Category: General

LEGAZPI CITY – A total of 239 students from Albay province received on Tuesday a financial grant under the Student Monetary Assistance for Recovery and Transition (SMART) program of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). In an interview during the payout at Embarcedero de Legazpi, Jean Cardiño, CHED Bicol chief administrative officer, said each beneficiary received PHP25,000 in one-time assistance, totaling PHP5.97 million. “The SMART Grant Program is a project of the commission being given a one-time fixed financial grant to qualified students for as long as they are enrolled in an undergraduate program for the school year 2023-2024,” she

CALAMBA CITY, Laguna – The Batangas police presented to the media on Tuesday a cache of firearms and ammunition belonging to a private armed group seized over the weekend in Barangay Bagbag, Tanauan City. Batangas Provincial Police Office (BPPO) Director Col. Jacinto Malinao Jr. said the operation on Sunday also led to the arrest of an alias “Jad.” The seized arsenal included five Glock pistols of various serial numbers, 10 pistols of assorted calibers, multiple magazines and ammunition, holsters and ammunition storage containers. Malinao said the Batangas police’s intensified efforts in curbing the proliferation of loose firearms need community collaboration.

MANILA: The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will help boost the capacity of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) in earthquake and tsunami analysis and monitoring. The record of discussions between the two agencies was signed at the Phivolcs’ auditorium in Quezon City on Tuesday. Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol said the project aims to capacitate their technical staff in delivering timely and accurate information concerning earthquake and tsunamis. “This is Japan’s commitment and contribution to the promotion of international cooperation, especially towards developing countries,” he told the Philippine News Agency. Phivolcs will send employees for short term training

MANILA: The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) declined Tuesday on profit-taking, while the local currency improved its performance. The PSEi closed the day lower by 0.33 percent at 6,667.09, with All Shares also shedding by 0.23 percent down to 3,585.93. ‘Local shares succumbed to profit taking following a successive run-up of the index as investors bet that the unsuccessful assassination attempt boosted Donald Trump’s chances of reclaiming the White House,’ Regina Capital Development Corp. head of sales Luis Limlingan said. Among sectoral indices, only Property boosted its shares to 2,697.04, higher by 1.73 percent than its Monday close. Those in

LEGAZPI CITY – To provide better medical access to women and children, a PHP300 million facility will soon rise inside the compound of the Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center (BRHMC) in Daraga, Albay. During a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, Ako Bicol (AKB) Party-list Representative and House Committee of Appropriations chairperson Elizaldy Co said to be constructed is Phase 1 of Women’s Health and Child Care Specialty Center, which will be a 10-story medical care facility for the townsfolk, especially pregnant women and children. The new facility will have a capacity of more than 120 beds. “As a Bicolano, I