General

Manila: Senator Joel Villanueva on Thursday encouraged members of the House of Representatives to immediately tackle the proposed Minimum Wage Increase Act once session resumes on June 2, calling the measure a timely and meaningful gift for Filipino workers. He expressed optimism that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. could sign it into law before the end of the 19th Congress on June 13, 2025. According to Philippines News Agency, the Senate approved on the third and final reading Senate Bill 2534, also known as the PHP100 Daily Minimum Wage Increase Act of 2023, last February 19. If the House of

Manila: The Philippines and the United Kingdom are on the verge of finalizing a government-to-government (G2G) partnership, which would grant the Philippines access to a 5-billion-pound funding facility from the UK Export Finance (UKEF). This development was confirmed by British Ambassador to the Philippines, Laure Beaufils. According to Philippines News Agency, Beaufils, during a media reception at her residence, disclosed that a memorandum of understanding (MOU) is currently being finalized to activate the UKEF funding. This funding is poised to support key infrastructure projects across the Philippines, addressing existing procurement challenges. The MOU is expected to be completed within the

Tacloban: Jenita Aguilar’s trembling fingers trace the rosary beads Pope Francis placed in her hands a decade ago, the same hands that rebuilt her life after losing everything to Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). Of thousands who lined Tacloban’s rain-soaked streets on Jan. 17, 2015, only Aguilar’s family received the pontiff’s spontaneous blessing when he stopped at their makeshift home. According to Philippines News Agency, “His kiss on my children’s foreheads became our armor,” the 53-year-old mother recalled on Tuesday, remembering how the pope braved Tropical Storm Amang to comfort survivors. The small wooden box containing his gifted rosary now safeguards medical

Iloilo City: The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 6 in Western Visayas is encouraging job seekers and individuals considering a career shift to participate in the 123rd Labor Day Job Fair on May 1. The event promises a broad array of opportunities, with about 9,000 job vacancies already available and expectations of reaching up to 10,000 positions, including roles both locally and overseas. According to Philippines News Agency, Jorge Ferraris II, the Officer-in-Charge of the DOLE-6 Technical Support and Employment Promotions Division, outlined during a press conference that positions such as customer service representatives, sales associates, service crew, bus

Nasipit: The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte (CENRO-Nasipit) has called on residents of five coastal barangays in Carmen town to remain vigilant and help protect sea turtle nesting areas. According to Philippines News Agency, the barangays of Vinapor, Gosoon, San Agustin, Cahayagan, and Tagcatong are part of the Carmen Critical Habitat for Marine Turtles, designated under Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order No. 2012-08. ‘These coastal communities are critical habitats and play an essential role in the conservation of marine turtles,’ CENRO-Nasipit head Nelson Caranzo said in an interview on Thursday.