Category: General

Fukuoka: A ranking official of the Department of National Defense (DND) has expressed his appreciation to Japan for its “proactive role” in fostering a free, stable, resilient, and prosperous Indo-Pacific Region. A statement released Thursday said DND Undersecretary for Strategic Assessment and Planning Ignacio Madriaga made this comment during the recently-concluded 14th Japan-ASEAN Defense Vice-Ministerial Forum (DVMF) held in Fukuoka on Feb. 11. According to Philippines News Agency, Undersecretary Madriaga recognized the fundamental shifts in the security environment and the evolving character of security challenges. He expressed appreciation for Japan’s proactive role in fostering a stable region and reaffirmed the

Manila: Five Filipino fisherfolk were rescued in waters off the Spratlys in Vietnam, while three others remain missing after their fishing boat was rammed by an unidentified vessel near Lubang Island on January 30. According to Philippines News Agency, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported in a situation update that the fisherfolk were aboard the FBCA Prince Elmo 2 from Naic, Cavite, intending to fish near Lubang Island when their boat was struck around 8 p.m. The five fisherfolk who were at the bow of the boat were rescued by the vessel MV Dong An at 3:15 p.m. on February

Manila: Aviation regulators and the weather bureau have tapped the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) for possible collaboration which aims to enhance the Philippines’ cyclone monitoring capability. The move also seeks to enhance safety in the aviation sector, both the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said. According to Philippines News Agency, partnering with the HKO would involve the use of dropsonde, a technology that the Philippines does not have because it is too expensive, according to PAGASA administrator Nathaniel Servando. “Dropsonde is a kind of technology using an aircraft

Dumaguete City: To make the Philippines fully self-sufficient in sugar, administration-backed senatorial candidate Abby Binay on Thursday proposed to halt sugar imports during harvest season to protect local farmers. According to Philippines News Agency, Binay, during a press conference of the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas in Dumaguete City, stated that by eliminating import dependence, the Philippines could empower its farmers, create jobs, and even become a sugar exporter. “Let us make a clear policy na kapag panahon ng ani, panahon ng harvest, no importation. That has to be clearly in black and white,” she emphasized. Binay proposed not just

Manila: The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) recently convened a consultation meeting with private hospital groups and national associations to discuss strategies for increasing healthcare access points. This meeting marks a significant step towards improving healthcare delivery in the Philippines. According to Philippines News Agency, President and Chief Executive Officer Edwin Mercado led discussions with representatives from various prominent healthcare institutions, including Metro Pacific Health Corp., Mount Grace Hospital Group, Unilab Foundation, AC Health, St. Luke’s Medical Center, The Medical City, Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, Inc., and the Philippine Hospital Association. The primary focus of the meeting was