General

Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the provincial government of Apayao have partnered to provide financial assistance to job seekers, helping cover transportation and processing costs as they look for employment. According to Philippines News Agency, the Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) payout on July 4 supported 17 initial beneficiaries under the Apayao Barangay Social Welfare Worker (ABSWW) program. She added that more disbursements are expected in the coming weeks. ‘The EAF is a pre-employment support covering daily allowances and transportation expenses to ease the beneficiaries’ transition to formal work,’ Soria said in a statement on Monday,

Manila: The Department of Tourism (DOT) 10 (Northern Mindanao) has acknowledged the vital contribution of Indigenous Peoples (IP) to the ecotourism industry, recognizing them as integral to protecting nature, especially in Misamis Oriental province. In an interview on Monday, DOT-10 Director Marie Elaine Unchuan said IPs are among the communities that helped government and tourism initiatives thrive in the province and the region, serving as watchers and residents in the area. According to Philippines News Agency, Unchuan stated, “We still have vast forests in Misamis Oriental that are well protected by our eco-warriors, composed of volunteers from our IPs or

Caloocan city: A couple claiming to be members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were arrested for extorting PHP2.6 million from a local entrepreneur, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) reported on Monday. In a news release, the NBI identified the suspects as Christopher and Maria Elena Capitulo, who were arrested by operatives of the NBI Organized and Transnational Crime Division (NBI-OTCD) at their residence in Dagat-Dagatan, Caloocan City on July 2. According to Philippines News Agency, the complainant reported the two to the OTCD, citing years of threats from an individual identifying himself as “Ka Ferdie,” who is allegedly

Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is supportive of proposals to regulate and potentially tax online gaming platforms, especially if these initiatives are aimed at safeguarding public welfare and addressing gambling addiction, Malaca±ang announced. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated that Marcos recognizes the risks associated with unregulated online gambling and would not oppose well-researched measures and policies to control this sector. According to Philippines News Agency, the Department of Finance (DOF) has proposed imposing a tax on online gaming to restrict its proliferation, with the aim of benefiting Filipino families. “Ang proposal po na ito ng DOF na magkaroon

Manila: The Department of Health (DOH) has announced that HIV confirmatory testing in the Philippines has become more efficient and accessible, with 168 rapid HIV diagnostic algorithm (rHIVda) laboratories now operational across the country. According to Philippines News Agency, the DOH highlighted in a public advisory that previously, confirmatory HIV test results could take from seven days to up to three weeks. Now, the results can be obtained in just one day. The rHIVda is utilized to confirm reactive results from initial HIV screening tests, which is a necessary step before a person can be officially diagnosed and begin treatment