Category: News
Torre out as PNP chief days after clash with Napolcom
Police General Nicolas Torre III was removed from his position on Tuesday, August 26, just three months into his tenure as the nation’s top policeman, amid a publicized showdown with the National Police Commission (Napolcom) in a row over a divisive reorganization of major police officers. Torre’s relief was signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin
Hope and Healing: 1,700 Sibugaynons get free treatment on first day of Tzu Chi medical mission
IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay – Under the shade of the Provincial Capitol grounds, long lines of patients – some arriving before sunrise – waited patiently on Thursday, August 14, for a chance at treatment many had long put off because of cost. By day’s end, at least 1,700 Sibugaynons had been served in the first leg
Philippine debt to hit ₱19 trillion in 2026 — DBM
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines’ debt stock is projected to breach ₱19 trillion by the end of 2026, as the Marcos administration leans heavily on borrowings to fund infrastructure, social services, and economic recovery. Budget documents show the national government’s outstanding debt could reach ₱19.057 trillion next year, up from the ₱17.359 trillion expected at
2 miners drown, prompting crackdown on illegal gold mining in South Cotabato
COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Authorities in Region 12 are ramping up their campaign against illegal small-scale copper and gold mining in Tampakan, South Cotabato after two miners drowned in floodwaters that swept through a clandestine site. Local officials identified the victims as Johnry Samling and Richard Sumali, residents engaged in banlas – a hazardous sluice
Opinion I OCTA Survey Points to a Nation at Breaking Point
The recent OCTA Research findings indicated that around 11.9 million Filipino families—or approximately 45%—consider themselves poor as of July 2025, a moderate rise from 42% in April. These survey results are not mere statistics—they’re a resounding alarm. The jump—translating to about 800,000 newly self-identified poor families within just a few months—speaks volumes about the growing
2 Mindanao provinces among Philippines’ most flood-prone areas
Maguindanao and North Cotabato have been named among the 10 most flood-prone provinces in the country, according to data presented by Malacañang on Monday, August 11. The disclosure came as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. rolled out sumbongsapangulo.ph, a public website mapping ongoing flood control projects and enabling citizens to report irregularities. The move is part
5 Zamboanga Sibugay farmers’ groups get P1.4M farm machinery from DAR
ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY, Philippines – Five agrarian reform beneficiaries’ organizations (ARBOs) in Zamboanga Sibugay received farm machinery and equipment worth P1.4 million from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to boost productivity and help them adapt to climate change. The turnover, held Friday, August 8, in Ipil town, was part of DAR’s Climate Resilient Farm Productivity
Ka Dodoy Ballon’s fight for Zamboanga Sibugay fisherfolk: From mangrove hero to defender of livelihoods
ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY, Philippines – For Roberto “Ka Dodoy” Ballon, awards are not the end goal. They are reminders of the work still left to do. The 2021 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee from Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay has spent over three decades restoring mangroves and organizing small-scale fisherfolk. His grassroots work has revived fish stocks and offered hope
South Cotabato, BARMM officials firm up peace, development push
IPIL, Philippines – Officials from South Cotabato and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are laying the groundwork for stronger peace and development cooperation in communities straddling their borders. On Thursday, August 7, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) chair Leo Tereso Magno, South Cotabato disaster risk chief Rolly Doane Cuenca Aquino, and Bangsamoro police
Basilan eyes agri-industrial leap, shedding old image of conflict
ISABELA CITY, BASILAN – Once branded as a hotspot of violence, Basilan is now planting the seeds of transformation—this time, as Mindanao’s emerging agri-industrial hub. From coconut and rubber plantations to thriving fisheries and potential halal tourism, the island province is undergoing a quiet revolution powered by peace, policy reforms, and people-centered development. “We are
Only 87 DOH-run hospitals implement zero-balance billing — Health department
Despite President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s SONA claim that Filipinos can now enjoy “zero-balance billing” in public hospitals, the Department of Health (DOH) clarified that only 87 government-run hospitals currently offer the policy. In a GMA News report on Sunday, July 28, the DOH said the program covers only hospitals directly managed by the department and
Why Your Favorite Fruits Might Be Sabotaging Your Sugar Goals
MANILA, Philippines – We’ve been told all our lives that fruits are healthy—and they are. Packed with fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, they’re often the go-to for anyone trying to eat better. But here’s the catch: not all fruits are equal, especially if you’re cutting down on sugar. Health-conscious eating has become more urgent as more
