Category: Asia

Philippines

Pag-IBIG Housing Assets Cross ₱1 Trillion as Home Financing Surges — What It Means for Filipino Borrowers

MANILA, Philippines — Pag-IBIG Fund has crossed a major milestone in its housing portfolio, with its gross housing-related assets reaching ₱1.01 trillion as of July 31, 2026, as demand for home financing continues to grow among Filipino borrowers and housing developers. The figure marks a significant expansion of the state-run fund’s role in helping Filipinos buy, build and improve their homes while providing financing support to institutions involved in housing development. According to Pag-I

August 27, 2026

Business

PCA Sets 25.3 Million Coconut Trees for 2026 as Philippines Races Toward 100 Million by 2028

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) is targeting the planting of 25.3 million coconut trees in 2026 as the government accelerates a nationwide campaign to reach 100 million coconut trees by 2028. PCA Administrator and CEO Dexter Buted confirmed the 25.3-million target in an interview with reporters on August 26, saying the agency's planting program remains on track toward the government's long-term goal. The campaign is part of the government's broader effort to rehabi

August 27, 2026

Philippines

Philippine Senate Pushes Minimum Age of 16 for Social Media Use Under New Child Online Safety Bill

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino children under the age of 16 could soon face new restrictions on creating and maintaining social media accounts as the Philippine Senate moves forward with a proposed law aimed at strengthening protections against online harm. The Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media has endorsed Senate Bill No. 2424, also known as the proposed Child Online Safety and Protection Act, for deliberation by the full Senate. The measure, sponsored by Senator Robin Padi

August 27, 2026

Philippines

DPWH Seeks ₱644 Billion for 2027—But Where Will the Extra ₱113 Billion Go?

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is seeking a massive ₱643.95 billion budget for 2027, marking an increase of more than ₱113 billion—or about 21.3%—from its 2026 allocation. The proposed increase has immediately put the country's infrastructure spending under the spotlight, particularly as lawmakers and the public demand stronger safeguards, greater transparency, and better results from government-funded projects. According to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), th

August 27, 2026

Philippines

₱147 Million in Smuggled Fuel and Cigarettes Intercepted — But What Else Is Moving Through Western Mindanao Waters?

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Philippine Navy forces have intercepted more than ₱147 million worth of suspected smuggled diesel fuel and foreign-brand cigarettes in two separate maritime operations in Western Mindanao, highlighting the continuing battle against illicit trade along one of the country’s most strategically important sea corridors. The Naval Command Western Mindanao (NCWM) said the operations were carried out on August 22 and August 24, targeting vessels allegedly transporting carg

August 27, 2026

Philippines

12.8% of Filipinos Face ‘Hidden Poverty’ Beyond Income, New PSA Report Reveals

MANILA, Philippines — A Filipino family may earn enough to stay above the official poverty line and still struggle to finish school, secure decent housing, access basic services, or find stable work. That is the reality highlighted by the Philippine Statistics Authority's (PSA) newly released Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), which found that 12.8% of Filipinos were multidimensionally poor in 2024. Unlike the country's traditional poverty statistics, which focus primarily on whether a pers

August 27, 2026

Entertainment

SM Lee Holds a 5kg Eagle and Tries Archery in Kazakhstan — But There’s More Behind the Viral Moments

ALMATY, Kazakhstan — Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong may be on an important diplomatic mission in Central Asia, but a lighter moment from his trip is now catching attention: Singapore's former prime minister holding a five-kilogram eagle and trying his hand at traditional archery. A video shared during his visit showed SM Lee dressed in traditional Kazakh attire as he experienced local culture in Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city. With the eagle perched on his arm, he asked its handler how much

August 27, 2026

Singapore

Three Indian Nationals Charged in Singapore Over Alleged Harbouring of Overstayers

Singapore — Three Indian nationals have been charged in separate cases for allegedly harbouring immigration offenders who had overstayed in Singapore, with authorities warning that those who provide accommodation must take reasonable steps to verify a foreign tenant's legal status. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said on Wednesday (Aug 27) that the three men — aged between 27 and 37 — were each charged with allegedly harbouring an Indian overstayer while showing reckless disregard

August 27, 2026

Singapore

He Rushed to Defend His Father—But One Push Ended in a 78-Year-Old Man’s Death

SINGAPORE — What began as a sudden confrontation between two elderly men ended in tragedy after a son rushed to protect his father and pushed the alleged attacker to the ground. The 78-year-old man struck his head on the pavement, suffered a fractured skull and died two days later. On Thursday (Aug 27), 37-year-old Jimmy Yar Hock Long was sentenced to nine months' jail after pleading guilty to voluntarily causing hurt that turned out to be grievous, according to court proceedings reported by C

August 27, 2026

Entertainment

Mat Yeung and Lisa Ch’ng Mourn Family Loss Weeks After Their Wedding: Mother Datin Kong Yuk Chu Dies at 82

Hong Kong actor Mat Yeung and Malaysian actress Lisa Ch’ng are mourning the death of Lisa’s mother, Datin Kong Yuk Chu, who passed away at the age of 82. The family announced the heartbreaking news on social media on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. Lisa’s sister, actress Jacquelin Ch’ng, also shared an obituary and tribute, saying their mother passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends. The announcement came only weeks after Kong attended Lisa and Mat Yeung’s wedding celebration in Kuala

August 27, 2026