General

Manila: The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) is calling for urgent, comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education as the country faces an alarming surge in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections and adolescent pregnancies, particularly among minors. According to Philippines News Agency, the CPD joined forces with the Department of Health in sounding the alarm over troubling data involving Filipino youth. The CPD’s press statement emphasized the systemic gaps in accessing reproductive health education, highlighting the lack of accurate information among young Filipinos about safe sex, HIV prevention, and contraceptive use. CPD Executive Director Undersecretary Lisa Grace Bersales stressed the

Subiaco: Ireland-based Filipino ultrarunner Jivee Tolentino has once again demonstrated remarkable endurance by completing 160.8 kilometers over 24 consecutive hours at the Backyard Ultra Livata in Subiaco, Italy. The event, held from May 31 to June 2, featured 146 international participants, with Tolentino finishing 15th in one of the most challenging ultramarathons, renowned for its unique format where only the last runner standing is considered the finisher. According to Philippines News Agency, the 47-year-old Ilonggo native expressed gratitude for participating in the Backyard Ultra Livata. Tolentino is currently ranked 13th in the world, a ranking bolstered by his impressive record

Bacolod City: More Filipinos will benefit from the government’s PHP20 per kilogram rice program under the ‘Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na’ as it is now available in 87 locations in the country, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Thursday. This expansion follows the program’s launch at Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) stores in three public markets in Bacolod City. According to Philippines News Agency, the number of locations offering the affordable rice has surpassed the initial target of 55 KNP sites, as initially projected by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. In a statement, Agriculture Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra noted that

Manila: The Bureau of Customs-Ninoy Aquino International Airport (BOC-NAIA) intercepted earlier this week a shipment containing methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu, with an estimated street value of PHP6.72 million. The illegal drugs, weighing 988.5 grams, were discovered on Monday during an inspection at the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC) in Pasay City. According to Philippines News Agency, BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio stated in a news release on Thursday that the contraband was misdeclared as ‘ladies wear and bags.’ The district collector, lawyer Yasmin Mapa, mentioned that the claimant of the shipment was arrested and turned over to the Philippine

Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is preparing to proclaim Bagong Henerasyon (BH) as one of the party-list winners in the May 12 midterm elections next week. Comelec Chairperson George Garcia announced that the Commission en banc has issued a Certificate of Finality and Entry of Judgment regarding the dismissal of the petition that sought BH’s disqualification from the party-list race. According to Philippines News Agency, the National Board of Canvassers is expected to proclaim the BH party-list soon, potentially as early as next week. The Certificate of Finality issued by Comelec declares that the Resolution of the Commission (En