General

Laoag: The Caraga Region significantly improved its performance and overall standing in the recent Palarong Pambansa 2025 held in Laoag, Ilocos Norte, compared to its showing in Cebu province last year. According to Philippines News Agency, this year, the region bagged 21 gold, 20 silver, and 43 bronze medals to finish eighth overall. In 2024, it placed 12th with 11-13-24. ‘This dramatic increase in medals is a direct result of intensified training programs, which were significantly bolstered by the robust support of local government units across the region,’ the Department of Education in Caraga Region (DepEd-13) said in a statement

Manila: Senate President Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero on Monday welcomed the appointment of Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III as the new chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), calling it a historic fulfillment of a decades-old law mandating civilian leadership in the police force. According to Philippines News Agency, Escudero highlighted that the decision of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to appoint Torre, a graduate of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA), as PNP chief marked the full realization of Republic Act No. 6975. This 1990 law restructured the country’s police force from military to civilian in character. RA 6975, or

Manila: Lawmakers on Monday welcomed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s decision to suspend the rehabilitation of the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), citing the need for stronger traffic management planning and public consultation to avoid worsening Metro Manila’s already dire congestion. “We laud President Marcos for heeding reason. Without adequate preparation, the closure of a portion of the main thoroughfare would result in mayhem, exacerbating the suffering of our commuters and motorists,” Senator Grace Poe said in a statement. According to Philippines News Agency, Poe urged concerned agencies to lay down a ‘comprehensive and efficient traffic management plan’ ahead

Rabat: The United Kingdom ‘considers Morocco’s autonomy proposal, submitted in 2007 as the most credible, viable and pragmatic basis for a lasting resolution of the dispute’ over the Moroccan Sahara, and ‘will continue to act bilaterally, including economically, regionally and internationally in line with this position to support resolution of the conflict.’ According to Philippines News Agency, this position was expressed in a Joint Communiqu©, signed Sunday in Rabat by the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, David Lammy; and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation

Legazpi: The 70 barangays of this city are now better equipped to respond to community needs, particularly in disaster risk mitigation and resilience, following the turnover of 45 new rescue vehicles to the barangays. According to Philippines News Agency, outgoing Legazpi City Mayor Alfredo Garbin highlighted the importance of these new vehicles as essential assets for the barangays. He emphasized their role in enhancing the ability to respond quickly to emergencies, ensuring the safety and security of residents. Garbin expressed gratitude for the support from the Ako Bicol (AKB) Partylist in facilitating the turnover of the vehicles, which now equip