Category: General

Manila: The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has expressed confidence in reaching its PHP200-billion investment target for 2024, as investment approvals have already reached PHP186.09 billion as of November 13. According to Philippines News Agency, PEZA reported that this figure has already surpassed the PHP175.71 billion in full-year 2023 investment approvals and represents a 32 percent increase from the PHP140.884 billion recorded in the same period last year. From January 1 to November 13, the PEZA Board approved 222 new and expansion projects, which are expected to generate more than USD3 billion in exports and create 60,000 direct jobs. Included

TACLOBAN CITY: A shellfish ban has been implemented in eleven areas across Eastern Visayas this week, as confirmed by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). The announcement came following the detection of red tide in seawater samples from various locations, including Cancabato Bay in Tacloban City, the coastal waters of Guiuan in Eastern Samar, the coastal waters of Calbayog City in Samar, and Matarinao Bay in General MacArthur, Quinapondan, Hernani, and Salcedo towns in Eastern Samar. According to Philippines News Agency, the BFAR had previously reported contamination with red tide toxins in seven additional bodies of water across

Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has strongly condemned the recent killing of Jose Osorio, a former village chief and vice mayoral candidate in South Cotabato province. Osorio, who previously served as the captain of Barangay Bukay Pait in Tantangan town, was found dead in his eatery’s kitchen on Monday morning. The incident has sparked concerns over potential election-related violence. According to Philippines News Agency, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia has urged the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to swiftly apprehend those responsible for Osorio’s murder. Garcia expressed his hope that the crime

PUERTO PRINCESA: The Philippines is set to enhance its maritime surveillance capabilities with the anticipated delivery of additional unmanned surveillance platforms from the United States. This development is part of a USD500 million Foreign Military Financing (FMF) initiative, as announced by US Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III during a press conference at the Western Command headquarters in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. According to Philippines News Agency, this announcement follows a demonstration by the Philippine Navy of the T-12 unmanned surface vessel (USV), one of the new unmanned capabilities funded through US security assistance. The T-12, also known as “Mantas T-12,”

Manila: Indonesia did not ask anything in exchange for the return of Mary Jane Veloso, but the Philippines will certainly remember this gesture, according to Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). In a Palace press briefing Wednesday, DFA Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega stated that the Philippines and Indonesia will work together to finalize the agreement for Veloso’s transfer. According to Philippines News Agency, De Vega emphasized that Veloso’s impending return to the Philippines reflects the strong ties between the two Southeast Asian countries. He noted that Indonesia has not requested any form of prisoner exchange or other concessions. De Vega also