Day: October 29, 2025

Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to take charge of the development of farm-to-market roads (FMRs) beginning in 2026, transitioning from the current oversight of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). This move aims to ensure a more agriculture-focused approach in enhancing rural infrastructure. According to Philippines News Agency, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon convened on Tuesday to evaluate audit results of completed FMR projects and discuss the pending constructions planned for 2025. The DPWH has proposed a catch-up plan to complete approximately 1,000 kilometers of remaining FMRs before the

Manila: The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Wednesday that no Filipinos have been reported hurt as Hurricane Melissa swept across Jamaica. About 500 Filipinos are living and working in Jamaica, according to the DFA. ‘As of 29 October 2025, 5:00 a.m. Philippine time, no casualties or injuries among Filipino nationals have been reported,’ it said. According to Philippines News Agency, the Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC, and the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Kingston, Jamaica, are also continuing to assess the hurricane’s impact and are checking the condition of all Filipinos there. The full extent of damage in Jamaica remains

Manila: Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Wednesday declared that the chamber would act prudently and uphold due process following the Independent Commission for Infrastructure’s (ICI) recommendation to file charges against Senators Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada and Joel Villanueva. The charges are related to alleged irregularities in flood control projects, and the cases have been referred to the Office of the Ombudsman. According to Philippines News Agency, the ICI’s referral is its second since beginning its investigation on September 19. The referral also includes former Department of Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, former Representatives Zaldy Co and Mitch Cajayon-Uy,

Calinog: Thirty-two housing units were officially turned over Tuesday to Indigenous Peoples (IP) families affected by the second stage of the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project (JRMP II). The IP Housing Project, located in Sitio Agburi, Barangay Cahigon in Calinog town, is designed for families whose homes were submerged by water in the reservoir and buffer zone. According to Philippines News Agency, the housing project is situated approximately 10 km upstream of the dam project to ensure the safety of the relocated families. “The recipients opted for a group relocation or the house-to-house compensation. Each family availed of a 35-square-meter single

Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has enacted a law to institutionalize the Lifelong Learning Development Framework (LLDF), aiming to enhance universal literacy and accessibility to quality education. The newly signed Republic Act (RA) 12313 outlines the framework’s role in advancing lifelong learning programs across the nation’s cities, municipalities, and learning providers. According to Philippines News Agency, RA 12313 emphasizes promoting functional literacy at all societal levels, inclusive learning within the educational system, and revitalizing learning in families and communities. The framework is designed to facilitate workplace learning, expand the use of modern learning technologies, improve learning quality, and foster

Tacloban city: The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in Eastern Visayas announced the importance of maximizing data use to measure progress in the region’s attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This announcement was made during the conclusion of the 36th National Statistics Month in Tacloban City. According to Philippines News Agency, PSA Eastern Visayas regional director Wilma Perante emphasized the need for continuous data utilization throughout the year to drive sustainable development and ensure inclusivity. She stated that statistics should be accessible and understandable to all, highlighting the role of data in tracking progress and identifying areas requiring additional efforts to