Day: November 17, 2025

Manila: The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reported on Monday the successful seizure of PHP63.36 million worth of illegal drugs and the arrest of 75 individuals, including eight drug den owners, during a focused weeklong anti-drug operation. According to Philippines News Agency, PDEA Director General Isagani Nerez disclosed that these arrests and drug seizures were the outcomes of 50 strategic anti-illegal drug operations carried out by the agency from November 7 to 14, 2025. The operations led to the confiscation of 8.3 kilograms of shabu and 14.6 kilograms of dried marijuana leaves. Additionally, the PDEA eradicated approximately 18,150 fully-grown marijuana

Manila: The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has allocated PHP32.85 million in assistance to families affected by Typhoon Tino and Super Typhoon Uwan, which left widespread devastation in various parts of the country. PAGCOR chairman and chief executive officer Alejandro Tengco said the agency utilized the amount to procure 31,500 relief packs containing food and non-food essentials for distribution to hard-hit provinces. According to Philippines News Agency, following the onslaught of Typhoon Tino in early November, 15,000 relief packs worth PHP14.78 million were turned over to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Regions 6 (Western Visayas) and 7

Manila: The Anito Handicraft Producers Association (AHPA) in Gamay, Northern Samar inaugurated its new wooden handicraft production facility, marking a significant step in strengthening the town’s long-standing tradition of woodcarving. According to Philippines News Agency, the establishment of the new facility was made possible through a PHP1.49-million grant from the Department of Labor and Employment’s Integrated Livelihood Program. In a phone interview, Provincial Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office (PEDIPO) head Jhon Allen Berbon stated that with the support, AHPA has shifted its focus from large wooden carvings to smaller, more market-ready products such as keychains, utensils, souvenir items, and

Manila: The Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) and the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) on Monday urged former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co to return to the Philippines to substantiate his claims regarding alleged budget insertions. According to Philippines News Agency, Deputy Speaker Ferdinand Hernandez of the 2nd District of South Cotabato emphasized the importance of accountability and transparency in response to the allegations involving Co. He stated that Co must return to the Philippines to provide sworn testimony and face cross-examination, as video recordings made abroad do not hold the same legal weight. Hernandez pointed out that members of

Baguio city: The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD-CAR) has called on all municipalities within the region to set up warehouses to store government relief and humanitarian supplies, facilitating quicker access in times of disasters and emergencies. According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD-CAR Regional Director Maria Aplaten highlighted the importance of these warehouses in an interview, emphasizing that they would allow for the prepositioning of relief items, making them readily accessible during calamities. Aplaten noted that 13 local governments have yet to establish a warehouse or sign a memorandum of agreement with the DSWD for storing relief