The Technical Working Group (TWG) on the Sulu Transition convenes on Thursday (March 5, 2026) to finalize critical measures aimed at ensuring uninterrupted education services in Sulu. The meeting, held at the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), was co-presided over by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Acting…
The shipment of undeclared cigarettes intercepted by the customs bureau during an operation at the Port of Batangas on March 5, 2026. The shipment, worth more than PHP230 million, came from the United Arab Emirates. (Photo from BOC) Authorities from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) intercepted a shipment of undeclared cigarettes valued at more than ₱230…
International travelers continue to gravitate toward Central Visayas, reinforcing the region’s status as the Philippines’ premier tourism gateway. A comprehensive tourism sectoral review by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, drawing on data from the Department of Tourism and the Philippine Statistics Authority, shows that Central Visayas has remained the country’s top destination for foreign…
With hostilities escalating in the Middle East following coordinated military strikes on Iran, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the full mobilization of government agencies to locate, monitor, and protect Filipinos living and working in the region. In a statement released Saturday evening, Marcos said initial reports confirmed airstrikes hitting Iranian territory, prompting Philippine authorities…
A sharp escalation in Middle Eastern hostilities unfolded on February 28, 2026, as coordinated military strikes by the United States and Israel against targets in Iran touched off a wider regional conflagration, drawing in Iran’s armed forces and prompting missile attacks on US bases and key Gulf states. The confrontation marks a significant intensification of…
A sharp new phase of confrontation unfolded on Saturday after the United States and Israel carried out coordinated strikes on targets inside Iran, rattling the capital Tehran and prompting airspace closures across the region. Explosions were reported in multiple districts of Tehran, with thick plumes of smoke rising above the city as emergency services were…
The Philippines ended 2025 on firmer footing in the Taiwan market, posting a 6.32% rise in visitor arrivals and signaling renewed strength after navigating a fiercely competitive year for regional tourism. Official data from the Philippine Bureau of Immigration showed Taiwanese arrivals reached 213,928 in 2025, up from 201,203 in 2024. The increase reflects the…
A fresh market investigation by toxics watchdog BAN Toxics has reignited concerns over the safety of low-cost lipsticks sold in local markets, after laboratory tests revealed alarming levels of hazardous chemicals in products that lack proper regulatory approval. The group warned consumers about the presence of toxic substances such as mercury, lead, cadmium, and arsenic…
The Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association, Inc. Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association has reinforced its commitment to consumer welfare while safeguarding the financial health of electric cooperatives, following renewed collaboration with the Energy Regulatory Commission Energy Regulatory Commission on the rollout of the Uniform National Lifeline Subsidy Rate under ERC Resolution No. 2, series of…
PARIS, FRANCE — The Philippines once again proved why it remains a global powerhouse in dive tourism, captivating the European market at the 2026 Paris Dive Show (Salon de la Plongée Sous-Marine) with its breathtaking marine treasures and strong conservation story. From the pristine walls of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park to the vibrant underwater ecosystems…