General

Mandaluyong City: Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac emphasized that no individual will be exempt from the ongoing investigation into the PHP1.4-billion land acquisition by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). This transaction, scrutinized for accountability and public trust, involves a controversial land deal near Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 intended for a halfway house project for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). According to Philippines News Agency, Cacdac highlighted in an interview during the Philippine-Czech Republic Friendship Week event that the DMW is closely examining procedural lapses and unauthorized actions in the land purchase. The transaction, undertaken

Quezon City: A complete rebuild of the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) is set to begin on June 13, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said Tuesday. In an interview at the EDSA Busway’s Balintawak Station in Quezon City, MMDA Chair Romando Artes mentioned that the project is part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s ‘Build, Better, More’ initiative. It will involve a comprehensive information campaign on the project’s schedules, plans, rerouting schemes, and other measures to mitigate traffic slowdowns. According to Philippines News Agency, the EDSA rebuild was announced to begin in mid-June by Department of Transportation (DOTr)

Cavite: The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Tuesday destroyed PHP5.32 billion worth of dangerous drugs and controlled precursors and essential chemicals (CPECs) in Cavite province. The destruction took place at the Integrated Waste Management Inc. in Barangay Aguado in Trece Martires City through the process of thermal decomposition or thermolysis. According to Philippines News Agency, PDEA reported that the destroyed substances included 2,227.7584 kilograms of solid illegal drug substances and 3,447.0920 milliliters of liquid narcotics. These were meticulously broken down into specific quantities: 738.2005 kg of shabu, 1,478.4915 kg of marijuana, 4.8668 kg of ecstasy, 39.2168 grams of cocaine,

Pasay City: Some 26 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Negros Occidental are set to showcase export-quality Negrense food products during the International Food Exposition (IFEX) Philippines 2025 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City from May 22 to 24. In a media forum on Tuesday, Engiemar Tupas, chief trade-industry development specialist of DTI-Negros Occidental, highlighted the participation of Negrense MSMEs once again in the event, which aims to foster networking avenues among key players in the food, beverage, and ingredients industry. According to Philippines News Agency, previous participation of Negrense exhibitors at IFEX resulted in generating millions

Caraga: Police confiscated PHP932,550 worth of counterfeit cigarettes and arrested nine suspects during an 18-day anti-smuggling operation across Caraga Region that concluded May 18, authorities reported Tuesday. According to Philippines News Agency, the largest seizures occurred in Surigao del Norte, where PHP857,400 worth of fake cigarettes were recovered from Dapa and Claver towns. Additional operations in Surigao del Sur yielded PHP68,800 in contraband, while Agusan del Sur operations netted PHP6,350 worth of counterfeit products. “These arrested individuals face charges under Republic Act 10643, the Graphic Health Warnings Law,” said PRO-13 information chief Maj. Jennifer Omiter. Authorities seized 46 cases of