General

Quezon City: The Philippine government has slashed permit processing time by more than 90 percent in key sectors, which significantly improves the ease of doing business and attracts more investments, the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) said. According to Philippines News Agency, in a forum celebrating the Ease of Doing Business month in Quezon City, ARTA Director General Ernesto Perez highlighted the major regulatory gains achieved through its National Effort for Harmonization of Efficient Measures of Inter-related Agencies (NEHEMIA) Program. This initiative has streamlined bureaucratic procedures in sectors such as telecommunications, energy, construction, housing, logistics, food and pharmaceuticals, mining, agriculture, semiconductor,

Manila: Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) chairperson and chief executive officer Alejandro Tengco announced that he, along with all members of the agency’s Board of Directors, submitted their courtesy resignations last week. According to Philippines News Agency, Tengco stated that this move is intended to provide President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. with the flexibility needed to restructure the bureaucracy. “We serve at the pleasure of the President,” Tengco remarked, emphasizing their readiness to accept any decision made by the Chief Executive. Those who resigned in addition to Tengco include PAGCOR president and chief operating officer Wilma Eisma and Directors

Manila: Most areas in the country will experience isolated rain showers on Thursday, a weather forecaster said. The southwesterly windflow affecting the western section of Northern Luzon, however, will bring scattered rains and thunderstorms over Ilocos Region, Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Bataan, Zambales, and Palawan. “Light to moderate to at times heavy rains will be experienced in those areas. Floods and landslides are possible,” Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecaster Benison Estareja said. According to Philippines News Agency, the rest of the country will experience isolated rain showers caused by localized thunderstorms. Meanwhile, Estareja said no low pressure

Caraga Region: Local government units (LGUs) and medical facilities across the Caraga Region have proactively implemented protective measures to safeguard residents against potential monkeypox (mpox) infection. As of posting time, no confirmed mpox cases have been reported in the region. However, two suspected cases in Dinagat Islands are currently awaiting confirmation from laboratory tests. According to Philippines News Agency, amidst this situation, Dinagat Islands Governor Nilo Demerey Jr. issued Executive Order No. 05-04 on Thursday, a copy of which was released to the media in the afternoon. The order provides comprehensive guidelines for the prevention, detection, isolation, and management of

Bacolod City: The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has assured continuous and close monitoring efforts to contain the red-striped soft-scale insect (RSSI) infestation that has affected sugarcane crops in Negros Occidental. This pest was first reported in Luzon in 2023 and threatens to decrease sugar content by nearly 50 percent. According to Philippines News Agency, SRA Administrator Luis Pablo Azcona highlighted the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) supportive role in addressing the situation. He mentioned that there have been collaborative measures with the DA-Negros Island Region (DA-NIR), allowing for a swift response to the outbreak. Despite these efforts, Azcona noted the challenges