LUCENA CITY — The iconic floating bamboo rafts, or “balsa,” of Lian town in Batangas, are being developed as a local tourist attraction through a sustainable tourism training program launched by the Department of Tourism (DOT)  in Region IV-A and the municipal government. The “Sustainable Balsa Tourism Development” training program, which runs from Sept. 21

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman said their fact-finding probe on the so-called “ghost internet” in the government free WiFi program will center around the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).  DICT, for its part, said it welcomes the anti-graft body’s inquiry, noting that it maintains a policy of zero tolerance against

MANILA, Philippines — The late Batanes Rep. Ciriaco Gato was able to leave a positive impact on legislation as he brought to the House of Representatives a perspective that comes from a caring physician. House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III made the statement on Tuesday as the chamber condoles with the family of Gato, who died

CALUMPIT, Bulacan — Residents of this flood-prone Bulacan town marched in the streets over the weekend to demand full transparency as public works crews proceed with flood control infrastructure that were tied to anomalies last year.  Zul Kifli Magat, spokesperson of the movement Tindig Calumpitenyo, led a 1,500-strong rally on Sunday (September 20); marking the

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — Agusan del Sur 2nd District Rep. Adolph Edward Plaza is pushing for a nationwide soil strategy to boost agriculture through state universities and colleges (SUCs). Plaza brought together agriculture officials, scientists, and academic leaders at the Batasang Pambansa complex on Tuesday to explore a collaborative framework that would link

VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon — Security measures have been heightened across schools in Bukidnon’s 20 municipalities and two cities following a recent shooting rampage in South Cotabato that left three dead and six injured. Capt. Shiela Joy Jangad, Bukidnon Provincial Police Office spokesperson, told the Inquirer on Tuesday afternoon that police increased visibility in various campuses.

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Tuesday reminded gun owners to exercise extra caution in securing their firearms following a series of school shooting incidents that left several people dead and injured. On Sept. 18, at least three students were killed in a shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato. One of the fatalities was

MANILA, Philippines — An aviation security personnel lost his job for P5,000. Stating that integrity is non-negotiable in public office, the Supreme Court’s (SC) Second Division through Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen said it did not find any reversible error on the part of the Court of Appeals in affirming the findings of the National

MANILA, Philippines — Detained Sen. Rodante Marcoleta on Tuesday explained the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC)’s silence over his imprisonment, saying that the Church’s lack of reaction or comment must not be construed as “indifference, weakness, or diminished resolve.” According to the senator, “the INC is under no obligation to publicly react to, or even comment

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang believes the Office of the Ombudsman’s investigation on the alleged “ghost internet” scheme should go on. The scam reportedly involves the free Wi-Fi projects of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). Palace press officer Claire Castro on Tuesday said all those responsible for any misuse of public funds must be

MANILA, Philippines — A motorcycle rider was arrested for allegedly fleeing a police checkpoint and later found carrying an unlicensed firearm and live ammunition in Las Piñas City, according to the Southern Police District (SPD).  The SPD identified the suspect as alias “Romel,” a 31-year-old male residing in Barangay CAA, Las Piñas City.  READ: 3

MANILA, Philippines — Transportation Secretary Giovanni “Banoy” Lopez on Tuesday said the government is continuing efforts to ease the impact of rising fuel prices amid woes in the transportation sector.  READ: OIL PRICE WATCH as of Sept. 22, 2026 Lopez said that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s hearing on the pending fare hike

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Tuesday maintained that no one is above the law amid questions over Vice President Sara Duterte’s business interests. The Palace’s remarks came after Securities and Exchange Commission records showed that Duterte remained a director and shareholder of a private company after assuming office in 2022. READ: SEC records: Sara Duterte stayed

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Tuesday said it cannot yet commit to a fare increase for public utility vehicles, as well as provincial and city bus operators, amid the continued rise in fuel prices. Citing Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the government is exploring other measures to help drivers and transport

