General

MANILA: The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday said they are eyeing to launch the Rice for All program on Friday to benefit the general population, with its initial target price range set at PHP45 per kilogram to PHP48/kg. of mixed imported and local well-milled rice. In an interview, DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said this might be done alongside the P29 program expansion or the sale of aging but good-quality rice to the vulnerable sector in three additional sites in Malabon, Navotas, and Marikina. This covers the members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), senior citizens, solo

SINGAPORE, Rectitude Holdings Ltd (the ‘Company’ or ‘Rectitude’), a Singapore-based provider of safety equipment and related industrial products, today announced the opening of a new branch at 498 and 500 Geylang Road, Singapore. This strategic expansion aims to strengthen the Company’s local presence, improve accessibility to products in high-demand categories, and solidify its position as a leading provider of safety and industrial solutions in the region. The new branch officially opened during the Company’s recent initial public offering and has been ramping up its operations since. The branch covers a total area of approximately 300 square meters (3,200 square feet)

MANILA: Three members of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) were injured in an explosion that resulted from a firecracker disposal that gone awry in Barangay Cabatangan in Zamboanga City on Monday. In an incident report Wednesday, two PCG petty officer third class (PO3) and one Seaman First Class sustained minor injuries in the incident. The victims, who were not named, are members of its K9 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit – Southwestern Mindanao. ‘The Philippine National Police (PNP) report emphasized ‘premature detonation’ that severely wounded five of the 19 affected uniformed personnel who were part of the joint operation,’ it said.

ILOILO CITY: The severely hit hog industry in Iloilo province by the African swine fever (ASF) in previous months is starting to bounce back, with some commercial and backyard farms already resuming swine-raising projects, the Provincial Veterinarian’s Office (PVO) chief said Wednesday. At a press conference, PVO head, Dr. Darel Tabuada said the hog-raising sufficiency level is rising to 71.6 percent after it dropped to its lowest at 36.37 percent at the height of the ASF infection. ‘We have 15 municipalities upgraded from red to pink; we have 13 municipalities in the red zone. In terms of inventory, it is

MANILA: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday expressed optimism about the economic gains that the recently greenlighted Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) Extension Project will provide the country. Speaking at the signing of the concession agreement for the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway or TPLEX Extension Project, Marcos said the project will usher further economic development in northern Luzon. ‘With the signed Concession Agreement for the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway or TPLEX Extension Project, we are now witnessing another milestone that brings into fruition the Build Better More infrastructure program,’ Marcos said. ‘The TPLEX Extension Project exemplifies our dedication to progress, the extension