General

Bicol: The Department of Health (DOH) 5 is enhancing efforts for the early detection and identification of potential tuberculosis (TB) patients in the region. In an interview on Tuesday, DOH-5 infectious disease cluster head Dr. Jannish Alcala-Arellano emphasized the importance of early detection in managing TB cases. According to Philippines News Agency, the DOH-5 conducted a regionwide active case-finding activity on March 15 in celebration of World Tuberculosis Day, screening 981 individuals for the disease. The individuals screened are currently awaiting test results. Participants included contacts of TB patients, high-risk groups, vulnerable populations, and those with known exposure histories, who

Davao: The Archdiocese of Davao on Tuesday called for calmness and sobriety among the faithful amid the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) case against former president Rodrigo Duterte. “We call upon you, our faithful here in the Archdiocese, to reject hatred and division, choosing instead the path of dialogue over discord, and reconciliation over conflict,” Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles said in a pastoral message. According to Philippines News Agency, Archbishop Valles emphasized that justice must be pursued with fairness and integrity, free from partisan political motivations or personal vendettas. He urged the government to uphold due process, adhere to the rule

Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has granted an exemption to 12 programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) from the restrictions on the release of public funds leading up to the May 12 midterm elections. According to Philippines News Agency, Memorandum No. 25-01080, revealed on Tuesday, permits the disbursement of public funds for the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) and 11 other social service initiatives. The exemption also ensures that elective officials and candidates remain prohibited from participating in distribution activities associated with these projects from March 28 to May 11, during the election

Ligao City: A farmers group in Albay received a PHP1.5-million four-wheel farm tractor from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to help boost agricultural productivity and improve the earning capacity of agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations (ARBOs). The machinery was turned over to the Samahan ng mga Agraryong Magsasaka sa Pag-Unlad, Inc. (SAMPI) during a ceremonial signing of the memorandum of agreement in Ligao City Monday. According to Philippines News Agency, Warren Sambajon, DAR-Albay Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project (CRFPSP) point person, stated that the tractor would increase both the cooperative’s productivity and income by 10 percent. “This project directly

Bacolod: The Department of Education (DepEd) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) reaffirmed their commitments for collaboration during the inaugural joint management committee meeting at L’Fisher Hotel here Tuesday. Led by Education Secretary Sonny Angara and TESDA Director-General Jose Francisco Benitez, the meeting seeks to ‘ensure closer collaboration and coherence’ on free national certification assessments for Senior High School-Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (SHS-TVL) track students, strengthening technical professional track and the integration of enterprise-based practices in basic education. ‘A historic first for Philippine education. This is just the beginning — big things ahead. Together, we will shape a brighter future for