General

Manila: The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has revoked the license of a jeepney driver involved in a fatal road crash along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on April 13. In a statement on Thursday, LTO Chief Vigor Mendoza II said the decision is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to go after erring motorists as part of the government’s road safety campaign. According to Philippines News Agency, the driver of the passenger jeepney was found guilty of reckless driving during the investigation conducted by the LTO. The driver was fined with a maximum penalty of PHP2,000. Mendoza

Baguio city: The city government has renewed its call for residents to inspect their homes and surroundings for possible hazards, as frequent heavy rains continue to raise the risk of landslides and soil erosion in the area. According to Philippines News Agency, Mayor Benjamin Magalong advised the public on Thursday to be alert for signs of soil instability, such as cracks or shifting ground near homes and along slopes. “Check your surroundings, your houses for signs of possible occurrence of landslides. Check also your houses especially with frequent heavy rains being experienced,” Magalong said in Filipino. He issued the call

Manila: Senator Joel Villanueva on Thursday said the PHP50 wage adjustment signals progress but underscored the need for structural reforms that would guide regional wage boards using updated, region-specific cost-of-living data. According to Philippines News Agency, Villanueva, chair of the Senate Committee on Labor, expressed that while the wage hike is a positive development for Metro Manila workers, there is a need for a more sustainable approach through the proposed Living Wage Act. This legislation aims to establish a rational standard for determining minimum pay beyond the current legislated adjustments. Filed as part of Villanueva’s priority legislation for the 20th

Legazpi city: A PHP90 million Halal facility for the processing of poultry products will soon rise here, City Veterinary Office chief Dr. Emmanuel Estipona said Thursday. Once operational, Estipona said at least 2,000 to 5,000 Muslim Filipinos will benefit as the market extends beyond Legazpi City to the entire Bicol Region. According to Philippines News Agency, the construction of the processing plant is set to begin this month. Dr. Estipona emphasized that the facility aims to meet the growing demand for halal-certified poultry products, especially among Muslim communities in Bicol and neighboring areas. This initiative addresses the long-standing issue of

Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday cautioned rice traders against exploiting the government’s ‘Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na’ program to justify slashing their buying prices from farmers. This came amid reports that palay (unhusked rice) prices in Victoria, Tarlac have dropped to as low as PHP13/kg – allegedly due to BBM Na’s low retail price, which is even cheaper than rice bran. According to Philippines News Agency, Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa stated in a press briefing that traders cannot use the PHP20 rice price as a basis to lower their buying prices from farmers. He emphasized