Category: General

Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) will have consultations with heads of large retail markets in Metro Manila next week to combat possible profiteering on imported rice. In an interview Tuesday, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said prices of well-milled rice in the markets should not go beyond PHP50 per kilogram, considering the tariff cut on imported rice to 15 percent from 35 percent which took effect in July. He said importers claimed that they are selling wholesale rice at PHP38/kg, which should bring the retail price at around PHP45/kg. Reports reaching the DA alleged that some retailers are

Local businesses and public advocates are pushing to establish Cagayan de Oro as a regional Halal hub, coinciding with this year’s “Oro Best Expo.” During the event launch on Tuesday, Avalyn Cahulogan, president of the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation Inc. (Oro Chamber), highlighted halal’s economic potential for the city. Northern Mindanao is also supporting President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s socioeconomic agenda, including a halal strategic plan aimed at doubling output domestically and internationally by 2028. “With halal, we’re tapping into a robust and expanding market,’ Cahulogan said, adding that halal compliance ensures food safety by

MANILA: The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB)-Region 6 has approved an additional PHP32 to PHP40 increase in the salaries of the minimum wage earners in Western Visayas. In a statement on Tuesday, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said the RTWPB motu proprio issued Wage Order No. RBVI-28 last Oct. 22, granting the daily wage increase for private sector workers in the region. ‘This brings the daily minimum wage rates in the region to a range of PHP485-PHP513 in the non-agriculture sector and PHPP480 in the agriculture sector,’ it said. The RTWPB Western Visayas also approved a

Manila: Senator Loren Legarda on Tuesday emphasized gender equality and advocated for women’s leadership in making the world more inclusive, humane, peaceful, and resilient. In her opening message at the International Conference on Women, Peace, and Security (ICWPS), Legarda highlighted the important role lawmakers play in driving the transformation. ‘In my almost three decades of legislative experience, I have realized that the road towards addressing the unique needs of women in conflict areas requires practical measures, in terms of resources and financing, and gender-responsive policies,’ she said. ‘This is what this conference is all about. It is about enriching and

ILOILO CITY – The Metro Iloilo-Guimaras Economic Development Council (MIGEDC) and Sweden on Tuesday formalized an agreement for a PHP33-million grant from Swedfund International for a feasibility study to determine the viability of establishing a bus rapid transport (BRT) system in Metro Iloilo and Guimaras. The agreement was signed by Iloilo City acting Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon on behalf of MIGEDC chairperson, Mayor Jerry Treñas, and Harald Fries, Chargé d’affaires of the Swedish Embassy. Johan Lennefalk, Trade Commissioner to the Philippines; Giselle Yap, Senior Trade Promotions Officer of the Embassy of Sweden; and Mae Balandan, Consultant from Business Sweden, witnessed the