General

Manila: Foreign direct investments (FDI) recorded net inflows of USD8.93 billion in 2024, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said. Data released by the BSP on Monday showed that the amount was slightly higher than the USD8.92 billion in 2023. FDIs include investment by a non-resident direct investor in a resident enterprise, whose equity capital in the latter is at least 10 percent, and investment made by a non-resident subsidiary or associate in its resident direct investor. It can be in the form of equity capital, reinvestment of earnings, and borrowings. According to Philippines News Agency, top sources of FDIs

Bayawan City: Police in Negros Oriental on Monday guaranteed the safety of thousands of delegates to the 2025 Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) meet, which will be held from March 11 to 16 in Bayawan City. Lt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO), stated that 300 police personnel were deployed over the weekend to Bayawan City and nearby towns to secure the venues for the games and the delegations’ billeting. According to Philippines News Agency, the sporting events will primarily be held at the Bayawan-Sta. Catalina campus of the Negros Oriental State University (NORSU),

Manila: The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Monday assured the public that this year’s dry season would not reach the extreme levels experienced during the onslaught of El Ni±o last year. According to Philippines News Agency, in a press briefing in Malaca±ang, PAGASA Assistant Weather Services chief and spokesperson Ana Liza Solis said the public could expect a less intense dry season this year, a relief from 2024’s El Ni±o which brought record-breaking temperatures and heat indexes. Solis stated, ‘Although we can still experience higher temperature this dry season, last year’s temperature was hotter if we

Iloilo: The Iloilo provincial government has allocated PHP6.4 million for the construction of a two-classroom building dedicated to the Madrasah Education Program (MEP) at an elementary school in the municipality of Sara. On Monday, Provincial School Board Secretary Ma. Freda Sabanal-Fajardo and Provincial Administrator Raul Banias handed over the check to Sara Elementary School principal Nancy Batobalani, Department of Education (DepEd) Division Coordinator for MEP Liza Balogo, Barangay Poblacion Ilawod Punong Barangay Godfrey Sonza, and barangay treasurer Erlita Frias during the flag-raising ceremony at the provincial capitol. According to Philippines News Agency, the MEP is part of Governor Arthur Defensor

Negros Island: Three months since the explosive eruption of Mt. Kanlaon, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has extended PHP108.866 million in humanitarian assistance to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Negros Island, the agency’s data on Monday showed. According to Philippines News Agency, the amount mainly comprises the PHP211.186 million total cost of assistance provided to the affected families, including those from the local government units (LGUs), PHP30.392 million; non-government organizations, PHP33.451 million; and other partners, PHP38.456 million. The Dec. 9, 2024, volcanic eruption displaced 6,197 families, composed of 19,977 persons, of which 2,625 families, or 8,398 persons,