Author: WWC NEWSDESK

Politics

2,871 Catanduanes Families Just Got Free Rice—But the ₱30-M Fund Could Bring More Help

GIGMOTO, Catanduanes — Thousands of families in this island province are getting a much-needed break from the rising cost of food as government-funded rice assistance reaches 2,871 households through the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF). The Philippine Information Agency reported that at least 2,871 families in Gigmoto, Catanduanes have received free rice under a program backed by a ₱30-million LGSF allocation. The assistance forms part of the national government’s broader push to strength

August 16, 2026

Politics

PH Tourism Travel Could Get Easier as DOTr, DOT Target Key Destinations—Here’s What’s Coming

QUEZON CITY, Philippines — Getting to some of the Philippines’ most popular tourist destinations could become easier as the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Department of Tourism (DOT) intensify coordination on airport and seaport projects designed to improve connectivity across the country. The two agencies recently discussed transportation projects that could strengthen access to tourism destinations, support local economies and encourage more domestic and international visitors to exp

August 16, 2026

Politics

DepEd, Japan Strengthen Education Partnership—But What Could the New Nihongo Teachers Mean for Filipino Students?

QUEZON CITY, Philippines — A stronger education partnership between the Philippines and Japan is taking shape as the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Japan Foundation, Manila (JFM) move to expand cooperation in Japanese-language education and cultural exchange. Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara recently met with JFM officials led by Director Ben Suzuki, Assistant Director Hanna Miyashita, and members of the 13th Batch of NIHONGO Partners, who are set to support Filipino tea

August 16, 2026

Politics

1,904 Tangalan Families Receive Rice Aid as ₱8-Million Program Also Opens Market for Local Farmers

TANGALAN, Aklan — Nearly 2,000 of Tangalan’s poorest families have received their first round of rice assistance under the Marcos administration’s Bagong Pilipinas Rice Program, but an unexpected development could expand the reach of the initiative even further. A total of 1,904 families identified as among the poorest residents of Tangalan received the first tranche of assistance under the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF)–Bawat Bayan Makikinabang program, according to the Philippine Inform

August 16, 2026

Politics

833,296 Learners Are Already Enrolled in MIMAROPA—But DepEd Says the Bigger Challenge Is Still Ahead

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — More than 833,000 learners have already been recorded in MIMAROPA for School Year 2026–2027, signaling continued access to basic education across the region—but the preliminary figures also highlight the need to address classrooms, learning recovery and other resources. The Department of Education (DepEd) MIMAROPA reported 833,296 learners in its preliminary Quick Enrollment Count during the Regional Statistics Committee’s third-quarter meeting on August 10, acc

August 16, 2026

Politics

4,500 Pateros Families Get Rice Aid—But Why Are Thousands Still Left Off the List?

PATEROS, Metro Manila — For a solo parent raising three children, every peso saved on food can mean more money for the family’s other daily needs. That is the reality faced by Chiki Totas, one of the beneficiaries of the National Rice Subsidy Program in Pateros, who said the 10-kilogram rice allocation gives her family much-needed breathing room amid rising household expenses. Instead of using part of her budget to buy rice, Totas said she can now redirect the money toward food and other neces

August 16, 2026

Politics

1,524 Leyte Residents Get UPLIFT Aid as Mayor Urges Families to Turn Relief Into a Fresh Start

TABANGO, Leyte — Government assistance has reached more families in Leyte as 1,524 residents of Tabango received financial support through the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Unified Package for Livelihood, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) program. The payout, welcomed by the Tabango local government, comes as Filipino households continue to grapple with higher costs of basic goods and other daily expenses. But for Tabango Mayor Maria Corazon Remandaban, the assista

August 16, 2026

Politics

BJMP-NCR at 35: Major Gains in Jail Management, But Congestion Challenge Remains

QUEZON CITY, Philippines — Thirty-five years after the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) began its mission of managing city and municipal detention facilities, its National Capital Region office is highlighting a record of stronger security, faster case processing and expanding rehabilitation programs—while acknowledging that the demands on the country's jail system remain substantial. BJMP-NCR marked its 35th founding anniversary under the theme “BJMP@35: Disiplina at Responsibilid

August 16, 2026

Lifestyle

DA-CAR warns Cordillera farmers after ₱16.48-M weather damage—this one step could determine who gets recovery aid

BAGUIO CITY — Farmers and fisherfolk across the Cordillera Administrative Region are being urged to report weather-related agricultural losses as the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR) moves to validate damage and determine the assistance needed for recovery. The call comes after tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay, together with enhanced southwest monsoon rains, caused an estimated ₱16.48 million in agricultural damage across the region, according to preliminary

August 16, 2026

Asia

She’s Not Even 10 Yet—Then This Young Mindoreña Took Malaysia’s Dancesport Floor by Storm

Young Mindoreña Makes Philippines Proud With Multiple Golds in Malaysia Dancesport Championship CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — She may not even be 10 years old, but young Mindoreña Erin Brittany A. Comi, fondly known as “Bree,” is already making her mark on the international dancesport stage. The student of Adriatico Memorial School in Calapan City recently represented the Philippines at the 2026 Negeri Sembilan International Dancesport Championship in Seremban, Malaysia, where she collected

August 16, 2026