General

Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has pledged to make concerted efforts to convince Tonga, Bhutan, and Nepal to sign and ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). This commitment was made during a meeting with Robert Floyd, the Executive Secretary of the CTBT Organization (CTBTO), held at the Malacañan Palace in Manila. According to Philippines News Agency, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) released a statement on Wednesday detailing the discussions that took place during Floyd’s courtesy call. Floyd sought the assistance of President Marcos in persuading the leaders of the three nations to endorse the CTBT, which was adopted by

Iloilo City: Ilonggos on Tuesday remembered the heroism of thousands of Panay Guerilla Forces who stood their ground before Japanese forces and liberated Panay, Guimaras, and Romblon Islands 80 years ago. Wreaths were offered before the tombs of Col. Macario Peralta Jr. and his wife, Natividad, and at the wall of memories and tomb of the unknown soldiers at the Balantang Memorial National Shrine in Barangay Quintin Salas by descendants of World War II heroes, representatives of national government agencies, Veterans Federation of the Philippines, post-war veteran leaders, and other participating entities, as among the highlights of the event. According

Bacolod: The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) have committed PHP400 million for the upgrade of the Bacolod-Silay Airport in Negros Occidental. According to Philippines News Agency, in an interview, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez stated that CAAP has allocated PHP200 million for terminal renovations while TIEZA has pledged another PHP200 million for runway improvements. Benitez noted the need to follow up on these commitments due to changes in CAAP’s leadership. Benitez emphasized that the Bacolod-Silay Airport currently faces issues with overcrowding, and problems with restroom and escalator functionality. The passenger

Bacolod City: Candidates running for local positions here pledged peaceful polls during a covenant signing at Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) Tuesday afternoon. According to Philippines News Agency, twenty-five candidates signed the peace covenant to uphold the laws and resolutions for the conduct of a clean, honest, accurate, meaningful, and peaceful elections on May 12. They signed in the presence of Bacolod City election officer Revo Sorbito, Negros Occidental election supervisor Ian Lee Ananoria, and representatives of other concerned agencies. In his message, BCPO Director Col. Joeresty Coronica told the candidates that by affixing their signatures, they have declared that

Manila: The 12th Smart City Summit and Expo (SCSE), Taiwan’s flagship smart city tradeshow, officially opened at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center (TaiNEX) here Tuesday. With 2,806 overseas visitors from 59 countries and 138 cities, the SCSE 2025 recorded a 28 percent increase in international attendance compared to last year’s turnout. According to Philippines News Agency, the event was inaugurated by Taipei Computer Association (TCA) Chairman Paul S.L. Peng, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an, Kaohsiung Deputy Mayor Charles Lin, and Deputy Minister Kao Shien-Quey of the National Development Council. The SCSE is being held at two venues – the TaiNEX (March