Category: General

BACOLOD CITY – This highly-urbanized city and several other local government units in Negros Occidental suspended face-to-face classes on Monday and Tuesday due to inclement weather brought by Tropical Depression Kristine. Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez here issued an executive order to cancel classes from pre-school to senior high school for two days. “The safety and welfare of the students in Bacolod City is of utmost importance, as such there is a need to declare the suspension of classes,” Benitez said. He added both private and public schools can shift to alternative modes of learning. “The cancellation of classes at the

DAVAO CITY – The National Durian Industry Summit, scheduled on Wednesday aims to strengthen the Philippines’ position in the global durian market. The two-day event, hosted by the Durian Industry Association of Davao City (DIADC), Davao City Agriculturist’s Office (CAgrO) and Department of Agriculture, will bring together farmers, traders, and industry experts to enhance the durian sector. ‘Our plenary speakers will share valuable insights and experience, offering a roadmap to unlock the full potential of the Philippines’ durian industry,’ organizers said in a Facebook post. Speakers from Malaysia and Thailand, two of the world’s leading durian exporters, will address quality

Manila: The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) on Monday said it has entered into an agreement with a business company for the employment of former persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) as part of efforts to integrate them into society and reduce recidivism among released inmates. BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. signed the agreement with BP One Foods Inc., represented by its president, Antonio Sebastian Escalante, for employment opportunities for reformed PDLs. Under the MOA, the BuCor, through the Directorate for External Relations (DER), shall be responsible for the implementation of the Pre-release and Post-release Reintegration Programs for former PDL, which

Manila: Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB) will launch flights to Tagbilaran, Daraga and Dumaguete via Iloilo on the first three days of December, respectively. Iloilo-Tagbilaran flights will be offered daily, while both Daraga and Dumaguete flights will be thrice weekly. The Gokongwei-led airline’s expansion of Iloilo hub reaffirms its commitment to enhancing inter-island connectivity. ‘We are excited to introduce three new domestic routes from Iloilo, which comes just in time for the holiday season when many Filipinos go the extra mile to visit loved ones in different provinces,” CEB President Xander Lao said in a statement Monday. Lao added they

Manila: The Sandiganbayan has found former Maguindanao governor Datu Sajid Ampatuan guilty beyond reasonable doubt of graft and malversation of public funds involving PHP400 million intended for the construction and rehabilitation of 22 farm-to-market roads (FMRs) in 2009. In its 66-page decision promulgated on Oct. 18 and shared Monday, the Sandiganbayan sentenced Ampatuan to up to 40 years in the malversation charge and ordered a fine and restitution totaling PHP786 million. He was sentenced to up to 12 years for the separate charge of violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Two of Ampatuan’s co-accused, provincial treasurer Oscar Bandila