Brunei News Gazette

Calasiao, Pangasinan: The completion of a PHP30-million access road project in Barangay San Vicente has significantly improved accessibility for residents and pilgrims visiting the Señor Divino Tesoro Shrine. Department of Public Works and Highways-Ilocos Region (DPWH-Ilocos Region) information officer Esperanza Tinaza announced the completion of the 1.5428-kilometer road, which includes reinforced concrete pipe culvert (RCPC) drainage.

According to Philippines News Agency, the project funded under the national budget, aims to streamline traffic flow, reduce travel time, and enhance safety for motorists and pedestrians. Municipal tourism officer Tammy Fernandez expressed optimism that the access road would further boost faith tourism in the town, as evidenced by the significant number of visitors during the recent Holy Week festivities.

The completion of the PHP30-million access road project in Barangay San Vicente has enhanced faith tourism in Calasiao, Pangasinan.

Quezon City: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is gearing up for the anticipated onset of the La Niña phenomenon by implementing disaster preparedness and response strategies.

According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao announced the approval of the Buong Bansa Handa project, which aims to enhance the department's capacity to provide immediate assistance during the rainy season. The project establishes two supply chain mechanisms, one driven by the government and the other by the private sector, to address the needs of families in disaster-stricken areas. Dumlao highlighted the importance of monitoring relief supplies and ensuring sufficient stock of family food packs and non-food items in warehouses across the country. Additionally, the DSWD is inspecting evacuation centers to ensure the safety and well-being of evacuees, particularly women and children.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is preparing for La Niña through the implementation of the Buong Bansa Handa project.

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) issued a stern warning to foreign nationals on Thursday, cautioning against making bomb jokes due to potential consequences such as denial of entry, exclusion, or deportation.

According to Philippines News Agency, Commissioner Norman Tansingco emphasized the seriousness of such remarks, particularly in sensitive environments like airports, where they can be construed as security threats. The warning came after a Japan-bound Philippine Airlines flight was delayed for five hours following a bomb threat call. Tansingco underscored the obligation of foreigners to abide by Philippine laws and regulations while in the country to avoid sanctions by local law enforcement agencies.

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has warned foreign nationals against making bomb jokes, citing potential denial of entry, exclusion, or deportation.

Negros Oriental: The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Field Office in Negros Oriental is set to provide additional financial assistance to beneficiaries of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers or TUPAD. Labor and Employment Officer III Rubie Cempron announced that approximately 8,000 TUPAD beneficiaries across the province will receive financial aid in this batch.

According to Philippines News Agency, The distribution is part of the Labor Day commemoration, with payouts conducted onsite in various cities and municipalities. Each beneficiary will receive PHP 4,680 for a minimum of 10 days of labor, with some potentially receiving additional compensation for extended work periods beyond the minimum requirement.

Labor and Employment Officer III, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Field Office in Negros Oriental is releasing additional financial assistance to TUPAD beneficiaries.

Iloilo City: Water rationing efforts have commenced in select barangays of Iloilo City to address water scarcity issues exacerbated by the dry season. The Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) reported the delivery of 63,900 liters of treated water to 10 barangays as of Wednesday night.

According to Philippines News Agency, the initiative, dubbed 'Oplan Bulig sa Syudad,' utilizes treated water donated by various organizations and government agencies. CDRRMO officer Donna Magno stated that the plan aims to serve 25 barangays identified as high and medium risk areas for drought. Water distribution depends on the availability of volunteer tankers, with treated water advised for boiling before consumption.

The city government is also procuring additional water using its quick response fund to expand the rationing efforts. Mayor Jerry Treñas has ordered the suspension of face-to-face classes due to extreme temperatures forecasted by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), urging residents to conserve water during the dry season.

water rationing efforts have commenced in select barangays of Iloilo City to address water scarcity issues during the dry season.

Ilocos: The Ilocos Police Regional Office (PRO-1) confiscated PHP36.6 million worth of shabu and marijuana in various operations conducted from April 1 to 30, 2024.

According to Philippines News Agency, deputy chief of PRO-1 Regional Community Affairs Development Division, 95 operations led to the seizure of 84,300 marijuana plants and significant quantities of shabu. One major operation involved the eradication of marijuana plantations in Ilocos Sur, yielding millions worth of marijuana plants. Operations in Benguet, Ilocos Sur, and La Union also resulted in the destruction of large quantities of marijuana plants.

Several suspects were arrested, and significant amounts of shabu were seized in separate operations across Vigan City, Dagupan City, Pangasinan, and Ilocos Sur. The police force is not only targeting the supply of illegal drugs but also focusing on rehabilitation programs for drug users. PRO-1 director Brig. Gen. Lou Frias Evangelista emphasized the importance of monitoring borders to prevent the influx of illegal drugs into the region.

The Ilocos Police Regional Office conducted various operations resulting in the confiscation of PHP36.6 million worth of shabu and marijuana.

Makati City: The Philippines, in partnership with the government of Canada, has initiated a program aimed at finding nature-based solutions for adapting to climate change. During the program launch of the Philippines-Canada Partnership on Nature-based Solutions for Climate Adaptation (PCP4NbS) in Makati City, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga highlighted the critical need to strengthen capacity for adaptation, especially for vulnerable populations.

