Nation
Politics, governance and communities across the Philippines.
Nation Page 16 of 60
UN agency upgrades PH food system from ‘laggard’ to ‘performer’ in 2025 assessment
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) has upgraded the Philippines’ food system rating from “laggard” to “performer” in its 2025 assessment, citing improved logistics and reduced post-harvest losses, a senior DA official said Saturday. DA…
Marcos approves ₱300M budget for ube industry as DA eyes world No. 1 status
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved ₱300 million in additional funding for the Philippine ube industry for 2027, as the Department of Agriculture (DA) sets its sights on making the Philippines the world’s top ube producer, Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel said Saturday.…
DA opens first-ever Export Office as PH mangoes now sold in Italy, France, Canada
The Department of Agriculture has established a dedicated Export Office for the first time in its history, with Philippine mangoes now being sold in Italy, France, and Canada as a result, Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel said Saturday. Tiu Laurel made the disclosure in an…
Agriculture budget doubled under Marcos, NFA funded for infrastructure first time since 1985
The Department of Agriculture’s budget has doubled from approximately ₱100 billion under the previous administration to ₱200 billion under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel said Saturday. Tiu Laurel made the statement in an interview on DZRH News…
Kadiwa centers surge from 170 to 800, with DA targeting 1,500 nationwide
The number of Kadiwa centers nationwide has grown from 140 to 170 sites to 800 fully operational locations, Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel said Saturday. Tiu Laurel made the disclosure in an interview on DZRH News program Special on Saturday on July 18, as part of the DZRH SONA…
Government stops importing rice for first time as private sector now sole rice importer: DA
The Philippine government has stopped importing rice entirely, leaving the private sector as the sole rice importer under the Rice Tariffication Law, Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel said Saturday. Tiu Laurel made the statement in an interview on DZRH News program Special on…
Marcos administration seizes most agricultural smuggling haul in history: DA chief
The Marcos administration has recorded the highest value of seized agricultural smuggling in Philippine history, Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel said Saturday. Tiu Laurel made the statement in an interview on DZRH News program Special on Saturday on July 18, as part of the DZRH…
Median age in PH increased to 27.7 years, indicating the country’s aging population: PSA
The median age of Filipinos continues to rise, indicating that the country’s population is gradually aging. Based on the 2024 Census of Population released by the Philippine Statistics Authority, the median age increased from 24.3 years in 2015 to 25.3 years in 2020, and further to 27.7 years in…
Plastic on the plate: Ateneo study finds microplastics contaminating salt, sugar, rice, and fish sauce
From land to sea and back to the dining table, plastic pollution has made its way into the Filipino kitchen. A study by researchers from Ateneo de Manila University, published in the Journal of Food Science and Technology, found that microplastics—tiny plastic fragments measuring between 1…
36 years after the 1990 Luzon earthquake, the Philippines is still trying to learn the same lessons
Thirty-six years ago today, the ground beneath northern and central Luzon shook with a violence Filipinos of that generation have never forgotten. At exactly 4:26 in the afternoon of July 16, 1990, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck—the strongest and most destructive to hit the Philippines in two…
SSS to offer up to P400k loans for solar panel installations
The Social Security System (SSS) is set to roll out an energy sustainability loan program with an allocation of P40 billion to help members finance the installation of solar panels. SSS President Robert Joseph de Claro said the program is expected to initially benefit up to 100,000 households. De…
DZRH at 87: The station that gave Cesar Chavez everything—including the nerve to walk into sniper fire
In December 1989, a young radio reporter walked alone down the entire length of Connecticut Street in Quezon City, reporting live under the crosshairs of rebel snipers during the bloodiest coup attempt against President Corazon Aquino. His name was Cesar Chavez, and the station that sent him there…
Philippine Eagle nailigtas ng isang magsasaka mula sa grupo ng mga unggoy sa Bukidnon
Nailigtas ng isang magsasaka sa Bukidnon ang isang Philippine Eagle mula sa mahigit 30 unggoy noong July 3. Ayon sa Department of Environment and Natural Resources sa Northern Mindanao, nakatanggp sila ng report mula kay Merly Suday mula sa Inanding Tribal Multipurpose Cooperative tungkol sa…
‘Your playlist could save a life’: Philippine Red Cross released songs to help perform CPR
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has shared a collection of songs with rhythms suitable for performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). In a Facebook post, the PRC said effective CPR requires 100 to 120 chest compressions per minute—roughly matching the beat of many popular songs. The playlist…
Philippines keeps Tier 1 anti-trafficking status for 10th straight year
The Department of Justice (DOJ) said Saturday that the Philippines has maintained its Tier 1 standard in the fight against human trafficking for the past ten years, as the agency continues to confront the growing challenge of online crimes—particularly the sexual abuse and exploitation of…