Day: October 30, 2025

Manila: Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Thursday expressed support for the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), Department of Health (DOH) and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) in their efforts to streamline healthcare services and strengthen the implementation of the Zero Balance Billing policy. In her message to the 2025 Health Forum held at Marco Polo Ortigas, Hontiveros lauded the agencies for advancing patient rights and improving coordination to ensure efficient and accessible healthcare for all Filipinos. According to Philippines News Agency, Hontiveros thanked ARTA, DOH, and PhilHealth for leading discussions on the effective and pro-people implementation of the Zero Balance Billing policy

Dagupan city: The Dagupan City Police Station has been upgraded to a city police office to better serve its population of about 187,000, which triples during daytime. Col. Orly Pagaduan, officer-in-charge city director, said on Wednesday that the city’s growing population and status as a highly urbanized and independent chartered city qualified it for the upgrade. According to Philippines News Agency, the upgrade was approved in September by the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the National Police Commission following a request from the city government through a resolution. “So, through the initiation of the local government unit,

Pasay city: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has expanded his previous directive for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to reduce inflated infrastructure costs, now mandating all government agencies to implement the same pricing reform. This initiative aims to curb corruption and align project costs with genuine market rates. According to Philippines News Agency, in his departure speech for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting in South Korea, Marcos emphasized the importance of transparency and fiscal discipline across the government. The directive is part of efforts to enhance the Philippines’ regional position and attract investments by cleansing

Caraga: More than 5,000 security personnel, including police officers and force multipliers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, and volunteer groups, will secure this year’s observance of Undas in Caraga Region. On Thursday, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 13 (Caraga) conducted a simultaneous send-off ceremony for 2,035 police personnel across the region, who will be assigned to various strategic locations for the observance of Undas from Nov. 1 to 2. According to Philippines News Agency, PRO-13 Director, Brig. Gen. Marcial Mariano Magistrado IV, emphasized during the ceremony that while others spend their

Bacolod city: The Environmental Management Bureau-Negros Island Region (EMB-NIR) has launched an advanced air quality monitoring station in Bacolod City to bolster ambient air surveillance and promote public health protection within the region. According to Philippines News Agency, the station, situated in Barangay Alijis, commenced full operations on Thursday following its unveiling on Wednesday. It is equipped with the MET One BAM-1020, a sophisticated continuous particulate matter monitor. EMB-NIR OIC Regional Director Vicente Losba±es highlighted the importance of collaboration and shared commitment in preserving air quality in Bacolod. He stated that the installation of the continuous ambient air monitoring station