Day: October 28, 2025

Manila: Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman has reaffirmed the Marcos administration’s commitment to fiscal integrity, transparency, and citizen participation in governance, saying these reforms have helped keep the Philippine economy resilient despite global headwinds. Speaking at the 2025 Fiscal Policy Conference organized by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Monday, Pangandaman said the continued implementation of fiscal and budgetary reforms would sustain the country’s growth momentum. According to Philippines News Agency, Pangandaman emphasized that, despite economic headwinds and sociopolitical volatility, the Philippine economy remains resilient, with manageable inflation and robust employment. She expressed confidence that the nation would maintain

Manila: The Department of Agriculture in Caraga Region (DA-13) has disbursed PHP66 million in livelihood aid to 22 farmers and fisherfolk groups across the region. This support, aimed at enhancing economic opportunities, was announced as part of the department’s ongoing efforts to bolster agricultural activities. According to Philippines News Agency, the assistance is provided under the Livestock Economic Enterprise Development (LEED) program, which offers modules for free-range chickens, ready-to-lay chickens, swine, and goats to the beneficiaries. This initiative seeks to empower local communities by providing them with resources to develop sustainable livelihood projects. DA-13 Director Arlan Mangelen, who led the

Butuan city: The Department of Transportation (DOTr) 13 (Caraga Region), supported by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-13) and other regional law enforcement agencies, launched “Oplan Harabas” on Tuesday for the upcoming observance of Undas. According to Philippines News Agency, the initiative involves surprise mandatory drug testing for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and conductors to ensure the safety and security of travelers in the region, ahead of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on Nov. 1 and 2. Along with Oplan Harabas, PDEA-13 also introduced its ‘Oplan Undaspot’ on the same day by conducting drug tests on drivers

Manila: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China signed on Tuesday morning the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA) 3.0 Upgrade Protocol. The signing took place on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings and was witnessed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Chinese Premier Li Qiang, and other ASEAN leaders. According to Philippines News Agency, in an intervention speech at the ASEAN-China Summit, President Marcos expressed optimism that the ACFTA would help mitigate economic uncertainties in the region. He stated that the Philippines welcomes the signing of the agreement and hopes it will modernize trade

Busan: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will head for Busan and Gyeongju in South Korea from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2 to attend the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting, where he is expected to push for stronger trade, innovation, and investment partnerships across the Asia-Pacific. According to Philippines News Agency, the President’s participation is centered on advancing the Philippines’ economic interests, forging deeper ties with APEC members, and reaffirming commitment to APEC’s vision of a more open, prosperous, and dynamic Asia-Pacific in a rapidly transforming regional landscape, as stated by Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Spokesperson Angelica