General

Manila: Senator Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan has taken a significant step by filing a series of Senate resolutions aimed at conducting a thorough legislative review of key agriculture and fisheries policies. The senator emphasized the necessity for reforms to ensure that farmers and fisherfolk are adequately supported and not left behind. According to Philippines News Agency, the resolutions are part of the second batch of Pangilinan’s legislative priorities for the 20th Congress. They focus on evaluating the effectiveness of the Sagip Saka Act, the impact of the Rice Tariffication Law, and the implications of permitting commercial fishing in municipal waters, traditionally

Malaca±ang: Malaca±ang on Wednesday maintained that Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Acting Secretary Jay Ruiz is still the head of the agency. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro revealed she has not received any information suggesting that Ruiz will be replaced amid efforts to recalibrate the Marcos administration. According to Philippines News Agency, Castro stated, “Sa aking pagkakaalam wala pa po (As far as I know, there is none yet),” when asked to confirm reports about the alleged changes in the PCO leadership. She affirmed, “Nananatili pong Acting Secretary si Jay Ruiz (Jay Ruiz remains Acting Secretary).” Ruiz was reappointed by President

Manila: Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa on Tuesday said healthcare systems must remain operational under extreme pressure brought about by natural and man-made crises. Herbosa made this statement during an international webinar hosted by Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, featuring top clinicians from Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Israel’s largest Level-1 trauma hospital. According to Philippines News Agency, Herbosa emphasized that health systems are constantly being tested and hospitals must be the last structures standing-physically, operationally, and morally-in moments of crisis. He referred to the fourth pillar (Ready for Crisis) of the Department of Health’s Eight-Point Action Agenda, highlighting ongoing initiatives

Butuan city: The Provincial Health Office (PHO) of Agusan del Sur reported on Wednesday a quick recovery of the province’s first confirmed mpox (formerly monkeypox) patient. “The patient is now recovering from the symptoms caused by mpox,” Dr. Annie Abordo-Dioso, PHO infectious disease specialist, said during a radio program hosted by the provincial government. According to Philippines News Agency, Dioso mentioned that the Department of Health (DOH) 13 (Caraga Region) provided support to the PHO for the patient’s medication. “The medications were administered to the patient twice daily for 14 days,” she said, adding that based on their regular medical

Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has provided PHP2.3 million worth of assistance to 33,026 families, equivalent to 105,211 individuals, in four regions affected by the combined effects of Typhoon Bising and the southwest monsoon, known locally as “habagat”. According to Philippines News Agency, the DSWD reported that all 33,026 families across 82 barangays in the Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and the Cordillera Administrative Region have received family food packs and non-food relief items from the department’s Field Offices. Currently, only three families, or 15 individuals, are taking temporary shelter in two evacuation centers in Central