General

Manila: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is planning to launch within the week, a handbook that will help improve access to the United Kingdom (UK) market. “So we’re launching a guidebook on how to access the UK market, leveraging on the DCTS (Developing Countries Trading Scheme),” DTI Export Marketing Bureau Director Bianca Sykimte said during the recent UK-Southeast Asia Tech Week in Manila. According to Philippines News Agency, the DCTS reduces tariffs, removes conditions, and simplifies trading rules for 65 developing countries. On June 7, 2023, the UK government launched the DCTS in Manila, allowing Philippine exports to

Leyte: The release of Philippine eagles in Leyte will establish protocols for repopulating the national bird, an official of the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) said on Wednesday. Jayson Iba±ez, PEF director of operations, noted that their experience in Leyte seeks to apply experimental methods, crucial in restoring the raptor’s population. According to Philippines News Agency, the PEF will implement new protocols based on practices recommended by raptor experts from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Kenya. Iba±ez expressed hope that with these new methodologies, the eagles would not stray far from the release site, unlike the case of ‘Uswag.’

Maguindanao: Authorities launched a manhunt Wednesday after gunmen ambushed and killed a municipal election officer and her husband in Maguindanao del Norte province, police said. According to Philippines News Agency, Brig. Gen. Romeo Macapaz, police regional director for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, stated that all exit points from Datu Odin Sinsuat town were sealed following the 8:30 a.m. attack in Barangay Makir. The victims were identified as Bai Maceda Lidasan Abo, the election officer of Datu Odin Sinsuat, and her husband Jojo Abo. They were traveling in their SUV when the attack occurred, as reported by provincial election officer Mohammad

Antique: The payout for the first batch of beneficiaries of the government’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program in Antique is underway, an official said Wednesday. In an interview, Ma. Cecilia Acebuque, provincial director of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), stated that PHP178,024,780 has been allocated for the first batch, consisting of 31,898 beneficiaries. According to Philippines News Agency, out of the total amount, PHP164,308,640 is earmarked for the wages of beneficiaries, while PHP13,716,140 is for their Personal Protective Equipment and enrollment in the Government Service Insurance System under the Group Personal Accident Insurance for one

Laoag: More than 2,000 tricycle drivers in this city received fuel subsidy on Wednesday to help them cope with the recent oil price hike. Each of the 2,576 total beneficiaries received PHP3,000 cash during the distribution held at the Metro Ilocos Norte Council parking lot on Wednesday afternoon. According to Philippines News Agency, Metro Ilocos Norte Council (MINC) officer-in-charge Dale Reantillo stated that all MINC-registered members and holders of MINC IDs are entitled to avail of cash assistance from the provincial government. The MINC ID holders are also entitled to accident insurance coverage ranging from PHP30,000 to PHP50,000, Reantillo added.