General

Madinah: The first group of 376 Filipinos arrived in Madinah to participate in the annual Hajj pilgrimage, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced on Wednesday. The agency said the pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday aboard the Saudia flight 861, officially commencing their journey for Hajj 2025. According to Philippines News Agency, this year’s Hajj pilgrimage is set to take place from June 4 to 9 (8-13 Dhul Hijjah in the Islamic calendar), drawing millions of Muslims from around the world to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. ‘The arrival of the Filipino delegation highlights the enduring

Manila: Over PHP1.4 billion will be earmarked for the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) implementation and monitoring of the PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) Program, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said Wednesday. According to Philippines News Agency, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to promote lasting peace and development, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman approved the issuance of the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) covering the funding requirements for the PAMANA Program. Pangandaman emphasized the importance of the program in supporting the long-term development of localities, particularly vulnerable communities across the country. The PAMANA

Manila: The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) on Wednesday announced preparations to publish the necessary documents to begin the official restoration of the Manila Central Post Office (MCPO). According to Philippines News Agency, PHLPost outlined that the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Detailed Architectural and Engineering Design (DAED) will guide the rebuilding process. This initiative aims to ensure that the MCPO meets modern safety, accessibility, and sustainability standards while maintaining its historical and cultural significance as a national heritage site. The DAED will serve as a basis for accurate cost estimation and public bidding, promoting transparency and appropriate resource allocation.

Manila: The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is preparing to launch the Presidential Action Center (PAC) on the eGovPH mobile application, aiming to create a “one-stop shop” for accessing various government services. According to Philippines News Agency, DICT Undersecretary David Almirol Jr. announced during an interview on ‘Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon’ on PTV that the PAC is expected to be launched in the coming weeks. This initiative will consolidate several government services, allowing citizens to access them within a single location. Almirol mentioned that the PAC will provide access to services from the Social Security System (SSS), Philippine Health

Manila: National Food Authority (NFA) Administrator Larry Lacson has directed immediate action to purchase palay (unhusked rice) in regions where traders are offering farmers significantly low prices. This move aims to protect farmers during the peak dry harvest season, as the Department of Agriculture (DA) investigates allegations of traders exploiting local rice farmers with prices falling below PHP15 per kilogram. According to Philippines News Agency, the lowest reported buying price by traders as of April 30 was in Bataan at PHP13.50 per kg. Other regions experiencing similar low prices include Cagayan, Allacapan, Kalinga, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, and Quirino in Cagayan