MANILA, Philippines – Forty percent of farmers are not listed in the government’s database for agricultural workers, Pampanga Rep. Anna York Bondoc said on Tuesday, urging them to register to qualify for government assistance amid rising fuel costs. Bondoc, who is defending the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) spending plan for next year, said that the

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur – Transforming a century-old mat weaving tradition into a sustainable, eco-friendly enterprise, the second-class municipality of Kumalarang, Zamboanga del Sur, is positioning itself as the Regional Natural Dyeing Hub in the Zamboanga Peninsula. Through a strategic convergence between the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Kumalarang and national government agencies, local

MANILA, Philippines — The Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 2 is on a limited operation basis after lightning struck and severed a catenary wire at the Antipolo Station on Tuesday afternoon, the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) announced. In an advisory, the LRTA said that train operations are temporarily limited between Recto Station and Santolan

LEGAZPI CITY — The Department of Health has raised a Code Blue alert in the Bicol region amid a 19-percent increase in dengue cases, with the hospital bed occupancy rate exceeding capacity. The regional health office recorded 2,167 dengue cases from Jan. 1 to Sept. 5, up 19 percent from the same period last year,

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) has been quizzed why it had to reiterate a memorandum that students’ participation in Pride Month activities is not mandatory, when joining events has always been on a voluntary basis. At the House of Representatives’ plenary discussions on DepEd’s proposed budget for 2027, Akbayan party-list Rep. Percival Cendaña asked

CALAPAN CITY — Government agencies and the municipal government of Lubang are pursuing conservation efforts to protect the historic Cabra Lighthouse at Cabra Island by cataloging and documenting artifacts and other objects found at the site. Members of the Joint Technical and Monitoring Committee (JTMC) recently participated in the lighthouse’s joint inventory and documentation for

Amid the incessant fuel price hikes, several bus operators have been forced to reduce their number of trips to avoid operating at a loss.

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — In the wake of school violence erupting across the country, including the September 18 shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato, the Mimaropa police have improved school-oriented policing.  The regional police set up 9,319 Police Assistance Desks in schools, deployed 4,071 personnel tasked to handle school-related activities, and

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Tuesday said it cannot force anyone to understand the country’s situation regarding a series of school shooting incidents if that person is “unwilling” or simply unable to do so. The remark was in response to Vice President Sara Duterte’s criticism of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration over the recent school shootings,

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato — A knife was confiscated from a student at Marbel 7 National High School here Tuesday morning as schools tightened security following a city-wide safety assessment, triggered by last Friday’s shooting in nearby Banga town that left three students dead and six others wounded. The discovery came as classes resumed after

SB19’s Stell partners with fitness coaches Bern and Michelle Llanes and makeup artist Mac Igarta to open Driven Performance Training’s new space in Quezon City

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan Sixth Division has ordered the 90-day suspension of Uswag Ilonggo party-list Rep. Jojo Ang, who faces 14 counts of graft in court. The resolution was promulgated by the anti-graft court’s Sixth Division on Sept. 21 but was only furnished to the media on Tuesday. “The Court hereby orders the SUSPENSION pendente

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense counsel on Tuesday refused to disclose who will lead the team on the oral arguments involving the voting threshold for conviction before the Senate impeachment court. This comes after the presiding officer and Senator-Judge Francis “Chiz” House asked the prosecution panel directly who Duterte’s representative will be

MANILA, Philippines — Two siblings face criminal charges after sending online threats to target a school in Lipa City, Batangas, with police recovering gadgets now under examination. “It started back in August. A particular school in Lipa City kept receiving online threats — specifically, threats to wipe them out,” said PNP public information office chief

MANILA, Philippines — Heavy to intense rains due to localized thunderstorms may continue to prevail over Metro Manila and several parts of Luzon on Tuesday afternoon, according to the state weather bureau. In a thunderstorm advisory issued at 2:50 p.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said intense to torrential rains with

COTABATO CITY – As the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) transitions from an interim regional government to a regular parliament, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) said it has enacted 94 laws since 2019. The BTA Media Affairs Office said Tuesday the 94 Bangsamoro Autonomy Acts (BAAs) have provided the legal framework for the