General

Pagadian City: Presidential Adviser for Mindanao Concerns Secretary Antonio Cerilles announced plans to establish a Cagayan de Oro satellite office to streamline the region’s concerns to Malaca±ang in Manila. Cerilles revealed the proposal during a press briefing in Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur, stating he had already discussed it with the Office of the President (OP). According to Philippines News Agency, Cerilles emphasized that his residence in Pagadian would also serve as an operational office. The initiative aims to address two priority areas: local government affairs in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and agricultural

Negros: A former New People’s Army (NPA) rebel, now aligned with the Philippine Army in northern Negros, has been recognized as this year’s Outstanding Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) Active Auxiliary (CAA) by the 3rd Infantry Division (ID). Eduardo Linogon Jr., aged 33, was acknowledged for his “acts of heroism, loyalty, and gallantry in action” while serving as a member of the Delta Company of the 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) based in Sagay City, Negros Occidental. According to Philippines News Agency, Linogon’s transformation from a former rebel to an award-winning peacekeeper is seen as a testament to service and

Manila: The local stock market experienced a downturn due to profit-taking, while the peso ended weak on Monday. The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) saw a decline of 0.81 percent, closing at 6,359.63. Similarly, the All Shares index decreased by 0.58 percent, settling at 3,719.26 points. According to Philippines News Agency, the market’s pullback to the 6,300 level was attributed to profit-taking as investors awaited a fresh inflation report expected to be released on Tuesday. Regina Capital Development Corp.’s head of sales, Luis Limlingan, noted this trend in the market. All market counters ended in negative territory, with Holding Firms

Quezon City: Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Monday emphasized the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) commitment to delivering services that ‘exceed expectations,’ aiming for the public to access support ‘with dignity and ease.’ This message was conveyed by Undersecretary for Policy and Plans Group and Committee on Anti-Red Tape vice chairperson Adonis Sulit during the kickoff of the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Month at the DSWD central office. According to Philippines News Agency, the DSWD chief highlighted the importance of digital innovations, streamlined workflows, and people-first policies as part of the department’s strategy to enhance governance. Gatchalian noted

Bacolod City: Officials in this city welcomed the directive of Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon to require regular and mandatory drug tests for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers as part of a nationwide road safety plan. According to Philippines News Agency, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez expressed support for the directive from the Department of Transportation (DOTr), emphasizing that for the drug test to be effective, it should be unannounced. Councilor Al Victor Espino, chairperson of the committee on transportation and traffic management, stated that it is the right time to implement regular and mandatory drug tests for PUV drivers, acknowledging the