General

Manila: The province of Aklan recorded the highest basic and functional literacy rates in Western Visayas for 2024, according to the Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS) conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). During the regional data dissemination forum held here Thursday, PSA revealed that Aklan scored 92.1 percent in basic literacy, or the ability of a person aged five years and above to read and write with understanding. According to Philippines News Agency, Aklan also led in functional literacy at 73.9 percent among persons aged 10 to 64 who can read, write, compute, and comprehend. Second

Baguio: The management of an engineered sanitary landfill in Porac, Pampanga has agreed to accept garbage from Baguio following the closure of the facility in Urdaneta, Pangasinan, which led to the stoppage of waste collection. Margie Della, assistant head of the city government’s General Services Office (GSO), announced in a press conference late Wednesday afternoon that they were able to finalize the contract with Primewaste Solution Engineered Sanitary Landfill (PSESL) on Tuesday, allowing the resumption of garbage collection in the 128 barangays of Baguio City. According to Philippines News Agency, Della mentioned that garbage collection would resume on Thursday, with

Manila: The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday urged newly elected officials to join the ‘enhanced’ Newly Elected Officials Performing Leadership for Uplifting Service (NEO PLUS) aimed at fostering more efficient delivery of services. The NEO PLUS Program provides targeted training, education, and support for newly elected officials to govern effectively and responsibly, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said in a news release. According to Philippines News Agency, the program is a three-year capacity development initiative designed to support local leaders throughout their term. Implemented through the DILG’s Local Government Academy (LGA), it builds on the original

Manila: The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is set to launch a ‘food boat’ to further support the livelihood of Filipino fishers in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). The food boat will provide both logistics support and direct market linkage, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directives to boost local productivity and help Filipino fishers in the country. According to Philippines News Agency, the vessel will resemble the function of the newly launched joint project with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) dubbed ‘Kadiwa ng Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka (KBBM)’ program in Palawan. In a phone interview on

Ilocos: The Ilocos police have confiscated a total of PHP13.5 million worth of illegal drugs from January to May 15 this year. The operations resulted in the seizure of around 2,000 grams of shabu through 34 buy-busts, eight warrant arrests, two search warrants, and nine other enforcement actions. A total of 53 suspects were arrested -25 in Pangasinan, 19 in La Union, five in Ilocos Norte, and four in Ilocos Sur. According to Philippines News Agency, PRO1 director Brig. Gen. Lou Evangelista stated that the police continue to strengthen their anti-illegal drug campaign. He credited the results to active police