The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol (DSWD-5) reported significant improvements in the reading skills of early-grade learners through its Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program (TBTP), raising Filipino literacy by 77 percent and English literacy by 148 percent among beneficiaries. DSWD-5 Regional Director Norman Laurio said the program helped Grade 1 pupils who required…
Authorities successfully rescued four individuals, including minors, and arrested two suspected illegal recruiters in an anti-human trafficking operation this week, the Police Regional Office 5 (PRO-5) reported on Friday. According to PRO-5 spokesperson Lt. Col. Malu Calubaquib, the operation was launched after a concerned family member reported that one of the students failed to return…
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed on Thursday that no Filipinos have been reported among the casualties in the funicular accident that killed 17 people and injured several others in Lisbon, Portugal. “There are currently no indications of Filipino nationals involved in the tourist tram derailment in Lisbon,” the DFA said in a statement,…
Authorities rescued seven minors from online sexual exploitation during a late-night operation in Barangay Calzada-Tipas, Taguig City, on September 3. The rescue was led by police operatives from Camp Crame, with assistance from the Taguig Women and Children Protection Desk. Local social workers were present to provide immediate medical checkups, medico-legal processing, and psychosocial support…
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Friday reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to protecting Philippine sovereignty and territorial integrity, particularly in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). “As we observe this year’s MANA Mo, the DND stands with our people in protecting our patrimony. In the face of attempts to undermine our sovereignty…
House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Friday expressed full support for the strong statement made by the business community and civil society groups urging the government to end corruption. “Let me be clear: the House of the People will never condone corruption, whether in public works, local governance, or any other area of government service….
The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) has announced the suspension of all mail and parcel services to the United States starting August 28, 2025, until further notice. The move comes after the US suspended its duty-free de minimis exemption and introduced new customs requirements, prompting PHLPost to temporarily halt shipments to avoid customer inconvenience. In a…
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is working with Philippine Airlines (PAL) to reduce airfare to Siargao, a popular surfing and tourist destination. Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the move aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to boost local and international tourism. An agreement aims to cut the one-way fare from PHP17,500 to PHP11,000,…
Malacañang on Thursday warned of possible legal action against Great Pacific Builders and General Contractor Inc., owned by the Discaya family, over the substandard construction of the Philippine Film Heritage Building (PFHB) in Intramuros, Manila. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, after inspecting the site, cited poor structural design and unfinished work. “If we can clearly…
The Department of Agriculture (DA) urged lawmakers to support the proposed Farm-to-Market Roads (FMR) Development and Equity Act, aiming to tackle the significant backlog in rural road infrastructure. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized that FMRs are vital to the Marcos administration’s food security goals. “Farm-to-market roads are the backbone of food security. They…