Day: November 20, 2025

Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday reinforced his administration’s dedication to enhancing protections, updating services, and broadening government support for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), asserting that every OFW should be acknowledged as a hero. According to Philippines News Agency, during his address at the 2025 Bagong Bayani Awards held in Malaca±ang, President Marcos emphasized that OFWs continue to be ‘the strength and light’ of the nation. He acknowledged that their sacrifices abroad are pivotal in sustaining families and uplifting communities back home. ‘Kaya bilang suporta, asahan ninyo na nandito lang ang inyong pamahalaan,’ he assured, signaling the government’s

Manila: The proposed PHP54.79-billion budget of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) for 2026 is designed to strengthen the country’s irrigation network and ensure reliable water supply needed to sustain agricultural productivity, Sen. Francis Pangilinan said Thursday. Presenting the budget before the Senate, Pangilinan highlighted that every major item in the spending plan supports the construction, rehabilitation, expansion, and monitoring of irrigation systems. According to Philippines News Agency, the proposed budget restores National Expenditure Program-level funding for the Irrigation Restoration Program, including PHP10.08 billion for national irrigation systems, PHP5.02 billion for communal systems, and PHP630.61 million for other irrigation structures. For

Manila: Malaca±ang announced that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. included a professional appraisal in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) to provide a clearer picture of the current value of his properties. According to Philippines News Agency, during a Palace briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro explained why Cuervo Appraisers Inc. was chosen to assess the President’s properties. Castro emphasized the importance of transparency in presenting the updated values of properties to the public, suggesting that knowing the current worth offers better insight into the President’s holdings. Castro noted that updating the asset values allows the

Surigao city: Surigao City has officially received a painting by a Japanese artist depicting seven Japanese ships departing from Brunei Anchorage and heading toward Surigao Strait during the final days of World War II. Mayor Pablo Yves Dumlao II and Surigao City Tourism Office head Roselyn Merlin formally accepted the artwork titled ‘Anchor Out – Nishimura Fleet 26041022’ on November 19. According to Philippines News Agency, the painting by Hiroyuki Sugano, a renowned Japanese pencil artist specializing in nautical subjects, was donated as a gesture of remembrance and friendship between Japan and the Philippines. “It arrived last week, and it

Manila: Ten people have been confirmed dead and two are still missing due to severe flooding and landslides triggered by torrential rains across Kh¡nh H²a Province. The devastation prompted Deputy Prime Minister H? Qu?c Dung, on a field inspection early yesterday, to order the immediate relocation of all residents in danger zones, insisting that evacuations must be completed yesterday to avoid further loss of life. According to Philippines News Agency, the Deputy PM toured the ¡ L? Bridge area in Vinh Phuong commune, one of the province’s most heavily affected areas, where fast-moving floodwater and localized landslides have cut off