General

Bacolod: Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has announced the approval of PHP10-million worth of pesticide assistance from the national government to tackle the infestation of red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI) primarily affecting Negros Island. The announcement was made during the launch of the PHP20 per kilo rice program, ‘Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na’. According to Philippines News Agency, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has already procured the necessary pesticide with the allocated budget. Tiu Laurel emphasized the DA’s commitment to providing additional support to the SRA and Negros farmers as needed. He is actively monitoring the

Manila: Headline inflation further slowed to 1.3 percent in May, down from 1.4 percent in April, marking the lowest recorded rate since November 2019’s 1.2 percent, as reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). According to Philippines News Agency, National Statistician Dennis Mapa stated that this brought the year-to-date average inflation to 1.9 percent, aligning with the lower end of the government’s target range of 2 to 4 percent. The reduction was primarily attributed to a slower increase in the index of housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels, which decreased to 2.3 percent from 2.9 percent in April. Additionally,

Manila: For successfully defending his International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimumweight title, the Philippine Sportswriters Association on Thursday named Pedro Taduran as top achiever for May. The native of Libon, Albay delivered power punches to Ginjiro Shigeoka, winning via a split decision in their rematch in Osaka, Japan on May 23. He wrested the crown from the Japanese in July 2024. According to Philippines News Agency, the 28-year-old southpaw (18-4-1, 13 KOs) is now one of only two Filipino world champions – the other being WBC counterpart Melvin Jerusalem. Other Filipino athletes also made the country proud with their accomplishments abroad.

Manila: The local stock market closed almost flat on Thursday while the peso strengthened. The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) finished 0.03 percent lower to close at 6,376.79. All Shares, however, went up by 0.28 percent to 3,779.22. Except for Financials, which fell by 1.12 percent, all Sectors recorded gains led by Property, which rose 1.11 percent. According to Philippines News Agency, “Philippine and US equities delivered a mixed performance on, weighed down by the weakest private sector hiring in two years, tepid payroll gains, and a slipping dollar, all fueling investor caution,” Regina Capital Development Corp. head of sales

Bacacay: The Department of Education in Bicol (DepEd-5) will host the national kick-off event of the annual Brigada Eskwela in Bacacay town, Albay province on June 9. In an interview Thursday, Mark Kevin Arroco, DepEd-5 project development officer, said the activity marks the official start of the school maintenance program nationwide as the school year 2025-2026 begins on June 16. According to Philippines News Agency, expected guests during the event include DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara and other department executives. “The event will occur at Bacacay East Central School in Bacacay, Albay. Our central office recognizes DepEd-5’s outstanding performance in resource