The Philippine travel and tourism sector contributed a staggering $91.8 billion to the national economy, according to the 2025 World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Economic Impact Report. The data, presented by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) during a meeting of Southeast Asian tourism ministers on Friday, underscores the Philippines’ position as a dominant force…
The state weather bureau has warned of potential flash floods and landslides on Saturday as a shear line continues to bring scattered rains and thunderstorms across the Visayas and parts of Luzon and Mindanao. In its 4 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that the shear line is affecting…
Marikina City officials led the formal inauguration of a newly rehabilitated recreational park on Thursday, marking the completion of a project designed to provide residents with modern outdoor spaces and improved community facilities. The rehabilitation, which transformed a 1,133-square-meter area in Barangay Jesus Dela Peña, was a collaborative effort between the local government of Marikina…
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the Bureau of Quarantine and the Department of Health (DOH) to tighten controls at the country’s borders following reports of Nipah virus (NiV) cases detected abroad. The directive focuses on intensified screening at all international ports of entry to prevent the zoonotic virus from entering the Philippines. Palace Press…
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) discovered an unlicensed cigarette manufacturing plant during a raid on a warehouse in Barangay Panipuan on Wednesday, potentially uncovering a major link in a regional illicit tobacco network. The joint operation, conducted at Lot 2645, led to the discovery of locally manufactured cigarettes and production materials. Among the brands found…
The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday assured the public that it will strictly regulate rice imports from Pakistan, prioritizing local production over foreign supply. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. clarified that while the Philippines is expanding its trade engagements with Pakistan, the entry of Pakistani rice will be “calibrated” based on existing local…
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is set to implement a new policy that will deny franchise renewals to public utility vehicles (PUVs) deemed dilapidated or poorly maintained. The policy, which is expected to be finalized soon, marks a shift in the agency’s confirmation process. Under the new guidelines, any PUV—regardless of whether…
The Philippine government has deployed a liaison officer to Cambodia to coordinate the search for fugitive gambling tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed Thursday. The move follows intelligence reports suggesting that Ang may have fled the country via “backdoor” routes to evade arrest. Ang is currently the subject of…
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is advocating for a “firm with diplomacy” strategy to manage the escalating verbal disputes between Philippine and Chinese officials regarding the West Philippine Sea, Malacañang announced Thursday. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated that while the President is aware of calls from lawmakers to declare certain Chinese diplomats persona non…
The Chinese Embassy in Manila has declared that its top diplomat will leave the Philippines “with pride and honor” should President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. officially designate him as persona non grata. The statement, issued by Embassy Counselor and Spokesperson Ji Lingpeng comes amid intensifying calls from Philippine lawmakers to expel Chinese diplomatic staff following a…