Day: December 2, 2025

Manila: Fewer Filipinos are choosing to marry as economic pressures, shifting priorities, and changing social attitudes continue to redefine traditional family structures in the country, the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) said Tuesday. According to Philippines News Agency, CPD Information Management and Communications Division Chief Mylin Mirasol Quiray stated in an interview with Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon that data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed a 10.2 percent drop in registered marriages in 2024, reflecting a pattern observed over the past decades. She explained that many Filipinos now prioritize financial stability and personal goals before entering formal unions. Quiray

Pasig city: Favorites Spain and Argentina played true to form and barged into the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup semifinals at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Monday night. Spain, the unbeaten Group B topnotcher, hammered out a 6-1 beating of Group A second seed Morocco behind the four-goal rampage of Irene Cordoba. Group A ruler Argentina outclassed Group B runner-up Colombia, 4-1, led by Lucia Rossi’s brace. According to Philippines News Agency, Spain will take on the winner of the last-eight duel between Brazil and Japan, and Argentina faces either Portugal or Italy in the semifinal stage Friday of

Manila: The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday recorded a significant 289 percent increase in its procurement of textbooks for public schools over the past year. In a statement, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said the agency’s milestone is part of the immediate reforms aimed at ensuring quality education for learners in the Philippines. According to Philippines News Agency, the DepEd has procured 105 titles, which is 289 percent higher than the total procurement output of the past decade. From 2012 to 2023, the DepEd only procured 27 titles, with complete textbooks available only for Grades 5 and 6 levels, as

Iloilo: The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is encouraging Ilonggos to avail of the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) program scheduled this month. TESDA Iloilo Director Esther Babalo announced that the province has secured an allocation of more than PHP10 million for this scholarship initiative, which will be conducted by the enterprises themselves. According to Philippines News Agency, Babalo emphasized that the training will bring learners directly into the workplace, allowing them to experience the day-to-day operations of businesses and the culture inside the workplace. This approach offers a more immersive experience compared to simulated training environments. Participants

Zamboanga: The police confiscated some P158.2 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in a series of law enforcement operations in Zamboanga Peninsula in November, an official said Tuesday. According to Philippines News Agency, Police Regional Office-9 Director Brig. Gen. Edwin Quilates stated that 25 individuals were arrested in 11 coordinated operations across the region last month. Quilates emphasized that the successful operations in November reinforced the commitment to protect the region’s economic borders and uphold the rule of law. The area of responsibility for PRO-9 includes Zamboanga del Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga del Sur, as well as the cities