Category: General

Manila: The Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) has distributed PHP2.89 billion in loans to almost 65,000 rice farmers through the Expanded Rice Credit Assistance of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ERCA-RCEF) over the past six years. According to Philippines News Agency, Landbank stated that from 2019 to 2024, the ERCA-RCEF program has benefitted 17,767 individual farmers and 270 cooperatives, which collectively have more than 47,100 members. A significant majority, 98 percent, of these loans have been allocated to individual rice farmers. The ERCA-RCEF initiative is designed to assist farmers in their rice production, post-harvest activities, and in acquiring farm

Clark: Clark International Airport (CRK) reported on Monday growth in both the passenger volume and flights it catered to in 2024. The airport served 2.4 million passengers in 2024, a 20 percent increase from 2023’s tally. Most or 65 percent of last year’s figure were international passengers. According to Philippines News Agency, flight operations grew by 29 percent compared to flights in 2023. There were 19,221 flights last year, and more than half or 53 percent of these were international flights. “These numbers are more than just statistics; they represent the dedication of everyone involved in making CRK a valuable

Baguio City: Monday’s turnover of the 240-hectare leased areas of Camp John Hay to the government did not encounter hitches. The Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) has gained control of different facilities following a Supreme Court decision in October 2024 that ordered the private developer, Camp John Hay Development Corporation (CJHDevCo), to turn over management of the leased property. According to Philippines News Agency, Leilani Macasaet, BCDA vice president for public affairs, said in a statement that they have gained control of The Manor, Forest Lodge, golf club, CAP Convention Center, Commander’s Cottage, open spaces and other areas. “BCDA assures

Manila: The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has promoted nearly 500 personnel across the nation in 2024 as part of the government’s initiative to tackle end-of-contract (endo) employment and fill the agency’s plantilla positions. This move comes as a significant effort to enhance job security within the agency. According to Philippines News Agency, LTO chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II announced that 486 employees received promotions last year, with the highest concentration of promotions being in the National Capital Region (NCR), where 106 personnel were promoted. LTO-Calabarzon saw 63 promotions, while the central office in Quezon City accounted for 48. Mendoza

Pasay City: Authorities intercepted an abandoned luggage containing shabu with an estimated street value of PHP72 million at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City. According to Philippines News Agency, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) stated that its operatives assigned at the NAIA-Inter Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (IADITG) seized the contraband on Monday noon at the Custom Exclusion Room, international arrival area. The abandoned luggage, based on its tag, originated from Johannesburg, South Africa. The sender and recipients of this luggage are set to be subject to a thorough investigation. Meanwhile, the seized drugs