers. Perry Ferrer, PCCI Innovation Committee chair and chief executive officer of EMS Group of

Marikina: The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has announced this year’s winners of the Tagsanay Award, recognizing the most outstanding technical vocational trainers, during a ceremony held in Marikina on Monday afternoon. Wie Ann Fajardo, a Front Office Services NC II trainer from Region VI, emerged as the overall champion, receiving a PHP25,000 cash prize. According to Philippines News Agency, Fajardo excelled in various competition categories, showcasing impressive instructional skills, creativity, and a strong grasp of TVET (technical and vocational education and training) principles. The first and second runners-up were Robert Revilla of Aparri Polytechnic Institute and Ronald

Manila: The criminal complaint against businessman Charlie ‘Atong’ Ang and other individuals concerning the disappearance of cockfight enthusiasts has been submitted for resolution, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced. DOJ spokesperson Raphael Martinez stated that the panel of prosecutors will now assess if there is “a prima facie case” to present before the courts. According to Philippines News Agency, Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Charlie Guhit mentioned that over four dozen respondents implicated in the alleged disappearance had filed their counter-affidavits. Guhit noted, “The panel of prosecutors declared the preliminary investigation submitted for resolution after the complainants decided not to reply

Manila: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Negros Oriental said it is consistently tracking consumer goods prices as the holiday season approaches to prevent unwarranted hikes beyond recommended retail prices. According to Philippines News Agency, DTI-Negros Oriental spokesperson Krystle Jade Bato mentioned that the central office instructed them as early as September to monitor prices, particularly for products in high demand during the Christmas season. “As early as September, we were instructed by our Consumer Advocacy Bureau to monitor the prices of Noche Buena items, such as cheese, spaghetti pasta, milk and similar products,” Bato said. She added

Capiz: The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (provincial board) of Capiz approved a resolution declaring the province under a state of calamity. Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) head Shiela Artillero stated that, upon the recommendation of the PDRRM council and Governor Fredenil Castro, the province fulfilled the requirements set by the national DRRMC through Memorandum No.60. According to Philippines News Agency, the decision followed a rapid damage and need assessment (RDANA) which revealed that 216 out of 573 barangays were affected. The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 6 (Western Visayas) reported that as of noon on Tuesday,