Day: December 3, 2025

Manila: A Senate panel has cited a Bureau of Customs (BOC) official for contempt amid ongoing investigations into the smuggling of agricultural products. The official, Juan San Andres, who serves as the acting chief of assessment at the BOC-Port of Subic, was cited during a Senate hearing for allegedly providing false information to the committee on agriculture, food, and agrarian reform. According to Philippines News Agency, the motion to cite San Andres in contempt was approved by the committee, following a proposal from Sen. Erwin Tulfo. The decision was supported by the committee chairman, Kiko Pangilinan, after Undersecretary Carlos Carag

Manila: Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Wednesday advised consumers to consider more affordable fish options amid a tight global supply of galunggong (round scad), which has pushed retail prices higher in local markets. Data from the Department of Agriculture’s Bantay Presyo monitoring showed that as of Monday, imported galunggong in Metro Manila was priced between PHP280 and PHP350 per kilogram, while locally sourced galunggong ranged from PHP300 to PHP400 per kilogram. According to Philippines News Agency, in an ambush interview, the agriculture chief said the limited arrivals of round scad from major sources have driven prices upward. “It’s

Manila: A low pressure area (LPA) has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and is expected to develop into a tropical depression within the next 24 hours, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). The weather bureau indicated that the system will be named Wilma once it intensifies into a tropical cyclone. According to Philippines News Agency, the LPA was positioned 1,105 kilometers east of southeastern Luzon as of 2 p.m. on Wednesday. PAGASA forecasts that the system will bring heavy rains to Northern Samar and Eastern Samar from Thursday to Friday. Additionally, the weather

Negros oriental: Four hundred ‘near-hire’ job seekers will benefit from the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority’s (TESDA) Tulong Trabaho Scholarship Program (TTSP), launched in Negros Oriental on Wednesday. According to Philippines News Agency, this initiative follows the signing of a memorandum of agreement among TESDA, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Australian firm WrkPod. This collaboration marks the first-ever Contact Center Services (CCS) Training National Certificate II under the TTSP, facilitated through the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) Act. Earlier in the day, a training induction program was also conducted for the scholars. DTI – Negros

Fiji: An earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale struck the Fiji Islands in the South Pacific early on Wednesday. The quake occurred at 01:35 local time, with its epicenter located at latitude 20.840 degrees south and longitude 178.964 degrees west. According to Philippines News Agency, no reports of casualties or material damage have been issued so far. The seismic activity has raised concerns among residents and authorities, prompting them to monitor the situation closely. Emergency services are on standby to respond to any potential aftershocks or developments.