General

Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has approved the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) 2024-2028, aiming to boost productivity, income, and modernization within the coconut industry. According to Philippines News Agency, President Marcos signed Memorandum Circular 84 on May 21, officially approving and adopting the CFIDP 2024-2028. This revised plan, a successor to the CFIDP 2022-2026, was made public on Tuesday. The plan provides a strategic framework for implementing national development programs focused on social protection, capacity building, farmer organization empowerment, infrastructure, and other support programs, all designed to improve the socio-economic conditions of Filipino coconut farmers. The

Cotabato City: Three individuals in Cotabato City have tested positive for mpox (formerly monkeypox), bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to eight, health officials said Tuesday. Dr. Harris Ali, city health officer, noted that the three new patients, including a 28-year-old woman currently receiving medication, a 72-year-old man, and a 4-year-old boy, are all under home isolation. According to Philippines News Agency, Dr. Ali also reported that there are currently 14 suspected mpox cases being monitored in the city. He urged the public to visit health centers or the nearest

Manila: A total of 2,155 registered rice farmers in this city can now claim their PHP7,000 cash assistance from the Department of Agriculture (DA) under its Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund – Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RCEF-RFFA) program. In an interview on Tuesday, Laoag City agriculturist Sheila Marie Opelac said the farmer-beneficiaries should use their intervention monitoring cards to check and withdraw the amount through any BancNet automated teller machine. According to Philippines News Agency, the cash assistance is intended for farmers tilling rice farms measuring two hectares or less and registered with the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture.

Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday assured that his administration is committed to protecting the rights and welfare of the Philippine workforce during a dialogue with labor leaders at the Goldenberg Mansion, Malaca±an compound in Manila. He emphasized the government’s dedication to fostering open discussions aimed at achieving dignified work, sufficient wages, and a hopeful future for Filipino families. According to Philippines News Agency, Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) president and House Deputy Speaker Raymond Mendoza acknowledged the meeting with President Marcos, highlighting the ‘most urgent’ labor and employment issues affecting millions of Filipino workers. Mendoza

Manila: Senators adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 21 on Tuesday, formally urging the establishment of a Cabinet Cluster for Education. This initiative aims to streamline and harmonize policies across the country’s education agencies in response to increasing concerns over learning outcomes and systemic inefficiencies. According to Philippines News Agency, the resolution, sponsored by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, seeks to create a high-level inter-agency mechanism. This mechanism will ensure the cohesive implementation of education laws, reforms, and programs across various bodies, including the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Gatchalian emphasized the