According to Philippines News Agency, he partnership aims to enhance the resilience of Filipinos, particularly rural and indigenous women, against the impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. It includes knowledge sharing, expertise exchange, and resource allocation for assessing protected areas and applying science and new tools for ecological integrity. Secretary Loyzaga emphasized the importance of nature-based solutions rooted in science and indigenous knowledge, highlighting their role in the National Adaptation Plan (NAP).

The completion of the NAP was presented at the 28th Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UN FCCC), estimating the cost of inaction on adaptation within the 2030 decade to be around PHP1.4 trillion. With initiatives like PCP4NbS, Secretary Loyzaga expressed optimism toward biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation, gender equality, and community resilience.

The Philippines has partnered with Canada to launch the Philippines-Canada Partnership on Nature-based Solutions for Climate Adaptation (PCP4NbS) in Makati City.

Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) is considering implementing labeling measures for both local and imported rice to prevent the mixing of rice varieties in retail markets. In an interview, Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa emphasized the importance of providing consumers with information regarding the origin of rice they purchase.

According to Philippines News Agency, He expressed concerns about potential mislabeling activities where cheaper rice is mixed with more expensive varieties to fetch higher prices. Federation of Free Farmers Cooperatives national manager Raul Montemayor echoed these concerns, stating that some imported rice closely resembles local produce and can easily be mixed, while unscrupulous traders may repackage imported rice as local to increase profits. Retail prices for imported and local rice varieties vary, with imported rice generally cheaper due to global price trends. The DA assured it is investigating the price gap between farmgate and retail prices to ensure fairness for consumers.

According to Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa, the Department of Agriculture is planning to put labels on local and imported rice to prevent the mixing of rice varieties.

McDonald's Corporation reported a shortfall in quarterly profits, missing its target for the first time in two years as it faces a global boycott sparked by the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. The announcement came on Tuesday, highlighting the challenges faced by the fast-food giant in light of international disputes.

According to a statement from the company, despite achieving a 1.9 percent increase in global comparable sales during the first quarter, the impact of the Gaza conflict has significantly affected its market performance, especially in regions involved in the conflict. The statement elaborated that while there was positive sales growth in the U.S. and some international markets, sales were adversely affected in the International Developmental Licensed Markets segment due to the conflict in the Middle East. The call for a boycott began after Alonyal Limited, which operates McDonald's in Israel, distributed thousands of free meals to Israeli forces involved in actions in Gaza, resulting in widespread casualties. McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski remarked earlier this year that the ongoing conflict is negatively impacting the brand and reducing sales in Muslim-majority countries.

LONDON - King Charles returned to public duties on Tuesday, nearly three months after receiving a cancer diagnosis. His reappearance was marked by a visit to the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre in central London, alongside Queen Camilla. During this visit, he was announced as the new patron of Cancer Research UK.

According to Philippines News Agency, the visit involved interactions with medical specialists and patients at the center, signaling the start of several scheduled public engagements for the King. In early February, following his diagnosis, Charles, aged 75, began outpatient treatment supervised by a specialist medical team.

Manila – In a move to counteract surging electricity prices, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced on Wednesday that the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) will temporarily suspend the operation of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) during red alert statuses on the country's power grids. The decision aims to stabilize rising costs amid increased demand triggered by the current heatwave.

According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos outlined the government’s response to recent yellow and red alert notices in the Luzon and Visayas grids. These alerts have been frequent over the past weeks due to a significant spike in electricity demand, attributed to unusually high temperatures brought on by the El Niño phenomenon. The President noted that the ERC took action to suspend WESM operations to prevent further price increases during these critical periods.

The ERC, which manages the regulatory framework, confirmed that during the suspension period, administered prices would be imposed to govern transactions within the spot market. This market functions as a centralized platform where electricity is traded between buyers and sellers, with prices fluctuating based on demand and supply dynamics. The administered price mechanism is designed to prevent price spikes that can occur when market supply becomes constrained during emergencies.

The temporary suspension aligns with provisions in the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, which allows for such measures during national emergencies or significant natural calamities.

MANILA - Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte praised the contributions and commitment of what she termed 'modern-day heroes' during her Labor Day address. The Vice President recognized the essential roles played by workers across various sectors in the Philippines, emphasizing their crucial part in the nation's progress.

According to Philippines News Agency, Duterte specifically acknowledged the hard work and dedication of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), medical staff, security personnel, community workers, teachers, and all other public and private sector employees. She heralded these individuals as the true heroes of contemporary times, expressing gratitude for their daily efforts which she noted as vital to the country’s development.

Furthermore, in a recent move to support educational workers, Duterte approved the rationalization of workload for public school teachers. Department Order No. 5, issued two days before Labor Day, now allows teachers to allocate up to six hours for classroom teaching, with the remaining two hours dedicated to ancillary tasks that can be performed on or off school premises. This order is part of broader efforts to enhance the teaching environment by reducing administrative burdens previously shouldered by educators, aiming to improve both the quality of teaching and educational outcomes.