Day: December 3, 2025

Iloilo city: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is urging consumers in Western Visayas to buy certified and product standard-compliant Christmas lights and fireworks to enjoy the holiday season. DTI Western Visayas Assistant Regional Director Mutya Eusores, in a press conference on Wednesday, said buying certified and compliant Christmas lights can help protect households from fire, electrical hazards, and other risks posed by substandard items. ‘By following precautionary measures, we consumers can also enjoy fireworks safely while celebrating the season. We can never compromise safety,’ she added. According to Philippines News Agency, DTI Consumer Protection Division chief Grace Benedicto

Manila: Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno on Wednesday introduced a legislative measure aimed at safeguarding the rights and welfare of online platform workers, irrespective of their employment status or classification. According to Philippines News Agency, House Bill 6572, known as the Protektadong Online Workers, Employees, Riders, at Raketera (POWERR) Bill, seeks to ensure that online platform workers are not exploited and are provided equal opportunities for growth and development. Diokno emphasized the importance of protecting these workers, many of whom are young individuals and entrepreneurs, to ensure they benefit from the flexibility offered by non-traditional employment forms. The POWERR Bill

Butuan city: The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD-13) in the Caraga Region has praised local government units (LGUs) for successfully updating their Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs). This initiative aims to align regional development with national objectives. According to Philippines News Agency, 34 LGUs across the five provinces in the Caraga Region have completed updates to their CLUPs as of October 31. The breakdown of updated CLUPs includes nine in Agusan del Sur, four in Agusan del Norte, eight in Surigao del Norte, 10 in Surigao del Sur, and three in Dinagat Islands. The DHSUD-13 also highlighted

Surigao del norte: The Surigao del Norte Police Provincial Office reported that 203 individuals were apprehended for various crimes during a series of law enforcement operations across the province in November. According to Philippines News Agency, among those arrested, 49 were identified as fugitives, including eight individuals listed as the most wanted at regional, provincial, and municipal levels in the Caraga Region. The provincial police director, Col. Warren Dablo, highlighted that the captured individuals included the top 1 and top 5 most wanted at the regional level, as well as the top 1 at the provincial level. The remaining were

Bacolod: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Wednesday urged Negrenses to support homegrown cocopreneurs in this year’s Negros Coco Expo, with 23 coconut-based micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) taking part. The event’s third edition, held from Dec. 2 to 6 at SM City Bacolod Main Atrium, features a wide selection of coco-derived products, including food and beverages, natural beauty and wellness items, handicrafts, and other sustainable goods. According to Philippines News Agency, DTI-Negros Occidental Provincial Director Lynna Joy Cardinal emphasized that the Negros Coco Expo is more than just a trade fair; it represents “a convergence of