General

Leyte: A PHP237 million World Bank (WB)-funded project will modernize banana chips processing in three Leyte towns, turning small-scale farming into a sustainable and profitable enterprise. According to Philippines News Agency, the Eastern Visayas Banana Processing and Marketing Enterprise (EVBPME) will see the Omaganhan Farmers Agrarian Reform Cooperative (OFMPC), based in Tabango, Leyte, consolidate banana produce from 27 farmer clusters. These clusters comprise 679 members across the towns of Villaba, Tabango, and San Isidro. The Department of Agriculture (DA) regional office stated on Tuesday that these farmers will supply raw cardaba bananas to a modern processing facility in Villaba. This

Manila: The Philippines stands to unlock access to the massive sovereign wealth fund of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), a senior trade official said Tuesday. On the sidelines of the Doing Business in the Philippines forum in Taguig City, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo stated that once CEPA is signed and enters into force, this trade and investment deal will allow the country to tap into the sovereign wealth funds of the UAE, which is valued at around USD2.39 trillion as of May 2025, according to

Manila: The National Government (NG) recorded a budget surplus of PHP67.3 billion in April this year due to the slowdown in spending, data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) showed. In its latest cash operations report released on Tuesday, BTr said revenue collections slightly declined to PHP522.1 billion in April from PHP537.2 billion a year ago mainly due to the timing in non-tax collections. According to Philippines News Agency, the temporary decline was offset by the 7.84 percent growth in tax revenues which reached PHP498 billion. In particular, the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) collection reached PHP420.5 billion, up

Kuala Lumpur: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone have pledged to enhance their collaboration in key areas such as trade, education, defense, and digital innovation, as the Philippines and Laos celebrated 70 years of diplomatic relations. This commitment was made during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 46th ASEAN Summit. According to Philippines News Agency, both leaders expressed their intent to elevate their partnership amid regional efforts for greater connectivity, resilience, and economic growth. In commemoration of the milestone, President Marcos shared on social media about their agreement to strengthen cooperation in various

San Remigio: Workers tapped under the government’s emergency employment program helped ensure that schools in the 45 barangays of San Remigio in Antique are ready for the June 16 start of classes. The Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced (TUPAD) workers of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) deployed over 2,000 recipients who trimmed tall grasses, planted vegetables on the school gardens, cleared canals, constructed pathways, and other works needed to beautify the schools. According to Philippines News Agency, TUPAD workers also made pathway openings in the interior barangays of Panpanan I and Rizal, facilitating easier access for learners traveling