General

Butuan City: The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Caraga Region (DSWD-13) has launched the Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program (TBTP), a flagship initiative of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. aimed at addressing foundational literacy gaps among struggling learners. The program, which began Tuesday and will run until Friday, targets barangay captains, school heads, parents, and other stakeholders in Butuan City and Surigao del Norte. According to Philippines News Agency, as of Thursday, over 400 participants have joined the program’s activities in Butuan City and Siargao Island. In a statement Thursday, DSWD-13 said the simultaneous launch events were held at

Manila: Travelers planning to visit Japan on a tourist visa, whether it is multiple or single entry, will not incur any visa fee except for center usage fees and other additional services they may choose to avail once Japan’s new visa center opens. According to Philippines News Agency, the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines announced on Wednesday the opening of its five VFS Global-managed visa application centers on April 7. The embassy clarified that there is no fee imposed for a tourism visa, although travel agencies or visa centers may charge their own fees to manage and process a

Manila: National Security Adviser Eduardo A±o on Thursday denied any involvement in the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte, refuting claims that he was part of a supposed core group that orchestrated the operation. Testifying before the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, A±o called accusations linking him to a “grand conspiracy” as “unacceptable and unfair,” and firmly rejected any suggestion that he played a key role in Duterte’s arrest. According to Philippines News Agency, A±o stated that his role was strictly limited to his mandate-ensuring the situation did not escalate into a national security concern, and emphasized that the implementation

Manila: National University’s Bella Belen and Ateneo de Manila University’s Kennedy Batas have emerged as the frontrunners in statistical points (SP) after the first round of the UAAP Season 87 collegiate volleyball tournament. Belen, who stands at 5-foot-8, has previously been named MVP in Seasons 84 and 86, and currently boasts 159.600 SPs in the women’s division. According to Philippines News Agency, Belen, an opposite spiker, is seventh in the league with 107 points and ranks eighth in spiking efficiency at 33.47 percent. She leads in aces with 0.63 per set, is sixth in digs at 2.60 per set, and

Tubay: The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in the Caraga Region (BFAR-13) has condemned the killing of a pregnant blue shark (Prionace glauca) in Barangay Cabayawa, Tubay, Agusan del Norte. In a statement Thursday, BFAR-13 said it is collaborating with the local government unit (LGU) and other agencies to investigate the incident. According to Philippines News Agency, a Facebook post on March 18 showed beachgoers pulling the beached shark from shallow waters and battering it with a piece of wood, sparking outrage online. Under the Philippine Fisheries Code (Republic Act 8550, as amended by RA 10654), it is illegal