General

Apayao: Having spent five years in jail, 38-year-old Jeffrey Rivera has found out that there is life after prison, thanks to various government support programs and private partners that opened doors of opportunities for him. “I was incarcerated for five years, eight months, and 14 days. I thought there would be no opportunities waiting for me on the other side because of my record, but I am so thankful for the overwhelming support of the government,” Rivera told the Philippine News Agency in a recent interview. According to Philippines News Agency, one of these initiatives is the “Revitalizing and Unlocking

Manila: The Department of Education (DepEd) announced that private schools in the country have the option to implement the newly revised academic calendar originally set for public schools. According to Philippines News Agency, the DepEd has reverted to its original school calendar, running from June to March, with school breaks scheduled from April to May, as outlined in its Department Order (DO) No. 12, series of 2025. This change sets the start of classes for the school year 2025-2026 on June 16, concluding on March 31 the following year. DepEd Media Relations Chief Dennis Legaspi, in a Viber message, clarified

Negros Occidental: Pilgrimage destinations across Negros Occidental are preparing to welcome thousands of devotees and visitors seeking rest and reflection during the annual Lenten observance. According to Philippines News Agency, Isabela town executive assistant for tourism, culture, and arts, Francis Ryan Pabiania, stated that the local government expects between 7,000 and 10,000 visitors from Thursday to Friday, with arrivals peaking on Friday night. The prominent 45-foot steel cross atop Glory Hill in Sitio Mantuhod, Barangay Mansablay, is reached via a two-hour ascent along cemented stairways and steep pathways marked by the 14 Stations of the Cross. Pabiania added that they

Manila: Twenty-five agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Bago City, Negros Occidental, have received significant financial relief after the government condoned their debts totaling PHP3.48 million, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) here bared on Thursday. The beneficiaries, whose agricultural lands are situated in Barangay Bacong, were presented with certificates of condonation with the release of mortgage (CoCRoMs) during a ceremony held on April 15. According to Philippines News Agency, this initiative is intended to provide substantial financial relief and empowerment to the recipients, ultimately aiming to improve their livelihoods as farmers. Mark Anthony Caraig, municipal agrarian reform program officer and

Negros Occidental: Pilgrimage destinations across Negros Occidental are preparing to welcome thousands of devotees and visitors seeking rest and reflection during the annual Lenten observance. According to Philippines News Agency, in an interview Thursday, Isabela town executive assistant for tourism, culture, and arts Francis Ryan Pabiania said the local government expects between 7,000 and 10,000 visitors from Thursday to Friday, “with arrivals peaking on Friday night.” The prominent 45-foot steel cross atop Glory Hill in Sitio Mantuhod, Barangay Mansablay, is reached via a two-hour ascent along cemented stairways and steep pathways marked by the 14 Stations of the Cross. Pabiania