General

La Carlota: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has assured displaced voters near Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Occidental that they will still be able to cast their votes in the upcoming May 12 midterm elections. Comelec Chairperson George Garcia emphasized that voters affected by the volcano’s eruption will not face disenfranchisement. According to Philippines News Agency, Garcia stated that the Comelec is committed to holding elections even for a small number of voters and plans to set up polling precincts within evacuation centers to facilitate voting for displaced individuals. This announcement was made after Garcia’s visit to the La Carlota Evacuation

Cebu: The Department of Agriculture (DA) is ramping up preparations to expand its PHP20-per-kilo rice initiative beyond Cebu, with at least 16 additional distribution centers set to operate across Metro Manila under the KADIWA ng Pangulo program. According to Philippines News Agency, outside Cebu, DA has identified key selling points in Metro Manila, including public markets in Caloocan, Quezon City, Mandaluyong, Pasay, and Marikina, as well as DA offices and police headquarters such as Camp Crame and the Philippine National Police (PNP) Eastern District in Pasig. Each site will sell National Food Authority (NFA)-sourced rice at PHP20 per kilo to

Pasay City: The nationwide job fairs in 69 areas across the country will continue until May 2, coinciding with the Labor Day celebration, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced Thursday. These simultaneous events will be held in Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and the Davao Region. According to Philippines News Agency, President Marcos emphasized that these job fairs are not only creating opportunities for more employment but are also bringing jobs closer to the citizens. During the 123rd Labor Day celebration at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, he highlighted that from July 2022 to February

New Clark City: University of the Philippines’ Juliana Talaro defended the women’s 10,000-meter walk title Thursday in the ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships at the New Clark City Athletic Stadium here. The 22-year-old from Pinagbuhatan, Pasig clocked 55 minutes and 57.21 seconds to claim her third straight title. According to Philippines News Agency, University of Santo Tomas’ Azeneth Serat finished second in 56:51.95, followed by University of the East’s Sep Blessee Placido, who completed the race in 57:59.90. “I really want to defend the title, I’m glad I did it,” said Talaro, who competed in the 20,000-meter walk race at the

Manila: The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced Thursday that consultations on a possible wage hike for minimum wage earners in Metro Manila will begin mid-May. DOLE-National Capital Region (NCR) Director Sarah Buena Mirasol said preparations are underway for discussions between labor and employer groups regarding a potential salary adjustment for private-sector workers. According to Philippines News Agency, Mirasol stated that consultations between workers and employers will commence in May, with a public hearing scheduled for June. The announcement was made during the Labor Day job fair at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. If the deliberations proceed smoothly