General

Manila: Foreign embassies and diplomats expressed support and high hopes for stronger ties as Ma. Theresa Lazaro officially assumed as the new Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on July 1. Lazaro succeeded Enrique Manalo, who is set to take the helm at the Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. According to Philippines News Agency, United States Ambassador MaryKay Carlson said the US Embassy in Manila looks forward to working with the new secretary and further elevating the US-Philippines relations. “We at the US Embassy in the Philippines are excited to work with you

Bacoor: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. personally led the launch of the PHP20 per kg rice initiative at the Zapote Public Market in Bacoor, Cavite, as part of his administration’s effort to make rice more affordable for low-income Filipino families. The program, called ‘Benteng Bigas, Meron (BBM) Na!’, is implemented through the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Food Authority (NFA), with coordination from other agencies handling food subsidy and social welfare programs. According to Philippines News Agency, the PHP20/kg rice will be available to priority sectors, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), solo parents, and beneficiaries of

Catbalogan city: A local red tide warning has been raised in Irong-Irong Bay in Samar as collected seawater samples indicate the presence of red tide toxins, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) reported on Wednesday. The bay in Catbalogan City, the capital of Samar province, is the second area in the region included in the latest local red tide warning issued by the fisheries bureau. According to Philippines News Agency, ‘No area in the region is under shellfish ban. However, filtered seawater samples collected from Irong-Irong Bay remain positive for pyrodinium bahamense, a dinoflagellate that produces red tide

Cavite: Police arrested three of Bicol Region’s most wanted persons in separate one-day operations. In a report Wednesday, Police Regional Office-5 Director Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon said the suspects were arrested in Cavite, Pampanga, and Camarines Norte on Tuesday. According to Philippines News Agency, the number one most wanted person in Bicol, known as “Arjay,” a 37-year-old from Barangay Sta. Rosa 1, Noveleta, Cavite, was captured in a joint operation of Bicol police and various units of PRO-4A in Barangay Galicia 3, Mendez, Cavite. “Arjay” is facing a murder charge with no bail, along with an attempted murder charge with

Manila: The National Privacy Commission (NPC) has received an ‘unmodified opinion’ for the fourth straight year from the Commission on Audit (COA). According to Philippines News Agency, the NPC stated that the unmodified opinion, also referred to as an ‘unqualified opinion,’ is granted when a COA auditor determines that financial statements are ‘prepared, in all material respects, by the applicable financial reporting framework.’ The statement highlighted this achievement as a reflection of the NPC’s continuous dedication to accountability, transparency, and sound financial management in its mission to protect every Filipino’s right to data privacy. The privacy body has maintained this