General

Manila: Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Secretary Jose Francisco Benitez on Wednesday announced that enterprise-based education and training (EBET) stands as the agency’s most effective training modality. Addressing a gathering of executives and members of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Benitez highlighted that graduates of EBET programs boast an impressive 85.48 percent employment rate. According to Philippines News Agency, Benitez emphasized the importance of industry partnerships in the EBET framework, urging a collaborative effort to integrate workplace learning with classroom education. By partnering with employers, EBET not only educates enrollees about the work but also

Manila: Sending money home is about to become easier and more affordable for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), following the Philippines’ removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) gray list, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). According to Philippines News Agency, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac stated in a news release that this development, driven by reforms under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s leadership, will result in lower remittance fees and fewer documentary requirements for OFWs transferring money to their families in the Philippines. This move is seen as part of a larger effort to secure financial

Tacloban: The Philippine Army has already deployed around 2,821 soldiers in Eastern Visayas communities to help ensure peaceful and orderly elections on May 12. Since the activation on February 11, 2025, of Task Force HOPE (honest, orderly, and peaceful elections), the Army’s 8th Infantry Division has deployed thousands of government troops to provide security assistance to the Philippine National Police and other security agencies. According to Philippines News Agency, the last batch, composed of 86 additional personnel, was deployed on May 4, a week before the national and local elections, said Task Force HOPE-Eastern Visayas commander Col. Arlino Sendaydiego in

Ilocos Region: The weeklong ‘Kadiwa ng Pangulo’ Labor Day celebration in the Ilocos Region generated PHP901,185 in total sales, benefiting 378 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from April 25 to May 1. The event was organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, and local governments. It was designed to enable farmers and MSMEs to sell directly to consumers, providing affordable goods to workers and their families while aligning with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s food security thrust. According to Philippines News Agency, DOLE reported that

Manila: Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers on Wednesday raised alarm over the laundering of ransom money in the Anson Que kidnapping case, calling it a ‘serious national security threat’ that exposes the Philippines to transnational crime. According to Philippines News Agency, Barbers stated in a press release that the routing of ransom funds through junket operators, e-wallets, and cryptocurrency platforms signals a growing shadow economy used by foreign syndicates for money laundering, kidnapping, and potentially espionage. Barbers expressed concern over the deeply entrenched network of foreign syndicates using the Philippines as a safe haven for financial crimes, leveraging