Category: Politics

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

Politics

5,000 Calamansi Seedlings Reach Torrijos Farmers as DA Pushes New Growth for Marinduque Agriculture

TORRIJOS, Marinduque — A new wave of calamansi planting is taking root in Torrijos as the Department of Agriculture (DA)–Marinduque distributed 5,000 calamansi seedlings to farmers in Barangay Pakaskasan, strengthening efforts to expand agricultural production in the municipality. The distribution, reported by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), is aimed at promoting calamansi production among local farmers and giving communities another potential source of agricultural income. The move p

August 16, 2026

Politics

DENR Steps Into Marinduque-Barrick Settlement Fight as $100-Million Deal Faces Rehabilitation Questions

After decades of legal battles over the environmental legacy of the Marcopper mining disasters, Marinduque is now facing another crucial question: Will the settlement money be enough to actually restore the province’s damaged environment? The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is preparing to formally communicate with Barrick Mining Corp. as the Marinduque provincial government seeks technical guidance on the implementation and environmental implications of the settlement.

August 15, 2026

Politics

MIMAROPA Crime Drops Sharply as Police Report Manageable Peace-and-Order Situation

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — The peace-and-order situation in MIMAROPA remains manageable, according to the Philippine National Police, as the region records significant declines in several crime indicators while police operations against criminal activities continue to intensify. The latest assessment from the Police Regional Office MIMAROPA (PRO-4B) points to a broader downward trend in reported crime, with police attributing the improvement to increased visibility, strategic deployment,

August 15, 2026

Politics

A New Chapter for Palawan’s Indigenous Peoples: Meet the Cagayanen Leader Taking a Seat in the Provincial Board

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — A new Indigenous voice is now sitting at the table where provincial policies are shaped. Angelito Bonbon, a leader from Palawan’s Cagayanen Indigenous Peoples community and a resident of Aborlan, has officially assumed the post of Provincial Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) of Palawan. Bonbon took his oath of office on August 10, 2026, before National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Provincial Director Jansen Jontilla. His appointment g

August 15, 2026

Lifestyle

Ferrol Students Get a New School Building—Here’s What Could Come Next for Education in Romblon

FERROL, Romblon — A new two-classroom school building has been turned over to Ferrol Central Elementary School, giving teachers and pupils additional space for learning as the government continues to address infrastructure needs in public schools. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Romblon District Engineering Office formally handed over the completed facility during a turnover and acceptance ceremony on July 17, 2026, according to a report published by the Philippine Informatio

August 15, 2026

Business

No More Long Routes to Romblon? Sunlight Air’s New Clark–Tablas Flights Could Change Island Travel—Here’s Why

Sunlight Air Opens Direct Clark–Tablas Flights, Bringing Romblon Closer to Central Luzon ODIONGAN, Romblon — Romblon is becoming easier to reach by air as Sunlight Air officially launched its new direct Clark–Tablas route, giving travelers from Central Luzon and beyond a more convenient gateway to the province. The airline inaugurated the service on August 11, 2026, connecting Clark International Airport (CRK) with Tugdan Airport (TBH) on Tablas Island. The new route operates twice a week, eve

August 15, 2026