President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomed intentions of the French government to join the military exercises in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). This development is indicative of the growing support from the international community to uphold the sovereign rights of the Philippines in WPS, according to President Marcos. In an interview on the sidelines of the state’s financial aid distribution in General Santos City on Friday, President Marcos said he remains thankful for the global support to the Philippines amid the challenges in the contested waters. “Kami’y nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng mga iba’t-ibang bansa kahit na nanggagaling sa malayo pa ngunit sila ay handang tumulong sa atin,” he said. “At kapag tayo’y nagkaproblema, very supportive sila hindi lamang sa salita kung hindi pati na sa mga tinatawag na joint cruises,” he added. “Kaya’t lahat ng tumutulong sa atin, lahat ng tumutulong sa Pilipinas, kami’y nagpapasalamat at ito ay magiging malaking bagay, malaking tulong par

In light of the looming El Niño phenomenon or the long dry spell, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed all government agencies to strictly implement water conservation measures. In  Memorandum Circular No. 22 , dated 7 June 2023 and signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, the President orders the Water Resource Management Office (WRMO) and its network of agencies to take the lead in implementing water conservation measures to avert a possible water crisis amid the dry spell in the next months. The chief executive also directed all government agencies, including government-owned or -controlled corporations and state universities and colleges, to “identify and implement specific quantifiable and attainable water conservation measures that will result in ten percent (10%) water volume reduction of their respective first quarter (January to March 2023) water consumption.” The President also ordered the Local Water Utilities Administration, National Water Resources Board, an

  Dateline Kamuning: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is making adjustments to the food stamp program initiated by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s administration, aiming to empower beneficiaries and encourage their active participation in nation-building. DSWD Undersecretary Edu Punay said they are now working on the design of the food program to lessen the dependence of the beneficiaries on government assistance. “Isang very novel aspect that we’re introducing, or component, is iyong conditionality. Ang gusto natin (mabawasan) iyong dependency ng ating mga beneficiary sa government assistance na nakikita natin, for example sa 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program), (dahil) talagang masyadong dependent na,” Punay told a news forum in Quezon City on Saturday.   “Admittedly, ang ating mga ilang beneficiaries diyan, ayaw nang umalis sa 4Ps kahit na due for graduation na sila. Ito iyong gusto nating iwasan sa mga bagong programs nating gagawin. That’

 Dateline Kamuning:     A fire ripped through the centuries-old rectory of St. Joseph Cathedral in Romblon diocese recently, destroying canonical books and other important documents. Bishop Narciso Abellana of Romblon said the fire, which broke out in the early morning of May 27, razed down almost everything except the structure’s old stone pillars. “It is, indeed, a tragedy… All the canonical books and other records were turned to ashes,” Abellana said in a statement released May 31. The rectory, which also housed the parish office, was declared a national cultural treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines. It also played host to the temporary museum of the diocese, keeping several religious artifacts from the different parishes. “Our link to the past was eaten by fire,” he lamented. Amid plans to rebuild the convent, the bishop also made a public appeal for generosity that will help them reconstruct the rectory. He particularly asked the faithful to support

 Dateline Kamuning: Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Fred Pascual stressed on Friday that the entry into force of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement would attract more investments and trade opportunities to the country. "As RCEP takes effect, we commit to supporting Philippine businesses in becoming more productive and competitive within the region and globally. RCEP is a mega free trade deal that will also facilitate the influx of more investments in the country," Pascual said during the press briefing conducted by the DTI on June 2, where he discussed the benefits of the agreement for various sectors and industries. The agreement took effect today, 2 June 2023 and is expected to deepen existing economic integration within the broader region. RCEP countries account for 30 percent of global GDP and one-third of total inward foreign direct investments (FDIs) as of 2022. “Becoming part of RCEP signals to the community of n

  Dateline Kamuning: LEYTE Rep. Richard I. Gomez (4th district) today slammed blatant violations of the country’s land use and environmental management laws in the municipalities of   Palompon and Albuera in his district as he pressed the alarm on the massive pollution of the areas’ water, soil and air. During a recent hearing of the House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, Gomez also hit the seeming complicity of the local governments of Palompon and Albuera and the regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the illegal activities of private businesses in their jurisdictions. “My esteemed colleagues, I come before you to present a case of massive water, soil, air and environmental pollution, along with gross violations of our nation’s most fundamental land use laws. These acts continue to be committed in my district, the fourth district of Leyte, specifically in the municipalities of Palompon and Albuera,” Gomez said during the