General

Laoag: At least eight farmers associations, most of them with indigent members from this city and Dingras town, have accepted the challenge to become agripreneurs through the Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan farming program. This initiative aims to empower 200 farmer-participants by providing them with 14 weeks of hands-on lectures covering modern farming methods, marketing, and business principles to enhance their agricultural knowledge and skills, ultimately improving their living conditions. According to Philippines News Agency, each farmers association, consisting of 25 members, will engage in practical agriculture at designated demonstration sites under the guidance of accredited trainers. Participants will develop livelihood proposals

Davao city: The rehabilitation of revetment walls along the Davao River is “almost complete,” the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced. The ongoing work focuses on two sections of the riverbank in Barangay Mandug, Davao City, as reported by DPWH Regional Office 11 Director Juby Cordon. According to Philippines News Agency, Cordon informed DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan that the reinforcement projects in the DDF Village and Bayanihan Street sections are now 94 percent and 87 percent complete, respectively. With a total budget of PHP241.25 million allocated under the 2024 Regular Infrastructure Program, these projects aim for completion by

Manila: The Philippine government is set to engage in discussions with the United States next week regarding the newly imposed 20 percent tariff on its exports. This move is part of the country’s broader strategy to secure fairer trade terms, as confirmed by a leading Palace economic official on Thursday. According to Philippines News Agency, Secretary Frederick Go, the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (SAPIEA), announced that a high-level delegation, including officials from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), will be dispatched to Washington D.C. to negotiate with US trade representatives. Go expressed the

Manila: The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Thursday announced it is in the process of verifying reports of a fatality in the National Capital Region (NCR) resulting from the impacts of the southwest monsoon, known locally as ‘habagat’, and Typhoon Bising. According to Philippines News Agency, the latest report from the disaster response body indicates that the number of affected families has increased to 32,606, encompassing 103,274 individuals residing in 61 barangays across NCR, Regions 1 (Ilocos Region), 3 (Central Luzon), and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). Media reports have highlighted the tragic incident of a

Manila: Australia has appointed Marc Innes-Brown PSM as its next ambassador to the Philippines, its Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) announced Wednesday. The seasoned diplomat, who will succeed outgoing Australian Ambassador to the Philippines HK Yu PSM, is a senior career officer who has served overseas as Australia’s Ambassador to Turkey, Iran, and Iraq, and had previous postings in Thailand and the United States. According to Philippines News Agency, Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced the appointment, highlighting the strategic importance of the Australia-Philippine partnership. Wong thanked outgoing Ambassador Yu for her contributions in strengthening the bilateral ties since