General

Talisay city: Some 1,000 public school teachers in Negros Occidental will undergo upskilling training on artificial intelligence (AI) and English proficiency through the support of the provincial government. Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Vice Governor Jose Benito Alonso handed over the symbolic 1,000 vouchers to Department of Education-Negros Occidental Schools Division Superintendent Gladys Amylaine Sales during the inauguration of the Negros Occidental Language and Information Technology Center (NOLITC) Global Campus in Talisay City. According to Philippines News Agency, Lacson highlighted the significance of the event, stating that awarding the upskilling vouchers is a transformation tool for teachers, who are considered

Manila: The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Tuesday commenced the implementation of a one-year visa-free entry for holders of Taiwanese passports. According to Philippines News Agency, Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado announced that the implementation aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s directive to enhance Philippine tourism and foster diplomatic reciprocity between the two nations. Under Presidential Directive No. PBBM-2025-1539, issued on April 3, 2025, Taiwanese nationals will be permitted visa-free entry into the Philippines for up to 14 days. This policy will be effective from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. The initiative reflects a reciprocal arrangement with Taiwan,

Manila: The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) fully awarded bids for the reissued Treasury bond (T-bond) during Tuesday’s auction. With a remaining term of five years and 25 days, the reissued T-bond fetched an average yield of 5.896 percent, which was lower than the prevailing five-year benchmark at 5.937 percent. According to Philippines News Agency, the auction was 1.9 times oversubscribed with total tenders reaching PHP57.5 billion. Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort noted that the average yield of the T-bond slightly fell below the comparable benchmark ahead of the latest local inflation data on Friday, which could

Manila: An environmental watchdog on Tuesday expressed support for the Department of Health’s (DOH) public health advisory warning against the use of toxic mercury in traditional practices to counter witchcraft. According to Philippines News Agency, the EcoWaste Coalition issued a statement following their appeal for immediate action from the DOH, as misleading claims circulate on e-commerce platforms and social media promoting mercury as a ‘pamatay-bisa’ or antidote to ‘barang’ (sorcery) and ‘kulam’ (witchcraft). The DOH has highlighted the serious health risks associated with mercury exposure, which include damage to the brain, nerves, kidneys, and other vital organs. In light of

Bicol: More than 2,000 minimum wage earners from six provinces in the Bicol Region have benefited from the launch of the PHP20 per kg rice program “Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na” on Tuesday. Department of Labor and Employment Regional Director Imelda Gatinao stated that the program is crucial for meeting the needs of low-income workers. According to Philippines News Agency, the program currently includes 2,404 workers, with an aim to reach 17,000. It has been rolled out in Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Sorsogon, Albay, Catanduanes, and recently in Masbate. The program is a collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, the