Day: December 18, 2025

Manila: The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on Thursday refuted allegations that the proposed PHP8.08-billion allocation aimed at combating communist insurgency is being mischaracterized as a discretionary ‘NTF-ELCAC fund.’ According to Philippines News Agency, NTF-ELCAC executive director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr., emphasized in a statement that such claims are “inaccurate” and “misleading.” He clarified that the cited amount is allocated for the Barangay Development Program (BDP), a comprehensive development initiative executed by regular government line agencies, rather than the task force itself. Torres explained, ‘The PHP8.08 billion is not an NTF-ELCAC fund in the way

Maripipi: The third visit of an international cruise ship to this island municipality signals its growing readiness to welcome more tourists, according to Mayor Joseph Caingcoy. Caingcoy made the statement following the recent port call of the Coral Geographer, which marked its final stop in Eastern Visayas during its cruise itinerary. According to Philippines News Agency, Mayor Caingcoy highlighted plans for 2026 onward, focusing not only on attracting foreign tourists but also on offering tour packages for local tourists to enhance tourism activities. Maripipi stands out as the only island town among the eight municipalities of Biliran province, boasting natural

Iloilo: Iloilo’s ‘Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan,’ one of the major highlights for the 2026 Dinagyang Festival, just keeps getting better. ‘I think it will be more different. It will be more competitive because they know that Maasin, the Tultugan, has elevated the standards, especially since they are the national champions. I think that is the challenge right now,’ Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. said in a media interview on Wednesday afternoon. According to Philippines News Agency, Defensor was referring to the Tultugan Festival of the Municipality of Maasin, which emerged as champion in the Parada ng Kalayaan 2025 Festival Performance Competition,

Tacloban city: Authorities have allowed trucks weighing up to 30 tons to cross the San Juanico Bridge during nighttime hours starting Wednesday. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has announced this measure as part of their ongoing traffic and safety management efforts. According to Philippines News Agency, the DPWH’s public advisory states that 30-ton trucks and other heavy vehicles can cross the bridge from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. on a one-way-at-a-time basis. This decision follows the postponement of a previously scheduled dry run for daytime crossing, which was set for December 18. The postponement aims to allow

Quezon city: Public health advocates have expressed strong support for the local government of Quezon City following a public consultation for a proposed ordinance aimed at preventing alcohol-related harms, which could become the country’s first comprehensive local measure of its kind. According to Philippines News Agency, the advocates highlighted the significance of the proposed ordinance for adopting the World Health Organization’s SAFER technical package-an evidence-based framework designed to reduce alcohol-related injuries, violence, and health risks. Unlike other local government units that have imposed alcohol-related restrictions such as sales bans and curfews, the Quezon City proposal seeks broader regulatory coverage, including