General

Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) continues to prepare for the 2025 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) while the bill extending the terms for village and youth officials is waiting for the signature of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. According to Philippines News Agency, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia stated in an interview on Tuesday that the poll body has decided to make adjustments in the preparation of election materials for the December 1 polls. The adjustments include omitting the specific election date from essential forms such as official ballots, statements of votes, election returns, and minutes of voting. Garcia

Manila: Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Raphael Lotilla has vowed to mobilize the agency to strengthen the country’s defense of its maritime rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) through credible science and grassroots action. According to Philippines News Agency, Lotilla, in an exclusive symposium for DENR officials, emphasized the agency’s crucial role in producing scientific data, environmental reports, and legal strategies to uphold the country’s 2016 arbitral victory. These efforts aim to inform Filipinos and the international community, protect the marine environment from destruction, and demonstrate active defense of the nation’s rights. The Permanent Court of

Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is currently preparing for his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), with focus on presenting a clear and comprehensive report to the Filipino people, Malaca±ang said Tuesday. Marcos is scheduled to deliver his SONA before a joint session of Congress on July 28 at Batasang Pambansa, where he is expected to outline his administration’s progress midway through his term, and reaffirm policy directions including the economy, infrastructure, agriculture, digitalization, and national security. According to Philippines News Agency, in a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said

Bicol: The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol (DSWD-5) has disbursed more than PHP52.3 million in cash payouts to beneficiaries of Project LAWA (Local Adaptation to Water Access) and BINHI (Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished). Claudio Villareal, chief of DSWD-5’s Disaster Response Management Division, said each beneficiary received PHP7,900 after completing the 20-day cash-for-work and cash-for-training activities. According to Philippines News Agency, the payout was distributed to 6,622 partner-beneficiaries from 33 local government units across six provinces in the region. “We initiated our first payout on June 16, and disbursements are still ongoing,” Villareal stated.

San jose de buenavista: The local government here is eyeing a night market for added marketing opportunity and to boost the income of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Mayor Paul Joseph Untaran highlighted the initiative during the 2025 Provincial Micro Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (MSMEs) Summit at the CityMall Antique, emphasizing the town’s role as a commercial hub in the province. According to Philippines News Agency, the night market aims to provide MSMEs with a platform to showcase their products, facilitating a sustainable livelihood and new client acquisition. Mayor Untaran assured the local government’s support in this endeavor, recognizing