Category: General

LAOAG CITY: Ilocos Norte is partnering with Australia’s Griffith University for a five-year USD3.5 million project designed to enhance the productivity and sustainability of rice and garlic-based cropping systems in the Philippines through soil health management. Arnold Pascua, senior agriculturist of the provincial government, told the Philippine News Agency that Ilocos Norte is one of the pilot provinces in the country where research trials will be conducted. According to Philippines News Agency, the other provinces involved in the trials are Tarlac, Bataan, and Agusan Del Sur. These trials are expected to last between two to three years, depending on the

Manila: A coalition of civil society leaders, sectoral representatives, and advocates has filed an impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte at the House of Representatives. The complaint, endorsed by Akbayan Party-list Representative Perci Cendaña, lists culpable violation of the constitution, graft and corruption, bribery, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes as the grounds for impeachment. According to Philippines News Agency, the complainants include former peace adviser Teresita Quintos Deles, Fr. Flaviano Villanueva, former Magdalo Party-list representative Gary Alejano, and families of drug war victims during the previous administration. They were accompanied by former senator Leila De Lima,

Manila: The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) deployed two ships to Rozul Reef in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Sunday after several Filipino fisherfolk complained of harassment by a Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy helicopter. In a press conference at the WPS Transparency Office in Manila on Monday, PCG spokesperson for the WPS, Commodore Jay Tarriela, said PCG vessels 9702 BRP Melchora Aquino and 4411 BRP Cape Engaño were deployed based on the order of PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan. According to Philippines News Agency, Tarriela stated that the PCG ships would help ensure the safety and security

DUMAGUETE CITY: Twenty-five former rebels (FRs) of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Negros Oriental were brought to a mall and tourist spots as they undergo a 22-day deradicalization program, a Philippine Army official said on Monday. The program, aimed at helping the FRs transition back into civilian life, is being conducted by the 302nd Brigade, according to its commander, Brig. Gen. Joey Escanillas. According to Philippines News Agency, “This program is part of their reintegration into society and will help them in various aspects of living a normal life, different from the hardships they endured while in the movement,”

Manila: The Philippines is unlikely to be a target of the planned tariff hikes under the incoming administration of United States President-elect Donald Trump, according to Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo. He emphasized the balanced and healthy trade relationship between the two countries as a significant factor in this assessment. According to Philippines News Agency, Rodolfo noted that the Philippines’ trade deficit with the US is considerably smaller compared to other Asian countries. In 2023, the trade deficit stood at USD4 billion, a stark contrast to China’s USD300 billion, Vietnam’s USD109 billion, Japan’s USD75 billion, South