General

Manila: The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has announced that 10 additional medicines for conditions such as cancer, high cholesterol, hypertension, and mental illness are now exempt from value-added tax (VAT). According to Philippines News Agency, Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. issued Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 62-2025 on June 20, which further expands the list of VAT-exempt medications. The BIR aims to enhance access to essential medicines and reduce treatment costs for patients and their families through these changes. The newly exempted medicines include Tegafur + Gimeracil + Oteracil Potassium for cancer, Metformin Hydrochloride + Teneligliptin for diabetes, Atorvastatin (as calcium)

Manila: Authorities seized over PHP2.1 million worth of illegal drugs from June 1 to 22, the Police Regional Office in Caraga Region (PRO-13) said Monday. According to Philippines News Agency, the intensified operations resulted in the confiscation of 302.84 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) and 440 grams of marijuana. PRO-13 stated that 51 drug suspects were arrested during the period, comprising 26 high-value individuals and 25 street-level individuals. Two major drug seizures were highlighted during these operations: on June 13 in Surigao del Sur, two suspects were arrested with 80 grams of shabu worth PHP544,000; and on June 19 in

Quezon City: If we are serious about achieving gender equality, we must recognize all women in their diverse and intersecting identities. You can’t talk about peace and security if queer women and gender minorities are excluded. Gandeza’s advocacy is rooted in his own experience living with what he describes as the benevolent tolerance of queer identities in the Philippines, where acceptance is often conditional. There’s this unspoken rule that you’re okay until someone finds you offensive. And that shapes how queer people move through society, he explains. According to UN Women, working within the National Action Plan on Women, Peace

Manila: Professional seafarers will enjoy free train rides at the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) and the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) on Wednesday in celebration of the ‘Day of the Filipino Seafarer.’ According to Philippines News Agency, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), in partnership with the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), announced the ‘Libreng Sakay (free ride)’ initiative for Filipino mariners. The free rides are available at the LRT-2 during the rush hour windows of 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., while free rides are available at the MRT-3 from 5:30 a.m. onwards

Zamboanga Peninsula: The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology have announced that 26 evacuation centers funded by the national government are now operational across the Zamboanga Peninsula. These centers are part of a broader initiative to enhance disaster preparedness in the region. According to Philippines News Agency, the agencies revealed that three additional centers are currently under construction, with plans for more facilities in areas such as Dapitan and Dipolog set for 2025. These developments are aligned with the proposed Ligtas Pinoy Center Act, which seeks to establish permanent, hazard-informed evacuation sites within