General

Bangkok: The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) First Philippine Polymer Banknote Series (FPPBS) has been awarded the ‘Best New Banknote or Banknote Series’ by the International Association of Currency Affairs (IACA). The award ceremony took place in Bangkok, Thailand on May 28. According to Philippines News Agency, the IACA praised the FPPBS for its security features, design, and incorporation of local elements, including flora and fauna unique to the Philippines. The innovative features of the FPPBS are said to redefine currency security within the country, combining functionality with aesthetic elements to create a robust and secure currency system. The IACA

Iloilo City: The city government plans to request authorization from the Department of Health (DOH) to designate the Uswag Molecular Laboratory as the testing center for suspected mpox cases in Panay. According to Philippines News Agency, Mayor Jerry Tre±as announced at a press conference that the medical technologists at the Uswag Molecular Laboratory were trained two years ago to test mpox specimens, and the facility is fully equipped for this purpose, except for the test kits. “Considering that we are trained, we have the necessary personnel. As long as they give us kits, we can test for the whole of

Mandaluyong: Iloilo gastronomy was a hit during the three-day Savor the Flavors from the Regions 2025 Food Festival organized by the Department of Trade and Industry at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila. ‘Iloilo was invited to headline the second day because we are part of their campaign. They wanted to highlight our gastronomy,’ Iloilo City Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions Center Director Maria Lea Victoria Lara said in an interview on Tuesday. According to Philippines News Agency, Iloilo City took the spotlight as the only local government unit given an entire afternoon to showcase its culinary offerings on May

Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) has announced an extension for the issuance of fish and seafood import permits, now set to continue until the end of June. This extension provides importers additional time to adhere to new guidelines aimed at mitigating food inflation and ensuring a stable supply for crucial industries. According to Philippines News Agency, this decision is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to rationalize fish importation, thereby supporting the tourism and hospitality sectors, enhancing job creation, and attracting investment. The DA had authorized the importation of up to 25,000 metric tons of fish

Manila: Local shares went up for the second consecutive day due to market optimism ahead of Thursday’s inflation report, while the peso moved sideways. The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) closed at 6,412.86, higher by 0.95 percent, while All Shares also rose 0.74 percent to 3,770.95. According to Philippines News Agency, except for Financials which slightly declined by 0.06 percent, all sectors went up. “Philippine shares broke past the 6400 market once again driven by broad market optimism ahead of Thursday’s inflation report from last month,” Regina Capital Development Corp. head of sales Luis Limlingan, said. Winners and losers were