DA Sec. Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. – Photo courtesy of Department of Agriculture/Facebook. Central Luzon is poised to receive the largest share of funding for farm-to-market roads under the proposed 2026 national budget, underscoring its economic weight in the agriculture sector. The enrolled General Appropriations Bill (GAB) allocates P4.89 billion to the region from the…
BAGUIO CITY — SM Prime Holdings Inc. has withdrawn its proposal to redevelop the Baguio City Public Market. The withdrawal was disclosed Saturday evening, January 3, through the official Facebook page of the Baguio City Public Information Office. According to the post, Benjamin Magalong was informed of the company’s decision through a formal letter sent…
With a major operation at the start of the new year, the Philippine National Police (PNP) scored big with the seizure of more than ₱1.5-billion worth of unregistered imported tobacco products in Malabon during raid conducted on New Year’s eve. Acting PNP chief Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. broadcasted the accomplishment, saying it did…
Nearly 1,000 individuals reached out to the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) crisis hotline during the recent holiday season, the Department of Health (DOH) reported Saturday. According to latest data from the DOH, the hotline recorded a total of 961 calls between December 21, 2025, and January 2, 2026. The department noted that the…
SAN FERNANDO CITY — The Department of Health (DOH) is urging vulnerable groups to undergo Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) screening to prevent Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Medical Officer IV Rheuel Bobis of the DOH Ilocos Center for Health Development (CHD) noted that early diagnosis is vital for managing HIV. It allows for prompt antiretroviral therapy (ART)…
MANILA, Philippines — Thousands of Catholic faithful gathered at the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno on Saturday for the traditional blessing of Black Nazarene replicas, signaling the start of the final week of preparations for the 2026 Traslacion. The blessing ceremony, which began at 1:30 p.m. at the Quezon Boulevard footbridge, saw…
The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported on Saturday that the country’s overall crime rate fell by 12.4 percent in 2025, driven by significant double-digit declines in most major offenses. Data from the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) showed that incidents of “focus crimes”—which include murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, and…
Handcrafted beaded and bayong bags made by persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) from the Quezon City Jail Female Dormitory are now available for purchase at Solaire Resort North, marking a new milestone in the city’s rehabilitation and livelihood efforts. The locally made bags were formally turned over to the management of Solaire Resort North in…
WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Washington carried out a “large scale strike” against Venezuela, and that President Nicolas Maduro and his wife have been captured and flown out of the country. “The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President…
The Philippine Embassy in Berne is checking if Filipino nationals are among the casualties in the deadly fire that razed a ski resort bar in Switzerland, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Saturday. “The Department of Foreign Affairs, through the Philippine Embassy in Berne, is closely monitoring developments and coordinating with Swiss authorities…