General

Manila: The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Thursday summoned Philippine Airlines (PAL) to explain the recent diversion of flight PR102 to a Japanese airport. In a statement, DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon ordered the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) to issue show cause orders to PAL to explain the incident and to ensure compensation for the affected passengers. Dizon has also ordered CAAP to investigate the incident. According to Philippines News Agency, on Wednesday, PAL flight PR102 departed for Los Angeles in the United States but was diverted to Haneda Airport in Japan

Manila: The Philippine National Police (PNP) announced that Maj. Mae Ann Cunanan, one of its female officers, will represent the Philippines in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) organized by the United States Department of State. The program, focusing on “Combating Human Trafficking,” includes distinguished participants from around the world, such as law enforcement professionals, policymakers, and advocates. According to Philippines News Agency, the IVLP opens on April 12 and will take place in various US locations including Washington D.C., Detroit, and San Francisco. The program is designed to facilitate high-level discussions, the exchange of best practices, and the exploration

Para±aque City: Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) operatives seized suspected shabu with an estimated street value of PHP28.5 million during a buy-bust operation in Para±aque City on Wednesday, which resulted in the death of one suspect and the arrest of three others. According to Philippines News Agency, the anti-narcotics body stated that the suspects, with aliases Lala, Allan, and Binny, were nabbed during the operation in Barangay San Antonio at about 5 p.m. Another suspect, alias Sady, was killed while four PDEA agents were wounded in the ensuing gunfight. Seized from the operation were 4.2 kilograms of suspected shabu, a

Davao City: The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced the successful conduct of the first harvest festival for locally produced hybrid rice seeds in Barangay Rang-ay, Banaybanay, Davao Oriental province this week. This event marks a significant step toward enhancing local seed production and supporting the agricultural sector. According to Philippines News Agency, DA 11 (Davao Region) Executive Director Macario Gonzaga highlighted the importance of innovation and the development of local seed production to improve the lives of Filipino farmers. The initiative aligns with DA’s Administrative Order 9, which focuses on promoting hybrid rice production and emphasizes the critical role of

Manila: The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is advocating for the passage of the Magna Carta for IT Professionals, aimed at improving compensation and benefits for IT workers in the government sector. According to Philippines News Agency, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda emphasized the importance of recognizing and supporting government IT workers to advance President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s digitalization agenda. Aguda stated that the proposed legislative bill is intended to enhance compensation, benefits, and professional recognition for the ICT workforce. Aguda committed to prioritizing the bill during the Program Convergence Budgeting for Public Financial Management Systems and Medium-Term