General

Misamis Oriental: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to modernizing the country’s ports to spur regional economic growth and tourism. Marcos made the remarks as he led the inauguration of the expanded Balingoan Port in Misamis Oriental. According to Philippines News Agency, the Balingoan Port now features a newly constructed two-story Port Operations Building with a 500-seating capacity and upgraded amenities aimed at improving passenger experience. The facility includes modern lounges, a children’s playroom, restrooms, ticketing counters, and commercial concession areas. The port’s backup area was also expanded by 10,832 square meters to support increased

Manila: The Baguio City Jail has taken a significant step by allowing political candidates to campaign inside its facility, which houses 279 eligible voters. According to Philippines News Agency, Jail Chief Inspector John Waylan Lapon, the warden of the Baguio City Jail-Male Dorm, announced during a media interview that both national and local candidates interested in campaigning within the jail must submit a formal request to the administration. Lapon emphasized the need to schedule these campaign activities to adhere to the facility’s regulations. The warden assured that all candidates would have equal chances to present their governance platforms to the

Antique: Ten houses were damaged while two persons got injured following three fire incidents in Antique over the past two days. According to Philippines News Agency, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) responded to two fire incidents in Barangay San Pedro and Barangay Bagumbayan in San Jose de Buenavista on Monday. Additionally, a fire occurred in the town proper of Hamtic on Easter Sunday. The initial investigation by the BFP revealed that the fire which razed a junkshop in Barangay Bagumbayan was due to unattended cooking on Monday night. Earlier that morning, another fire caused by an electrical short circuit

Iloilo City: The economy of Western Visayas expanded by 4.3 percent in 2024, a deceleration from the 6.8 percent growth recorded in 2023, as reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Tuesday. This slower growth is attributed to the exclusion of Negros Occidental and Bacolod City, now part of the newly formed Negros Island Region (NIR). According to Philippines News Agency, PSA Western Visayas chief statistical specialist Nelida Amolar explained that this growth rate corresponds to PHP641.76 billion. Despite the slower pace, the gross regional domestic product (GRDP) for 2024 is PHP26.5 billion higher than the previous year’s GDP

Dumaguete City: Key officials from the energy sector in Negros Oriental have assured that schools in remote areas, designated as voting centers for the May 12 polls, will have stable and reliable power. According to Philippines News Agency, Lawyer Fe Marie Tagle, general manager of the Negros Oriental II Electric Cooperative (Noreco II), confirmed in an interview that a backup plan is in place for unenergized schools where solar power will be utilized. Tagle highlighted a partnership between the Department of Education and the National Electrification Administration to energize last mile schools using photovoltaic modules. Eight schools within the Noreco