(PNA file photo by Gil Calinga) MANILA - Heatstroke and dehydration are two of the most common conditions during the dry season, a health official warned on Tuesday. In a media briefing, Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, Department of Health officer in charge, said they are waiting for the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration to declare the official start of the hot dry season but it would be wise to watch out for symptoms. She noted that heatstroke and dehydration are more common among the elderly population. Health experts define heatstroke as a condition where the body overheats after prolonged exposure or activities when the temperature is high. Meanwhile, dehydration is a heat-related condition that may be caused by excessive sweating and lack of fluids. "Kapag lumalabas po tayo, lagi po natin tatatandaan na magdala po tayo lagi ng tubig na pang-hydrate natin. Magdala tayo ng sombrero para po matakpan natin ang ulo saka magsuot po
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman (File photo) MANILA - The PHP5.268-trillion national budget for 2023 contains line items that will help achieve the Marcos administration's bid for an "inclusive and sustainable" economic transformation, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said Wednesday. Pangandaman issued the statement, as she called on the government leaders to lead with empathy to respond to the needs of the people. "As leaders in government, it is incumbent upon us to lead with empathy. We must truly consider and respond to the needs of our localities," Pangandaman said in a message at the League of Municipalities General Assembly at the Manila Hotel. "With empathy for the needs of our people, the Department of Budget and Management prepared a national budget for economic transformation that is truly inclusive and sustainable - budget na tunay na dumaramay, nakaka-unawa at nagmamalasakit sa mga Pilipino (a budget that truly empathizes with, understan
AGILA ROOM. Vice President Sara Duterte (left) and Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Maria Belen Acosta leads the unveiling of the Agila Executive Room marker on Thursday (Feb. 16, 2023) in Davao City. The room, in honor of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and the current Vice President, symbolizes the exceptional leadership of the two Dutertes as the first Mindanawon President and Vice President, respectively. (PNA photo by Robinson Ninal Jr.) DAVAO CITY - Vice President Sara Z. Duterte lauded here Thursday the efforts of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), citing it as a reliable agency driving socio-economic growth in Mindanao. "Today, we celebrate having a reliable agency responsible for promoting inclusive socio-economic growth through the participation of our partners in the private sector and civil society," she said. In time for MinDA's 13th founding anniversary, Duterte said the institution is an acknowledgment that Mindanao is more tha
DRUG-CLEARED. At least 13 barangays in the Bicol region are now included in the drug-cleared list of the Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug Clearing. The Police Regional Office in Bicol reported on Monday (Feb. 13, 2023) that a total of 2,183 barangays in the region had been declared drug-cleared. (Photo courtesy of PRO-5) LEGAZPI CITY - The Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO-5) reported on Monday that 2,183 barangays in the region have been declared as drug-cleared. Lt. Col. Maria Luisa Calubaquib, PRO-5 spokesperson, said the latest 13 barangays to be included in the list were declared as drug-cleared last Feb. 9, in a conference conducted by the Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug Clearing (ROCBDC). "From its 2,170 drug-cleared barangays, Bicol Region now has 2,183 barangays confirmed as drug-free," Calubaquib said in an interview. The 13 newly declared drug-free villages are: Calabaca, Capalonga in Camarines Norte; Baligang and Nasisi in Ligao City,
Senator Loren Legarda(File photo) MANILA-Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda on Wednesday cited the significant gains of the country's economy since the free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in the last five years. Legarda, chair of the Committee on Foreign Relations, said the Philippines has maintained its strong foothold in the European market since the enforcement of EFTA in 2018. EFTA states are Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechstenstein. "Given the current developments with our cooperation with EFTA states, I am confident that the partnership would be beneficial to our economy. The preference utilization rate of the Philippines continues to improve, from 30 percent in 2019 to 31 percent in 2020 as per the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)," Legarda said in a statement. From 2018 up to the third quarter of 2022, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said the Investment Promotion Agencies (IPA)-approved Swiss